Healthy Lake Boon signs

We thank those who have been displaying the “Lake Boon Needs Your Help!” signs to raise awareness about taking care of our lake. However, a few of them have been damaged by snow plowing, blowing into the lake, etc. Please dispose of damaged signs and those that are not displayed reasonably.

There has also been concern about one of the three signs that incorrectly says “No wakes within 150 feet of shore, swimmers, boats.” In Massachusetts boating law, the 150 foot distance does not relate to wakes; it relates to motor boats moving at more than headway speed. The LBA ceased distributing that version sign as soon as the error was noted and Boonies who have those signs are encouraged to trade them in for one of the others by emailing Dave Gray at grayscale@earthlink.net to make arrangements.

Lake Boon Commission meets May 3; public hearing on winter lake rules

The Lake Boon Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Public participation using your phone or computer is encouraged.

Agenda:

• Welcome opening remarks
• Proposed Lake Boon Winter Rules
• Public Comment
• Deliberation of any recommended changes as proposed
• Vote of LBC members
• Adjourn

To join the meeting, see the posted agenda for a Zoom link or phone number.

Happy Earth Day this Saturday, April 22!

Let’s participate with our annual roadside cleanup this weekend. We can contribute to our lake community, enhance the environment, set a good example for our children and grandchildren, and carry out another part of our Healthy Lake Boon Initiative. Please help pick up trash along our roads to keep the neighborhood looking nice and prevent anything from blowing or washing into the lake or clogging storm drains. You can put the accumulation with your normal trash pickup. Participants should wear gloves, long pants and long sleeves to help avoid poison ivy and bright clothes or a reflective vest for safety.

Those in Stow can also register as part of the town-wide cleanup by signing up online or at the Lower Common (Shaw’s plaza) on Saturday morning 8 a.m. to noon. The Stow Cleanup Group will have yellow garbage bags, gloves and reflective vests available there also. Bags can be put in your own trash can or left by the side of the road in Stow. The Stow Town Highway Department will pick up bags on Monday.

April 19 on Zoom: Sustainable Stow talk on native plant gardening

As Lake Boon abutters we play a very important part in preserving its watershed, flora and fauna. When planting your gardens this spring, consider native plants that help maintain our wildlife and biodiversity. We have the opportunity to learn more at an upcoming presentation sponsored by Sustainable Stow and Randall Library.

On Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m., speaker Amy Meltzer will give a talk on “Gardening With Native Plants: Providing habitat for pollinators, birds and other essential wildlife.” Amy focus on the evolutionary relationship among native plants, insects, birds and fungi, and how these interdependent relationships across diverse species are necessary for their survival.

She will show how growing native plants and using ecological landscaping practices can simultaneously reverse biodiversity loss, increase resilience in our landscapes, and slow climate change – all while creating a beautiful garden!

Amy is an active member of Grow Native Massachusetts and the Mass Pollinator Network. She is on both the Research Team and the Natural Solutions Working Group of Elders Climate Action.

For more information and to register, please visit https://randall-library.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/sustainable-stow-15/

A reminder…

It’s never too early for lake-friendly lawncare! Remember, the Lake Boon Association discourages fertilizing lawns and gardens near the lake. Phosphorus in particular is the nutrient most responsible for algae blooms and vigorous aquatic weed growth later in the season. If you feel you must use fertilizer, make an effort to select no, or very low, phosphorus content. Fertilizer nutrient % concentrations are always identified in the order N-P-K for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium though it is often in the fine print. Look for zero as the middle number. Phosphorus is not needed to sustain a green lawn.

If you have a landscape service applying fertilizer, specify a no phosphorus formulation and to stay well away from any waterfront runoff area. It’s all too easy for landscapers to apply their one-size-fits-all chemicals that they use in yards away from water bodies. If they cannot provide a very low or no phosphorus fertilizer it may be time to look for another service.

Found items

These items blew to the east end of the 2nd basin recently. Owners, please retrieve them.

This blue paddle boat is at 66 Lakeside Avenue.

These floats are at 33 Hale Road.

Lake Boon Commission meets April 12

The Lake Boon Commission will meet Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Public participation via calling in or using your computer is encouraged. You can find the agenda, with a Zoom link and connection information, here on the Town of Hudson website.

Agenda:

• Welcome opening remarks
• Dam update with Theresa O’Riorden
• Public Comment
• Rec commission request for permit
• Bills for Payment – Review/Approve
• Lake Boon weed treatment plans Update
• Summer prep for the lake buoys and boat
• Winter on the lake, snowmobile, dirt bikes and policing
• Past Meeting Minutes – Review/Approve
• Old Business
• New Business
• Date of Next Meeting
• Adjourn