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

Found paddle board

This white stand up paddle board with orange and green stripes was found floating in the first basin Saturday evening.  It is now on the dock at 12 Pine Point Road. Owner, please email Dave at grayscale@earthlink.net to make arrangements for return.

Fish consumption advisory

Attention Lake Boon fishers! A summary of fish conditions in Massachusetts was updated in February by the State Department of Public Health.

In Lake Boon, children under twelve, pregnant or nursing mothers, and women of childbearing age are advised to not eat Black Crappie or Largemouth Bass because of mercury contamination. Others are advised to limit Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass consumption to no more than two 8 to 12 oz servings a month.

You can download a list of advisories for rivers and ponds statewide here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/public-health-freshwater-fish-consumption-advisories-2023-0

Spring wind and high water reminder

With ice unlikely to reform, the first of the Lake Boon dam boards were finally replaced last Friday. With lots of precipitation this week, and spring winds a-blowing, be sure boats, floats and docks are secured to prevent them from drifting away with the high winds, waves and higher water levels.

FYI, the fierce red-headed Loch Boon Monster was seen swimming its way to escape a drifting ice flow in the first basin earlier this month!

Going up! Lake Boon level that is…

With longer, warmer days and the ice essentially gone, plans are for the Highway Depart to replace the boards in the outfall at the dam next week. The lake level will rise gradually about 14″ over the next 3 to 4 weeks, depending on precipitation and ground thawing.

• Be sure to secure any docks, floats, boats, etc. that have been left at water’s edge.
• Take advantage of the last chance to do any waterfront and dock maintenance at the low level.
• Rake any leaves away from the shoreline and compost them further away to reduce this source of nutrients that feed aquatic weeds and algae later in the season.
• Enjoy keeping a lookout for migrating waterfowl: mergansers, buffleheads, etc. which may be underwater at first glance.

Lake Boon Commission Meets February 2

The Lake Boon Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 2 on Zoom–happy Groundhog Day! The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Participation via computer or by telephone is encouraged. Connection information is available on the posted agenda here.

AGENDA

• Welcome opening remarks
• Public Comment
• Meeting Minutes – Review/Approve
• Update on the proposed Lake Boon construction
• Bills for Payment – Review/Approve
• Healthy Lake Boon Update
• RFP for the weed treatment and warrant articles
• Winter on the lake, snowmobile, dirt bikes and policing
• Old Business
• New Business
• Date of Next Meeting
• Adjourn

Tues., Jan 31: Lake Boon Dam Meeting at Stow Select Board

Our thanks to dam abutters for their persistence in requesting timely information on the planning for this critical project.

This early notice is given to allow questions to be submitted in advance of the meeting by email as requested below. Presentation slides are available at:
https://www.stow-ma.gov/select-board/agenda/select-board-meeting-agenda-44

STOW SELECT BOARD MEETING
January 31, 2023
7:00 p.m.
ZOOM ONLY
This meeting is being held on Zoom ONLY. Link to join the meeting, meeting ID and meeting passcode are available on the meeting agenda, posted here on the Town of Stow website.

1. Presentation from Weston & Sampson regarding the Lake Boon Dam Rehabilitation Project
   o Discussion of the Project
   o Q&A
2. Adjournment

*** While there will be an opportunity for a Q&A, it would be appreciated that if you have questions about the project, to please submit them in advance to questions@stow-ma.gov ***