Public Meeting
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THE PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting for the Long-range Management Plan was held on August 22 at the Ricker Memorial Library to inform the community of Tripp Lake’s vision, and to receive input from those who live in the watershed Unfortunately, it was a smaller audience than planned, with only about 35 in attendance. However, the enthusiasm of those attending compensated for what it lacked in numbers.

The meeting was opened by Barbara Shapiro, immediate past president of TLIA, who gave a brief history of the organization, its accomplishments and its hopes for the future. The size of the organization has grown steadily in the past 8 years, from 44 members in 1994 to 120 in 2002. The importance of a strong membership, in terms of protecting the lake and the quality of life, cannot be overstated.

She introduced all who participated in organizing the meeting as well as the main speakers, Scott Williams and Roberta Hill. Their presentation included a look at the lake over the years and focused on the importance of formulating a long-range plan. A report was given on the results of the survey conducted in July, followed by comments and concerns from the audience. Linda Laskey, acting as facilitator, directed the questions and ideas towards the correct parties. Small group brainstorming sessions had to be eliminated due to time constraints.

Feedback from the original survey included suggestions on limiting the size of motors on the lake, the excess salting and sanding on Jordan Shore Drive, placement and maintenance of culverts, faulty septic systems, the need for buffering on steep shorelines, misuse of the boat landing, pollutants to the lake via inlets and streams, duck and geese on the lake, the campgrounds, the egg farm, and the need for education. Suggestions included presenting programs to school children as well as forming alliances with neighboring lake associations in Poland.

 
It was decided that a second survey should be drawn up and sent to all who received it originally as well as to municipal officials, board members, planning committee and conservation commission members. It will include a brief summary of activities and comments to date, and will be formatted in such a way as to allow respondents to respond and return it easily. Barry MacMillan volunteered to draft it, then circulate it to committee members for comments before mailing it. It will be also be posted on our website, tripplake.com. We hope everyone will return this survey with thoughtful suggestions. The Plan will eventually become an document, a vision of how best to preserve and protect Tripp Lake.

Scott Williams fields questions while Roberta Hill mans Powerpoint presentation.
The next public meeting will be held in August, 2003, following the completion of the first draft of the Watershed Management Plan. It’s hoped that a larger group will attend at that time.