I want to dedicate some of this blog to the "controversy" that surrounds the boat launch. This is one of the areas I spoke about at the candidates forum and wanted to make sure those who watched the video understand why I support the boat launch being in it's present location (or one very close by).
For those who are not up to speed on the controversy, here is what I have been able to gather for information. The State has agreed to; completely restore the present picnic area, fix the erosion that has pretty much decimated the present boat launch, put in a new up-to-date boat launch, and then give the entire thing to the Town of Dexter. You might be asking yourself "What is the State going to charge Dexter?". The answer is NOTHING!!! The State is willing to pay the entire bill and then GIVE it to the Town. The next question you are probably asking yourself is "Well what's the problem?". Well, some members of the Utility District seems to think that a boat launch that close to the Town water supply intake (approximately 700 feet) presents a danger of water contamination and therefore have been fighting it for the past couple years. Here is where I have questions and after reading them you will quickly realize what side of the controversy I am on. The water intake is a couple hundred feet from the bridge. In the summer time, boats travel under the bridge and by that intake all day long and there has never been an issue with contamination. In fact, if you look at how boat owners have to use the small boat launch by the closed campground and then have to travel under the bridge directly by the water intake, the chances for water contamination is increased.
The sad part of it is that the Utility District has yet to explain any scientific evidence that shows the increased possibility of contamination that a new boat launch would present. On the contrary, the Maine Depar
tment of Conservation said during the mediation meeting, that having a new boat launch 700 feet away from the intake would present no increased chances of contamination. At the chance of alienating myself from members of the Utility District, I have to say this. I think the Department of Conservation is much more in tune as to what does and does not present a chance of contamination.So what does this all mean to Dexter? Well, the Town is looking at a new location some 9000 feet away from the intake. The only problem with this, is that it is on the opposite side of the lake and nobody besides the residents of the lake will really know that it exists. In our present economic situation, I cannot see how this is encouraging people to come to Dexter and spend money. Also, it may end up costing the Town money depending on how much it costs to purchase the lot needed to put in the boat launc
h.My personal view is that we should open the campground to some capacity, have the State put in a new boat launch in it's present location, and focus on getting people visit Dexter and spend money. There are many small businesses in that area that would prosper from this happening, PJ's bait shop. TJ's resteraunt, Nessi's, and Lakeshore Lunch are a few. A boat launch on the opposite side of the lake will serve little to no purpose in encouraging economic growth.
I would highly encourage each of you to contact the Utility District Trustees and express your concern. Each member's contact information can be found at www.dextermaine.org/committees.html. I would also encourage people to take a more active role in the local community. Many of the problems we have in Dexter is the l
ack of involvement from all but a few people when it comes to serving on committees and attending meetings. If there was a better selection of candidates for these committees, Dexter would be in a much better position. That is note a "slam" to everyone who serves on the committees. Some of them serve with Dexter's best interest at heart and they do a very good job. It is only a way of me expressing my frustration of too many people serving on committees that end up hurting the local economy and in the end hurting Dexter.
3 comments:
Hello David,
I have a place on the big lake and I also have a boat. Its a real pain in the spring/early summer to launch my boat on the little lake basically because of the water level is so high. So what happens is that we can not launch the boat until we can get it under bridge. Second issue, your right every time you go under the bridge you pass almost directly over the intake from water supply. It doesnt matter where you have the boat launch boats are still going to go over the intake due to its location so why not use the states resources for a new launch??
It makes sense to me to use the State's resources. For some reason it doesn't to others. It amazes me at how many opportunities like this that Dexter has had over the years that have been squelched because of a few people. With any luck we can get people on committees that can see the big picture.
Dave, it asically boils down to people with power are abusing it and as long as thy dont provide the proof that if will affect the lake then they need to do what is truly in the best intrest in the community and not their own personal agenda. As anonymous states on passing almost directly over the intake is any different than haveing a launch 700 feet away.
Joe W
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