Dear Members, Friends, and Lake Lovers: 

Boat Ramp Parking Lot Construction:  Fortunately, Mother Nature cooperated and work went off as scheduled.  The bulk of the work has been completed.  Finishing touches will be done in the coming weeks.  The parking lot is available for use.

Lake Hosts: Our Lake Host team will take up their post at the boat ramp beginning on Memorial Day weekend.  Four of the 2023 crew will return and will be joined by 3 new recruits.  

Water Quality Sampling:  Our volunteers are already hard at it with the first test of the season on April 9 for Spring turnover.  Other sampling events are scheduled for May 28, July 30, August 27, and September 24.  Give a big   to the team when you see them on the water or in the watershed.   

Muck Management:  We urge you to follow the efforts of lake lover Michael Gold and remove the detritus that has accumulated on your beach.  Leaving it to rot at the shoreline, or blowing leaves and grass into the Lake, only adds to our phosphorous problem.  

Lake Level:  The boards are currently set at 16 inches.  The lake level was 18.25" on May 2.  The Town’s goal is 14 inches.  The SLA Lake Water Level webpage will be updated in time for the next Gazette. 

Feathered Friend Update:  In mid-April, our local amateur experts have spotted as many as 4 loons, though more recently only 2 have been seen and heard.  Hopefully, they are scouting the island for a suitable nesting space.  

Welcome to the newest member of the Spofford family.  Our resident eagle observer, Lee Brockman, spotted the adult eagles with at least one eaglet on May 1. 

Invasive Species:  Many thanks to the Board of Selectmen for once again allocating $10,000 to the Town’s Spofford Lake Control and Remediation of Invasive Species Expendable Trust Fund.  That brings to $50,000 the total value of the Trust.  

Chesterfield Revitalization/Brownfield Site:  While Town residents approved funds, the Chesterfield Revitalization Group is pleased to advise that rather than using those monies, NH DES is now going to fully fund the Phase II final testing assessment of the brownfield site on Route 9A, i.e., the former Spofford garage, Electrosonics, and Pierce’s Mill.  Pending results, DES will then move forward with a Phase III remediation plan.  The project is expected to take 6-8 weeks once contractors have been confirmed. 

Tidbits:

•     Farmer’s markets:  Brattleboro market is open for the season. Chesterfield will open on May 25. 

•     John’s Way:  Ground has been broken by one homeowner at Johns’s Way, aka the old Spofford Hall location.  Perhaps we will see a finished home by the end of the season. Good luck!

•     Ware’s Grove Clean-up: Volunteers are needed on May 11 at 9am to spruce up the beach.  Please take a rake and gloves.

Wishing an early but very Happy Mother’s Day to our readers.  

Happy Spring! 🌹🌼  The Spofford Lake Association