July Activities and Issues - Lakes Management Committee

• The Committee reviewed progress on goals through mid-year.
• The lakes cleaning program is ahead of schedule and a new five year plan should be discussed and structured with reference to what we’ve learned from this first plan.
• There appears to be correlation between the increasing goose population and threats to use of the beaches due to coliform bacteria contamination. The Committee strongly supports the Town Council in any goose control activity.
• The Committee has increased public information dissemination through an increased Web presence, the Home & School Bulletin, and the impending publication of Know Your Lakes.

• Dam reconstruction was delayed by rejection of all bids. The lowest price came in at $250,000 over the budget. The Borough Manager will be reviewing the project scope for changes which may lower the price.
• A foot of water was pumped from Crystal Lake and raised Birchwood 18”. The pumping was stopped to let Crystal refill. The Swim Team has returned to Birchwood for practice and the Birchwood beach will re-open in mid July.
• There have been some issues with muskrat damage to private property. These rodents (Ondatra zibethicus) are common and active in our lakes. For further information on muskrats try the following link to “Everything Muskrat”, http://my.net-link.net/~vaneselk/muskrat/ . There is also a muskrat dinner annually in Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County, NJ.