Dana Little
Boat Launch Among the many issues we have addressed this year, the one that garners the most attention is the impending closure of the boat launch on Sunrise Lane in 2025. The closure stems from the owner’s frustration with some inconsiderate users who fail to pay for launching, make excessive demands to open at inconvenient times or leave a mess on the property. A boat launch is understandably a valued service, but also a huge responsibility and imposition on the property owner. Board members Peter Bingham and Kristi Norcross are taking on the task of assessing the problem and looking for solutions. Their report is on page 4 of this years newsletter.
Watershed Survey & Grant Application Many volunteers completed a comprehensive watershed survey last year that identified 83 opportunities to improve properties and/or roads in the watershed and decrease erosion into the pond. In partnership with Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District, we have submitted a federal grant application to help pay for repairs/improvements. Details are on page 5 of our newsletter. In addition to this effort to fund larger projects, TPA continues to offer up to $500 in matching funds for property owners to prevent soil erosion. Eligible projects include having a vegetative border next to the shore (instead of a lawn), adding riprap, minimizing lawn area, cutting grass no shorter than 3 inches and avoiding the use of any pesticides or fertilizers. Contact us for a LakeSmart evaluation to learn how you can protect the pond from your own backyard.
Invasive Plants are one of the biggest threats to the pond. While most surrounding waters have invasives, Taylor Pond has only native plants. Because of the pond’s shallow depth, invasive plants could take over much of the surface area of the pond making boating or swimming unpleasant. The best way to avoid invasive plants is to remove any plant material from your boat or trailer, drain out any water and let the boat dry for several days. The state summarizes this in the motto, “Clean, Drain and Dry.” One can be fined up to $2,500 if found transporting invasive plants or animals and a new law, as of June 2023, now requires that: “Prior to entering a water body and when preparing to leave launch sites, boaters are required to remove or open any devices designed for routine removal/opening (for example: hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage draining of areas containing water. This must be done in a way that does not allow drained water to enter any inland water of the state.”
Many thanks to members of the Association who contribute their yearly dues, board members who contribute their expertise and all homeowners who work so hard to keep the pond healthy.
Maine boating regulations require:
- Boats must maintain no more than “headway speed” (i.e. minimum speed needed to maintain control and forward motion) within 200 feet of the shoreline.
- All children 10 years old or younger must wear a PFD (i.e. life jacket) when aboard any vessel.
- All watercraft (including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards) must be equipped with an appropriate PFD for each person aboard and proper light if operating at night.
- Water skiing is prohibited between the hours of ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise.
- Anyone towing a water skier or tuber must have an additional watcher at least 12 years old aboard.
- On Taylor Pond, at any one time there are more kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and small sailboats on the water than motorized craft. Please be considerate of others at all times. If you are transiting at night, be aware that loons and ducks may be in your path. Be vigilant!
Milfoil: Taylor Pond is one of the few area lakes that is not infested with milfoil, an invasive feathery plant that can completely take over a shallow lake in a season. Before launching a boat always check carefully to be sure that not a speck of plant material is on it. Just a tiny piece tucked away in a propeller can produce a whole colony of milfoil. The best, and almost only, defense is prevention. A one-inch piece of milfoil kept in a freezer for a year is still hearty and robust once submerged in water again. Thank you for your vigilance.