Tree Talk: Lakefront tree work by Robert Fogg

In this article, I would like to focus on tree cutting/pruning in the shore land zone, particularly the area that lies within 100’ of a lake or stream. In this area, we use the "point system" to help us determine what, if any, cutting is allowed.

We start by gridding the shorefront off into 25' X 50' sections (or 25' X 25' in some towns) and then we measure and map the existing trees. The measurement is taken at 4 ½ feet above the ground, referred to as diameter at Breast Height (DBH). 

Each tree is given a point designation, based on its size (the larger the tree, the higher the point value). We must maintain a minimum of 24 points (or 12 points in some towns) before any surplus trees may be removed. To discourage the removal of only the small trees and leaving only large trees, no more than half of the 24 points in each grid section  may come from trees 12" diameter or larger. 

Trees that are dead, dying or dangerous (as determined by a licensed Arborist) are usually allowed to be removed, but often, if this takes a grid section below the minimum required points, new small trees will be required to be planted to take their place, unless new growth is present. Any tree that is smaller than 2" diameter (DBH), but taller than 3' is considered a sapling. A minimum of 5 saplings must be left, if possible, in each grid section. Any vegetation that is 3' tall or shorter is considered ground cover. No ground cover can be removed except for a 6' wide winding path to the water. A tree may not be stripped of live limbs any higher than the lowest 1/3 of its height. Dead limbs are ok to remove at any height. 

The actual shore land zone goes back a total of 250' from the water, but the first 100' is the most
critical and the most heavily protected. No more than 40 per cent of the basal area of trees over 4" DBH may be removed from the entire 250' shore land zone in any 10-year period. 

Fines for violations can be substantial. Each town has a code enforcement officer that oversees this tree cutting. Many towns now require a permit for any shore land zone tree cutting. If you have questions, you should contact your town code officer and/or a competent Arborist. Keep in mind that you are ultimately responsible for whatever cutting is done, so it pays to know the rules and/or work with an Arborist that you trust completely to stay within the rules. After all, the rules are in place to help keep our lakes and streams clean, which is good for us all.

The author is general manager of Q-Team Tree Service in Naples and is also a licensed Arborist. He can be reached at RobertFogg@Q-Team.com or 207-693-3831.

North Yarmouth Academy announces second semester Windham and Raymond honor roll students

The following students who live in the Windham Eagle’s coverage area attained honor roll status for the second semester:

Highest Honors

Grade 9:

Emily Beisel-Bolen of Raymond

High Honors

Grade 9:

Marley Boettcher of Windham

Grade 10:

Hannah Gagne of Raymond

Reed Silvers of Raymond

Grade 12:

Dana Nichols of Windham

Honors

Grade 9:

Pierce Manchester of Raymond

Windham Center Stage Theater Announces Auditions for “The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy”

WCST is holding auditions for their fall musical, “The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy.” Auditions are Thursday, August 17 and Friday, August 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. 

Callbacks will be on Saturday, August 19. Male and female roles for teens to adults are available.

Be prepared to sing a musical selection preferably from a Broadway show. (Not from “The Addams Family.”) A piano accompanist will be provided but please bring sheet music. Wear comfortable clothing. 

Auditions will be held at the theater in the Windham Town Hall, 8 School Rd.

Show dates are October 13 to 15 and October 20 to 22. 

For more information, go to windhamtheater.org. With questions or to request an alternate audition time, please email at windhamcenterstagetheater@gmail.com.

Senators announce nearly $6 million for Maine DHHS

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced July 26, 2017 that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will receive $5,989,945 through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP). 
 

“Public health threats are often unannounced and spread quickly, which is why it is imperative that we take proactive measures to improve the preparedness and response capabilities of our state’s health system,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This welcome investment will help bolster our state’s ability to address potential public health emergencies and keep our communities safe.”

The CDC established the HPP and PHEP to help health departments build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases; natural disasters; and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events. The CDC is an agency within the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services.

Loon Echo Land Trust’s 30th Annual Meeting and celebration party

Bridgton, ME (July 24th, 2017) – Loon Echo Land Trust invites you to enjoy an evening on the shores of Highland Lake in Bridgton for Loon Echo’s 30^th Annual Meeting on Sunday, August 20; this is a celebration of 30 years of land conservation held at the Tarry-A-While Resort in Bridgton.

Weather permitting, for the first 50 to sign up there will be a party boat flotilla tour of Highland Lake at 3 p.m. from the Tarry-A-While dock, followed by a cash bar and appetizers at 5 p.m. The Annual Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a message from Loon Echo’s President, David Diller. Then there will be: the secretary’s report, a review of the financial report, election of the board of directors, the ^th Anniversary.
executive director’s report and a toast to Loon Echo’s 30

After the meeting, everyone is invited to stay on for a 6 p.m. lobster and steak bake on the shores of Highland Lake. The cost of the lobster and steak bake dinner is $35 per person. Reserve your spot by emailing or calling Kelli Shedd by August 16 at 207-647-4352 (ext. 301) or membership@lelt.org. Registration is also available online by visiting www.lelt.org/30years.

Loon Echo Land Trust protects nearly 6,700 acres of land and manages 31 miles of multi-use trails in the northern Sebago Lake region. Its mission is to work with the local residents to conserve the region’s natural resources and character for current and future generations. Loon Echo serves seven towns including Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago with an area of 320 square miles located directly north of Sebago Lake.  

For more information about upcoming events or ways you can support Loon Echo Land Trust, go to their website www.lelt.org or call 207-647-4352.

Maine VFW Chaplain of the Year goes to Roger Timmons

Pictured above is Commander Willie Goodman, Windham VFW Post 10643, presenting the department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars Chaplain of the Year Award for 2016/17 to Chaplain Roger Timmons. Also pictured are VFW members Ken Murch and Chuck Whynot.

Highland Lake community energized and engaged as they meet to discuss the issue of Cyanobacteria

This past Thursday, over 80 Highland Lake residents attended the 2017 annual meeting of the Highland Lake Association (HLA).

Community members learned about recent efforts to impact future development around Highland Lake and expand their understanding of a recently completed research project by USM Graduate students that focused on the issue of Cyanobacteria in Highland Lake.

The business meeting focused on “What is going on in Highland Lake?” – A power point

presentation by Rosie Hartzler, VP of the Highland Lake Association. This presentation highlighted how the emergence of a Pico Cyanobacteria bloom, with its precipitating negative effect on water clarity, was seriously impacting the very essence of what the lake means to its residents.

Attendees keyed into the seriousness of this phenomenon, which has occurred with shocking regularity for about 4 weeks from mid-July through mid-August, since 2014.  As if right on cue, the lake took a decided turn just this past Saturday, July 22 for the fourth year in a row.  

Residents woke up to radically reduced water clarity.  One resident commented “Here it comes!” 

There is an ongoing effort to more accurately determine why this is happening and what the causes are.  “It’s complicated”, said Hartzler. In her discussion of the issue, “Highland Lake may be at a tipping point,” she pointed out the many factors that may precipitate a lake turning from clear to turbid.  “Erratic weather is the wild card.”  

One of the recurring themes in this presentation revolved around data that confirms that Highland Lake contains a high level of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). Phosphorous enters the lake primarily when runoff occurs from the surrounding watershed. High nutrients are definitely related to the outbreak of Pico Cyanobacteria in Highland Lake. The HLA received a grant of $4,000 from the Town of Windham to study why this outbreak is occurring.  

Highland Lake is currently designated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a “lake at risk, due to over development.”  A 2003 study by the DEP indicated 883 residential structures in the water shed area, with 243 residential structures on the immediate shoreline of Highland Lake.  

In addition, a group of Highland Lake residents are engaged with members of the HLA board to more carefully scrutinize proposed development in the Highland Lake watershed.  This effort is seen as critical, particularly with the continuing outbreak of Pico Cyanobacteria in the lake.

The HLA invites residents in the watershed to engage in the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect Highland Lake. We all need to become more engaged in the ongoing effort to safeguard Highland Lake from further degradation and learn how individual efforts can contribute in defending the social and economic benefits of this beautiful lake and surrounding land.  

The HLA board thanks all those who participated in the annual meeting as well as the myriad of watershed residents, who by purchasing raffle tickets, raised over $2,000.    

The event was a total success and the HLA looks forward to ongoing engagement with the greater Highland Lake Community.