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Lake Massapoag advisory group seeks town staff support and explores a 'Friends of the Lake' nonprofit
Summary
Committee members proposed a town-funded staff position under DPW to manage projects and recommended forming a 'Friends of the Lake' nonprofit to handle volunteer coordination, fundraising, and outreach; the group will present plans to the Select Board on March 10.
Members of the Lake Massapoag Advisory Committee discussed Jan. 28 the need for more structured town support to sustain long-term lake-management work.
Chair Laura Henze Russell and other members said the committee’s workload and the operational needs of the Watershed-Based Plan exceed volunteer capacity. Members discussed creating a full-time staff position housed in the Department of Public Works (DPW) or Conservation to manage contractors, seek funding, and implement projects. Gary Bluestein argued the committee’s work should be placed under a town employee for continuity.
Separately, members explored forming a 'Friends of the Lake' nonprofit to coordinate volunteers, fundraising and outreach while the advisory committee would retain oversight and planning responsibilities. Aruna Ramachandran offered to host small meetings to test interest and identify potential volunteers; Debbie Tatro cautioned that members’ availability is limited and recommended focusing on narrowly scoped, achievable tasks first.
Next steps include preparing a presentation for the Select Board on March 10 to outline a five-year capital plan and staffing recommendations and holding an open warrant hearing with the Finance Committee as part of budgetary review.
