Lake Carmi Association News July, 2014….......One Happy Lake.....Volume 8, Number 3

Brought to you by the Lake Carmi Camper’s Association, Inc. and other fine sponsors.

Larry Myott, Editor……….Larry.Myott@uvm.edu……… www.lakecarmi.org

_____________________________________________________________________

Notes from President Peter Benevento The frequent and sometime heavy rains of

May and early June have finally abated. The high

water level has receded and campers can put in

that last piece of dock.

Boats and boat lifts

pepper the shoreline

while warmer weather

and sunny skies

welcome the fishermen

and other water sport

enthusiasts. School is

out and the numbers of

cottage lights along the

shoreline have increas-

ed to form a steady beam. The camping season is

in full swing.

The LCCA is in full swing, planning

activities intent on making the summer of 2014 at

Lake Carmi most memorable. Our regular events

such as the lighted boat parade, pontoon boat

relay race and fireworks anchor the events that

will include a pirate adventure and a fly boarding

demonstration. Our North Beach will be the hub

of activity during the late afternoon and evening

of July 3rd so please plan accordingly. A fun

time is guaranteed for all.

The Federation of Vermont Lakes &

Ponds (FOVLAP) recently had their annual Lakes

Seminar. The new Shoreland Protection Act, was

recently signed into law by Governor Shumlin; it

is effective July 1. The intent of the Act is to

foster development that will not have a negative

impact on our greatest natural resource, our lakes,

ponds and rivers. The Town of Franklin establish-

ed lake shore setbacks years ago; however, this

Shoreline Protection Act is the first mandatory

protection law in Vermont. The vast majority of

the camps on Lake Carmi will not be affected by

the Act. Most of our existing properties are

grandfathered.

Our efforts continue to monitor the quality

of the water in our lake. The Franklin Watershed

Committee is working with campers and other

landowners to employ practices that will prevent

erosion and harmful sediments from entering the

lake. The LCCA volunteers continue to study all

means of managing the milfoil in the lake. Bio-

logical and chemical means to control milfoil

must be fully evaluated. Mechanical weed har-

vesting is not having the desired effect. A frank

discussion on milfoil management, involving all

the Franklin community, must be conducted to

help find the best course of action.

Lastly, our summer fund-raising efforts

will be in high gear by the time you read this

newsletter. Cleaner lake water is not free. Please

support our Pontoon Boat Race Raffle and other

functions that help to raise money for upcoming

big efforts. The money raised will help ensure our

lake stays “One Happy Lake,” for us, our family

and our friends for generations to come.

Speaking of family and friends, during my

visits with campers the last few weeks I have

heard one common comment, it’s a recurring

theme. Campers are looking forward to our

Celebrate Lake Carmi days; it brings them

together with family and friends. We are very

lucky to have such a festive lake that makes

people want to return here. It is all good. It is

Lake Carmi. See you around the lake!

GREEN MOUNTAIN KETTLE CORN

Stop by on Friday nights between 6:00 &

8:00 p.m., pick up your weekend supply

of fresh made kettle corn.

Cost: $4.00/bag

Location: 35 Hammond Shore Road

(Look for Signs)

From Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekends Another LCCA Member Owned Business

LCCA Board Meetings, 2014 The LCCA Board has set their schedule of

board meetings for the summer months. They

meet at the FELCO Room of the Franklin Home-

stead at 8:30 a.m., May through September.

Members are always welcome to attend.

Remaining summer meetings are July 19, August

23 and September 20. The annual meeting is

tentatively scheduled for Saturday August 9, at

the Franklin United Church Fellowship Hall.

Membership Drive Under-Way The 2014 LCCA membership drive is

underway. Membership chair Marion Benevento is

seeking volunteers for each shore to knock on doors

and complete the annual drive. 2013 was the most

successful drive ever with a total of more than 260

paid members. The annual dues of $35 are due in

June.

Members get their new camp window card

for identification throughout the year. When the

Sheriff visits your cottage in the winter and finds

something wrong, they will know who to call and

where.

Email any changes to Secretary Ruth Ann

Krayesky (rakay@aol.com). Please add your email

address to your membership form for a free sub-

scription to LCCA communications.

For Sale, For Rent or Wanted Paid members are permitted a free classified ad in the four issues of the season. Merchandise ads can only run for two issues, unless renewed. Camp rental ads can run for the whole season. However, if you have no more availability, please notify the editor. For Sale, 2002 Glastron, 16 foot boat, 95 hp outboard. Lift and trailer included, and more. Call: 802.285.6652. Cottage for Sale, owned land, 3 bdrm, 1

bath, drilled well, fully furnished. Camp Road.

$180,000. Guy Breault, 802.933.2025.

Cottage Rentals Cottage for Rent, Hammond Shore, Fully

furnished, bring your own linens. 802.285.6737. Cottage for Rent, 1950’s era lakefront

family camp on Westcott Shore. Sleeps six, two bdrm, plus beds on porch. Woodland setting. $500/week. Contact Kim Gates 802.285.9911 or email vera@franklinvt.net.

Cottage for Rent, right on the lake, Patton Shore Road, 2 story, sleeps nine, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath. Second story loft, fully furnished. Call 802-879-7517, www.cyberrentals.com/rental/p129401

Cottage for Rent. Patton Shore; 3 bdrms; Sleeps up to 15; full kitchen. New England style rustic, by the week. Includes rowboat and canoe. Pets & children welcome. Contact Ted Hearne at 773.728.6996, or: lakecarmicamp@gmail.com.

Cottage for Rent, 1930’s era vintage lakefront camp on Vic’s Crossing. Sleeps 10, 4 bdrm, with canoe & Kayaks. 802.285.2250 or email: blackbarn@franklinvt.net.

Cottage for Rent, Three bdrms. Dock, rowboat, kayaks. Mullen/Westcott Shore. $600/week, including VT Tax. Not available for July 4 week. Contact Jan Cushman, 925.253.1958 or jancushman@comcast.net.

Cottage for Rent, Patton Shore, call Kevin Lothian at 802.285.6568.

Progressive Auto Sales Route 7, St. Albans

(Across from Warner’s Snack Bar)

802.524.3040 or Toll free 866.675.0100

Largest pre-owned dealership in

Franklin County!

Imports and Domestics

www.progressiveautosalesvt.com Another LCCA Member Owned Business

Park Side Grill Main Street, Enosburg Falls

Good Food, Good Portions and Fair Prices

Pizzas, Burgers, Grinders & more Eat In or Take Out, 933.5522 Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Another LCCA Member Owned Business

Avery’s

Snowplowing & Lawn Care, LLC Lawn mowing, tree cutting, pruning,

garden mulching and more.

Driveway install and repair.

Complete spring & fall cleanup.

Light trucking, delivery of topsoil, mulch,

trash hauling. Stump removal.

Call Avery & Megan Stanley, 802.309.5203

Bob Everest Interviewed on Fishing Editor: Do you keep all the fish you catch?

Bob: “No, I don’t go fishing to catch fish!

I just like to be out there looking like I’m fishing.

I like to think about fishing, but I sure don’t want

to be bothered by fish, large or small. Oh, I might

consider what it might be like to catch one, but

I’m more apt to be contemplating the land

structure under the water. You know, where

would I go if I were a fish – how I would laugh at

all that silly stuff fishermen throw into the Lake

that I might get hooked.

“I like to sit and think about how nice it is

just to be able to go fishing – the beautiful lake,

the waves, the sounds, the air, the sun, the peace

and all that goes with fishing. I even think about

all that happened in the last 10,000 years since the

glacier receded. In any case I don’t wish to have

any fish interrupt my reveries.

“My fishing lure is meant to be a pal to a

lonely fish – not a trap. I entertain no worries

when I’m fishing and I take deep breaths of

enjoyment for the solace of my mind; I look

forward eagerly to the next moment, which may

become another among the many moments of

fishing that has become a mass of fond

memories.”

Fishing Contest Reminder The Annual LCCA, Inc. Fishing Contest

opens June 1, 2014 offering trophies in Senior

and Junior Divisions for the largest fish in each of

four species caught at Lake Carmi through Labor

Day, 2014. Trophies are awarded in each Division

for the biggest and best fish entered. The contest

is open to all licensed Lake Carmi fishermen and

women and in the Junior Division, boys and girls

age 15 and younger. The contest is FREE to all

Lake Carmi fishermen. The trophies are donated

by the family of one of the founders of the

contest, in the late 1950’s.

The official weigh-in stations are the

General Store in Franklin Village or Byam’s

Quick Stop in East Franklin. Lists are located at

each location where entries may be weighed and

documented. All fish entered in the contest must

be taken in conformance with State of Vermont

fishing regulations regarding licensing, legal

sizes, limits and dates within the contest period.

Under existing contest procedures, the

weight of an entered fish is the only certifiable

criteria and the only factor in selecting the

winners.

When you catch a great fish, please try to

get a photograph of the fisherman and his (or her)

catch and send it along for some future use in our

Newsletter. Use email if you can. Happy fishing!

Editor Larry Myott: larry.myott@uvm.edu.

The Opera House at Enosburg Falls Good family entertainment at the Opera

House is here this summer. Go to the Opera

House website, for all the details, you can get

your tickets too: www.enosburgoperahouse.org.

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance

will be presented on July 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm

and a matinee at 2 pm on Sunday, July 27.

Pine Cone Snack Bar Route 105 – East Berkshire

802.933.6630

Open 7 days at 10:30 am

Fresh Scallops, Clams & Haddock, Fri, Sat, Sun

Miniature Golf, Llamas

“10% off 60 & over, 3 – 5 pm daily”

Another Lake Carmi Member Owned Business

The Crossing 14 Province Street, Richford

802.848.3393, 1.800.331.3694

Full Service Restaurant, Pub,

Banquet Facility & Lodging

The home of Senior (60 and over) specials,

Monday thru Friday, 11:00 – 4:00, $4.00.

Another Lake Carmi Member Owned Business

Franklin Watershed Report It’s hard to believe another month has

passed on by! Time is flying now that the weather

has warmed up and more and more campers are

returning to Lake Carmi;

I’m loving every minute.

We continue our work on

the Lake Wise program –

in fact, you may very well

see a crew of Vermont

Youth Conservation Corps

members working hard on

your neighbors’ shorelines

(winching rocks back up

onto the shore from the lake, placing other rocks

where they are needed, and planting to ensure

shoreline stabilization) from July 7th through the

11th.

The planning process has seen us out there

looking at possible projects. Stop by to thank

them

for their

work

with

some

cold

water

and a

pat on

the back

if

you’re

so inclined. Above, Coordinator Alisha Sawyer

and Johnson State College Intern Per Ingstrom of

Enosburg Falls, meet with Vermont Youth

Conservation Corps crew leaders Andrew and

Amanda. Please remember that the Lake Wise

program is open and available to any interested

camp owner and we are happy to stop by for a

visit to see if your camp could benefit from the

hard work of these crews. Get in touch with me

for more information.

We have also begun work on our

Stewarding Farmland Within the Watershed ERP

(Eco-system Restoration Program) grant – we are

looking for agricultural partners who are

interested in having a third-party contractor (Agri-

lab – Brian Jerose) perform a mapping project

where potential projects/issues would be outlined

and ranked according to farm priority and impact

within the watershed. Within the grant we are

able to fund “fill in the gap” practices that may

not fall under the purview of either NRCS

(Natural Resources Conservation Service) or the

State BMP (Best Management Practices)

programs – think ditching improvements. These

reports would not be tied to regulation and/or

enforcement and would be conducted by a non-

government organization. If this is something that

you’d like to learn more about please contact me

for more information.

There hasn’t been a lull in the action

around here since I started – with the passage of

the 2014 Farm Bill there are some new and

exciting opportunities on the horizon for the

Franklin Watershed. There is a program called

RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership

Program) which will fund groups, municipalities,

and other organizations in order to perform the

important water quality work with producers that

needs to be done. Lake Carmi has been talked

about as a potential pilot or model program for

other lakes facing large phosphorus (P) loading

from agricultural sources (Lake Carmi’s TMDL

attributes over 80% of the P to soil erosion/loss

and other nutrient loading from surrounding

land.)

This program encourages community

engagement and action – two things that make

Franklin stand out. It also asks for innovative

solutions and ideas-something we are leaning on

UVM Extension, Floating Island technology, the

State of Vermont, and NRCS as others who may

be willing. It’s important for all ideas to come to

the table for this proposal to be attractive and

rated highly, if you have ideas that you’d like to

share please let me know as we are developing

the pre-proposal now in advance of the July 14th

due date. The full application is due in September

and will be more specific and detailed.

A key part of this

project is wide community

support – if you’d like to help

garner that support or would

like to issue a letter stating

your support please contact me

for more information. As

always – I look forward to hearing from you,

please call me at 802.752.7247 or send me an

email at: alisha.sawyer@gmail.com.

Haston Library Events in July The Haston Library is a busy place with all

the Lake Carmi folks being invited to participate

and use the facilities. If you need to access the

Internet, the Haston is the place to go.

There are lots of regular and special events,

including:

•A knitting and crocheting group every Tuesday

from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. with expert assistance

available. Expert Alisha Sawyer of St. Albans is

there to help with knitting and crocheting.

•Adult Book Discussion meeting on Thursday,

July 10 at 6:30 p.m. Books are available at the

library.

•Story Hour is held each Saturday at 10 a.m.

Children and adults enjoy stories, songs and

crafts too.

Special events too:

• Kid’s Power Program, July 10, 1 pm at the

Town Hall. Exploring Energy Alternatives for

Kids. Sponsored by the Smith Fund and the

Vermont Department of Libraries.

• Physics of Flight, A live raptor will visit from

the Vermont Museum, Thursday, July 24, 1 pm at

the Town Hall.

• Fish People with Ben Maddox, Friday, July 25,

7 pm at the FELCO room in the Homestead. Ben

shares his films of fish in their own habitat.

• Stargazing Party, Sat. August 2, 9:30 pm, at the

Franklin Homestead. The VT Astronomical

Society shares there telescopes and expertise.

All programs are FREE and open to all. For

more information call the library at 285.6505. On

the web: www.hastonlibrary.wordpress.com.

If you don’t have internet access for your

vacation at the lake, visit the library, they have

WiFi and computers to use too.

Birding with Debbie Bushey Birding is easy at the lake, so many birds to

find and identify. Birding is for everyone, put up

some feeders and you’ll have lots of visitors every

day. One bird that has been visiting on the

Hammond Shore recent-

ly is the Rose-breasted

Grosbeak with its

beautiful colors. This

male is regularly visit-

ing the suet feeders.

The Finch family has

been well represented lately with both the Gold

and the Purple Finches at the Niger seed feeders.

Others seen in the area since the last

newsletter are:

Cat Bird Blue Heron

Green Heron Ring Billed Gulls

Belted Kingfisher Mature Bald Eagle

Cormorant Turkey Vultures

Blue Birds Red Winged Blackbird

Song Sparrow Ruby Throat Hummingbird

Baltimore Oriole Spotted Sandpiper

Be on the lookout for the Yellow Bellied Sap-

suckers, you’ll hear them tapping on things, even

tin roofs. Also, watch for the Brown Creepers,

they are up and down on the tree trunks, seeking

out insects.

On July 19, birders at the lake will be con-

ducting their annual Loon count. This count is

taking place where ever Loons are found. The

comparison numbers are tallied to know the

condition and numbers of Loons. Remember keep

your distance and don’t disturb them.

Let us know what you are spotting for the

next issue of Lake Carmi News. Email your bird

notes to: dbbushey @gmavt.net.

Franklin Telephone Co., Inc. Main Street - P.O. Box 96

Franklin, VT 05457 802.285.9911

High Speed Internet, Local & Long Distance Service, Voicemail, Caller ID

Serving Franklin since 1894

Another LCCA Member Owned Business

Wood Meadow Market 342 Main Street, Enosburg Falls

802.933.2256 A locally owned organic and Natural Foods Market.

We Feature local beef, organic grains & produce, Vermont products and our own Peanut Butter.

Mon - Fri, 9 – 6, Sat 9 - 5

Pat & Kirsten Hayes, Owners Another LCCA Member Owned Business

SailFest Comes to Lake Carmi More fun at the lake this summer. An

additional event has been added to the Celebrate

Lake Carmi festivities. With the help of some of

Tony Tussings’ knowledge on sailing, the

volunteers have put together a fun time for those

with sail boats. Make your plans for Saturday,

July 5 at 10:00 am.

The SailFest is strictly volunteer, a fun

event designed to accentuate the beauty of Lake

Carmi with the sport of sailing. Weather permitt-

ing, boats will

gather at

Sandy Bay

and sail north,

following the

buoys set up

for the

Pontoon Boat

Race along

Patton Shore,

Vic’s

Crossing, Dewing Shore and Hammond Shore. At

the end of Hammond Shore they’ll cut across

toward the island, or wherever the wind would

like to take them. Of course all sailors are at their

own risk, life vests and paddles are mandatory.

The decision to sail is totally up to the skipper.

This is a friendly sail meant to be a good

time for all. Sailboats of all shapes and sizes, and

moored at Lake Carmi, are encouraged to partici-

pate. Those visiting may also enter. You may join

the flotilla at any point in the sail.

Boats should start gathering at Sandy Bay

at 9:30 am, for the 10 am start. Again, this is not a

race. It is a fun event hopefully enjoyed by the

whole family. See you on the water. Bob & Nancy Jean Everest are sailing in the photo.

Parade of Champions The annual Champions parade will also

take place on Saturday, July 5, at 7:00 pm. All

teams of Pontoon Boat Racers are invited to

participate. Come show off your colors. Of course

the winning team boats will lead the race, right

behind the Pirate Ship, featuring the Enosburg

Town Band again this year.

The parade will be different as Kevin

Lothian’s big pontoon boat is all dressed up as a

Pirate Ship. This was done for the Pirate raid on

North Beach, July 3, thanks to Brady Giroux and

friends.

The route of the parade should create a lot

of entertainment for the folks on shore, one of

only a few floating band concerts in the country.

Bob Lumnah will lead the parade, starting at

Westcott Shore at 7 pm. He projects they’ll be at

the island by 7:10; at Sandy Bay at 7:15; along

Patton Shore by 7:35; Vic’s Crossing by 7:45;

then onto Dewing Shore and Hammond Shore.

They expect to be done about 8:00 pm.

One Federal Restaurant & Lounge

Corner of Lake & Federal Streets St. Albans

(Formerly The Old Foundry) Open 7 Days

Lunch & Dinner, 11 am – 10 pm 802.524.0330

Owned by Chef Marcus & Erika Hamblett.

E. Coli Bacteria is being tested for in our lake

every week during the summer season by the State

Park crew. If the VT Dept. of Health test shows

more than 235/100mls, the water is deemed

unsuitable for swimming and the area closed until

the test is within limits.

We need you as a member of the LCCA, Inc: Become an LCCA member for the 2014 season. The dues are just $35.00 per year. LCCA members are com-

mitted to our wonderful lake in many ways. Some are volunteers who help out wherever and whenever they are able;

some are simply here to enjoy a week or more in this pristine setting. We only ask that you become a member of your

association and do what you can. Your comments are always welcome, contact any of the directors, or send the editor

your thoughts for sharing at your director's board meetings. Become an official member of the Lake Carmi community,

send your membership form and dues check, payable to LCCA, Inc. to: LCCA, Inc. P.O. Box 1, Franklin, VT 05457.

Septic Systems at the Lake At some point, every septic system will need to be replaced. The lifespan of a system depends

largely on where it is located, how much it is used and whether it is well-maintained.

If you think your septic system might need to be replaced, then you are probably right. The State of

Vermont will require a permit and to have your new system designed and certified by a professional

engineer or licensed designer. Designers help you determine which type of system is most appropriate,

given the amount of wastewater your family generates and your specific site conditions.

Treasurer Bob Baran reported to the Executive Committee that dues have been coming in every day in the

last month plus. Dues are due in June, but will be welcomed anytime. Last year, 2013, was the biggest

membership season ever with 265 members. Please fill out this form and mail in your check for your 2014

dues. For dues paying members, your cottage window card and 2014 Directory will be delivered to you in

early July.

This photo of the Patton Shore, circa 1911, shows the fine camps that had been built in the early part of the

century. This photo will probably bring back some memories about the ancestors of some of the current

owners. If you have a story to tell, send it to editor: larry.myott@uvm.edu. Photo courtesy UVM’s Special

Collections, Burlington, VT.

Attached is my check for 2014 dues in the amount of $35.00, made payable to LCCA, Inc.

Name _____________________________________________________ □ Renewal □ New

Cottage 911 Address ________________________________________________________________

Summer Mailing Address____________________________________________________________

Winter (Off-season Address) _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Cottage Telephone ______________________ Off-Season Telephone ________________________

Please register your Email address, you’ll get the season’s Newsletters by email and other useful

information, but no spam or advertising: (Please Print) ___________________________________

Contributions to the annual LCC Fireworks are gratefully accepted, $________.

Contributions the LCCA Water Quality Fund are very welcome, $_______.

LCCA Use Only, Date Received ___________

LCCA Use Only, Date Received _____________

The New Dewing Road Bridge……… Facts and History

Think back to the lowest water level you’ve

ever seen at the lake. Then imagine the lake being

almost two feet lower. That was the natural level of

Lake Carmi. When the first settlers arrived they

searched for sources of water, power to run saw-

mills, gristmills, etc. The mill pond dam site was

chosen as an ideal place for water power because of

the abundant source of water storage in the lake.

Further, with only a small amount of construction

the lake level could be raised by two feet, thus

providing more power for the mill and more water

to keep the mill working in times of drought. This

established the lake/millpond level at 435 feet

above sea level.

In 1970 after years of low lake levels (caus-

ed by the failure of the dam) became a problem for

campers, the state erected the present dam. The pur-

pose of the dam was to maintain the lake level at

435 feet. Any excess water would go over the spill-

way, so the dam could not raise the level of the

lake. The lake can be maintained at 435 feet as long

as there is an unobstructed channel from the lake.

Following the failure of the concrete cul-

verts (under this bridge in photo, circa 1910, court-

esy of UVM Special Collections) under the Dewing

Shore Road, metal culverts were installed. How-

ever, their small size, proved inadequate to handle

the flow of water to hold the lake at 435 feet. The

lake level rose at times to over 436.5 feet, causing

massive erosion to the shoreline, mostly visible

along Route 120 at the North Beach and along the

Dewing Shore Road, but eroding the entire lake

shore. The level of the lake was being controlled by

the culverts. The fact that the water level problems

were caused by the inadequate culverts was recog-

nized by 2008, and efforts were begun to replace

the culverts.

The new structure will be a bridge with a

face opening of 70 square feet, compared to the 23

square feet of the present culverts. The velocity of

water flowing through the bridge is not expected to

increase; however, the volume passing under the

road is expected to be 2.5 to four times greater. The

new bridge will allow campers to place docks in the

lake without often having to adjust them because

they’re floating away or too high above the water.

The shoreline should be more natural with

wave energy being dispersed instead of the energy

being redirected by sea walls. Shoreline erosion

will be greatly reduced, perhaps eliminated.

There will be a couple of disadvantages:

Some dock systems may have to be extended into

deeper water for boats and swimming. Boaters will

have to be aware of hazards presented by rocks

being nearer the surface, especially on Rocky Point

(Perry Landing Road, Shore Road) and off the

point, west of the campers’ swimming beach at the

State Park (Bass Lane). Rocks at the south end of

the island are already marked with a buoy.

An added bonus is that loons might choose

to nest on the lake. Loons are very clumsy on land,

because their legs are too far back, they must nest at

the water line. They haven’t been able to nest on

Lake Carmi because of the flooding following every

big rainstorm.

Munson Earth Moving, Inc. of Williston has

been contracted to build the bridge. The earliest

they would begin is August 15, but it is reported to

be much likely right after Labor Day. According to

the Board of Selectmen, the actual construction

could take as much as two months, depending on

the weather. Dewing Shore Road will be closed

during that period.

The contractor will install a portable

“cofferdam” on both sides of the outlet to dewater

the work area. They will either pump the water

from the lake over the road or install a bypass pipe.

The Town has requested from ANR that they be

permitted to take some stop boards out of the dam

in order to lower the lake level, to facilitate

construction. This drawdown would begin a week

or so before construction starts. How much this

drawdown affects the level of the lake will depend

on the weather and methods used to dewater the

work site.

By Jay Sheperd and Ernie Englehardt

The Selectboard will work with the LCCA to make

sure all lake residents are notified of any pending lake

level changes and access to Dewing Shore

Road.…Larry Myott

A dock has been

installed at the Fishing Access on North Beach,

Rt. 120, by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sure makes life easier to get in and out of the

boat. Glad to see the sign letting travelers know

where they are Lake Carmi.

Users are reminded to make sure they

clean their boat before coming to Lake Carmi

from another body of water. Hot water is best,

pressure washer works great.

Old Bowling Restaurant Opens

The Old

Bowling

Alley

Restaurant

at North

Beach

opened for

the season

on June 18-to hungry diners. Kathy and Leonard

Larose are open 5 days, Wednesday thru Sunday,

8 am to 9 pm. They are getting prepared for the

huge Celebrate Lake Carmi events over the 4th

of

July week.

A beautiful sight on Dewing Shore Road as the

Peonies are in full bloom along with Hostas and

more. Thanks to Lorraine and Richard Mercy.

Working on Road Maintenance Since the Town of Franklin Selectmen

made the decision to no longer provide service to

the private lake roads, residents have been look-

ing for alternatives. On returning this spring

campers found a very big mess, especially on the

roads getying more traffic. Patton Shore Road and

Hammond Shore Road were especially difficult to

use.

Some residents couldn’t get in as a culvert

had washed out. Due to the volunteer, the culvert

was fixed. Then a hole opened up over another

culvert, someone installed a red barrel to mark the

hazard. Dan Larivee and other volunteers fixed

both culverts.

Most recently, as many residents of

Hammond Shore Road were at the end of their

rope, action was taken. Again it was volunteers.

Ryan Larose, son of Robert and Sharon Larose,

found the right piece of equipment and took

action. Ryan went door to door and asked for help

to raise the money to rent the machine. He would

donate his labor. Ryan promised the machine

would be here on Monday morning. When this

writer returned home Monday evening the road

was smooth and the pot holes were gone. Ryan

had collected some of the money, but he rented

the machine anyway and went for it. What a great

job, the residents of Hammond Shore Road found

a savior. Thank you Ryan.

In researching what the recommendations

are for gravel road maintenance, I went to Maine,

at least on the internet. Maine has put out a

manual on Camp Roads, a great document with a

great deal of information suitable for Lake Carmi.

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One of the first things I learned was to

post your speed limit and keep reminding folks

that this will save your roads. Lake Carmi is

posted at 15 mph, unfortunately many folks don’t

pay attention to this and think, as soon as the

grader goes through, any speed will do. The

recommendation is to not have any travel over 20

mph. When you travel at a higher rate of speed,

the tires throw the water and the gravel out of the

hole, making them deeper and wider. Say nothing

about what it does to the steering mechanisms of

cars and trucks. So the first thing to do is slow

down the traffic. Remind all your friends, rela-

tives and other visitors, the speed limit is 15 miles

per hour. Save Our Roads!

Think about the history of “camp roads,”

they went to wilderness type camps, usually just

for a boat house or primitive fishing camp. A very

small lot, many dating back to the early 1900’s

(see the early photos in this issue). Camp road

layout and alignment was based on positioning of

the shore lots, regardless of the land drainage and

topography. There were no construction designs,

just cut a swath of trees and lay down a carpet of

dirt, perhaps gravel based dirt. There were sharp

curves and steep hills. The easements and title

descriptions were vague at best. They were very

narrow, anywhere from 10 feet to 30 feet wide.

These roads are still common around Lake Carmi,

they also tend to produce chronic erosion

problems, due to their lack of planning and poor

design.

Look around Lake Carmi, were these

“homes” here in 1910, were there three or four

cars at every cottage? With all the conversions to

cottages, from fishing camps, the traffic demand

has increased tens of times.

What can we do about these issues, pro-

bably not much in the short term. We need

corrective action and some state of the art design

with road maintenance practices that are nearly

impossible today. The campers don’t own the

roads, we own an easement, part of our 100 year

or much shorter lease.

So what’s the answer? Don’t I wish I

knew. Until the campers decide to make some

changes in their practices, it will continue to be

difficult. How can the campers become owners of

their access, their roads? A lot more study is

required. Larry Myott, Editor

Linda Craig of Westcott Shore, with her big

Walleye caught on June 20. It was 23 inches, 3 lb.

7 oz. Note the island in the background. That

catch must have been exciting.

Celebrating 225 Years The Town of Franklin is celebrating its

225th

year in 2014. The town was first named

Huntsburg, honoring its first grantor from what

would now be Hinsdale, NH. The town was

divided in 69 parts, with 31 granted to Hunt. The

balance of the town was allocated to five other

men, with five parts set aside for schools and

churches. It was changed to Franklin in 1817.