fall 2024 Newsletter

Recap of programs from this past summer

Each summer seems to fly by faster than the one before, and 2024 was no exception! Here is a summary of our events and activities during 2024.

First and foremost, the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program was a resounding success this season, with 171 inspections! Eight plants were found throughout the season, and thankfully all were native to the lake. Thank you to Sorrel Vinci and Reid Sutter for their dedication to helping keep Sheepscot free from invasive species. As a reminder, please inspect your own boats, trailers, and fishing equipment and remove any plants both prior to launching as well as after exiting the lake. We all play an important role in keeping Sheepscot healthy!

Our annual July 4th Boat Parade was our biggest parade yet, with a total of 42 boats participating. Thank you to Grand Marshal Eileen Kirby, former treasurer of SLA, who led the parade with a boatful of family. Thanks also to all who participated, either by boat or by cheering from your docks. We hope to see you out there again in 2025!

SLA's annual General Membership meeting was held in July at the Palermo School. Thank you to all who attended and brought yummy desserts to share. At the meeting we honored retiring board member Joe Burke for his nine years of service. Thank you, Joe! Gary Pelletier was voted in as his replacement. The guest speakers at the meeting were Ethan Daly and Oskar Mattes from the Maine Audubon Society who gave a presentation on all things loons. Earlier in the month, Audubon representatives did a survey of Sheepscot to determine the best location for a loon nesting platform. At the meeting this project was explained, and then days later a platform was constructed on Bald Head by Audubon representatives as well as SLA volunteers. The platform was installed in a cove that had historically been a nesting area. We look forward to a loon family taking advantage of their new spot in the spring of 2025! We will keep you updated regarding this project. Please remember to keep your speed down when along the shoreline and steer clear of loons while boating.

Sheepscot’s water quality was tested this year for clarity, dissolved oxygen levels, and phosphorus levels and the lake had healthy numbers for all categories. We look forward to putting future data on our website for you to access. Thank you to Jeff Levesque, our volunteer water tester!

As a reminder, the Town of Palermo’s mooring ordinance went into effect in the spring of this year. It was put into place to ensure that mooring installation, use, and maintenance adheres to guidelines which protect the public, the lake, and shoreland property owners. The town has also appointed a harbormaster to enforce this ordinance. If you’d like to review the ordinance in detail, please visit the Town of Palermo’s website and search under “ordinances.”

You may have noticed your neighbors wearing their Sheepscot Lake attire around town! Please visit our online store athttps://www.bonfire.com/store/sheepscot-lake-association/ to browse our selection of both long and short sleeved tees, zip-up and pullover hoodie sweatshirts, tote bags and more! Your purchase helps us provide programs to keep Sheepscot Lake healthy and you look good as well!

If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2024, or have yet to become a member, you can do so here, paying via PayPal. Or you can send a check to Sheepscot Lake Association Box 300 Palermo, ME 04354. Our membership dues have stayed the same since our inception, at $20 for an Individual, $30 for a Family and $50 for a Patron level. Thank you for your much-needed assistance!

To keep up with our activities and programs, please visit our website and “like” and join our Facebook page. Thank you for your continued support in our efforts to keep Sheepscot Lake healthy. Please enjoy a happy and healthy winter season and we will see you on the lake in 2025!

Maria O’Rourke,

President Sheepscot Lake Association