Great Pond panel to draft lake use rules

Great Pond Advisory Committee · Meeting of August 20, 2026

GROTON — The Great Pond Advisory Committee voted to have two members draft proposed lake-use rules for Groton's ponds. Members Ronald Hersch and Steve Beard will compare state boating law against another town's Lake Boone rules, passing 7-0, after Alexander Woodle described unattended jet-ski trailers and illegal parking near the Lost Lake boat ramp that state agencies have not addressed. The panel reviewed a $22,385 fiscal year budget and confirmed a boat-registration tax, credited to Woodle, funds port-a-potties at town launches.

Dane Krampitz said Duck Pond's drought-driven low water is "affecting the quality of enjoyment of the lake," while Whitney Pond remains 18 to 24 inches below normal. Rick Salon declined reappointment; the committee's annual election is the second Wednesday in October, with Selectman Nick DeGatis attending.

In the full story:

• Roll Call and Minutes Correction
• Budget Tracking and the Port-a-Potty Fund
• [00:10:10] — James Luening, committee member
• Lake Rules and Bylaws: Looking to Lake Boone
• [00:16:33] — Ronald Hersch, committee member
• [00:19:26] — Steve Beard, committee member
• Boat Launch and Beach Parking Enforcement
• [00:28:39] — Alexander Woodle, committee member
• [00:29:36] — Alexander Woodle, committee member
• Drought Conditions Across Groton's Ponds
• [00:46:09] — Dane Krampitz, committee member
• Committee Transition and Annual Meeting
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,278 words

Source: the Great Pond Advisory Committee meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.