Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:44 AM

Activity is picking up all around the lake. The ice went out around April 8th with plenty of fishing activity since then. Bill Tuite, of Hanson's Landing, has seen some fine fish brought in and says "it's a great year!"

April and May have been the usual mixture of fine and dull weather but after a week of cloud and, drizzle the sun came out on May 21st and- a beautiful weekend followed. Blossoms and green leaves all around--summer is almost here!

It was agreed at the 1987 Annual Meeting to recommend that water levels in the Pond be held at a maximum of 6.9 feet in spring and be kept up to 6.5 feet during the summer season. By late April this spring the water level had risen to the 6.9-foot mark. Our Secretary, Barbara Howd, wrote to the Bangor Hydro on May 2nd to remind them of the Association's recommendation. The level on May 22nd was 6.8 feet and had been steady for about a week.

136 Families have paid 1987-88 membership dues as of May 22nd, 1988!

Action continues around the 800-acre parcel of land near the Narrows. Just before leaving his position, Ellsworth's past Code Enforcement Officer apparently granted the developer an after-the-fact permit for his road activities. This prompted a letter from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Ellsworth City Manager recommending that the permit be rescinded.

Benard Staples, as Attorney for the City of Ellsworth, replied to the DEP on February 26th that the Code Enforcement Officer had authority to issue a permit for road construction in the "R-2 Zone," which begins 75 feet back from the shoreline. However, he did not have authority to permit construction in the Resource Protection Zone, which extends from the shore to the 75-foot setback line. Mr. Staples informed the DEP in the same letter that:

The "Friend of Branch Lake" Award goes to Sonny Sanborn for his constant concern with keeping Branch Lake as unspoiled and beautiful as possible considering that new development is taking place. Thanks for all your help.

We would also like to thank the many members who wrote to the Ellsworth City Council members and newspaper editors in regard to the development taking place on the lake. This is something we can all do. Don't be shy! If you have something to say--say it! The address of the City Council members is P.O. Box 586, Ellsworth, ME 04605. The Bangor Daily News editor can be addressed at 491 Main Street, Bangor, ME 04401. The address for the Ellsworth American-editor is 63 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

Eileen A. Newcomb
Rodney Pinkham

The Branch Lake Sailboat Regattas have been so successful in the past that this year a race is being scheduled each Sunday during July with a final race and awards party the first Sunday in August.

All those interested in racing pr assisting are invited to a planning meeting at Paul Wight's cottage, Branchview Drive, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2nd. If unable to attend but would like to participate, please contact Paul at 667-7874, or write to RR #2, Box 4120, East Holden, ME 04429.

Is anyone interested in some friendly competition with the sailing crowd on Lake Lucerne? The Lucerne Association has sponsored a 9-week summer regatta for almost two decades, which is actively supported by its members. Last fall they inquired whether we might be interested in co-sponsoring a special event in which boats from each lake would compete. Although the plans were certainly preliminary initial discussion was of a two-weekend event, with the first heat hold on Branch and the second on Lucerne.

Contact Don Hayes (667-4716) if you are interested in pursuing this further with the Lucerne Association.