Sharon Board of Health Wants to Help Shape Scope of Lake Study

The Sharon Board of Health wants to help shape the scope of the first study in recent memory of the bacteria contaminating Lake Massapoag.

The board voted 4-0 Tuesday night to send selectmen a letter asking to be included in selecting a consultant to do the study, and in developing the scope of work. The board also wants to meet with the consultant to discuss the project.

Sharon officials said it will be the first such study of the lake in 20 to 30 years.

The last one "determined that the lake would be unusable by 2000," Conservation Administrator Gregory Meister said.

The new study is the one Selectman William Heitin mentioned at the May 7 annual town meeting that selectmen had commissioned. Heitin spoke as voters debated a proposed dog ban at the beach, a ban rejected by the majority of the voters there.

Health board Vice Chairman Jay Schwab was among those Tuesday night who supported doing a new study.

"It's good to have a base of what the lake is at now. Then, you can use it as a guide in the future as to how to deal with potential problems," Schwab said.

Lake Management Study Committee Chairman Clifford Towner said his board "would welcome a study, by anyone."

The study would "show what's been accomplished in the last 20 years out there," he said.

"Right now, tonight, you've got one of the cleanest lakes in the state," Towner said.