Unless someone says differently, I believe we had ice out this past Sunday, April 20, and I heard the loons for the first time this year on Thursday, April 17.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services announced today that it is preparing to implement the revised Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act. The changes and associated rules will go into effect on April 1, 2008. However, the legislature is currently considering a bill that could later change that effective date. DES understands that this situation may temporarily create uncertainty for development projects within the protected shoreland.

It is with great sorrow that we report that Jim Papadinis, founding member and first President of the Northwood Lake Watershed Association, passed away on March 7, 2008. We would like to acknowledge Jim's effort and dedication to preserving and protecting our lake. Our condolences go out to Jim's wife Pam (who currently serves on our Board of Directors), their children and grandchildren.

Concord Monitor

The Forum

The NLWA meeting schedule for 2008 is now posted. The calendar to the right side of the home page of the web site may be used to track upcoming meetings and their locations. The NLWA meets once a month from April to October on the second Saturday of the month except for July when we hold our Annual Meeting. This meeting occurs on the third Saturday of July, this year on July 19.

The April and October meetings are held at the Northwood Town Hall and start at 9:00 AM. The May, June, August, and September meetings are "Neighborhood Meetings" and are held at a sponsor's house in one of the neighborhoods around the lake, and they start at 10:30 AM. Watch the web site for a location announcement prior to the meeting. If you are interested in hosting a meeting in your neighborhood this year, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Annual Meeting is held at the Northwood Town Beach, and in the case of bad weather will be held at the Northwood Town Hall. The Annual Meeting starts at 9:30 AM with coffee and donuts.

The Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA) was created in 1994 to protect against erosion and pollution by setting minimum standards and requirements for the development, use, and subdivision of land within 250 feet of the edge of a body of water like Northwood Lake. On April 1, 2008, changes made to the CSPA go into effect. Many of us living within 250 feet of the lake will be affected to some degree by these changes. The NH Department of Environmental Services has a section of their website dedicated to the CSPA; you can read the full document, or just the changes. Click here to visit the site.

The first snowfall of the 2007-2008 winter season happened on Tuesday. I'd say two or three inches fell; roads were slippery and there were accidents. Here it comes, just as it does every year...

The lake is down now, the loons are gone, and people are preparing for winter.  As we head into the holiday season the NLWA board will be thinking about our upcoming spring milfoil treatment, and we'll be working on a season wrap-up newsletter for the end of the year that will include our October lake survey results. In the mean time, have a good Thanksgiving and think spring! Is it too early to say that?