Cherry devoted a lot of time during the 2013 season to raising Chautauquans’ awareness of this issue. He will intensify his efforts this summer. The campaign began last week at the annual pre-season CPOA potluck dinner in Hurlbut Church. Addressing a packed house, Cherry and CPOA president Hugh Butler fielded a lot of questions. Cherry’s remarks are as follows.
Last Tuesday, Chautauquans overwhelmingly approved a proposal by the Chautauqua Utility District (CUD) authorizing a $408,000 expenditure over the next year for engineering design work on equipment replacement and upgrades needed to comply with federal clean water mandates.
From noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Colonnade, property owners on the grounds will have the chance to vote in an election which will affect the future course of their sewer and water services.
Property owners last cast their ballots back in August 2000, voting to upgrade the water plant behind the Colonnade that purifies Chautauqua Institution’s drinking water. That measure carried, with more than 95 percent of voters approving the upgrade. [w/ SLIDESHOW]
In 1893, Chautauqua’s founding fathers built a wastewater treatment plant to protect Chautauqua Lake. One-hundred-and-twenty years later, the lake still needs protection, now more than ever.
The water of Chautauqua Lake will be the focus of today’s Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lake Walk led by Tom Cherry, operations supervisor for the Chautauqua Utility District. At 6:30 p.m. at Heinz Fitness Center’s covered porch, Cherry will present “Water — Before and After.” Cherry said in an email that participants would walk from the porch along the lakefront with the option of a wastewater plant tour.
The Chautauqua Property Owners Association put the health of Chautauqua Lake at the forefront of its first open meeting of the season with the subject, “Why Water Matters to Chautauqua Property Owners.”
The CPOA hosted an open discussion with Tom Cherry, operations supervisor of the Chautauqua Utility District sewage treatment plant, and Doug Conroe, Institution director of operations.
“Chautauqua Lake is impaired, and the evidence is growing that the critical point may still be reached from which there is no return,” CPOA President Hugh Butler said.
The Bird, Tree & Garden Club will sponsor a variety of events this summer at Chautauqua. The BTG House Tour will be a highlight, as will the weekly Brown Bag lectures, Lake Walks and Ravine programs including storytelling and tree talks. Week Four will also feature additional lake programming. Not to be overlooked will be the numerous Garden and Nature Walks, Bird Walks & Talks, Bat Chats and Purple Martin Chats.
The Chautauquan Daily 