Cedar Meadow Lake Watershed District
A private lake community in Leicester Massachusetts.
No Public Access
2026 Annual Newsletter
UPDATES:
Refilling the Lake & Water Clarity
The lake experienced a long and cold winter. The ice cap began to form in
mid-December, making for a great season of ice fishing with the extended
cold-temperatures through March 2026.
The lake visibility was excellent throughout the summer months in 2025. The
management committee worked alongside TRC Environmental to chemically spot treat
invasive species. Although the success of this chemical treatment was successful the
management committee implores everyone to continue to strive towards a lake low in
excess nutrients to minimize weed growth. To achieve a properly balanced lake, the
District urges (1) all Proprietors who use fertilizers to spread low/no phosphorus fertilizer
and (2) to curb any water from storm drainage that could potentially add nutrients to the
lake. Furthermore, MA law has stated that fertilizer containing phosphorus can only be
used on (1) lawns that show a phosphorus deficiency by a soil test or (2) newly
established lawns. Please see the following link for further information:
https://www.mass.gov/plant-nutrient-management
Please remember that feeding of wildlife within, or adjacent to the pond is
strongly discouraged by the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife
( https://www.mass.gov/service-details/avoid-feeding-wildlife ).
Feeding wildlife can not only impact their well-being, but for our pond specifically, the
increased and often concentrated areas of ducks (and geese) significantly contributes to
the amount of waste in the pond. Wildlife waste also contributes towards weed growth
and algae blooms. The undesired feces can also lead to serious water quality and
health related impacts for people and animals that utilize the lake, in addition to
increased cost of treating and managing the lake for recreational purposes.
Please DO NOT feed any wildlife in or around Cedar Meadow Pond.
Tax Rates
We apologize for the confusion and concerns regarding the FY26 tax rate increase.
Please be assured that any funds collected beyond what is needed for this year’s
expenses will be certified by the state as free cash and applied toward next year’s
budget (FY27). Further details will be provided at the Annual Meeting.
We appreciate your understanding and remain committed to transparency and
responsible financial management.
REMINDERS:
Boating Safety and Respect Reminder
Please remember: it is illegal to operate a vessel at more than headway speed within
150 feet of shorelines. Headway Speed means the minimum speed at which a vessel
may be operated and maintained steerage way, but not to exceed six (6) miles per hour.
Please be mindful of the safety of your fellow proprietors and our neighbors
using the beaches / yards and who are swimming and enjoying non-motorized
water vessels.
To review the full text of the MA Boater Safety Handbook, go to the District’s website,
www.cedarmeadow.org or the MA website at www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook .
Please be advised that the Hanson Milone Act 2024 for mandatory Boater Safety and
Certification required is by April 1, 2026. The Hanson-Milone Act is a significant
Massachusetts law (effective 2025) mandating boater safety education for motorized
vessel operators, requiring a state-approved course and certificate, with deadlines of
April 1, 2026, for those born after 1989, and April 1, 2028, for older boaters (for prior to
1989), to reduce accidents and align MA with national safety standards. Operators of
motorboats and Personal Watercraft (PWCs) will require a Boater Safety
Certificate.Penalties start after the deadlines (Sept 1, 2026, for the first group).
● For further information please visit:
https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-environmental-police-raise-awarenes
s-campaign-for-new-boater-education-law
● Boater safety courses can be found at: https://www.boat-ed.com/massachusetts/
Please be respectful to any wildlife that also inhabits our beautiful lake and its shores.
No trespassing signage has been posted at the dam and on the Charles Street gate
leading to the dam surface.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know the CMLWD revamped the District Website in 2024? You can visit the
website at https://cedarmeadow.org/ . The District Management Committee continues to
work towards updating the website with the most current information available, including
access to environmental reports, dam safety and inspection reports, and monthly
meeting minutes.
Did you know you can pay off your betterment balance at any time? It could save
you thousands of dollars in interest. To find out your betterment payoff, contact the
Leicester Town Tax Collector. A further discussion will also take place at the Annual
Meeting.
Did you know there is NO public boat ramp on Cedar Meadow Pond?
UPDATING CONTACT INFORMATION
The District Clerk is continuing to update all email lists and contact information for the
proprietors of the district. Please complete this confidential form to have your contact
information updated. THANK YOU! https://forms.gle/C4Q3JwQR3KTFH6PJA
AROUND THE LAKE
CEDAR MEADOW LAKE SOCIAL CLUB: The Cedar Meadow Lake Social Club
continued to be very active last year. Events included annual favorites such as: Fishing
Contest, Duck Pluck Fundraiser, Independence Day Boat Parade, and the Tom
Forsberg Memorial Paddle Poker and Potluck Picnic. The Social Club will be hosting the
same events this summer. Specifics can be found on their webpage
cedarmeadowsocialclub.com or on their socials.
SKI CLUB: The Cedar Meadow Skiers were quite active last summer. If you are
interested for 2026, please contact John Moisan ( moisan_j@charter.net ) for information.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the lake and/or dam, please contact
one of the following elected officials:
Chairman Tommy Lee 774-239-1799 tommyjoelee@gmail.com
Vice Chairman Brian Waterman 774 272-5654 b63lctr@gmail.com
Member Cam Dacey 508-981-8713 cdacey3@worcester.edu
Clerk Jillian Spratt 508 502-8054 cedarmeadowclerk@gmail.com
Treasurer Rich Carr 508 450-8626 cedarmeadowtreasurer@gmail.com
The Cedar Meadow Watershed District was established in 1993 with the mission of protecting and promoting the well-being of Cedar Meadow Lake. As the stewards of this natural resource, we work to maintain the lake's water quality, wildlife habitats, and recreational opportunities for its members. Through sustainable management practices, we strive to ensure that Cedar Meadow Lake remains a cherished natural gem for generations to come.