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	Vol. 15, No. 1		Summer 2010

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Lakeside Notes

The Legacy of Barbara & Woodbury Brackett

By Scott Williams
VLMP Executive Director

February 24 marked a milestone in the history of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. After operating the program out of the Brackett Environmental Center in Auburn for six years, the VLMP assumed ownership of the buildings and property on that date.

You might well be wondering why we would choose to take on the cost of purchasing and maintaining real estate at a time when the economy is unstable, and our budget is tight. We moved to the Brackett Center several years ago, thanks to the generosity and vision of the Auburn Water District, which had received the property through the Will of Barbara Brackett, with the provision that it would be used for the purpose of protecting the environment. Mrs. Brackett and her late husband, Woodbury, lived on the shoreline of Lake Auburn for many years. She felt strongly about the lake, and she was interested in creating a legacy for her husband.

The Auburn Water District offered the VLMP the use of the buildings and land, with the understanding that at some point they would consider transferring ownership to the VLMP. Late last year, the District Trustees decided that the time had come. We were initially concerned about assuming a mortgage during difficult financial times. However, the terms offered by the District were generous and reasonable. In fact, our monthly mortgage payment is less than we were paying for rent, and it is only slightly more than we were paying to rent two small rooms in Turner several years ago. In the words of one of the members of our volunteer Board of Directors, we would be fools not to take advantage of such an offer. And so, the decision was made.

Even with a generous mortgage, we face financial challenges. While many of the major maintenance projects have been addressed during the past few years, including a new septic system and roof, upgraded electrical circuitry, and more—several known issues remain. The Board of Directors has determined that the most effective way to be prepared for the challenges of owning the Brackett Center is through a fundraising campaign, which we will launch this summer. You will be hearing much more about this exciting campaign in the months to come.

After leasing the Brackett Environmental Center for six years, the VLMP purchased the property in February.

Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

vlmp@mainevlmp.org
24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 783-7733
www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org
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