Organizations

As described in the history, the West Hill Pond Association is an Organization of Organizations. Through its ownership of the Water Rights of West Hill Pond, it is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the sluice gate and spillway located within the gatehouse on the dam. Through the operation of the sluice gate it controls how much water can be let out of the Lake. Raising the Lake is a function of rainfall and the flow of the springs that are it’s principal water source. In other words, the Pond Association can lower the Lake but it cannot raise it without cooperation from nature. The Pond Association does not own the dam. The Town of Barkhamsted owns the roadway across the dam, while the Laurel Acres Property Owner’s Association owns the land upon which the dam is situated. The Pond Association members pay annual dues to cover the liability insurance on the gatehouse and sluice gate and to provide the money for repairs and maintenance.

More recently, with concerns about water quality and the recreational value of the lake, it was natural for the West Hill Pond Association to become the steward of caring for the water quality through monitoring and education. Water quality has become the top priority and most complex management task for the association’s trustees.

The President of the West Hill Pond Association is Nelson (Skip) Sly.

The organizations comprising the West Hill Pond Association include: