| A CHRONICLE OF EFFORTS |
| TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE |
| THE LAKE AND COMMUNITY OF TAUNTON LAKE |
The importance of the Taunton community dates back to the Revolutionary War, though it was in the 1940's that serious efforts were launched to preserve and protect both the lake and the lake neighborhood. In this text, the term Taunton Lake will be used to encompass both the lake and the neighborhood known as the Taunton Tract.
In the 1940's the Taunton Tract and some surrounding areas were owned by a single family. The Murray family recognized the natural beauty and magnificence of Taunton Lake and took bold steps to ensure its survival as a natural enclave by protective covenants (deed restrictions) which were binding on all future properties at the Tract.
In succeeding years, generations of well-meaning residents have shown considerable courage to face down the threats posed by the profit-seekers and the selfish who would seek to diminish the natural atmosphere for self-gain. Though not a complete listing of the efforts, the following is an attempt to record many of the efforts to protect and preserve Taunton Lake.
THE OLD TAUNTON COLONY CLUB
The Old Taunton Colony Club ("OTCC") began as the social arm of the Taunton Lakes Company which owned the Lake bottom and many of the properties during the 1940s to the 1980s. The Lake was deeded to the Colony Club with the understanding that the preservation efforts were to continue. The OTCC formed Bylaws that further spelled out the duties and responsibilities of members to ensure the preservation of the Lake. Right from the start, the Club formed a set of rules governing the lakefront which later became the Property (formerly Lakefront and Dock) Committee Rules. Generations of residents have benefitted by the enforcement of these rules along with the Bylaws and the Protective Covenants contained in all of the deeds of properties at the Lake.
Due to the enforcement of the above-mentioned documents, Taunton Lake remains a beautiful, natural community unlike any lake community in Medford Township, or for that matter South Jersey. It is a unique setting well worth the efforts to preserve it. It is "the gem of the South Jersey lakes".
PROACTIVE STEPS TO ENSURE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
A periodic newsletter, The Taunton Times, is distributed several times each year to all residents. Many of the articles in each issue are devoted to the protection and preservation of the Lake Community. In addition, at least one edition each year reprints the Lake and Dock Committee Rules
The co-editor of The Taunton Times subscribes to Pipeline (Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public), Small Flows Quarterly (Helping America's Small Communities Meet Their Wastewater Needs), On Tap (Drinking Water News for America's Small Communities), and Estuary News (Newsletter of the Delaware Estuary Program). From these publications, ideas are gleaned for articles, and articles are reprinted for the residents' information. In addition, our web site, www.tauntonlake.org, devotes significant space to the preservation effort.
The Water Quality Committee issues an annual report as well as intermittent reports on the web site and in the newsletter. It has distributed a number of pamphlets to residents regarding lake water quality issues.
By-laws and notices are mailed to local Realtors and title companies.
The Annual Meeting of the OTCC provides a forum for discussion of preservation efforts.
WELCOME COMMITTEE
Every new family to the Community is visited by a member of the Welcome Committee as close to their arrival as possible. The welcome includes a packet of information about the Taunton Lake experience and highlights the Bylaws and the Property (formerly Lakefront and Dock) Committee Rules. Departing residents are encouraged to discuss the preservation of our unique community with the purchasers of their homes.
PROPERTY (formerly LAKEFRONT AND DOCK) COMMITTEE
The Committee, appointed by the President of the Club, is responsible for the strict enforcement of the Lakefront Rules, the By-laws (as they apply to lakefronts), and the deed restrictions. The Committee maintains both photographs and videos of each lakefront as benchmarks of the natural character of each lakefront property.
REVISION OF BY-LAWS
At the Annual Meeting of 1991, the By-laws were revised to both update the language and to upgrade the protection and preservation of the natural environment.
EDUCATION
Not only does the Board of Trustees of the OTCC strive to educate the residents on our natural environment, but it reimburses residents for workshop fees to important workshops. Over the years, three members attended the two day Lake Management Course at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Protection of water resources is a focus.
Recently, two members of the Board of Trustees attended a workshop hosted at the Pinelands Commission dealing with the topic of Water-Efficient Landscaping(Xeriscaping) and will be sharing the information with residents.
The Colony Club belongs to the New Jersey Coalition of Lake Associations (NJCOLA). A member of our Board of Trustees has attended numerous workshops sponsored by that organization that included such topics as septic systems, aquatic weed management, and water quality issues as they apply to the protection and preservation of lakes.
The Club belongs to the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS). Residents share the magazine and ideas.
SECURITY
The Lake is privately owned by its members and is closely watched over to protect it from various abuses. We maintain a cooperative relationship with the local police and have participated, both in the past, and presently in the Town Watch Program.
BEAUTIFICATION
Volunteers help to keep the Lake Community clean and litter-free and participate in the Medford Township Spring Clean-ups. Our members participate in landscaping and maintenance projects.
AQUATIC WEED HARVESTING
For a ten year period (1991-2001) the lake employed a herbicide-free environment in its effort to control nuisance aquatic weeds. Taunton Lake was a pioneer in this effort in South Jersey. Soon other lakes in the area followed Taunton's lead in this common problem to reduce chemicals in our lakes' waters.
STATE MANDATES
The Colony Club is in conformance with the Dam Safety provisions of NJDEP rulings and we are constantly inspecting and maintaining our dam. The also Club follows all regulations of the NJ Division of Fish and Game in regard to protecting the fisheries.
POLITICAL ACTION
Taunton Lake residents have attended and participated in numerous Medford Township Zoning Board meetings in efforts to preserve the Lake. At times, the OTCC has hired attorneys to represent us at such meetings.
A Club Trustee organized the Regional Lakes Association (comprised of six local lake associations) in 1988. The RLA hosted meetings with Township officials to help protect the lakes.
The Club's Water Quality Committee addressed the Medford Township Council in June, 1996 to try to get the Council to enforce lot clearing ordinances.
Assisted by a local law firm, the Colony Club challenged a Pinelands Commission ruling on a development at the Lake. We testified before an Administrative Law Judge in behalf of the Lake.
The Club has worked with the Burlington County Health Department, The NJDEP, the Pinelands Commission, the Medford Homeowners Advisory Committee, Evesham Township (watershed concept), and Medford Township in its preservation efforts.