The Salem Town Board re-affirmed an expansion of approved water skiing hours on Hooker Lake, as it originally approved last month.
The item was back on this month’s agenda after a petition asking for the hours to be rescinded was submitted to the Town Board.
Virgina Winker circulated the petition, which had 35 signatures all from people who live on the lake.
The new hours call for wake allowed hours just on Hooker Lake to a half hour before sundown on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wakes are not allowed after 7 p.m. the other days of the week.
Winker and other opponents speaking at Monday’s meeting said the extended hours are unfair to fishermen and others who enjoy low speed recreation use of the lake.
But supporters of the extended hours argued that the expansion was modest and supported by the majority of people at an annual meeting of the Hooker Lake Management District.
The Town Board’s vote was 3 to 2, with Supervisor Dennis Faber and Chairman Linda Valentine voting against. Both said they enjoy quieter periods on lakes.
Supervisors Patrick O’Connell and Jo Weidman questioned why the item was on the agenda again when the board had just acted on it the month before.
The lake looks so greenish in this top view..Looks good too.