Save Sunset Lake Action Meeting at the Orwell Library

Joseph Andriano • Main St, Orwell

Event
When: Sep 16, 2022, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

This Friday at 6 PM we will have a meeting about the work to Save Sunset Lake at the Orwell Free Library. We are a group of concerned citizens to want to ensure that the public access to Sunset Lake does not end.

As you may have heard, Boy Scouts Green Mountain Council will be selling Camp Sunrise. The State of Vermont has until 12/1 to commit to buying it. If they do not, it will be sold to a private buyer--which could lead to the public losing access to the shoreline on Sunset Lake that everyone current enjoys.

Camp Sunrise, located in the Towns of Benson and Orwell, is a 147-acre property with long frontage on Sunrise and Sunset Lakes. The property was given to the Boy Scouts Green Mountain Council in the early 20th century and has been in continuous operation as a camp until recently, when the Scouts resolved to sell the property.

Public access to Sunset Lake along Sunset Lake Road only exists because the Boy Scouts Green Mountain Council own the adjoining land. The Boy Scouts have announced that they will be selling the land, and have given the State of Vermont until December 1, 2022 to commit to buying it. If they do not, it will be sold to a private buyer.

The State of Vermont is interested in buying it, but we need to get this over the finish line. We need to make sure that the State of Vermont understands how important this lake is everyone who lives in this area. Everyone should be able to swim in one of the cleanest, most beautiful lakes in the state. This purchase could potentially lead to better facilities for everyone!

If the State of Vermont doesn't buy it, the shoreline that everyone uses to get in the water could become privatized. A private buyer would have the right to build cabins along Sunset Lake Road and install docks. If this were to happen, the public would no longer be able to park on the road and jump in the water.

The time to act is now! Please join us for the meeting on Friday. At the meeting, we will provide additional information about the situation, break into groups to brainstorm steps to take, and then decide as a group what our next steps will be.