Newspaper apologizes, saying it erred in publishing a statement that members of Broad-Leavitt Bay Association's Executive Committee had questioned the authority of its chairman to publicly support the Ossipee beach purchase. The complaints were from members of the Association, not the Executive Committee. The committee was unanimous in its support.
In a public letter, the Executive Committee of Broad-Leavitt Bay Association, one of the lake's largest such organizations, calls Ossipee's proposed purchase of Camp Sokokis "an excellent asset acquisition" and a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for a town beach. Ossipee Lake Alliance came out in favor of the plan on November 7. Voters will have the final say on Tuesday, November 28.
In a surprise announcement, Board Chair Rick Morgan said the town plans to close the campground, not just reduce the number of campsites, creating a potential conflict with a provision of the purchase and sales agreement. Responding to opponents of the purchase, board member Sandra Martin called the people behind the "Do the Math" road signs cowardly and un-American because they have chosen to be anonymous. An information session about the selectmen's plans will be held on Monday, October 30, at 6 p.m. at Ossipee Town Hall. Voters will have the final say at a special town meeting on Tuesday, November 28.
Sokokis owner Bill Sheehan says a third party offered to buy his property and donate 90-feet of shoreline to Ossipee for a beach, but Selectman Morgan asked the campground owner to "keep his promise" to sell the entire business to the town. Meanwhile, the Select Board says 'no' to a request to hold weekend hearings on the purchase so that non-resident Ossipee taxpayers can attend.
The town has struck a deal to purchase a big lake campground off Route 16B for $1.2 million, subject to the approval of voters at a special town meeting, possibly in November. Details of the plan will be presented and discussed at a series of public hearings prior to the final vote, according to officials.
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