Stockbridge Bowl Commission Appoints New Secretary, Tables Lake Plan Finalization

LENOX — April 9, 2026 — Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission names new secretary and advances lake health agenda. Meeting with Vice Chairman Don Chavon presiding in the absence of Chairman Michael Nathan, the Lenox-area commission voted unanimously to appoint member Tom Vynum as its new secretary beginning April 23, with outgoing secretary Sally designated as substitute. Chavon apologized for errors in the town's 2025 annual report — including a misspelled commissioner name and a missing commission write-up — and said future submissions would be prepared by the end of February. The commission agreed unanimously to add framing language to a draft lake management plan executive summary stating that Stockbridge Bowl "is essentially healthy and has not shown significant decline over recent years," though finalization was tabled pending the return of absent members. Chavon said he would contact Charlie Kenny of the Tri-Town lake authority to explore obtaining a standing annual permit for rapid cyanobacteria bloom treatment, following a recent presentation by Dr. Ben Burpee that identified blooms as the lake's primary concern. A commissioner reported that the boat launch renovation — targeting stormwater runoff into the lake — is on track for a late-May completion, with a new retention pond already in place and contractors having adjusted a sidewalk alignment to protect a large oak tree on the property.