Friends of Winter Pond September 11, 2008 Muggia home 14 Dartmouth Street
Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Present: Carolyn & Bob Cumings, Alan Robbat, Barbara Bing, Victoria Mouris & Tom Hopcroft, Art & Jane Boland, Ann McGovern, Barbara Copas, Brian Glasner, Kay Sundberg, Jonathan Lang, Althea Shirley, Al & Judie Muggia
Minutes: August 2nd - Most had received
Treasurers Report: Judie reported Quicken disagreement with bank records which was resolved by an accountant who found that the donor?s list was factored into the Quicken totals twice. The FWP total resources are $34,238.79
Business: Officer resignations of Amy Durlach, Kate Reynolds and Ann Storer. All in attendance had many questions related to the resignations. Ann McGovern, Judie Muggia and Jane Boland reported on several meetings with Amy and Kate and the inability to reach an agreement on how much and when to involve Board members and the wider membership in meetings and discussions on direction of the group. Everyone present expressed support and the hope that Amy and Kate would reconsider their resignations with Board members present indicating that they would like to be apprised of and invited to planning discussions. Ann, Jane and Judie reported Amys request to meet during the week of September 15th with hopes of resolving any remaining concerns with the aim of seeing the resignations rescinded. Jonathan Lang expressed his opinion that an elected President should have major control. Ann, Jane and others reported on past management reflecting more board and group involvement. Jonathan suggested that before a slate of officers is nominated, there should be a clear understanding of how the president planned to function with the board and membership and if Amy and/or Kate opted not to resume their positions, that the group elect a new slate of officers at the October 15th meeting. Having a Steering Committee instead was broached and it was pointed out that, in view of the current Bylaws, such a decision, though possible, would require due notice to all members of a Bylaw change, which changes would need to be voted at the next annual meeting. All present agreed that communication is of prime importance. Meeting minutes from August 2nd: mentioned having a speaker from the Hardy Pond Association. Judie learned that the group had not yet been approached, but was most interested and will let Judie know ASAP, if they can offer a speaker for the 15th. The library Smith Room has been reserved for a 7-8:30 p.m. meeting.
Fall activities: Barbara Copas requested a maximum of $200.00 for the YSI machine rental so she could do the annual fall testing. Moved, seconded - VOTED Ann McGovern presented information on the Arlington Spy Pond drain marker program. Discussion ensued with several pointing out that many drains are located where there is no curb on which to set markers. Bob Joy had e-mailed to express his opinion that the program would not deter dumpers while others felt it was worth being the basis of a broader education effort. Brian moved to appropriate up to $300.00 for drain markers, a committee to design the markers with a swan and Ann McGovern to check with the company to see if there are appropriate markers for drains set without a curb. Moved, seconded and VOTED. NB-Brian, Judie and Ann offered to be the Drain Marker Committee.
Depending on information on drain markers provided by Ann McGovern, the DPW will install up to 100 markers. There will be an effort to notify the whole town, as well as the watershed residents, of the program via newspaper articles and door handle flyers.
Drains: Alan Robbat has walked the culvert under Woodside Road and noted the concrete ridge under the road (supporting the road) and raised the question of the efficacy of the culvert cleanout, which has not been completed. Althea Shirley followed up with a description of a major drainage and silting problem possibly on her land or at least on an easement on her land. Judie promised to check with Bob Conway on the status and plans for that particular area, including the culvert.
Judie reported on Bob Conways information from Dominic at Aquatic Technology that silting in a Winter Pond area he inspected is not serious and that the dredging permitting process in Massachusetts is time-consuming and can cost $10,000 or more! The consensus of the group was as follows: Funds should be allocated for a pro-active program. Bob Conway has reported that the state is, once again, examining the Pond St./Cambridge St. intersection and if they choose to upgrade the area, new Cambridge St. drains would be included. Therefore, it was moved and seconded to request Bob Conway to prioritize drains for replacement based on the pollution/degradation suffered by the pond.? An expenditure would be voted based on the recommendation.
Margie Lamar Memorial funds: Several recommendations were floated: a)Bulb plantings b)Bench c)Buying a YSI machine depending on cost. Many noted that the area is very tough for plantings and would require bringing in new soil etc. Noted also that there is very little in the way of an appropriate place for a permanent bench. Based on Dennis Lamars recommendation for doing something long-term and practical in his mothers name, the group decided to ask Barbara Copas to learn the cost of a YSI machine and report back. Victoria, Carolyn and others, noted that the Purple Loosestrife seems to be spreading again! George Diller will be contacted to see if we can get more beetles through Cornell.
Activity lists: Amy and Kate had proposed two major committees: Pond Management and Education & Public Outreach. The following people signed up: Pond Management Ann McGovern Bob & Carolyn Cummings Brian Glassner Althea Shirley Alan Robbat
Education & Outreach Ann McGovern Barbara Copas Jane Boland
9:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted Al Muggia, Secretary Pro-tem
Hi all - Last week the DPW went down to Inverness Drive and cleared as completely as possible both drains located there. The remaining problem is that, though clearing the catch basins is a bit of help., the common drain from them both, down to pond, has totally collapsed. Another project to think about supporting - i.e. replacing the drain.
Friends of Winter Pond
ReplyDeleteSeptember 11, 2008
Muggia home
14 Dartmouth Street
Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Present: Carolyn & Bob Cumings, Alan Robbat, Barbara Bing, Victoria Mouris & Tom Hopcroft, Art & Jane Boland, Ann McGovern, Barbara Copas, Brian Glasner, Kay Sundberg, Jonathan Lang, Althea Shirley, Al & Judie Muggia
Minutes: August 2nd - Most had received
Treasurers Report: Judie reported Quicken disagreement with bank records which was resolved by an accountant who found that the donor?s list was factored into the Quicken totals twice. The FWP total resources are $34,238.79
Business:
Officer resignations of Amy Durlach, Kate Reynolds and Ann Storer.
All in attendance had many questions related to the resignations. Ann McGovern, Judie Muggia and Jane Boland reported on several meetings with Amy and Kate and the inability to reach an agreement on how much and when to involve Board members and the wider membership in meetings and discussions on direction of the group. Everyone present expressed support and the hope that Amy and Kate would reconsider their resignations with Board members present indicating that they would like to be apprised of and invited to planning discussions. Ann, Jane and Judie reported Amys request to meet during the week of September 15th with hopes of resolving any remaining concerns with the aim of seeing the resignations rescinded. Jonathan Lang expressed his opinion that an elected President should have major control. Ann, Jane and others reported on past management reflecting more board and group involvement. Jonathan suggested that before a slate of officers is nominated, there should be a clear understanding of how the president planned to function with the board and membership and if Amy and/or Kate opted not to resume their positions, that the group elect a new slate of officers at the October 15th meeting. Having a Steering Committee instead was broached and it was pointed out that, in view of the current Bylaws, such a decision, though possible, would require due notice to all members of a Bylaw change, which changes would need to be voted at the next annual meeting. All present agreed that communication is of prime importance.
Meeting minutes from August 2nd: mentioned having a speaker from the Hardy Pond Association. Judie learned that the group had not yet been approached, but was most interested and will let Judie know ASAP, if they can offer a speaker for the 15th. The library Smith Room has been reserved for a 7-8:30 p.m. meeting.
Fall activities:
Barbara Copas requested a maximum of $200.00 for the YSI machine rental so she could do the annual fall testing. Moved, seconded - VOTED
Ann McGovern presented information on the Arlington Spy Pond drain marker program. Discussion ensued with several pointing out that many drains are located where there is no curb on which to set markers. Bob Joy had e-mailed to express his opinion that the program would not deter dumpers while others felt it was worth being the basis of a broader education effort. Brian moved to appropriate up to $300.00 for drain markers, a committee to design the markers with a swan and Ann McGovern to check with the company to see if there are appropriate markers for drains set without a curb. Moved, seconded and VOTED.
NB-Brian, Judie and Ann offered to be the Drain Marker Committee.
Depending on information on drain markers provided by Ann McGovern, the DPW will install up to 100 markers. There will be an effort to notify the whole town, as well as the watershed residents, of the program via newspaper articles and door handle flyers.
Drains:
Alan Robbat has walked the culvert under Woodside Road and noted the concrete ridge under the road (supporting the road) and raised the question of the efficacy of the culvert cleanout, which has not been completed. Althea Shirley followed up with a description of a major drainage and silting problem possibly on her land or at least on an easement on her land. Judie promised to check with Bob Conway on the status and plans for that particular area, including the culvert.
Judie reported on Bob Conways information from Dominic at Aquatic Technology that silting in a Winter Pond area he inspected is not serious and that the dredging permitting process in Massachusetts is time-consuming and can cost $10,000 or more! The consensus of the group was as follows:
Funds should be allocated for a pro-active program. Bob Conway has reported that the state is, once again, examining the Pond St./Cambridge St. intersection and if they choose to upgrade the area, new Cambridge St. drains would be included. Therefore, it was moved and seconded to request Bob Conway to prioritize drains for replacement based on the pollution/degradation suffered by the pond.? An expenditure would be voted based on the recommendation.
Margie Lamar Memorial funds: Several recommendations were floated:
a)Bulb plantings
b)Bench
c)Buying a YSI machine depending on cost.
Many noted that the area is very tough for plantings and would require bringing in new soil etc.
Noted also that there is very little in the way of an appropriate place for a permanent bench.
Based on Dennis Lamars recommendation for doing something long-term and practical in his mothers name, the group decided to ask Barbara Copas to learn the cost of a YSI machine and report back.
Victoria, Carolyn and others, noted that the Purple Loosestrife seems to be spreading again! George Diller will be contacted to see if we can get more beetles through Cornell.
Activity lists:
Amy and Kate had proposed two major committees: Pond Management and Education & Public Outreach. The following people signed up:
Pond Management
Ann McGovern
Bob & Carolyn Cummings
Brian Glassner
Althea Shirley
Alan Robbat
Education & Outreach
Ann McGovern
Barbara Copas
Jane Boland
9:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted
Al Muggia, Secretary Pro-tem
Hi all -
ReplyDeleteLast week the DPW went down to Inverness Drive and cleared as completely as possible both drains located there. The remaining problem is that, though clearing the catch basins is a bit of help., the common drain from them both, down to pond, has totally collapsed. Another project to think about supporting - i.e. replacing the drain.