20th Annual Meeting of the Lees Pond Association
The meeting was called to order at 9:40 by President Ed Harrington.
18 members attended.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Ed announced that he had to resign as President because he is still working in Washington. His resignation was accepted with appreciation.
Bev Nelson was nominated to serve as President. Voted unanimously:
President: Bev Nelson
Vice President: Bob Clark
Secretary: Paula Young
Treasurer: Karin Nelson
Steering Committee: Bev Nelson, Bob Clark, Paula Young, Karin Nelson, Bev Neighbors, Barbara Ganem, Bill Keylor, Ed Lazdowski, Jane Harrington, and Vince Buoniello.
2010 MEETING MINUTES were unanimously approved
FISCAL YEAR: It was unanimously voted that our fiscal year will be July1 to July 1.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
506.60 previous balance
3080.00 income
3586.60 current balance
It was unanimously voted to accept the Treasurer’s Report and keep the dues at $75 per year.
MILFOIL TREATMENT Karin Nelson
There will be no herbicide treatment in 2011. Bob Patterson spent 5 days on the pond with the Town Dash boat, and two days with his eco-Dash boat pulling milfoil on the Northern end of the pond on both sides of the island. The Keylor’s and Paula Young picked up floaters. He may return in the fall. It was voted to leave to Karen’s discretion whether to spend LPA money in the fall. It was voted to let the steering committee decide if we should apply for a permit in the fall to use 24D in 2012. The application fee is $1000. It was voted to ask the University of New Hampshire to find out the kinds of fish that live in Lees Pond. The Town of Moultonborough has taken over milfoil treatment in the Town. They have purchased two Dash boats (pontoon boats outfitted to pull milfoil) in conjunction with Wolfborough and Tuftonborough. They have also created a Lake Host Program with volunteers and paid students who stand at launch ramps and talk to boaters about making sure that their boats and trailers have no milfoil on them when they put their boats in or take them out of a lake or pond. Karin summarized the treatment of milfoil in Lees Pond for the last 10 summers. The cost was $73,313.35. $22,673.00 was paid by the Town of Moultonborough, $20,766.00 was paid by the State of New Hampshire, and $26,574.35 was paid by the Lees Pond Association. Please tell Karin if you have milfoil on your shoreline. Mark it if possible with markers in a pail on her dock. Also, pick up floaters that you see on the pond.
WATER QUALITY REPORT Bev Nelson
Each summer the water in Lees Pond is tested 3 times by Bev Nelson as part of the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP). The samples are sent to NH DES or Plymouth State and the test results are summarized by Bev Nelson. They test for Chlorophyll A-a pigment found in plants that is an indicator of algal abundance; transparency-a measure of water clarity; and excessive phosphorus that can lead to increased plant and algal growth. Excess phosphorus increases nutrients that “feed” algae, cyanobacteria, and milfoil. In 2010, Chlorophyll A in Lees Pond was above the NH Median in July but about the same in September; transparency was above the Median in July but only slightly above in September; phosphorus in the upper water level is below the Median but above in the lower water layer. Phosphorus in the lower water layer has been increasing since 2006. It was suggested that the association test for phosphorus in front of each house at a cost of $15 per house. We voted to do a septic system survey of each house. High phosphorus concentrations lead to algal blooms that can be made up of harmless algae or toxin producing cyanobacteria that is bright blue green in color. An algal bloom is an indication that a problem exists within a watershed. The following recommendations were made by DES and VLAP: volunteer monitors should educate all watershed residents about management practices that can be implemented to minimize phosphorus, stabilize shorelines, and reduce pollutants. Key sources of phosphorus loading into Lees Pond are: septic system effluent, animal waste, lawn fertilizer, eroding roadways and construction sites, natural wetlands, and atmospheric deposition. Ten things that we can do to protect Lees Pond:
1. wash boats, cars, pets and yourself away from the pond;
2. dispose of yard waste away from the pond;
3. inspect your septic system once a year (please fill out and send in the septic system survey);
4. do not feed water fowl;
5. do not fertilize your lawn;
6. plant a vegetated buffer next to the pond;
7. direct runoff water into gardens,
8. remove non native plants from boats and trailers;
9. support the Lees Pond Association;
10. join NH Lakes www.nhlakes.org/.
Yea! We have Bryozoans (those things that look like a brain). They are not hazardous to human health and may actually filter the water so please leave them alone.
LAKES LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Stuart Lamprey and Jim Nelson
The SHORELAND PROTECTION ACT has been changed. It is more flexible. Funding for DES to monitor it has been restored.
The budget for DES has been cut. Only 1 and ½ persons will monitor water quality.
Please join New Hampshire Lakes. They have helped us on Lees Pond with expertise and money. Visit www.nhlakes.org. They are having a fund raising event on Friday July 29 from 5-8 PM at Church Landing in Meredith. Join us at the Lees Pond table.
JODY CONNORS
Members of the Lees Pond Association remembered Jody Connors, a DES employee, who was a pioneer in setting up programs to save the lakes and ponds of New Hampshire. Long ago he saw that the non native plant milfoil was a danger to all of the water bodies and was spreading fast. He was always willing to speak at our meetings even if it was in the evening or Saturday morning. He was always willing to help with a project. He will be sorely missed by our association.
PATTY BASS
Patty started our association and made Jody aware of our pond and its problems. She was always looking for a bug or small animal that would eat the milfoil. She worked hard to improve the water quality in the pond and combat milfoil. She wanted everyone around the pond to join LPA and come to the meetings.
CONCERNS
Bob Clark raised concerns about the future of Lees Pond. The first concern is the mud flats at the North end. They are composed of microscopic animals. They are moving South in conjunction with the lily pads. Eventually the pond will fill in. Barbara Ganem remembers when she could paddle all the way to the end of the pond and around the island. Dredging was mentioned, but it would require a permit from the State.
The second concern is the land for sale along Route 25 that backs up to the pond. A committee of Bob Clark and Jim Nelson was formed to look into environmental organizations that might want to buy the land.
The third concern is cyanobacteria or blue green algae that is toxic to humans. There is a problem at Bear Island on Winnipesaukee. No swimming is allowed.
MEETING DATE FOR 2012 will be July 14.
Respectfully submitted by Paula Young, Secretary.
If you received these minutes by mail and have an Email address, please send it to [email protected]. It will save the organization money and make the Secretary’s job easier.
Please pay your 2011 dues with this coupon-$75 per family/household
Please make your check out to Lees Pond Association
Name___________________________________
Address________________________________________
The meeting was called to order at 9:40 by President Ed Harrington.
18 members attended.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Ed announced that he had to resign as President because he is still working in Washington. His resignation was accepted with appreciation.
Bev Nelson was nominated to serve as President. Voted unanimously:
President: Bev Nelson
Vice President: Bob Clark
Secretary: Paula Young
Treasurer: Karin Nelson
Steering Committee: Bev Nelson, Bob Clark, Paula Young, Karin Nelson, Bev Neighbors, Barbara Ganem, Bill Keylor, Ed Lazdowski, Jane Harrington, and Vince Buoniello.
2010 MEETING MINUTES were unanimously approved
FISCAL YEAR: It was unanimously voted that our fiscal year will be July1 to July 1.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
506.60 previous balance
3080.00 income
3586.60 current balance
It was unanimously voted to accept the Treasurer’s Report and keep the dues at $75 per year.
MILFOIL TREATMENT Karin Nelson
There will be no herbicide treatment in 2011. Bob Patterson spent 5 days on the pond with the Town Dash boat, and two days with his eco-Dash boat pulling milfoil on the Northern end of the pond on both sides of the island. The Keylor’s and Paula Young picked up floaters. He may return in the fall. It was voted to leave to Karen’s discretion whether to spend LPA money in the fall. It was voted to let the steering committee decide if we should apply for a permit in the fall to use 24D in 2012. The application fee is $1000. It was voted to ask the University of New Hampshire to find out the kinds of fish that live in Lees Pond. The Town of Moultonborough has taken over milfoil treatment in the Town. They have purchased two Dash boats (pontoon boats outfitted to pull milfoil) in conjunction with Wolfborough and Tuftonborough. They have also created a Lake Host Program with volunteers and paid students who stand at launch ramps and talk to boaters about making sure that their boats and trailers have no milfoil on them when they put their boats in or take them out of a lake or pond. Karin summarized the treatment of milfoil in Lees Pond for the last 10 summers. The cost was $73,313.35. $22,673.00 was paid by the Town of Moultonborough, $20,766.00 was paid by the State of New Hampshire, and $26,574.35 was paid by the Lees Pond Association. Please tell Karin if you have milfoil on your shoreline. Mark it if possible with markers in a pail on her dock. Also, pick up floaters that you see on the pond.
WATER QUALITY REPORT Bev Nelson
Each summer the water in Lees Pond is tested 3 times by Bev Nelson as part of the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP). The samples are sent to NH DES or Plymouth State and the test results are summarized by Bev Nelson. They test for Chlorophyll A-a pigment found in plants that is an indicator of algal abundance; transparency-a measure of water clarity; and excessive phosphorus that can lead to increased plant and algal growth. Excess phosphorus increases nutrients that “feed” algae, cyanobacteria, and milfoil. In 2010, Chlorophyll A in Lees Pond was above the NH Median in July but about the same in September; transparency was above the Median in July but only slightly above in September; phosphorus in the upper water level is below the Median but above in the lower water layer. Phosphorus in the lower water layer has been increasing since 2006. It was suggested that the association test for phosphorus in front of each house at a cost of $15 per house. We voted to do a septic system survey of each house. High phosphorus concentrations lead to algal blooms that can be made up of harmless algae or toxin producing cyanobacteria that is bright blue green in color. An algal bloom is an indication that a problem exists within a watershed. The following recommendations were made by DES and VLAP: volunteer monitors should educate all watershed residents about management practices that can be implemented to minimize phosphorus, stabilize shorelines, and reduce pollutants. Key sources of phosphorus loading into Lees Pond are: septic system effluent, animal waste, lawn fertilizer, eroding roadways and construction sites, natural wetlands, and atmospheric deposition. Ten things that we can do to protect Lees Pond:
1. wash boats, cars, pets and yourself away from the pond;
2. dispose of yard waste away from the pond;
3. inspect your septic system once a year (please fill out and send in the septic system survey);
4. do not feed water fowl;
5. do not fertilize your lawn;
6. plant a vegetated buffer next to the pond;
7. direct runoff water into gardens,
8. remove non native plants from boats and trailers;
9. support the Lees Pond Association;
10. join NH Lakes www.nhlakes.org/.
Yea! We have Bryozoans (those things that look like a brain). They are not hazardous to human health and may actually filter the water so please leave them alone.
LAKES LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Stuart Lamprey and Jim Nelson
The SHORELAND PROTECTION ACT has been changed. It is more flexible. Funding for DES to monitor it has been restored.
The budget for DES has been cut. Only 1 and ½ persons will monitor water quality.
Please join New Hampshire Lakes. They have helped us on Lees Pond with expertise and money. Visit www.nhlakes.org. They are having a fund raising event on Friday July 29 from 5-8 PM at Church Landing in Meredith. Join us at the Lees Pond table.
JODY CONNORS
Members of the Lees Pond Association remembered Jody Connors, a DES employee, who was a pioneer in setting up programs to save the lakes and ponds of New Hampshire. Long ago he saw that the non native plant milfoil was a danger to all of the water bodies and was spreading fast. He was always willing to speak at our meetings even if it was in the evening or Saturday morning. He was always willing to help with a project. He will be sorely missed by our association.
PATTY BASS
Patty started our association and made Jody aware of our pond and its problems. She was always looking for a bug or small animal that would eat the milfoil. She worked hard to improve the water quality in the pond and combat milfoil. She wanted everyone around the pond to join LPA and come to the meetings.
CONCERNS
Bob Clark raised concerns about the future of Lees Pond. The first concern is the mud flats at the North end. They are composed of microscopic animals. They are moving South in conjunction with the lily pads. Eventually the pond will fill in. Barbara Ganem remembers when she could paddle all the way to the end of the pond and around the island. Dredging was mentioned, but it would require a permit from the State.
The second concern is the land for sale along Route 25 that backs up to the pond. A committee of Bob Clark and Jim Nelson was formed to look into environmental organizations that might want to buy the land.
The third concern is cyanobacteria or blue green algae that is toxic to humans. There is a problem at Bear Island on Winnipesaukee. No swimming is allowed.
MEETING DATE FOR 2012 will be July 14.
Respectfully submitted by Paula Young, Secretary.
If you received these minutes by mail and have an Email address, please send it to [email protected]. It will save the organization money and make the Secretary’s job easier.
Please pay your 2011 dues with this coupon-$75 per family/household
Please make your check out to Lees Pond Association
Name___________________________________
Address________________________________________