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Note: I am not sure if these are the approved minutes of the June 24 2007 meeting or a report
on the meeting. For now I am including it as "the minutes" until I hear
further. I was at the meeting and the below seems to be an accurate
summary - Brian Friedmann, webmaster
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Georges
Pond Property Owners Association
(GPPOA)
At the June 24, 2007 meeting there were 18 voting
members present. The
minutes from September 9, 2006 were read and accepted with one minor
name change. The minutes are attached. I have also attached
(for the
new members) the Notice that was given to the Town last year after the
formation of the association. I am missing in email form the
minutes
from the August 2006 Annual Meeting.
Hubene Brodie reported that we have 43 property owners in the
association that have paid dues.
Martha Murch, Hubene Brodie, and Diane Jordan have been given the task
to develop, laminate, and publish a Loon Information Sheet to be given
to all property owners by July 4th. The primary function of the
information is to inform all property owners, guests, renters, and day
trippers where the loon nesting grounds are, when they are active, not
to disturb them, and other general information. They are also
going to
have a sign made for the Public Beach at the Outlet. I am charged
with
acquiring permission from the town to put the sign up.
There are also other concerned property owners that will put out
caution signs on buoys surrounding the nesting areas. We received
much
input from owners that many pond users are not aware of the nesting
grounds and habits of the loons.
It was reported that the new floating nests put out by Eddy Jordan did
not attract any loons so far this year. Maybe in a few years
after the
loons recognize these floating nests as safe, they will use them.
Hopefully with all these positive actions we will have baby
loons.
Keep your fingers crossed and the information flowing to all pond users.
There was some discussion concerning the public beach, boat launch, and
the 'outlet tree'.
It was decided that the members would come up with ideas to be
presented at the Annual Meeting on any spending of association
funds.
A short update was given on the outlet culverts and the impact of the
two major storms. Pine needles in October and the massive 10-year
storm this spring blowing out any bottom sand in the culverts.
Mother
nature can get cantankerous. Currently the pond is relatively low
given our present dry spell. Hopefully we will see some rainfall
before long to help alleviate the fire dangers and the water
evaporation from the pond.
We discussed the ice shacks and the continued debris going into the
pond. Along this same vein the idea was pitched to ask
owners to
securely tie their docks if they are going to be left out in the water
during the winter. This is just an idea to help stop the spring
'floating' dock situation.
There also seems to be a beached boat at Bunkers Beach and a yellow
kayak at Moe Olivers that was wash up on the shore during this
spring.
Once property owners have made checks of their property hopefully, the
true owners will claim the boat and kayak.
The private camp roads were briefly mentioned and the concern by the
fire department of not being able to service all the properties due to
impassable roads.
Paul Grant's camp vehicle was stolen this winter, and eventually drived
onto the frozen pond where it caught on fire. Two courageous
Franklin
fireman used their own private vehicles to remove the burnt vehicle
carcass before it completely melted the ice and sank into the
pond. It
would be nice to do something for these two fireman. Please come
up
with some ideas as this will be on the August Agenda.
Now to the majority of time and the most discussed and debated issue of
the meeting - the ditch and culvert at the blueberry field (Fernald
Field - owned by Jon and Suzette Noyes) across from Dana and Annie
Shaw.
The Shaws brought their concerns to the meeting regarding the ditches
and culvert across the road from their residence.
As I understand the situation from the Shaws, the ditch floods each
spring due to the snow and ice thawing. The culvert is usually
frozen
preventing the flow of water. Then it breaks through causing a
rush of
water and debris thereby eroding their driveway. The force of the
break through dumps the water, debris, driveway, and possible
contaminates into the pond.
The first issue discussed was the ditches - when and why the ditch was
dug, can the ditch be filled in, can the ditch be redirected to the
next culvert down by the swampy area. Dana has been to the town
seeking resolution. Bruce Carter offered to speak to Jon Noyes to
find
out if he knows when and why the ditches were dug.
During the initial discussion, I brought up the fact that the Town of
Franklin at Town Meeting in March voted to have a Comprehensive Road
Plan developed by an engineering firm. This plan will include
ditches,
culverts, grades, resurfacing, paving, time lines, etc. I
suggested
that we wait for the plan to be published before pursuing this issue
any further.
This then lead into the heated debate of blueberry fields, the
chemicals used, aerial spraying, and the possible toxins going into the
pond. There are assocation members that are commerical blueberry
growers. As moderator of the meeting it was difficult to keep the
discussion calm and not include personal agendas. There was much
discussion about the testing of the pond for toxic chemicals coming
from the blueberry fields. This is a highly charged issue for
both
sides, and there is much miss information floating around.
Decisions
regarding any actions on the part of this organization must be based on
solidly documented and published facts.
Joe Jordan will present information from the College of the Atlantic
concerning water quality. Due to my work schedule, I am unable to
attend the July 1st meeting. Dana Shaw, as Vice-President will be
chairing the meeting.
I have included with this email a vast array of information from UMaine
Cooperative Extention, the Wild Blueberry Growers, the Maine Bureau of
Pesticide Control, and the 'crop-dusters' association.
Please read
and research the material to keep yourself well informed.
(Webmaster note: you can access that information here)
This issue is on the agenda at the Annual Meeting on August 5, 2007 at
6pm at the Town Hall/Community Center.
Respectfully
Dawn R. Carter, President
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