Minutes: January 17, 2006

Foster's Pond Corporation
January 17, 2006
Memorial Hall Library
7:15 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

About 30 people attended the 2006 Annual Meeting at Andover High School..

Minutes. The minutes of the meetings of March 22, 2005, and September 10, 2005, were approved.

Treasurer's Report. Treasurer Dave Brown reported total income, for 2005, of $42,773.50, including $42,455 in contributions for weed control.  He reported total expenses of $43,514.54, of which $42,500 went for weed control.  He reported that, not counting 2006 dues collected at the meeting, there was $1,346.43 in the treasury.  The Treasurer's Report was accepted.

Election of Officers and Directors. On motion by John Lugus, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, the members unanimously re-elected Steve Cotton, president; Lynne Whitefield, vice-president, Dave Brown, treasurer; and Janet Kenney, secretary.  The members also re-elected Paul Guerard and Marty Rabinowitz as directors, with terms expiring December 31, 2007.

Dam Committee chairman Paul Ross reported that the winter drawdown was proceeding well, with an average level of 16" below the spillway.  He said that the refill would begin in March.  He reported that the State is expected to issue new requirements for dam owners to hire engineers to inspect their dams, and that the cost to the Corporation could run to $5,000 or more.

Weeds. Steve Cotton presented three recommendations from Aquatic Control Technology's year-end report on weed control:

  • Weed-watchers.  The State has a program to train local volunteers to recognize problem weeds like fanwort and instruct them on techniques for hand-pulling small outbreaks.  There was a consensus that the FPC should seek a training session for interested members of the community.
  • Follow-up survey.  ACT recommended a formal follow-up survey, which would involve taking samples at 39 data points that the consultant has utilized for the pre- and post-treatment surveys undertaken in 2004 and 2005.  The cost for the consultant to do the survey would be $1,750.  Local botanist Amy Janovsky suggested that volunteers may be able to do the survey themselves, if the GPS data can be obtained from ACT.  The Board of Directors will make a decision on how to proceed after that option has been explored, and we have a better sense of fundraising opportunities.
  • Treatment of the Glenwood Road basin.  The members unanimously voted to endorse treating the Glenwood Road basin with Sonar.  The projected cost is $5,500 to $6,000.  Steve reported that money may be available from the Boston Foundation to support this effort, and that he will take the Corporation's vote to the Conservation Commission..  The Board of Directors will consider how to proceed as the funding picture comes into focus.
Raft.  Joani Ellis, president of the Foster's Pond Improvement Association, asked the Corporation to take on the refurbishment of the raft originally constructed by the FPIA 25 years ago. She said it had not been launched for the last couple of years because it was in need of repair and that FPIA members had lost enthusiasm for getting the work done.  She said the FPIA would make up to $500 available for materials.  Several FPC members said they were interested in working on the raft.  Steve appointed Kemper Mazzarelli to chair a committee to  coordinate work on the raft.  Joani also asked that the Corporation establish rules for use of the raft, including a ban on fishing from the raft in the interest of safety.

Conservation Commission Regulations.  There was discussion of proposed amendments to the Andover Conservation Commission's wetlands regulations.  The members voted unanimously to authorize Steve to testify, on behalf of the Corporation, about the FPC's concerns with regulating minor activities - such as the seasonal erection of goose fences - that the proposed regulations, as written, would apparently prohibit.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.