About 40 people attended the 2013 Annual Meeting at the Memorial Hall Library. [To see the slide show that was presented at this meeting, click here.]

Steve Cotton opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m., after a brief historical overview of the Pond.

Treasurer’s Report. David Brown presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer's report was accepted.

Minutes. Secretary Janet Kenney moved approval of the minutes of the April 23, 2012, Annual Meeting and the September 2012 Summer Meeting, as posted on the web site. The Minutes were approved.

Election of Officers and Directors.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to elect the following officers:  Steve Cotton (President), Marty Rabinowitz (Vice-President), Dave Brown (Treasurer), Janet Kenney (Secretary) for one-year terms ending December 31, 2013. A motion was made, seconded and approved to re-elect as Directors David Adilman, Steve Ellis, and Kemper Mazzarelli for two-year terms ending December 31, 2015.

Special Program: Presentations by the Andover Historical Society. Jane Dietzel Cairnes and Debbie DeSmut, from the Andover Historical Society, presented talks on the history of Foster’s Pond. Jane traced the history of Andrew Foster (the 22d settler of Andover) who was born in England in 1579; his spouse Ann, who was accused of witchcraft in 1692 and died in jail; and their son Abraham, who walked 17 miles to feed his mother when she was in jail. The first dam on Foster's Pond was a grist mill built by John Frye, a millwright, on what is now named Frye's Brook. Frye moved to Andover in 1645. He was granted land on Foster's Pond in 1669.

Dam Report. There is a minor leak in the dam, and volunteers will be needed to repair it before the winter drawdown is ended. Someone has been tampering with the stop logs. If you see anyone please report it to the police.

Weed Report.  Blue-green algae blooms are a problem. Last summer, samples were taken in locations around the pond and some of the counts were off the charts. Blue-green algae can cause a rash or stomach distress in humans, and can kill pets. The root of the problem is phosphorus in the pond. We’re not alone. According to the Boston Globe, at least nine other near-by communities had to close ponds last year due to high blue-green algae counts: North Andover, Newton, Barnstable, Eastham, Mashpee, Brewster, Winchester, Woburn and Halifax. Phosphorus comes from the inflow of Frye’s Brook, bottom sediments, runoff from fertilized lawns, and detergents which are not zero-phosphate. There are some alternative treatments, but the least expensive and most common is copper sulfate. Copper sulfate is now included in our “Order of Conditions” issued by the Andover Conservation Commission. Use of copper sulfate was recommended in a report by our lake management consultant. Volunteers are needed to monitor water clarity, which is the first indicator of algae growth. The Board of Directors will discuss whether to use copper sulfate.

New Business.  Amy Janovsky asked everyone to keep an eye our for Asian longhorn beetles and emerald ash borers. Pictures are available on-line. If you see either of the two please call Bob Douglas of the Andover Conservation Commission.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.