Minutes: August 10, 2024

Foster's Pond Corporation
August 10, 2024
11 Pomeroy Road, Andover
3:00 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.

About 75 people attended the 2024 summer picnic and meeting of the Foster's Pond Corporation. It was the 19th annual FPC picnic of the modern era, a tradition tracing its roots back to 1927, when Foster's Pond was primarily a summer community. The tradition lapsed sometime in the 1960s, as summering on Foster's Pond lost favor and the aging, uninsulated "camps" surrounding the Pond fell into disuse. The event was revived in 2005, and has since been held every year but 2020, when large outdoor gatherings were barred due to COVID.

The 2024 picnic was held at the home of Peter and Michele Scavongelli, 11 Pomeroy Road. A light breeze wafted through the open canopies sheltering attendees from a blazing sun.

picnic_2024

Attendees shelter from the sun. President Steve Cotton was presented with a giant Thank You card drawn by resident artist Joan Ellis and signed by neighbors. Click on the image to view the card.

President Steve Cotton called the formal meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. He thanked Peter and Michele, the officers and directors of the Corporation, and the volunteers who keep the Pond safe by monitoring for blue-green algae.

Treasurer Dave Brown gave a report on the Corporation's 2024 income to date.

Steve reported on the Corporation's activities so far this year. He reported that the Pond had undergone its most extensive treatment for fanwort since 2015. He also reported that a record 17 shoreline property owners had participated in hydro-raking in the spring.

He also reported that so far this summer blue-green algae had not been detected in the Pond but that a late-season treatment might be needed.

Steve thanked Arno Rafael Minkkinen for donating 20 copies of Saga, a collection of his photographs, to aid the Corporation's fundraising efforts.

Steve was presented with a giant Thank You card "from friends, neighbors, and the community at large." The 18"-tall hand-drawn tribute, created by resident artist Joan Ellis, read in part, "Under your leadership (and with Becci's help), we are assured of a clean healthy pond, wildlife galore, multi-season recreational activities and trophy bass! Meetings and social events have brought us together - neighbors met neighbors, became friends and joined forces to strengthen, maintain and enliven this unique community." The card featured Joan's drawings of the Dam and two dozen animal species found around the Pond.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.