About 50 people attended the 2018 Annual Meeting at the Memorial Hall Library.  Steve Cotton opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed guests with a brief introduction to the FPC.

Minutes.  Secretary Janet Kenney moved approval of the minutes of the March 15, 2017, Annual Meeting and the August 19, 2017, Summer Meeting, as posted on the web site.  The Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report.  Dave Brown moved approval of the Treasurer's Report as posted on the web site.  The Treasurer's Report was approved.

Election of Officers.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to elect the following officers:  Steve Cotton (President), Marty Rabinowitz (Vice-President), Dave Brown (Treasurer), and Janet Kenney (Secretary) for a 1-year term ending December 31, 2018.  A motion was made, seconded, and approved to re-elect the following directors for a 2-year term ending December 31, 2019:  Amy Janovsky and Martha Russell.

Program: The Shape of Water in Foster’s Pond.  Steve introduced the evening’s panel:

• BOB HARTZEL, former head of the Commonwealth's Lakes & Pond Program, a consultant who developed MassDEP's first-in-the-nation model for estimating nutrients flowing into a water body. The model provides the basis for a watershed-based plan to reduce that pollution.  Last year, he put the FPC in the forefront of using the model by applying it to Foster's Pond.
• TOM CARBONE, Andover's Health Director.  Tom helped us gather the data to put into Bob's model.  Tom has taken a leading role in looking at how Andover can reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, both of which affect what goes into our Pond and other water bodies.
• BOB DOUGLAS, Andover's Conservation Director.  Bob has been a steadfast ally of the Foster's Pond Corporation, helping us navigate the regulatory requirements of the Conservation Commission and easing the way for us to implement an effective lake management program.
• MARC FOURNIER, Andover's Deputy Director of Public Works and the Town's Highway Superintendent.  His responsibilities include construction and maintenance of infrastructure which has a major impact on our Pond - roads, catchbasins, culverts, salting, street-sweeping.

Steve gave a brief overview of the algae problem facing the Pond.  He noted that we’ve had blue-green algae blooms in recent years, and we’ve used copper sulfate to treat the blooms.  However, copper sulfate only treats the symptom, not the underlying problem, which is excessive phosphorous in the water.  The question is, where is the phosphorous coming from?  Is it flowing into the Pond through stormwater runoff?  Or does it come from the bottom sediments that were flooded when the dam was built in the 1850s? The source of the phosphorous determines what we can do to solve the problem.

Bob Hartzel advised that we can reduce phosphorous flowing into the Pond from stormwater runoff.  A 10% reduction in phosphorous loads would reduce phosphorous in the Pond sufficiently to cut or even eliminate algae blooms.

Tom stressed that stormwater runoff affects the water quality in the Pond.  Grime and leaves in driveways, and chemicals used in lawn care all account for pollution in stormwater runoff.   Use pesticides sparingly.  Septic tanks should be pumped at least every 2 years, otherwise leach field could overflow.

Marc said that we have a "green" DPW which tries to be environmentally conscious in its maintenance practices. He said that efforts are made to use as little salt as possible to de-ice roads in winter, but that sometimes operators need to be reminded to minimize use. Streets-weeping and catchbasin cleaning help to reduce pollution flowing into water bodies like Foster’s Pond.

Pond Report.  Steve reported that our 2017 spiny naiad treatment was successful in eliminating this invasive weed from treated areas.  However, our 2017 end-of-summer annual vegetation survey found additional stands of spiny naiad in scattered location that had not been treated, requiring that another 5 acres be treated in 2018. In addition, the same survey found fanwort in about 15 acres of the Pond.  The affected areas received their first treatment on May 4, and will receive booster treatments as the summer progresses. The Pond was treated for blue-green algae in 2017, will be treated for blue-green algae this summer if conditions warrant. Steve also reported that 14 shoreline owners participated in hydro-raking this spring.

Volunteers Needed.  Steve asked for volunteers to help with deploying portable barriers to smother small stands of invasive weeds.  He also said that volunteers are needed to assist with collecting water samples to take to the Water Treatment Plant during the warm weather.

New Business.  Steve said that nearby residents may want to clear the path at the end of Pomeroy Road which leads to “The Point,” a small patch of land on the shore of the Main Pond owned by the Corporation.  He noted that at one point this served as a community beach.

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

Janet Kenney
Secretary