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2008 Monthly Meetings:

January    February     March    April    May    June
July   

Bi-annual Membership Meetings:

Spring Meeting  

DPA Board minutes
7/21/08

Attendees: Brian Cichella, Jamie Pierce, Mike Lowery, Lisa Jacobs, Karen Lowery, Lafe LaClaire

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm. Lafe LaClaire was delayed and didn’t arrive until 8:15pm.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from 6/9/08.

Fun Run Update

Karen Lowery reported $5,650 received in sponsorships with $800 additional funds pledged but not collected. $700 of this total was received from individual contributors, an increase over last year. There are 4-5 large sponsors from last year that haven’t made the commitment this year.

Mike Lowery will set up the brochure with all the company logos, and send to Kinko’s for printing over the next few days. There will be a flyer processing party at the Lowery’s on July 30, from 5-7pm. Karen will be ordering 20 fewer T shirts this year.

Karen reviewed the roles and responsibilities for the day of the event.

Sonar Application

Mike reported that the third booster application, which included slower releasing pellets, was completed last week. There have been 4 sample areas tested to assure that we are in compliance with the 12 ppb concentration called for in the contract. There’s a good chance we’ll have a fourth and final booster application in August.

There was an article in the Town Crier stating that the $75,000 funds that Tom Conroy submitted in the state budget for Dudley Pond was cut, along with many other programs that the governor vetoed. We will follow up to see if there’s anything more we can request from the Commonwealth.

Pond Maintenance Framework update

Ted Fiust and the pond maintenance team will meet and develop a plan to address the second stage of milfoil removal.

Ice Cream Sundae Social

There were over 100 people at the event, despite the rain and overcast skies. Jim Thompson, who oversaw the canoes and kayaks, said that 57 people had taken them out, and that 44 of the 57 were from Wayland. DPA got a few new memberships. Some of the environmental vendors who had made a commitment for a table at the event did not show up, and Brian would like to increase the visibility of this educational component to our social events.

Brian submitted expenses of $205.56 from the event. The $50 unused gift certificate from Donelan’s will be used for the Fun Run.

Future Social Events

The Board discussed other social events that we can hold in the future, especially during the winter/ end of January. There was a discussion about including a silent auction at one of those events. Brian will start planning the event in September and will model it after the Fun Run planning process - using separate meetings exclusively for this event.

Event Participation Policy

As more corporations and organizations ask to be part of our social events, we need to develop a policy of who should participate- based on a balance between community outreach and finding entities that support the goals of the pond (like environmental education). One differentiation is whether it is a commercial or a non-commerical event. Another criteria may be if the organization offers reciprocity for DPA to participate in their events. Lafe and Lisa will create a working document for a future discussion.

IT policies

The information needs of DPA are changing and Lafe is using this opportunity to develop an information infrastructure using Google and other hi-tech tools. One of the key areas will be to centralize the DPA membership and database.

The next meeting will at Lisa Jacobs' house – 8 Lake Shore Drive, on Monday, August 18 at 7pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10pm

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Jacobs
Secretary

DPA Board Meeting
June 9, 2008

Attendees: Lafe LaClaire, Brian Cichella, Jamie Pierce, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Jackie Ducharme, Karen Lowery, Lisa Jacobs, Grace Olin

Lafe LaClaire called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the May 12, 2008 meeting minutes. The executive committee voted to approve the previously emailed copies of the meeting minutes in lieu of reading them at the beginning of each meeting.

Pond Cleanup

About 10 people showed on May 17 to help clean up the pond, both on land and in boats. Cleanup was focused at Rocky Point, the Chat, and Mansion Beach. The Smiths helped bring the trash to the dump. Early next year, Lisa Jacobs will contact Cliff Kolovson from the Wayland Cleanup committee, to coordinate next year’s cleanup efforts.

Milfoil Eradication/Sonar Application

The second application was done on Thursday, June 5. Water samples will be taken in a few weeks. Signs were put up around the pond giving residents information about the second application.

The milfoil is showing signs of distress. It takes about 45 to 60 days after the first treatment (5/12) to evaluate (by end of June, beginning of July). The Pond Maintenance Plan and the hand pulling follow-up has been delayed a few weeks: we have lent Ted Fiust to Lake Cochituate to hand pull there so they can open the town beach. There may be a need for a 3rd or 4th application depending on results. The goal is to maintain at least 12 ppb.

The Wayland SWQ is developing standards for septic systems and lawn fertilizer levels.

Jack Peters is unearthing a 2002 DPA weed study and Mike will look for the slide show with narration.

The $50 – 70K earmarked for pond cleanup didn’t pass the senate and is currently in conference committee. SWQ will approach our state senator Scott Brown about appropriating funds for the pond.

Newcomer’s Pot Luck Dinner

The Newcomers Pot Luck dinner on May 18 started at the Salitskys and moved to Molly Upton’s when the rain came. 6 out of 20 new couples to the neighborhood showed up along with about 20 other “old-timers” and board members.

Fathers Day Sundae event

We’re putting up posters in strategic spots along routes 20, 27, and West Plain St., around the pond, and at Happy Hollow School . A notice will appear in Thursday’s Town Crier for the June 15th event. Friendly’s will provide the ice cream and accessories. Donelan’s will store it for us and give us a $50 gift card.

Russell’s and Longfellow Health Club will provide most of the tents and tables for the ice cream table and the band. Charles River Canoe & Kayak will provide boats. Jim Thompson will oversee this activity with help from a team of local girl scouts who have safety training. The kayaks will be dropped off at 11AM; the event goes from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Midlife crisis will provide the entertainment.

Only one environmental vendor is confirmed- Russell’s. Rodenheiser Excavation hasn’t confirmed. DPA will have an info table selling raffle tickets and providing new membership forms.

Fun Run Update

Karen Lowery reported that $1850 of the pledged $2500 has been received. The majority of the donations come in June & July.

A new Fun Run event, the fitness walk, will begin at 10:30 and will follow the 5K route. Sylvia Greene will lead the walk which is expected to return to Mansion Beach before the Kids Race starts.

The Wayland HS Track Team has been approached as “super sponsors”. They will invite other area HS track teams to participate, and by acting as liaisons, they will get a free race and community service points.

We will ask BJ’s to donate water, and get more donations from Stop and Shop and Whole Foods.

A silent auction was suggested as a fundraising idea, but not for the Fun Run. It will be put on the agenda for another social event or a winter fundraiser.

Lafe will contact unicycle.com to be part of the fun run events.

Grace volunteered to sell raffle tickets at the Sundae event.

The next meeting will be June 26 from 7:30-8:30.

Other Business:

Hi tech: Lafe is exploring how to use technology to improve our communications. Mike Lowery is providing additional resources.

The topic of bringing in larger donors and our public recognition of them was brought up as a mechanism to contribute to DPA’s trust fund, and for long term planning purposes. This discussion requires much thought and will be tabled for another meeting.

There was a brief discussion about what types of organizations to include in our events. We’d like to do more community outreach but stay within our “focus”. We will review the DPA by-laws before our next meeting.

DPA will be responding to new housing issues on the pond.

The date and time of the next DPA meeting has not been set yet. Lisa Jacobs has offered to host the monthly meetings at her house. Karen Lowery will coordinate snacks for July and we will rotate that function each month.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10pm

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Jacobs
Secretary

DPA Board Meeting
May 12, 2008

Attendees: Sherry Fiust, Brian Cichella, Jamie Pierce, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Jackie Ducharme, Karen Lowery, Lisa Jacobs, Lafe LaClaire, Bob Smith, Grace Olin, Alison LaClaire.

Newly-elected president Lafe LaClaire called the meeting to order at 7:18 P.M.

Sonar Application

The Sonar application was done on Friday, May 9. The level was 12 parts per billion. ACT will return on May 21st to test the levels and make adjustments. Mike Lowery has posted a slide show at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Wayland.SWQC/2008DPTreatmentPhotoVideos

The next step is to figure out whether it is successful, and to design a program to keep it that way. Mike Lowery will manage this project with Jack Peters, Alison LaClaire and Ted Fiust. Ted has a comprehensive report, including maps, outlining “lessons learned” and other observations over the many years of trying to control the milfoil. This report, still in draft form, will be finalized for Mike’s team.

Mike also reported that the broken circulator has been repaired, and the other two have had parts upgraded. Dany Boudrais of EcoGuide took some pre-Sonar water samples and measurements, and will likely be back in July to follow up.

Treasurers Report

Jamie Pierce reported that DPA has given the 25% promised - $1400 - to SWQC out of the total $5600 for the NOI. SWQC has since received two additional invoices from ACT totaling about $29,000.

Newcomer’s Pot Luck Dinner

Brian Cichella has sent out invitations to DPA newcomers for the Pot Luck dinner on May 18 at the Salitskys. Board members are invited to attend. There’s no plan B for moving the party indoors in case it rains but Molly may offer her house. We’ll bring membership forms; 6 people joined from last year’s newcomer’s dinner.

Ice Cream Social

Brian Cichella passed out posters for the June 15th event. Friendly’s will provide the ice cream and accessories which will be stored in their Sudbury store until the day of the event. We will ask Donelan’s for a donation and/or store credit. Russell Gardens will provide the tents for the ice cream table and the band. Charles River Canoe & Kayak will provide boats again this year, but they have no extra staff to help at the event. DPA will work on a solution: some combination of getting volunteers, a lifeguard, and hiring someone. Bob Smith will also contact his daughter’s girl scout troop who has experience in this area. Jim Thompson has a contact at Charles River who may be able to help. The kayaks will be dropped off at 11AM; the event goes from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Mid Life Crisis will provide the entertainment again.

There will be several environmental vendors there. Rodenheiser Excavation may come with a truck. Russell’s Garden will have a kiosk with a horticulturalist, and possibly Jack Russell himself. George Russell (no relation), who manages the transfer station will also provide an information table. DPA will have an info table selling raffle tickets, and providing new membership information.

We will talk to Wayland Fire and Police about providing resources which may include closing Mansion Rd. The Highway Department will provide us with cones to slow down traffic.

Fun Run Update

Karen Lowery convened the first meeting of the 2008 Fun Run steering committee in April. $1450 has been pledged of which $350 has been received. Village Bank has become our first platinum sponsor with a $500 donation. We’re looking for a few sponsors at the $1,000 level. The board was informed that Tom Conroy made a generous contribution to the DPA.

The registration process and tickets will be the same as last year. We will try to contact Wayland Cable TV in an effort to increase publicity for the event. There was a suggestion to look for a starter who is a town official. Tom Conroy is a possibility as an “honorary” starter, but last year he ran and presented the trophies. Lafe has volunteered as a backup starter. The next meeting will be May 22.

New Business:

Jamie Pierce reported that Tom Conroy has earmarked $50,000 for the DPA. The earmark must still pass the Senate and survive the governor’s office. We want to provide Tom with a complimentary DPA membership. Since he is already on our email list, he is already receiving all membership benefits.

There will be a Dudley Pond cleanup this Sat. from 1-3. Notices were put in the Town Crier and around the pond. The plan is to meet at Mansion Beach at 12:45, then spread out to town land by foot, and in boats to clean up the pond perimeter.

As part of the transition from the old board to the new board, Sherry gave an overview of where the paper and electronic files were. Lafe discussed using Google mail and its applications: calendars, word processing, databases, etc. to centralize and disseminate DPA info. He will investigate the possibilities. As a start, he will register a new website – dpawayland.org.

There was a discussion about using the DPA membership list for DPA business only. All recipients should be put in the bcc area so there’s no chance to use the membership list for personal purposes.

A new membership welcome kit is being compiled.

The date and time of the next DPA meeting has not been set yet.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05pm

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Jacobs
Secretary

Dudley Pond Association Annual Spring Meeting Minutes
April 27, 2008
Fortieth Anniversary of the DPA

Senior Center, Wayland Town Building

President Sherry Fiust called the Meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Minutes of the Fall 2007 Meeting were read and accepted.

Talk on Organic Lawn care by Jim Reinertson:

Mr. Reinertson is a turf grass agronomist and owns a company called Purely Organic Lawncare. He spoke of the need for the use of organic lawn care in a watershed area and cited many examples of how well these products work in our climate. He also warned about companies who claim they use only organic products, but actually use synthetics.

Milfoil Control Update by Mike Lowery:

Mike thanked the members of the DPA for their support of the Dudley Pond Weed Management Program and of the Wayland Surface Water Quality Committee (WSWQC) during the Conservation Commission hearings. He said that the DPA and the WSWQC are now in a new and good relationship. The DPA contributes funds, but it is the Town of Wayland (TOW) that has taken the responsibility of managing the bodies of water in its care.

We now have an approved five year plan for Dudley Pond weed management. It starts with a floridone treatment which will reduce the weeds to a manageable condition. For five years there will be a monitored follow-up with aggressive hand pulling. Herbicide spot treatments will be undertaken only if needed. The goal is to use chemicals as little as possible.

The circulator program will continue with sampling and testing. Mike warned that there may be an algae bloom following the floridone treatment and that it may be necessary to turn off the circulators for an unspecified period of time.

The first Sonar (floridone) treatment will be in early to mid May. This treatment will be stronger and longer than those of the past. For one hundred twenty days the outlet will be blocked so the treated water will not exit into Dudley Brook. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Massachusetts, and the Wayland Conservation Commission, regular use of the pond is in no way prohibited or unsafe during this period. The chemical concentration, twelve parts per billion, is ten times less than that allowed in drinking water sources.

The WSWQC is also planning on drafting regulations regarding the use of lawn chemicals and the maintenance of septic systems.

The floridone will affect other plants. During the hand pulling phase those indigenous plants will be allowed to re-grow. Sonar is the most selective herbicide available.

Treasurer’s Report by Jamie Pierce:

In honor of the DPA’s 40th anniversary, Jamie exhibited a copy of a 1972 treasurer’s report. The balance then was $211.47.

After Jamie completed his report, Massachusetts Representative Tom Conroy announced that he would try to get an earmark grant from the State into the FY09 state budget. The amount to be requested is yet to be determined, but will probably be in the range of $25,000 to $40,000.

Board Nominations and Vote by Sherry Fiust:

Sherry thanked Steve Garone and Jackie Ducharme for serving on the nominations committee.

The candidates are:
Lafe LaClaire, President
Jack Peters, 1st Vice President
Brian Cichella, 2nd Vice President
Jamie Pierce, Treasurer
Lisa Jacobs, Secretary

A motion was made and seconded to elect all the candidates and was passed unanimously.

Fun Run Update by Karen Lowery:

Karen Lowery and Linda Smith are the co-chairpersons for this event. It will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2008.

Karen reported that the 2007 Fun Run had 250 participants and included world class runners, the Wayland High School track team, and fifty children. It netted approximately $9200 which was used to help fight milfoil. An ambitious goal of $12,000 has been set for the 2008 Fun Run.

Karen urged all DPA members to make an effort to save Dudley Pond by identifying run sponsors, becoming an individual or family sponsor, pledging to buy a quantity of raffle tickets, selling raffle tickets, or by being a volunteer for the event.

Social Event Update by Brian Cichella:

Brian announced that the Newcomers’ Pot Luck Supper will be held on May 18 at 5:00 P.M. at the Salitsky residence, 29 Bayfield Road. There are twenty new families to the watershed and he will urge them to come.

The Fathers Day Ice Cream Social will be held on June 15th at Mansion Beach. Friendly’s will supply the ice cream. Charles River Kayak and Canoe Company will also be there.

Memorial Day Parade by Sherry Fiust:

Sherry said that the DPA needs to have a respectable number of marchers, or else we might want to reconsider any DPA participation in this event. Alison LaClaire volunteered to serve as the coordinator for the DPA contingent this year.

New Business:

Sherry thanked Arlene Pollak for being the DPA historian and providing the old newspaper clippings that were displayed. She also thanked Jamie Pierce for putting together the excellent slide show of past DPA events.

Arlene resigned from her position of historian.

Linda Smith requested a Dudley Pond Spring Cleanup and asked for six volunteers to organize it. Lisa Jacobs, Lisa Miller, Cheryl Kreinbring, Brian Cichella, Lisa Newton, and Jackson Madnick will serve as the committee.

On behalf of the Board and the DPA, Jamie presented Sherry with a bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate to Blue Ginger Restaurant. This is in appreciation for Sherry’s hard work, dedication, and passion throughout a very trying two year term as president.

Ted Fiust also presented Sherry with a bouquet and thanked the DPA for giving him back his wife!

Sherry adjourned the meeting at 7:18 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Darack, secretary

DPA Executive Board Meeting
April 9, 2008

Attendees: Sherry Fiust, Bob Smith, Brian Cichella, Jamie Pierce, Marilyn Darack, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Ted Fiust, Jackie Ducharme, Karen Lowery, Lisa Jacobs, Lafe LaClaire, Bob Goldsmith, Toni Moores, Grace Olin, Arlene Pollak, Marcia Filurin, Judy Currier, John Darack, Rick Cresswell

President Sherry Fiust called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.

The minutes of the last meeting had been read and accepted via email.

Additional Funding for Summer Weed Project:

Sherry asked Bob Goldsmith if the Surface Water Quality Committee will need the DPA to contribute any extra funds toward the floridone follow-up treatment this summer. Since the tax override will probably pass, it may not be necessary for the DPA to do this. Bob will let us know.

Determination of Items for Spring Meeting Agenda:

  1. Sherry has planned a celebration in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Dudley Pond Association. At the Spring Meeting, Marcia Filurin and Karen Lowery will decorate the Senior Center and Linda Smith will make a special celebratory cake. Sherry asked for pictures of past DPA events so that Jamie and she can make a montage to present at the meeting.
  2. Now that the Conservation Commission has passed the 2008 Weed Management Program and that the requisite waiting period has passed, we can now proceed with that program. Mike will describe the floridone application and follow up procedure to the membership.
  3. There will be a speaker to inform the membership about organic lawn care.
New DPA Executive Board:

The new DPA Executive Board members to be voted upon at Spring Meeting are:
President – Lafe LaClaire
1st Vice President –Jack Peters
2nd Vice President - Brian Cichella
Secretary – Lisa Jacobs
Treasurer – Jamie Pierce

New Business:

Mike Lowery announced that the SWQC will be asking for help from DPA members this summer.

Brian reminded the Board that the Newcomers Pot Luck Supper will be held on May 18th at the home of the Salitskys.

Brian also reported that the planning for the Fathers Day Ice Cream Social is underway. Friendly’s has agreed to provide 120 servings of ice cream for this year’s event. Russell’s Garden Center and Charles River Canoe Company have also been contacted.

Sherry has been working on the newsletter. As usual, Jamie will take care of the mailing labels.

Sherry ended the meeting, her last Board meeting as president, by thanking the SWQC members and all others who have helped with the DPA efforts over the last two years.

President Sherry Fiust adjourned the meeting at 7:50 P.M. The date and time of the next DPA Board meeting will be announced.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Darack, secretary

DPA Executive Board Meeting
March 5, 2008

Attendees: Sherry Fiust, Bob Smith, Brian Cichella, Jamie Pierce, Marilyn Darack, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Ted Fiust, Jackie Ducharme, Karen Lowery, Lisa Jacobs, Jim Thompson

President Sherry Fiust called the meeting to order at 7:12 P.M.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.

Notice of Intent (NOI) for 2008 Weed Management Program:

Mike Lowery, WSWQC member, informed the Board that an objection to the NOI would probably be filed with the Conservation Commission. State Law says that any abutter, or ten citizens of the town, or any aggrieved citizen may file such an objection. That law requires that written materials must be filed by those who have participated in the process.

Mike recommended that the DPA strongly urge its members to attend the March 13 ConCom hearing in order to support the NOI.

Discussion and Approval of Transfer of DPA Funds to WSWQC:

Sherry led a discussion pertaining to the DPA’s commitment to the WSWQC to defray some of the cost of the NOI preparation. The DPA membership had approved a total of $15,000 for weed control at Spring Meeting, 2007.

The invoice for the NOI preparation, which also included two expert appearances at hearings, was $5650. Jamie Pierce made a motion that the DPA contribute $1400 toward the NOI preparation cost. The Board unanimously approved the motion. Mike agreed with the Board that Jamie would sign all future WSWQC invoices toward which the DPA contributes.

DPA Executive Board Nominations for 2008:

Jackie Ducharme, from the nominations committee, announced that all positions are filled except that of President. She and others will continue to contact members until a nominee is found. It is crucial that a new President step forward, since the term of the present President expires at Spring Meeting.

New Business:

Brian Cichella informed the Board that this year’s Newcomers’ Putluck Supper will be held at the Salitsky residence at 29 Bayfield Road on May 18, 2008.

President Sherry Fiust adjourned the meeting at 8:40 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10th at the Fiusts’ home at 42 Mathews Drive

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Darack, secretary

 

DPA Executive Board Meeting
February 6, 2008

Attendees: Sherry Fiust, Bob Smith, Brian Cichella, Marilyn Darack, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Ted Fiust, Jackie Ducharme, Karen Lowery, Grace Olin

President Sherry Fiust called the meeting to order at 7:12 P.M.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.

Preparation for 2/14/08 Conservation Commission Hearing:

Mike Lowery told the Board that the ConCom hearing for the Dudley Pond 2008 Weed Management Program would likely consist of three segments:
bulleta fifteen to twenty minute presentation by Mike
bulleta question and answer period when the ConCom members will pose questions to Mike and to Marc Bellaud, an aquatic biologist from Aquatic Control Technologies
bulleta brief public question and answer session
Mike expects that the amount of time devoted to this order of business will total thirty to forty minutes.

Mike will outline the long term history of past weed control attempts and will refer to the myriad documents included on the CD which had been given to the ConCom members two weeks earlier. He will tell the ConCom that we have followed their guidance in the past. He will have them refer to the research included on the CD which proves that neither fluridone (SonarTM)  nor triclopyr (RenovateTM)-  used for spot treatments,  has ever been shown to be harmful to humans or to fish when used according to the manufacturer's approved instructions.

Mike is prepared to answer all questions satisfactorily, either verbally or by referring to the data on the CD that they will have had two weeks to study. In this way, the hearing would hopefully conclude in one night.

Since Bob Goldsmith is recusing himself from the ConCom for this issue, a majority vote of the committee will require four out of the six remaining votes.

The Board decided to ask four people to speak during the public question and answer period. Sherry, as DPA President, will refer to the community petition, the amount of funds and effort the DPA has spent on non-herbicide methods, and the willingness of the DPA to contribute funds to the program. It was decided to ask Jennifer Steele, Ted Fiust, and Judy Currier to be the other speakers.

Sherry will send out an email to all DPA members asking them to refrain from speaking during the question and answer period, and to instead allow those delegated and prepared for this task to do so.

State Funds Availability for Weed Control Assistance:

Sherry said she had been contacted by Representative Conroy’s Office. She was told that Representative Conroy is trying to provide state funds to Wayland and to two other towns. These funds would be used for aquatic weed control. Senator Brown, however, says there are no such funds available.

Update on DPA Board Nominations for Spring Meeting by Jackie Ducharme:

Jackie Ducharme reported that she and Steve Gerone have not yet finalized the nominations, but expect to do so shortly.

New Business:

The 2008 Fun Run was set for September 7, 2008.

DPA Spring Meeting was set for April 27, 2008.

The Newcomers’ Pot Luck Supper will be held on Sunday, May 18th. Brian wishes to hold this year’s event on the Bayfield Road side of the pond.

The Ice Cream Social will be held on Father’s Day, June 15th.

President Sherry Fiust adjourned the meeting at 8:45 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 13th at the Fiusts’ home at 42 Mathews Drive.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Darack, secretary

 

DPA Executive Board Meeting
January 10, 2008

Attendees: Sherry Fiust, Bob Smith, Jamie Pierce, Marilyn Darack, Bob Goldsmith, Mike Lowery, Jack Peters, Marcia Filurin, Jackie Ducharme

President Sherry Fiust called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and amended to add that Housing Authority’s Request for Quote is for hiring a consultant.

Update and Status of NOI for the SWQC Dudley Pond 2008 Weed Management Program:

Sherry informed the board that the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the proposed weed program is due to the Conservation Commission by January 31st. The hearing date is yet undetermined. Mike Lowery will be the presenter. Bob Goldsmith will recuse himself, since he sits on both the SWQC and the ConCom. Bob feels that the hearing will not conclude in one night, and that it will likely be continued two weeks later.

Bob gave Sherry a disk containing numerous articles with supporting evidence for herbicide treatment. He said that, after diligently researching the literature regarding fluridone, he was unable to find any scientific evidence that it has been proven harmful to humans or to fish. Bob’s conclusion is that fluridone is safe and that there is no alternative for Dudley Pond. Either we use the fluridone or we lose the pond.

Sherry asked Mike and Bob what the DPA could do to assist the SWQC in obtaining approval of the weed management program under consideration.

Mike suggested that the DPA submit a letter to the ConCom officially stating our position and also present evidence of public support for the proposed program. Either individual letters or a common letter signed by many citizens would be fine. Marcia Filurin suggested that a petition be circulated and that those asked to sign be given an informational article regarding the environmental impact of Sonar. To be accepted, any documents need to be submitted to the ConCom no less than two weeks prior to the hearing. Any documents relating to scientific evidence should be signed and notorized.

Regarding the hearing itself, Mike recommended that the DPA identify three or four individuals who will prepare to speak if called upon during the public comment period.

Bob advised Sherry to specify in our packet to the ConCom the amount of money the DPA is planning to contribute to the new weed management effort. Also, it would be supportive to inform the ConCom about all the DPA funds that have been committed to combat milfoil during the past several years.

Bob cautioned the DPA to have an alternate plan ready in case we fail to gain ConCom’s approval. Sherry and Jamie Pierce answered that the DPA still has ConCom’s permission to carry out harvesting if the need arises.

Update on DPA Board Nominations for Spring Meeting by Jackie Ducharme:

Jackie reported that she and Steve Garone have been busy attempting to recruit DPA members for the next board. At this point, the only definite is Jamie Pierce, who has graciously agreed to continue on as treasurer. Other positions are still being discussed with various people. Jackie and Steve will continue to update us on their progress.

New Business:

Jamie passed around a flier regarding a COLAP workshop to be held on January 25. Further information is available on the COLAP website.

Bob Goldsmith asked about the amount of money the DPA would be willing to commit to the cost of the NOI for the weed program.

President Sherry Fiust adjourned the meeting at 8:10 P.M. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 14th at the Fiusts’ home at 42 Mathews Drive.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Darack, secretary