Friday, February 23, 2007

So What is Going On?

To start, here's a photo shot from Area 2 by our VP.
Thank you for the contribution!

So what is going on?! Well, to put it mildly, PLENTY!
Besides the usual calls that the lake is too high or too low, and "I'm calling from Florida - is the lake up yet since the dam repairs?", and the calls from Fuddy, the caretaker with Interface, on how much the dam is open and closed, the rainfall and snowmelt, and news on the mill, etc....

.... the Stormdrain Grant is a definite! The Federal/State Government will fund $129,000 for the MPA to reimburse the Towns of Douglas and Sutton as well as the engineering firm CEI as we oversee a number of projects around the lake which will address aquatic weed growth by reducing pollutants/runoff into the lake. We have been busy reviewing project scope of work drafts, sending in vendor and affirmative action requirements, and the MPA President has become handy with the pen signing contracts with DEP and CEI on behalf of the MPA. Personally, I am thankful for the expertise we have on the MPA Board of Directors, ie. a real certified public accountant for a treasurer to ensure proper recordkeeping and management of those monie$! The project time-frame started this week and goes into 2010.

.... The District Initiative has been the object of many meetings with the residents around the lake, friends and MPA members, with the MPA Board of Directors, and with the Towns of Douglas and Sutton whose support we seek before we go to the state legislature. In an effort to secure the Towns blessing... At our first meeting before the Sutton Board, State Rep. Jennifer Callahan noted its merits as well as our efforts getting the grant. But both Towns still are working to understand how a watershed district can work within the Town. Douglas has verbally granted their support but Sutton is still talking and asking questions. MPA attorney for the project, Walter Jabs Jr. and COLAP Representative Dick Johnston of Cedar Meadows Watershed District have provided hours of information to the town administrators and Boards of Selectman on our behalf as well as the Town Administrators and officials in the towns of Leicester and Spencer which have a number of districts they work with, but the Towns continue to scratch their heads about it all. The Town of Sutton has decided to call a meeting of people around the lake to get everyone's opinion. Their public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 15th at 7 p.m. at the Sutton Senior Center on Hough Road. I'll get a hard copy to everyone in the mail this week. The Selectman want to hear from you as to the benefits of the district, at this meeting, in writing or one of their public forums.

This week I have also been reading dam safety reports the MPA secured last year on the Manchaug Pond dam. The MPA President read them a few months ago. They go back to 1991 and give alot details on the maitenance performed on the dam. Good shape it is!

More to come!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Sunset from Area 2


Thanks to our VP photographer!

Lots is happening with the grant, newsletter, and district. I'll get you the details soon!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Tired of the Cold...

For those of you who are tired of the cold, not into snowmobiles, hockey and the like, don't have a warm firesplace to sit by on a wintery day like today... don't despair! spring is on the way! Here are some photos from last summer on Manchaug Pond!



Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Sunday Photos!

The ice was beautiful for skating but most of the action was on dirt bikes, four wheelers and snowmobiles especially near the causeway.







Fishermen report the ice to be about 14-16 inches thick!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Dam Closed with One Inch of Flow

The dam here at Manchaug Pond has been closed down this weekend to 1 inch by the dam caretaker. Prior to this, the dam was opened a couple inches to take the water down so the docks are not in the water/ice. The dam now can't be closed down more than an 1 inch as to maintain a flow for the creatures downstream :)

Today provided a beautiful day with CROWDS of people enjoying the ice!





Thursday, February 08, 2007

Did you see that!?

Whoa! What was that about? Just as I was signing in to post a message, a huge plane just flew over, very low, over Manchaug Pond, over my house, and heading south. It was low, big and dark! Sorry for the lack of technical adjectives - my husband the Marine veteran of the Vietnam War was in the cellar and missed the whole thing! Those are the words of the wife with the degree in Plant and Soil Science, the 9 year old daughter and the 16 mos old grandson. It definitely looked military and it immediately brought to mind "The Bombing of Blueberry Island", an article written by a Founding Father of the MPA which appeared in the last MPA newsletter. I didn't have time to turn on the digital camera to get you a picture before it was gone. If you got a photo or have any info let me know!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Catching the Big Winner!

The state's top anglers will receive special honors on Feb. 10 at the Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at the DCU Center in Worcester. I didn't notice any winners from Manchaug Pond but I did notice that fish caught in our waters could have had a
chance. For instance the neighbor's grandson caught a 6lb + bass when he was 10 years old. For the youth pin a minimum weight of 4 lbs is required for a bass and who knows who will enter.

Every fish caught at our dock is a winner! Big or small it is a thrill. Fish
are named and thrown back in to lure out another day or in 5 minutes if
they are hungry :)) This fish was caught this summer. A beauty by any
standards!


Click the title of this post to get the list of winners, the requirements for the program, and the weight stations to
bring in your prize fish. And send me photos of your prize catch!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Super Bowl Sunday

Sunshine, but cold and breeezey.


Saturday, February 03, 2007

Snow means Snowmobiles!

Finally snow! and on the lake, snow means SNOWMOBILES! and four, three and two wheelers!
Saturday, quite a few came from the boat ramp as well as the a few cottages around the lake.

How many snowmobiles does a trailer like that hold? Four?

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