Sacred Sunday

Roadside Ferns, Manchaug Rd.

IRS Decision in ... Foundation Declared Public Charity!

MPA President reports the anxiously-awaited, official letter from the government concerning the Manchaug Pond Foundation has been received!  Remember the MPA membership voted twice in 2009 to proceed with a 501c3 for Manchaug Pond with paperwork filed last October 19. 

Here are the highlights of the letter:
 
"We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt form Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3)... You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts... We determined that you are a public charity..." 

Whitins District Suggests Douglas Use Manchaug's Water

Remember the 16 cfs of flow needed downstream for the Town of Douglas Waste Treatment Plant? Since the beginning of June, only 7 cfs, and during a brief period of rain 12cfs, have been flowing through the treatment plant.   This, combined with the need to maintain a flow for wildlife downstream, are the reasons Manchaug is always maintaining a flow through the low level gate. Updated in 2006, it actually does not close up tight. The Town of Douglas has stated that Interface, the Manchaug Pond dam owner, has been very cooperative in maintaining our contribution of the flow.

Sutton's contribution today to the Mumford River from Steven's Pond dam.

So here are a couple of the meetings which took place concerning the Town of Douglas and the Whitin Reservoir Watershed District, the need for a greater flow in the Mumford River,  and the suggestion that water sources other than Whitin Reservoir be tapped.


1.)  First listen to the meeting of the Whitin Reservoir Watershed District.
Go to: http://www.douglasma.org/cable/online_programs.php


Scroll down and click onto:
Whitin Reservoir Watershed Management Committee: August 25, 2010

Click to view the Whitin Reservoir Watershed Management Committee meeting dated August 25, 2010. The meeting length is approximately one hour and seventeen minutes.

Manchaug Pond's water is discussed early in the agenda.

2.) then:
Board of Selectmen: September 7, 2010

Click to view the Board of Selectmen meeting dated September 7, 2010. The meeting length is approximately forty-two minutes. The agenda of this meeting is available here.

3.)  Next you can read the report in the Telegram Towns:


http://www.telegram.com/article/20100916/FLASH/9160502 


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Town looks at proposal to control Sutton dam

By Susan Spencer CORRESPONDENT

DOUGLAS —  Selectman Jeffrey LaPorte, a member of the Whitin Reservoir Watershed District’s management committee, suggested at last week’s Board of Selectmen meeting that Town Administrator Michael Guzinski look into the potential cost of having the town control the water flow through the dam at Manchaug Pond. The watershed district would like to purchase the pond, but not manage the dam.


“If it’s not prohibitive, would it be in our best interest to babysit the dam?” Mr. LaPorte asked, noting that downstream flow to Douglas, including to the water treatment plant, has been inadequate.


Mr. Guzinski said he plans to discuss the issue with the Sutton town administrator, since the Manchaug Pond dam is in Sutton.


Selectman Mitchell Cohen said having the town control multiple water supplies would likely require some type of mathematical formula. “There has to be something clean cut that says where the water is coming from,” he said.

Gatekeeper off duty for the season but ramp still in use...

With the passing of Labor day,  the ramp gatekeeper provided by the town is off duty for the season but the State Boat Ramp on Manchaug Pond is still open.  This morning boats roared out after 6:30 a.m. for some fishing.

Manchaug Pond definitely sees less activity with the arrival of September as the children have gone back to school, the weather has brought lower temps (this morning 54F), winter drawdown necessitates the removal of the shore docked boats, and the summer camps and campgrounds sadly wind down for the close of their season.

Manchaug Pond	Saturday, September 11, 2010	22	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	Pioneer Valley Bass Anglers
Manchaug Pond	Sunday, September 12, 2010	12	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	New England Bassmasters of R.I.

Manchaug Pond

Saturday, September 18, 2010

11

6:30 AM

7:00 AM

1:00 PM

A-1 Bassmasters

Manchaug Pond	Saturday, September 26, 2010	20	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	3:00 PM	Iceholes
Manchaug Pond	Sunday, October 03, 2010	15	6:30 AM	7:00 AM	2:00 PM	Central Mass Smallmouth

The ramp continues to offer public access to the great pond through all seasons - leaving our summer swimming and summer sports for the enjoyment of some fall fishing, kayaking, etc and then on to winter sports of ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing ...   enjoy the day!

Labor Day Weekend LIGHTING OF THE SHORELINE

LIGHTING OF THE SHORELINE 

Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m.

 The tradition of lighting the shoreline is longstanding here on Manchaug Pond! At 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, set your flares aglow at your beach or shoreline during our last celebration at the end of the summer!  Flares are available from your MPA Area Representative or purchase at cost at the local campground store.  $3. each or 2 for $5.00.


Thanks to the MPA member who sent in this photo of last year's event!

Pick up the Corn-on-the-Cob at Whittier's - After Earl, Nice Weekend

Storm Preparation Advise Courtesy of Lakeview Marine, Webster

Looks like Hurricane Earl will be bringing rain and wind to Manchaug Pond Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning.  Take today and tomorrow morning to secure umbrellas, lawn furniture, boats and other "toys" around your home, dock or campsite.

Here's advise one of our Board members received in an email from a local marina:

Greetings!

Although we are at this point unsure of what kind of weather this weekend
will bring, we wanted to pass on some tips for securing your watercraft
and keeping potential storm damage to a minimum!

A few key things to check IF your boat is in the water:

-Ensure proper operation of your bilge pump. Make sure your battery is
fully charged, and that the pump is working. During the storm if a
significant amount of rain has fallen, it is important to activate the
pump to keep the water from accumulating. After any heavy rain, always
check the boat to make sure that the automatic feature worked.

-Cover the boat securely to keep much of the water out. It is normal for
some water to seep in, but a cover will help to disperse most of it.

-Make sure that there are no loose items such as inflatable toys and
non-secured seat covers. If your boat has small fishing seats with
individual covers, make sure that the covers are tied down, or consider
removing them. When wind gets underneath those small covers, they have a
tendency to fly away.

-Check your lines and bumpers!! Double check that the dock lines are
secure and in good condition, and that the fenders are double knotted on
the lines. You certainly don't want to lose one in the storm and then
sustain damage to the boat as it hits the dock.

-On pontoon boats, lower the bimini top to the trailering position if
possible, and install the bimini boot. Open tops will act as sails and put
extra pressure on the lines and docks themselves. The boot will protect
the fabric from tearing in the wind. Putting the top down will reduce the
risk of damage to the top frame.

-For PWCs in the water, try to tie off the machine away from the dock.
Many times we have seen significant damage to a machine that has gotten
wedged under a dock during times with high waves. If you can't tie it away
from the dock, consider beaching it and securing it to something on shore.

-Check the area around your watercraft for branches and trees that appear
loose, dead, or saggy. A big gust of wind can cause trees and limbs to
fall down on top of watercraft and damage covers or worse.

IF your boat is on the trailer:

-Make sure that the drain plug is removed! The boat will fill up with
water otherwise, and literally sink on the trailer.

We have ordered some extra fenders and lines if you need some last-minute
supplies. We will be open regular hours, 8:30-5:30 Thursday and Friday. If
you need something and can't get here during those hours, call us and we
will make arrangements to leave it for you.

We are advising our slip customers to come and secure their boats.
Depending on the timing of the storm, we may not be able to personally
check each boat. If you have questions or need assistance, please call us.

We hope that we won't get a direct hit on this or any future hurricanes-
but it is always best to be prepared!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

Lakeview Marine Inc.