Waters Farm Days

The weather is perfect and MPA is looking forward to being at the 31st annual Waters Farm Days. Apple crisp, fall foliage, views of Lake Manchaug, crafts, adorable animals, antique cars, maple sugar demonstrations, antique tractor pull, and plenty of things for the kids. Today and tomorrow from 10 - 4.

Waters Farm Days - Tractor Pull Held!

Although Waters Farm Days Fall Festival was cancelled this weekend due to the heavy rains, the tractor pull was held this morning at 10 am.






Thanks to our MPA Board Member from Area 1 for the photos!

Yes, good weather for waterfowl!

Rain is dancing on the lake...


the flock of geese are cruising on the water and the seagulls are in the air.



But, with the rain, the Manchaug Pond Association exhibit will be at Waters Farm tomorrow (weather permitting!) to participate in the 30th annual Waters Farm Days Fall Festival. Since we have an outdoor location for our booth, weather is critical to its success and the health of volunteers! (I personally had the first shift and didn't want the end of my time with a cold to develop into pnemonia.)



Hope to see you after the weather clears!

Waters Farm Days Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 & 4

Today, October 2nd


Last year, October 13, 2008


See you this weekend at the 30th Annual Waters Farm Days Fall Festival! If the weather holds out, the Manchaug Pond Association will have it's educational exhibit over by the house at the overview to the lake. See you there!

http://www.watersfarm.com/

New Article: "That Dam Issue"

THAT DAM ISSUE-
Company, officials clash over proposed pond breach

BY JOSH FARNSWORTH
Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, July 10th



Several residents and local officials from Sutton and Douglas joined state officials to voice their vehement disapproval of a plan by Manchaug Pond Reservoir Corp. to breach or remove the Manchaug Pond Dam at a public meeting Tuesday afternoon...

..."The only way to describe this is a breathtakingly terrible idea," said George X Pucci of Kopelman and Paige, Sutton's Town Counsel. "The removal of a dam makes sense when it is faulty or damaged. There are no benefits other than that Manchaug Reservoir Corp. does not want to operate it anymore."

Rep. Jennifer Callahan (D-Sutton) accused the Manchaug Reservoir Corp. of being a bully and using "scare tactics" to strong-arm other parties to take responsibility for the up-keep and general responsibility of the pond. It is an oxymoron to think we will be restoring the pond by draining it," she said. The state is not in the business of buying up dams and neither are the towns."...

... "To divest themselves is vindictive," said Pucci. "Going through with this would cripple the ability to store flood waters going into nearby Stevens Pond. It has potentially horrific consequences." ...

...Porter said lack of interest from other parties had forced the company to move forward. "We have received no offers from anyone on taking ownership of the dam," she said. "No one has even put a price tag on it."

Porter said the company has written proof that a request to sit down with Sutton was made in 2004 prior to Smith's time as administrator. ...

..."The dam no longer serves the purpose with the intent for why it was built,"
said Porter. "We believe doing this would ultimately result in a net benefit impact."

... "If the dam was to be removed, property values would decline and the rest of the
residents in Sutton and Douglas will feel the impact," said Sutton Board of Assessors
Chair Robert Nunnemacher. "It will not be a huge impact, but those people will still
have to pick up that difference." ...

...Much the opponents' frustration centered on communication. Opponents scalded the Manchaug Pond Reservoir Corp. for failure to notify Sutton on the issues prior to the town receiving the breach notice last month. Town Manager James Smith argued with Porter that in his two years as town administrator he had never been contacted about negotiations with the town on breaching or removing the dam. ..

... A representative from MassDEP said the organization will be involved in the permitting end of the project and will comment on the matter soon.

David Schmidt, President of the Manchaug Pond Association told the meeting attendees that..."Manchaug Pond is needed now more than ever."....


Click title of post to link to Millbury-Sutton Chronicle for the entire, detailed article.

The Value of Water: MPA Speaks on Behalf of Manchaug Pond

MPA President David Schmidt present the "NO BREACH" position of the Manchaug Pond Association at state MEPA meeting.

Meeting of MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act)
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Environmental Notification Form # 14435
July 7, 2009, 3:30 p.m., Sutton Town Hall




TESTIMONY OF THE MANCHAUG POND ASSOCIATION
David Schmidt, President

Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of Manchaug Pond. My name is David Schmidt, I am President of the Manchaug Pond Association. This organization was formed over 40 years ago to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug and its watershed. My family has owned a summer cottage on Manchaug since 1938 along with many of the other 120 property owners. In addition to our members, many enjoy this 380 acre lake through the public access boat ramp, the campgrounds, the YMCA day camp for inner city kids, as well as those who view from the historic Waters Farm. We will be sumbitting written testimony based on the observations and experiences of living with this Great Pond as our backyard. We strongly oppose this project and foresee many issues and hardships caused by its action.

Today we respectfully ask that the scope of the MEPA process consider:

First - the impacts to Manchaug Pond and the bordering ecosystem: to our private wells; our two coldwater tributaries and native brook trout fisheries; to the 4 vernal pools and the bordering critical habitat area; to the wetlands, coves and bank and the significant 380 acreage under the water, habitat to fisheries and other wildlife; to public access; and to the strides we are making with the current s. 319 DEP storm water grant; and to our non-chemical control of invasive aquatic species.

and Secondly - to the downstream users and ecosystems of the Mumford and Blackstone River systems. Manchaug Reservoir is the headwaters of the Mumford River. It is the largest reservoir on the river system and with Whitin Reservoir contributes the major portion of the flow of the river. Downstream impacts include those to Stevens and the many other smaller ponds but more dramatic are those to the major water users: the Whitinsville Water Company, the Douglas Waste Water Treatment Plant, the Milford Power Plant, and the soon to be Alternatives Unlimited hydroelectric plant.

While the Manchaug Pond dam has served the mill industry safely for 130 years, it must not be discarded. Today this rich water resource provides a more important role. Its water storage capability provides the flow for drinking water and waste water treatment, for life in the river system, and an environmental habitat to many diverse wildlife species. Manchaug Pond is needed now more than ever, especially in light of today's environmental pressures and the valley's build-out potential. In closing, we challenge the dam owner to recognize the value of Manchaug Reservoir to the community and to the Commonwealth, and to work creatively and in partnership to preserve Manchaug Pond and the Mumford River system. Thank you for your consideration.


The MPA as well as many other local and state boards and agencies will be submitting detailed comments about the concerns for this latest proposal of the dam owner - Manchaug Reservoir Corp. c/o Interface, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia


Speaking in support of Manchaug Pond this day, with many grave concerns over this project:
Rep. Jennifer Callahan, Sutton resident and District Representative
Rep. Paul Kujawski, District Representative for Douglas
James Smith, Sutton Town Administrator
George Pucci, Attorney, Kopelman and Paige, representing Town of Sutton and SCC
Mark Briggs, Chairman Sutton Conservation Commission (SCC)
David Schmidt, President, Manchaug Pond Association
Jeffrey Roelofs, Attorney, Law office of Jeffrey L. Roelofs, for Lake Manchaug Camping
Robert Nunnemacher, Assessor, Sutton Board of Assessors
Kevin Geraghty, Member, Sutton Board of Selectman
Jack Sheehan, Member, Sutton Conservation Commission
Peter Coffin, Coordinator, Blackstone River Coalition


Also addressing the dam owner:
Richard Lindstrom, Sutton Resident, asked for information on the old Indian dam.


In attendance:
A extensive list of Sutton and Douglas town officials; many property owners from Manchaug, Stevens Pond and along the Mumford River, Sutton residents; leaders and members of organizations from Manchaug Pond Association, Mass Audubon, Blackstone River Coalition, Blackstone River Watershed Association, MA Congress of Lakes and Ponds, Whitin Reservoir Watershed District, and the Mass Bass Federation; and representatives from state agencies from Mass Department of Environmental Protection, Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass Department of Fish and Game, etc., etc.

Consider putting your thoughts and concerns about the removal of the Manchaug dam, the reduction of Manchaug Pond from 380 acres to 201, the elimination of Torrey Road from Parker to Holt Road, the loss of the boat ramp, and the loss of access from the shoreline properties, the impact to the environment upstream, downstream and along the river...

put it on paper, in writing and

send to:

Secretary Ian A. Bowles
EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office
William Gage, EOEA No. 14435
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114

http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/submittingcomments.htm
Deadline for submission is July 14th.

Support Waters Farm Annual Plant Sale!

Pick up a order form today at the Sutton Town Hall to order your annual flowers and vegetables to benefit Waters Farm Preservation. Vegetables offered include Sweet 100's tomatoes as well as Early Girl and BIg Boy, green peppers and cucumbers. Annuals include 4 colors of petunias, red and blue salvia, marigolds, lobelia, impatiens, dusty miller, wax begonias, ageratum and alyssum all priced at $2.00 per 6 pack. Specialty hanging baskets are also ready to order at 10 inch and 12 inch size and include fuchsia, new guinea impatiens, ivy geranuim and petunias.

Order today for pick up May 16th from 9 to noon at the Darling Barn!

Supporting Waters Farm, a living museum donated by a past secretary of the MPA helps preserve conservation land in the Manchaug Pond watershed.




File photos provided by MPA 1st Vice President.

Mass Voters Choose the Fisherman

Massachusetts voters chose the fisherman over the farm. We are disappointed. Waters Farm sits on the hillside of the watershed overlooking the lake, a gift from a past MPA secretary to the Town of Sutton used as a living history museum and representing a wholesome time of simple New England life....


but then again what can we say... here on Manchaug Pond we too like fisherman.

I'll leave up the Waters Farm slide show for a few more days.

Here is the official release... on March 05, 2009, the Governor's office released the following results to their contest:

Massachusetts Citizens Select Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial to be Featured on a Quarter
BOSTON– Thursday, March 05, 2009 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial received the most votes from citizens throughout the Commonwealth to be featured on a new Massachusetts quarter created by the U.S. Mint. Governor Patrick announced the selection via his official Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/MassGovernor.

The three alternate sites selected by voters are the Lowell National Historic Park, the House of Seven Gables in Salem and the U.S.S. Constitution.

The state received 245,000 votes online at www.mass.gov to select their favorite nationally-recognized site to be featured on the new quarter. The site received votes from citizens throughout the Commonwealth, with Worcester, Middlesex and Essex counties putting forward the most votes.

The U.S. Mint asked Massachusetts, in addition to the other 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories, to select one preferred and three alternate Massachusetts national sites to be featured on the reverse of a quarter. As part of America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act, the new quarters will be issued at the rate of five new designs per year beginning in 2010, and will be issued in the order in which the selected sites were established as national sites.

To learn more, go to: http://www.mass.gov/governor/quarter.

VOTE FOR WATERS FARM!

Just a reminder that the voting ends this Thursday February 26th at 5 PM. Click on the header for the link to the website

Keep voting!

Waters Farm Days

As with sunsets, you can never have take too many pictures of Manchaug Pond. This was taken Saturday morning before the Waters Farm Fall Festival opened. During both days it was amazing the number of comments about what a beautiful lake this is and how much of a treasure Waters Farm and the lake must be to the town. We are very fortunate. The people involved with the Waters Farm Preservation do an outstanding job of putting this event together. The Waters Farm Days is run entirely by volunteers who average over 20,000 hours each year to ensure the success of the farm and the Waters Farm Festival. Their hard work makes this event such a success. There is something for everyone with shingle making demonstrations, tractor pulls, house tours, blacksmithing, sugaring demonstrations and pony rides just to name a few. I am hard pressed to say what my favorite was but I did have the absolutely BEST apple crisp I have ever eaten...can't wait for next year!

Save the dates - October 3rd and 4th 2009 will be the 30th annual Waters Farm Days Festival.

MPA at Waters Farm Days - Octber 4th and 5th

This year the Manchaug Pond Association will be exhibiting at the WATERS FARM 29th Annual Fall Farm Days & Festival Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

The MPA educational exhibit will assist you the homeowner as to the best practices you can employ around your home and landscape to protect our water resources. We all live in a watershed whether it be the watershed of Manchaug Pond, the Blackstone River or another great water resource. The exhibit will be staffed by a member of our Board of Directors and provides many handouts for you to take home.

Stop by while you are visiting the farm!


(click the link/post title for more information on the Farm Days!)

Check out these photos taken in 2006.
http://manchaugpondassociation.blogspot.com/2006/09/today-at-waters-farm-days.html

Did you know that Dorothea Waters Moran served as secretary of the Manchaug Pond Association?