Thursday, November 22, 2007
What's for Dinner?
During dinner, he looked out the window toward the lake and said, "We could have had goose!"
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Turkey for a Manchaug Pond Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
While turkey maybe on the menu in most parts of the US, here on Manchaug Pond they are the guests! Do you see them?! In area 3, a flock of over 20 frequently visits a number of homes along Manchaug and Torrey Roads. As you are driving, watch for them and our female deer and her three young ones born this spring.
Preserving open space is another reason to form a watershed district. As property comes up for sale, conservation grants are available to secure this land to maintain wildlife corridors and protect endangered species common to our watershed.
While turkey maybe on the menu in most parts of the US, here on Manchaug Pond they are the guests! Do you see them?! In area 3, a flock of over 20 frequently visits a number of homes along Manchaug and Torrey Roads. As you are driving, watch for them and our female deer and her three young ones born this spring.
Preserving open space is another reason to form a watershed district. As property comes up for sale, conservation grants are available to secure this land to maintain wildlife corridors and protect endangered species common to our watershed.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sutton Conservation Commission to Hold Mtg on Docks
The Sutton Conservation Commission is holding another meeting to discuss lakes and ponds on Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sutton Town Hall.
Dock regulations have been the topic of recent board discussions. Public attendence at those meetings has been by non-lake residents as well as residents from ponds with and without public access. In September of this year, Sutton Conservation Commission enacted "non-dock regulations on 300 ft. abutters notification, 2 1/2" tree replacement (less if due to poor access) for trees felled in the jurisdiction greater than 5", and the requirement to use 20-0-10 (or comparable), zero-phosphate, slow-release fertilizer w/in 200' of any waterbody, wetlands or stream."
As in the past, the MPA will continue to take a strong role in educating Manchaug Pond lake abutters, watershed friends of Manchaug Pond, and others as to current state and local regulations and concrete ways to minimize and eliminate negative impacts to the lake. New docks have not been an big issue on Manchaug Pond as we have had just a couple new docks in the past few years with the sale of a couple old homes/summer cottage - the state Dep and local Sutton permit notices are posted in the local newspaper for Sutton, the "Millbury-Sutton Chronicle", if you are interested in tracking! MPA is into educating and letting the officials do the policing/enforcing. We have seen existing docks around the lake receive regular maintenance to ensure homeowner and public safety. This author's own shared/neighborhood dock received new eye bolts and replacement boards after ice damage this past spring. So the old, abandoned dock issue thing doesn't exist here either.
MPA's current Non-point Source Pollution Improvement Project will go far in bringing the latest information on Best Management Practices and Low Impact Development to property owners in and around our towns' lakes. Stay tuned!
(Check out the links on the right - Conservation Commission - that site has town bylaws concerning ponds by town. Suttons big bylaw is listed.)
Dock regulations have been the topic of recent board discussions. Public attendence at those meetings has been by non-lake residents as well as residents from ponds with and without public access. In September of this year, Sutton Conservation Commission enacted "non-dock regulations on 300 ft. abutters notification, 2 1/2" tree replacement (less if due to poor access) for trees felled in the jurisdiction greater than 5", and the requirement to use 20-0-10 (or comparable), zero-phosphate, slow-release fertilizer w/in 200' of any waterbody, wetlands or stream."
As in the past, the MPA will continue to take a strong role in educating Manchaug Pond lake abutters, watershed friends of Manchaug Pond, and others as to current state and local regulations and concrete ways to minimize and eliminate negative impacts to the lake. New docks have not been an big issue on Manchaug Pond as we have had just a couple new docks in the past few years with the sale of a couple old homes/summer cottage - the state Dep and local Sutton permit notices are posted in the local newspaper for Sutton, the "Millbury-Sutton Chronicle", if you are interested in tracking! MPA is into educating and letting the officials do the policing/enforcing. We have seen existing docks around the lake receive regular maintenance to ensure homeowner and public safety. This author's own shared/neighborhood dock received new eye bolts and replacement boards after ice damage this past spring. So the old, abandoned dock issue thing doesn't exist here either.
MPA's current Non-point Source Pollution Improvement Project will go far in bringing the latest information on Best Management Practices and Low Impact Development to property owners in and around our towns' lakes. Stay tuned!
(Check out the links on the right - Conservation Commission - that site has town bylaws concerning ponds by town. Suttons big bylaw is listed.)
Friday, November 02, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Clean up a Great Success!
On this beautiful sun filled fall day, Manchaug Pond and the roadsides around the lake saw numerous volunteers participate in the annual cleanup.
Here's a shot of the total haul! Thanks to the Mark Brigham, Highway Superintendent for the Town of Sutton for providing the town truck!
The trash came by scouts! ...
The trash came by boat! ...
and the trash came by pick-up trucks, trailer, and wheelbarrow! ...
as volunteers reported a lot of dumping and litter at the boat ramp, Blueberry Island, the Sutton Conservation Commission land, and roadsides around the lake.
Volunteers also included Cub Scout Pack 143 from Sutton: the Webelos and Bear Den scouts, their leaders, and families. Thank you for joining us!
Great Job Everyone!
Here's a shot of the total haul! Thanks to the Mark Brigham, Highway Superintendent for the Town of Sutton for providing the town truck!
The trash came by scouts! ...
The trash came by boat! ...
and the trash came by pick-up trucks, trailer, and wheelbarrow! ...
as volunteers reported a lot of dumping and litter at the boat ramp, Blueberry Island, the Sutton Conservation Commission land, and roadsides around the lake.
Volunteers also included Cub Scout Pack 143 from Sutton: the Webelos and Bear Den scouts, their leaders, and families. Thank you for joining us!
Great Job Everyone!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Will you join us! ..... Manchaug Pond Fall Cleanup
The Manchaug Pond Fall Cleanup has been scheduled for Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The shoreline and coves which especially accumulate litter will be targeted first as well as the boat ramp. If time, energy and volunteers permit we can do some roadsides such as Manchaug, Torrey, Holt and the dam area down Parker Road, Sutton.
The Boat Ramp on Torrey Road will serve as a meeting point for volunteers as well as the drop off point for all trash collected. As in past years, area reps and other volunteers can collect the rubbish by boat and bring to the ramp. We will also have a pickup truck available to shuttle from the roadsides or shoreline. Please provide the items you will need for the day, such as gloves, waders, whatever. Garbage bags will be available at the ramp and the Town of Sutton is providing the truck to haul away the trash collected.
Weather permitting, the educational display will be set up providing participants with educational material on septic system maintenance, healthy lawns, etc. as part of our outreach with the s. 319 grant project.
Special thanks to our 1st Vice President for organizing the event and coordinating with the town of Sutton.
See you there!
The shoreline and coves which especially accumulate litter will be targeted first as well as the boat ramp. If time, energy and volunteers permit we can do some roadsides such as Manchaug, Torrey, Holt and the dam area down Parker Road, Sutton.
The Boat Ramp on Torrey Road will serve as a meeting point for volunteers as well as the drop off point for all trash collected. As in past years, area reps and other volunteers can collect the rubbish by boat and bring to the ramp. We will also have a pickup truck available to shuttle from the roadsides or shoreline. Please provide the items you will need for the day, such as gloves, waders, whatever. Garbage bags will be available at the ramp and the Town of Sutton is providing the truck to haul away the trash collected.
Weather permitting, the educational display will be set up providing participants with educational material on septic system maintenance, healthy lawns, etc. as part of our outreach with the s. 319 grant project.
Special thanks to our 1st Vice President for organizing the event and coordinating with the town of Sutton.
See you there!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
"Everything in the Known Universe about Manchaug Pond Association!"
Well, the MPA blog has been found and rated by the blogging world. How did we measure up? My opinion is ... We did good! We made the list! They found us! That is an accomplishment in itself! Out of today's 107.9 million blogs, the MPA ranked 3,915,745! I know that is not in the top 10, or top 100 or the top 1,000 even but we are ahead of about 104 million other blogs! I'm impressed. :))
AND to add to that success (He! He!) we were also check out and given a "vote of approval" by:
"Water Words That Work
http://waterwordsthatwork.com
Authority: 33
Rank: 189,691
A multimedia blog to help nature protection and pollution control experts make a splash when speaking or writing for the general public."
Soo..check out the TECHNORATI site to see for yourself! :)
http://technorati.com/blogs/manchaugpondassociation.blogspot.com
"Welcome to Technorati
Currently tracking 107.9 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media.
Technorati is the recognized authority on what's happening on the World Live Web, right now. The Live Web is the dynamic and always-updating portion of the Web. We search, surface, and organize blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media.”
But it all started with blogs. A blog, or weblog, is a regularly updated journal published on the web. Some blogs are intended for a small audience; others vie for readership with national newspapers. Blogs are influential, personal, or both, and they reflect as many topics and opinions as there are people writing them.
Blogs are powerful because they allow millions of people to easily publish and share their ideas, and millions more to read and respond. They engage the writer and reader in an open conversation, and are shifting the Internet paradigm as we know it.
On the World Live Web, bloggers frequently link to and comment on other blogs, creating the type of immediate connection one would have in a conversation. Technorati tracks these links, and thus the relative relevance of blogs, photos, videos etc. We rapidly index tens of thousands of updates every hour, and so we monitor these live communities and the conversations they foster.
The World Live Web is incredibly active, and according to Technorati data, there are over 175,000 new blogs (that’s just blogs) every day. Bloggers update their blogs regularly to the tune of over 1.6 million posts per day, or over 18 updates a second.
Technorati. Who's saying what. Right now."
AND to add to that success (He! He!) we were also check out and given a "vote of approval" by:
"Water Words That Work
http://waterwordsthatwork.com
Authority: 33
Rank: 189,691
A multimedia blog to help nature protection and pollution control experts make a splash when speaking or writing for the general public."
Soo..check out the TECHNORATI site to see for yourself! :)
http://technorati.com/blogs/manchaugpondassociation.blogspot.com
"Welcome to Technorati
Currently tracking 107.9 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media.
Technorati is the recognized authority on what's happening on the World Live Web, right now. The Live Web is the dynamic and always-updating portion of the Web. We search, surface, and organize blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media.”
But it all started with blogs. A blog, or weblog, is a regularly updated journal published on the web. Some blogs are intended for a small audience; others vie for readership with national newspapers. Blogs are influential, personal, or both, and they reflect as many topics and opinions as there are people writing them.
Blogs are powerful because they allow millions of people to easily publish and share their ideas, and millions more to read and respond. They engage the writer and reader in an open conversation, and are shifting the Internet paradigm as we know it.
On the World Live Web, bloggers frequently link to and comment on other blogs, creating the type of immediate connection one would have in a conversation. Technorati tracks these links, and thus the relative relevance of blogs, photos, videos etc. We rapidly index tens of thousands of updates every hour, and so we monitor these live communities and the conversations they foster.
The World Live Web is incredibly active, and according to Technorati data, there are over 175,000 new blogs (that’s just blogs) every day. Bloggers update their blogs regularly to the tune of over 1.6 million posts per day, or over 18 updates a second.
Technorati. Who's saying what. Right now."
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Migrating Monarchs Visit Manchaug Pond
Saturday afternoon before that microburst hit Manchaug Pond, in the beautiful warmth and sunshine at least 30 monarch butterflies stopped in their yearly migration to drink the nector of four plants in my and my neighbor's perennial flower garden. Sedum Autumn Joy is the plant that drew them to our neighborhood. To see the large orange and black beauties slowly flutter at eye level to land in clutters on the flowers was exciting.
Check out the following links to view beautiful photos, to learn more about Monarch Butterflies as well as the citizens' tagging program to monitor the migration:
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/construct-species-page.asp?sp=Danaus-plexippus
http://massaudubon.org/butterflyatlas/index.php?id=116
www.monarchwatch.org
Monday, September 24, 2007
Press Release Announces Grant Award
The following press release and two photos taken by the MPA 1st Vice President is starting to be picked up by local newspapers. The September 20th issue of the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle published the grant announcement with the view of Manchaug Pond from Waters Farm photo. The press release was written largely by the environmental engineer at CEI and edited by the MPA President, 1st Vice President/Grant Coordinator and Corresponding Secretary and reviewed by the MPA Board of Directors...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Schmidt, President Manchaug Pond Association (508) 476-7804
Eileen Pannetier, President Comprehensive Environmental Inc. 603-424-8444 x301
Local Watershed Group Awarded $130,000 State Grant for Pond Improvements
Douglas/Sutton, MA – September 15, 2007 – Over 40 years ago, 35 families with a common interest to protect a pond banned together to form the Manchaug Pond Association (MPA). Forty years later, the group now boasts a membership of over 100 member families along with several businesses and a nonprofit group. With an 18 member volunteer Board of Directors, the group celebrates their 40th anniversary with energy, optimism and an impressive grant awarded to them by the MA Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
A picturesque area, the 360acre Manchaug Pond lies within Douglas and Sutton and has been slowly degrading over the past few decades. Likely a result of increased development pressures and various nonpoint source pollution inputs, residents have seen a rise in algal blooms and invasive aquatic plants and a decrease in water quality. The MPA lead by Mr. David Schmidt, President and Ms. Marty Jo Henry Vice-President, worked with Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. (CEI), a Milford based engineering and science firm to develop conceptual designs and a successful grant application for funds to help improve the water quality of the pond.
The MassDEP s.319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant will provide the MPA with almost $130,000 in funds to be spent on stormwater improvements utilizing Low Impact Development (LID) techniques within the watershed and citizen education on issues such as septic system maintenance and other residential LID techniques such as landscaping with buffer zones and rain gardens to limit runoff of fertilizer nutrients and animal wastes. The grant also includes storm drain management improvements that will be implemented by the towns. The group will provide a 40% grant match with volunteer hours as well as in-kind staff hours to be provided by the Towns of Sutton and Douglas. CEI is currently developing engineering designs for construction with work expected to begin this summer for completion sometime in 2008.
The MPA is a non-profit organization made up of volunteer property owners within the Manchaug Pond Watershed whose mission is “to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the contiguous area.” Online at www.manchaugpondassociation.org
CEI is a local employee-owned civil and environmental engineering and science firm serving the New England area with a focus on comprehensive stormwater, wastewater, water supply engineering, planning and design. Online at www.ceiengineers.com
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Schmidt, President Manchaug Pond Association (508) 476-7804
Eileen Pannetier, President Comprehensive Environmental Inc. 603-424-8444 x301
Local Watershed Group Awarded $130,000 State Grant for Pond Improvements
Douglas/Sutton, MA – September 15, 2007 – Over 40 years ago, 35 families with a common interest to protect a pond banned together to form the Manchaug Pond Association (MPA). Forty years later, the group now boasts a membership of over 100 member families along with several businesses and a nonprofit group. With an 18 member volunteer Board of Directors, the group celebrates their 40th anniversary with energy, optimism and an impressive grant awarded to them by the MA Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
A picturesque area, the 360acre Manchaug Pond lies within Douglas and Sutton and has been slowly degrading over the past few decades. Likely a result of increased development pressures and various nonpoint source pollution inputs, residents have seen a rise in algal blooms and invasive aquatic plants and a decrease in water quality. The MPA lead by Mr. David Schmidt, President and Ms. Marty Jo Henry Vice-President, worked with Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. (CEI), a Milford based engineering and science firm to develop conceptual designs and a successful grant application for funds to help improve the water quality of the pond.
The MassDEP s.319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant will provide the MPA with almost $130,000 in funds to be spent on stormwater improvements utilizing Low Impact Development (LID) techniques within the watershed and citizen education on issues such as septic system maintenance and other residential LID techniques such as landscaping with buffer zones and rain gardens to limit runoff of fertilizer nutrients and animal wastes. The grant also includes storm drain management improvements that will be implemented by the towns. The group will provide a 40% grant match with volunteer hours as well as in-kind staff hours to be provided by the Towns of Sutton and Douglas. CEI is currently developing engineering designs for construction with work expected to begin this summer for completion sometime in 2008.
The MPA is a non-profit organization made up of volunteer property owners within the Manchaug Pond Watershed whose mission is “to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the contiguous area.” Online at www.manchaugpondassociation.org
CEI is a local employee-owned civil and environmental engineering and science firm serving the New England area with a focus on comprehensive stormwater, wastewater, water supply engineering, planning and design. Online at www.ceiengineers.com
###
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Directions to Singing Dam
Shi Chian has left a new comment on your post "Dams in the News: A Sutton Dam No One Wants!":
Hi,
Would you happen to have directions to get to the singing dam from Worcester, MA? Or if you have the address of the approximate location of this dam? Thank you.
Hello Shi Chian! Thanks for visiting! Singing dam is located in the village of Wilkinsonville in the Town of Sutton. The straightest route from Worcester would be to take Rte. 146 south. At the intersection at Boston Road (Tony's Pizza is on the right!), take a left onto Boston Road and follow to the stop sign. Take a left on to Rte 122A heading toward Millbury. On 122A after you go under a railroad bridge, take a right on to Blackstone Street and Singing Dam and the future park and canoe launch to the Blackstone River is just up the street! Enjoy and glad to be off service!
Hi,
Would you happen to have directions to get to the singing dam from Worcester, MA? Or if you have the address of the approximate location of this dam? Thank you.
Hello Shi Chian! Thanks for visiting! Singing dam is located in the village of Wilkinsonville in the Town of Sutton. The straightest route from Worcester would be to take Rte. 146 south. At the intersection at Boston Road (Tony's Pizza is on the right!), take a left onto Boston Road and follow to the stop sign. Take a left on to Rte 122A heading toward Millbury. On 122A after you go under a railroad bridge, take a right on to Blackstone Street and Singing Dam and the future park and canoe launch to the Blackstone River is just up the street! Enjoy and glad to be off service!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Microburst Hits Manchaug Pond
A microburst hit Manchaug Pond early Sunday morning leaving a wake of destruction. Hitting at 3:30 a.m., the eight minute storm brought high wind, heavy rain, thunder, lightening and hail. Residents in areas 2, 3 and 4 were hard especially hit, waking up to lawns and driveways littered with branches and leaves, ripped off roof shingles and ridge vents, upturned and broken lawn furniture, overturned and sunken small boats and jetskis, a few twisted or submerged docks not to mention over a dozen large trees uprooted and laying on scenic Manchaug Road and Torrey Road.
This severe, quick hitting storm - Force 10 at least on the Beaufort (wind speed) Scale - had to have had wind speeds of at least 60 miles/hour to cause this damage.
The sound of chain saws and leaf blowers continues to fill the air!
More info on Microbursts:
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/svr/comp/out/micro/anat.rxml
To check out the Beaufort Scale (wind speed):
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/beaufort.html
A site on weather for the kids:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/epz/kids/kidswx.shtml
Friday, September 07, 2007
New Links for Boating Laws and Online Course
A weekend in early August, the Environmental Police boat hit the waters of Manchaug Pond for a little "educating!"
Recently we received the following comment and update from Kathy at boat-ed.com:
"Thank you for providing links on your blog to the official Massachusetts boating safety handbook and online course. Could the Corresponding Secretary please update the links so that they land on the appropriate pages?
Boat Massachusetts Boating Laws Handbook: http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/index.htm
Boat Massachusetts Online Course: http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/index.htm
Many thanks, and safe boating!"
Don't wait until the police boat is talking to you to find out it is against the law to pull a skier or tube behind a jetski! Get the facts and know the law before you hop on!
Recently we received the following comment and update from Kathy at boat-ed.com:
"Thank you for providing links on your blog to the official Massachusetts boating safety handbook and online course. Could the Corresponding Secretary please update the links so that they land on the appropriate pages?
Boat Massachusetts Boating Laws Handbook: http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/handbook/index.htm
Boat Massachusetts Online Course: http://www.boat-ed.com/ma/index.htm
Many thanks, and safe boating!"
Don't wait until the police boat is talking to you to find out it is against the law to pull a skier or tube behind a jetski! Get the facts and know the law before you hop on!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Sutton Public Hearing on DOCK REGS - Last Night!
Sorry to report this after the fact but I didn't know about the Hearing
until it was too late! I guess I need to subscribe to the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle to get the Public Hearing announcements.
The Sutton Conservation Commission held a public hearing last night as part
of their agenda to accept comments on new, more stringent changes they
are proposing to current state dock regulations. The hearing began at
8:00 p.m. with 45 people attending in the room and more flowing into the hall.
Discussion was lively and pointed with those speaking identifying themselves
from Lake Singletary. The outcome seemed to be that the Conservation Commission wants people to voluntarily come to them - they do not want to be strict enforcers. It was decided that the public hearing was continued to November 7th with time to be posted in the Town Hall, and an October 10th workshop of a small group (not identified at this time) would be held to discuss this informally was scheduled to work on the language. The next Conservation Commission would discuss proposed regulations on
trees,abutter notification and fertilizer use.
Co-chairman Mark Briggs carried the hearing with the following changes presented as a handout:
"Sutton Conservation Commission Policy on New Docks
Docks must be located 25 feet from property lines or for properties less than 50 feet wide in a central location.
Docks may be no further than 30 feet into the water measured from the high water mark.
Docks may be no larger than 300 sq. feet.
All applications must be accompanied by a complete plan to scale.
Permits for Docks:
For a new Temporary or removable dock:
Applicant must file a Request for Determination with the Conservation
Commission even if there is no bank disturbance or a Notice of Intent
if the bank area is disturbed. A permit is not required to remove
Temporary Docks in and out of the water.
For a Permanent Dock or Permanent Bank Alteration:
Applicant must file with the Conservation Commission and must file a
Chapter 91 Waterways License Application with the State. Permanent
structures are subject to MGL Ch. 131 Section 40. Bank disturbance may not exceed the lesser of 5 % of frontage or 25 feet.
All docks must have permanent reflectors on each corner.
A Chapter 91 Waterways license is required for all anchored in-water, off shore floating, swimming docks or pontoon structures.
There may not be more than one dock per parcel.
This policy shall not serve to diminish the requirements of MGL or 310 CMR
9.00 but may be applied more stringently as reserved herein. the
Commission may grant certain variance(s) with cause or hardship to this
Regulation. This policy shall not apply to existing or an/or licensed
docks before October 1, 2007. For any substantial repair with major
alteration. A Request for Determination or Notice of Intent shall be
filed with the Commission.
For further information, contact Mark Briggs at 508-865-8728, leave message.
Email: WBien@town.sutton.ma.us"
At the next meeting of the Commission, they will propose the following changes to regulations as described in their handout:
Regulations
Tree
Cutting---All trees 5 inches or greater which are felled or are or to
be cut in any jurisdictional area be replaced in kind with planting(s)
of 2 1/2 inch stock or greater.
Abutter Notification---All Applicants must notify any/all abutters within 300 feet of Any property corner or line when filling any application required under MGL.
Fertilizers---Any
application of fertilizer on any lawn, landscaping, garden, orchard,
Filed or within 100 feet of any resource area or 200 feet any body of
water be 15-0-5 zero phosphate, slow release.
The MPA Board of Directors will review and keep you posted! The MPA
has presented the dock regulations to the membership in the past and
had full discussion/education at past Annual Meetings and in the
newsletter.
until it was too late! I guess I need to subscribe to the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle to get the Public Hearing announcements.
The Sutton Conservation Commission held a public hearing last night as part
of their agenda to accept comments on new, more stringent changes they
are proposing to current state dock regulations. The hearing began at
8:00 p.m. with 45 people attending in the room and more flowing into the hall.
Discussion was lively and pointed with those speaking identifying themselves
from Lake Singletary. The outcome seemed to be that the Conservation Commission wants people to voluntarily come to them - they do not want to be strict enforcers. It was decided that the public hearing was continued to November 7th with time to be posted in the Town Hall, and an October 10th workshop of a small group (not identified at this time) would be held to discuss this informally was scheduled to work on the language. The next Conservation Commission would discuss proposed regulations on
trees,abutter notification and fertilizer use.
Co-chairman Mark Briggs carried the hearing with the following changes presented as a handout:
"Sutton Conservation Commission Policy on New Docks
Docks must be located 25 feet from property lines or for properties less than 50 feet wide in a central location.
Docks may be no further than 30 feet into the water measured from the high water mark.
Docks may be no larger than 300 sq. feet.
All applications must be accompanied by a complete plan to scale.
Permits for Docks:
For a new Temporary or removable dock:
Applicant must file a Request for Determination with the Conservation
Commission even if there is no bank disturbance or a Notice of Intent
if the bank area is disturbed. A permit is not required to remove
Temporary Docks in and out of the water.
For a Permanent Dock or Permanent Bank Alteration:
Applicant must file with the Conservation Commission and must file a
Chapter 91 Waterways License Application with the State. Permanent
structures are subject to MGL Ch. 131 Section 40. Bank disturbance may not exceed the lesser of 5 % of frontage or 25 feet.
All docks must have permanent reflectors on each corner.
A Chapter 91 Waterways license is required for all anchored in-water, off shore floating, swimming docks or pontoon structures.
There may not be more than one dock per parcel.
This policy shall not serve to diminish the requirements of MGL or 310 CMR
9.00 but may be applied more stringently as reserved herein. the
Commission may grant certain variance(s) with cause or hardship to this
Regulation. This policy shall not apply to existing or an/or licensed
docks before October 1, 2007. For any substantial repair with major
alteration. A Request for Determination or Notice of Intent shall be
filed with the Commission.
For further information, contact Mark Briggs at 508-865-8728, leave message.
Email: WBien@town.sutton.ma.us"
At the next meeting of the Commission, they will propose the following changes to regulations as described in their handout:
Regulations
Tree
Cutting---All trees 5 inches or greater which are felled or are or to
be cut in any jurisdictional area be replaced in kind with planting(s)
of 2 1/2 inch stock or greater.
Abutter Notification---All Applicants must notify any/all abutters within 300 feet of Any property corner or line when filling any application required under MGL.
Fertilizers---Any
application of fertilizer on any lawn, landscaping, garden, orchard,
Filed or within 100 feet of any resource area or 200 feet any body of
water be 15-0-5 zero phosphate, slow release.
The MPA Board of Directors will review and keep you posted! The MPA
has presented the dock regulations to the membership in the past and
had full discussion/education at past Annual Meetings and in the
newsletter.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Douglas Selectman SUPPORT Creation of District!!
YES! 5-0! Unanimous! It was like winning the World Series!
Manchaug Pond Nation!
A year and a half of research, meetings, setbacks, more meetings, more facts, more meetings and finally the vote...
Last night the Town of Douglas Board of Selectman voted unanimously to support "the creation of a watershed district for Manchaug Pond!"
The MPA was allowed to present all our information: the numbers, the support, the reasons and benefits, existing precedents of existing districts preserving "Great Ponds", and our intent and direction. A good number of people from around the pond - Douglas and Sutton alike - were allowed to speak from the heart about their love of the lake and desire to protect this "gem" of a resource.
Douglas Selectman would like us to continue our work with Sutton before the exact language of the Act is reviewed. As the District Clerk of Cedar Meadows Lake Watershed District advised us early on: "Educate, educate, educate!"
Our work continues....
http://www.douglasma.org/cable/online_programs.php
This is the link to view the Selectman's meeting on your home computer... See for
yourself! Watch the August 21st meeting and wait for the posting of last night's Sept. 4th meeting. They did have video problems and the Selectman who is also vice-chair of the cable committee had to improvise. But it is all worth listening to!
Manchaug Pond Nation!
A year and a half of research, meetings, setbacks, more meetings, more facts, more meetings and finally the vote...
Last night the Town of Douglas Board of Selectman voted unanimously to support "the creation of a watershed district for Manchaug Pond!"
The MPA was allowed to present all our information: the numbers, the support, the reasons and benefits, existing precedents of existing districts preserving "Great Ponds", and our intent and direction. A good number of people from around the pond - Douglas and Sutton alike - were allowed to speak from the heart about their love of the lake and desire to protect this "gem" of a resource.
Douglas Selectman would like us to continue our work with Sutton before the exact language of the Act is reviewed. As the District Clerk of Cedar Meadows Lake Watershed District advised us early on: "Educate, educate, educate!"
Our work continues....
http://www.douglasma.org/cable/online_programs.php
This is the link to view the Selectman's meeting on your home computer... See for
yourself! Watch the August 21st meeting and wait for the posting of last night's Sept. 4th meeting. They did have video problems and the Selectman who is also vice-chair of the cable committee had to improvise. But it is all worth listening to!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Tuesday, Sept 4th, DouglasTown Hall 7:00 p.m
ONE MORE MEETING - See you there!
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. the MPA will go before the Board of Selectman in Douglas asking for their support of our effort to form a watershed district for Manchaug Pond.
The Douglas Board recently voted to support the formation of a watershed district for Whitin Reservoir and now is considering the same legislation for Manchaug Pond.
We expected a ruling at their last meeting but.... the vote was delayed until tomorrow night to review what a Sutton resident handed to the Board in opposition. (Check out the August 22nd post.) Also of concern to all is that the Sutton Board of Selectman did not want to participate in the District and would not even consider the new changes made at the request of Douglas legal counsel to limit eminent domain powers and secure a voting seat for the Town. Douglas Selectman voiced concern as to how the district would function without Sutton's participation seeing a need for two willing participants with lake property owners.
While the relocation of the Guilford mill and the pending sale of the dam are definitely what got us doing our homework, the dam and waterlevel by far are NOT the only reason a district is right and good for the future of Manchaug Pond. There are Great Ponds protected by watershed districts; there are districts for lakes in two towns; there are districts protecting more than one pond; there are districts protecting Great Ponds smaller than ours and larger; districts who focus on water quality, weed control, waterlevel, protecting habitats and watershed... and all in Massachusetts. We propose nothing new, nothing that hasn't been done before - only a tried and true method of protecting a beautiful water resource. A method recommended to us by the Congress of Lake and Ponds Associations.
Tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. the MPA will go before the Board of Selectman in Douglas asking for their support of our effort to form a watershed district for Manchaug Pond.
The Douglas Board recently voted to support the formation of a watershed district for Whitin Reservoir and now is considering the same legislation for Manchaug Pond.
We expected a ruling at their last meeting but.... the vote was delayed until tomorrow night to review what a Sutton resident handed to the Board in opposition. (Check out the August 22nd post.) Also of concern to all is that the Sutton Board of Selectman did not want to participate in the District and would not even consider the new changes made at the request of Douglas legal counsel to limit eminent domain powers and secure a voting seat for the Town. Douglas Selectman voiced concern as to how the district would function without Sutton's participation seeing a need for two willing participants with lake property owners.
While the relocation of the Guilford mill and the pending sale of the dam are definitely what got us doing our homework, the dam and waterlevel by far are NOT the only reason a district is right and good for the future of Manchaug Pond. There are Great Ponds protected by watershed districts; there are districts for lakes in two towns; there are districts protecting more than one pond; there are districts protecting Great Ponds smaller than ours and larger; districts who focus on water quality, weed control, waterlevel, protecting habitats and watershed... and all in Massachusetts. We propose nothing new, nothing that hasn't been done before - only a tried and true method of protecting a beautiful water resource. A method recommended to us by the Congress of Lake and Ponds Associations.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Ugh! Did I See PURPLE Near Manchaug Pond?!
Last weekend, driving on Manchaug Road at the edge of Areas 1 and 2, I thought I saw PURPLE on the side of the road farthest from the lake. See it in this photo - look close as it is tiny and almost finished flowering!
My fear was/is Purple loosestrife! A perennial which is flowering now and common along moist roadsides, and small ponds and lake edges. Within a few years an entire pond can become a sea of PURPLE! No exaggeration on my part either! Just think of the fish hatchery ponds on West Sutton Road in Sutton. Clearly smaller than Manchaug, but we don't need our coves loaded with this!
Anyway, I pulled both plants and figured better to be safe and properly identify it later!
Here's the official word on the HIGHLY INVASIVE weed Loosestrife (and there are a number of different species some showy, some not):
"Purple loosestrife is a wetland plant from Europe and Asia. It was introduced into the east coast of North America in the 1880s. First spreading along roads, canals, and drainage ditches, then later distributed as an ornamental, this exotic plant is in 40 states and all Canadian border provinces.
Purple loosestrife invades marshes and lakeshores, replacing cattails and other wetland plants. The plant can form dense, impenetrable stands which are unsuitable as cover, food, or nesting sites for a wide range of native wetland animals including ducks, geese, rails, bitterns, muskrats, frogs, toads, and turtles. Many rare and endangered wetland plants and animals are also at risk.
Adult height: 2 to 7 feet.
Purple loosestrife thrives on disturbed, moist soils, often invading after some type of construction activity. Eradicating an established stand is difficult because of an enormous number of seeds in the soil. One adult plant can disperse 2 million seeds annually. The plant is able to resprout from roots and broken stems that fall to the ground or into the water.
A major reason for purple loosestrife's expansion is a lack of effective predators in North America. Several European insects that only attack purple loosestrife are being tested as a possible long-term biological control of purple loosestrife in North America.
CHECKLIST
Clean boats, clean waters...
If you are a water recreationalist — boater, angler, water-skier, scuba-diver, sailor, or canoeist — there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful exotic species from one lake or river to another. In some states and provinces it is illegal to transport harmful exotic species.
* Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants and animals that are visible before leaving any waterbody.
* Drain water from the motor, livewell, blige, and transom wells while on land before leaving any waterbody.
* Empty your bait bucket on land before leaving the waterbody. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.
* Wash and dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. This can be done on your way home or once you have returned home. Some aquatic nuisance species can survive more than 2 weeks out of the water, so it is important to:
o rinse your boat and equipment that normally get wet with HOT (at least 40°C or 104°F) tap water; or
o spray your boat and trailer with high-pressure water; or
o dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days, before transporting to another waterbody.
* Learn what these organisms look like (at least those you can see). If you suspect a new infestation of an exotic plant or animal, report it to your natural resource agency.
* Consult your natural resource agency for recommendations and permits before you try to control or eradicate an exotic "pest." Remember, exotic "pest" species thrive on disturbance. Do-it-yourself control treatments often make matters worse and can harm native species."
SO if you see PURPLE in Manchaug's watershed - STOP the car, PULL the plant and DISPOSE of it. Do not composted it! Let us each be diligent to keep Manchaug Pond loosestrife free!
Click the title/link for more info!
My fear was/is Purple loosestrife! A perennial which is flowering now and common along moist roadsides, and small ponds and lake edges. Within a few years an entire pond can become a sea of PURPLE! No exaggeration on my part either! Just think of the fish hatchery ponds on West Sutton Road in Sutton. Clearly smaller than Manchaug, but we don't need our coves loaded with this!
Anyway, I pulled both plants and figured better to be safe and properly identify it later!
Here's the official word on the HIGHLY INVASIVE weed Loosestrife (and there are a number of different species some showy, some not):
"Purple loosestrife is a wetland plant from Europe and Asia. It was introduced into the east coast of North America in the 1880s. First spreading along roads, canals, and drainage ditches, then later distributed as an ornamental, this exotic plant is in 40 states and all Canadian border provinces.
Purple loosestrife invades marshes and lakeshores, replacing cattails and other wetland plants. The plant can form dense, impenetrable stands which are unsuitable as cover, food, or nesting sites for a wide range of native wetland animals including ducks, geese, rails, bitterns, muskrats, frogs, toads, and turtles. Many rare and endangered wetland plants and animals are also at risk.
Adult height: 2 to 7 feet.
Purple loosestrife thrives on disturbed, moist soils, often invading after some type of construction activity. Eradicating an established stand is difficult because of an enormous number of seeds in the soil. One adult plant can disperse 2 million seeds annually. The plant is able to resprout from roots and broken stems that fall to the ground or into the water.
A major reason for purple loosestrife's expansion is a lack of effective predators in North America. Several European insects that only attack purple loosestrife are being tested as a possible long-term biological control of purple loosestrife in North America.
CHECKLIST
Clean boats, clean waters...
If you are a water recreationalist — boater, angler, water-skier, scuba-diver, sailor, or canoeist — there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful exotic species from one lake or river to another. In some states and provinces it is illegal to transport harmful exotic species.
* Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants and animals that are visible before leaving any waterbody.
* Drain water from the motor, livewell, blige, and transom wells while on land before leaving any waterbody.
* Empty your bait bucket on land before leaving the waterbody. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.
* Wash and dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. This can be done on your way home or once you have returned home. Some aquatic nuisance species can survive more than 2 weeks out of the water, so it is important to:
o rinse your boat and equipment that normally get wet with HOT (at least 40°C or 104°F) tap water; or
o spray your boat and trailer with high-pressure water; or
o dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days, before transporting to another waterbody.
* Learn what these organisms look like (at least those you can see). If you suspect a new infestation of an exotic plant or animal, report it to your natural resource agency.
* Consult your natural resource agency for recommendations and permits before you try to control or eradicate an exotic "pest." Remember, exotic "pest" species thrive on disturbance. Do-it-yourself control treatments often make matters worse and can harm native species."
SO if you see PURPLE in Manchaug's watershed - STOP the car, PULL the plant and DISPOSE of it. Do not composted it! Let us each be diligent to keep Manchaug Pond loosestrife free!
Click the title/link for more info!
Labor Day Weekend! Get the Flares Ready!
Just a reminder to purchase your flares to light up the shores of Manchaug Pond! 8:00 p.m. Sunday night! Flares can be purchased at the local compground stores in Area 1 and 4 or from your local Area Representative. Flares are sold at cost: $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.
When did this tradition start in our 40 year history? Anyone know for sure?
Perhaps we should light the flares both Saturday and Sunday in celebration of the MPA 40 years of service to Manchaug Pond!
When did this tradition start in our 40 year history? Anyone know for sure?
Perhaps we should light the flares both Saturday and Sunday in celebration of the MPA 40 years of service to Manchaug Pond!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
"...were planned well.... Officials work to protect the watersheds"
Those were headlines in yesterday's Telegram & Gazette. Not about Manchaug Pond....
...about the watersheds of Quabbin, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir and Sudbury Reservoir. Credited is "the foresight of engineers at the turn of the century and those who have worked tirelessly since to protect the reservoirs and the rivers and streams that feed them, providing natural filtration - the watershed." Forsight. Watershed.
Yes, they are protecting a water supply which Manchaug is not. But did you know that Manchaug Pond is fed by runoff from the watershed - not springs. Remember when Lycott Environmental conducted our weed survey and gave us that fact at an MPA Annual Meeting. And more recently Lycott did testing up in the watershed... High bacteria counts in one very unpopulated cove... numbers coming from the watershed. That is why we have an educational component to the NonPoint Source Pollution Project - so people in the watershed can learn how to do things, around their lawn and landscape and in the care for their animals, with Manchaug Pond in mind.
The property owners around the lake and in the watershed need to continue working to educate neighbors, and town officials as to the importance preserving Manchaug Pond. MPA efforts to form a watershed district would only strengthen current effort. It would give us the tools we currently don't have in administering the grant and in seeking new funding sources. Our DEP NPS pollution grant addresses only 7 (5 in Sutton, 2 in Douglas) of 27 sites which bring unsafe runoff directly into the lake and directly promote weed growth and poor water quality. All 27 sites need to be addressed. We need to have foresight now and address all pollution around Manchaug Pond.
This week I received an email from the chairman of the prudential committee of a lake district working to preserve a 300+ acrea "Great Pond" in another part of Massachusetts. His story sounded similar to ours... that local conservation districts and environmental groups, the towns and the state were not interested in getting involved with the lake... "when the water rights and dam were own by a paper company that was closing it's doors. The proprietors around the pond decided to form a district." That was in 1994. And yes, the dam seems to be the issue which gets our attention, gets us all thinking, studying, and acting for the benefit of the lake. The water level remains a big issue for us. Our dam is still up for sale with future ownership a question. It was announced at the last Douglas selectman's meeting that Guilford stated they are going to "minimize their liability".
A lake district would definitely put the people around the lake in a position to take control of their own destiny - whether it be issues with the level of the water, the quality of the water, or the protection of the wildlife habitats and the watershed which feeds the pond. A lake district is a good move. A strong move. It takes the political boundaries and town personalities out of Manchaug Pond and puts the lake first. It gives the people of the lake a voice they don't have with town government; it gives the people of the lake 21st century tools to act and be protected. It puts us in a good position.
...about the watersheds of Quabbin, Ware River, Wachusett Reservoir and Sudbury Reservoir. Credited is "the foresight of engineers at the turn of the century and those who have worked tirelessly since to protect the reservoirs and the rivers and streams that feed them, providing natural filtration - the watershed." Forsight. Watershed.
Yes, they are protecting a water supply which Manchaug is not. But did you know that Manchaug Pond is fed by runoff from the watershed - not springs. Remember when Lycott Environmental conducted our weed survey and gave us that fact at an MPA Annual Meeting. And more recently Lycott did testing up in the watershed... High bacteria counts in one very unpopulated cove... numbers coming from the watershed. That is why we have an educational component to the NonPoint Source Pollution Project - so people in the watershed can learn how to do things, around their lawn and landscape and in the care for their animals, with Manchaug Pond in mind.
The property owners around the lake and in the watershed need to continue working to educate neighbors, and town officials as to the importance preserving Manchaug Pond. MPA efforts to form a watershed district would only strengthen current effort. It would give us the tools we currently don't have in administering the grant and in seeking new funding sources. Our DEP NPS pollution grant addresses only 7 (5 in Sutton, 2 in Douglas) of 27 sites which bring unsafe runoff directly into the lake and directly promote weed growth and poor water quality. All 27 sites need to be addressed. We need to have foresight now and address all pollution around Manchaug Pond.
This week I received an email from the chairman of the prudential committee of a lake district working to preserve a 300+ acrea "Great Pond" in another part of Massachusetts. His story sounded similar to ours... that local conservation districts and environmental groups, the towns and the state were not interested in getting involved with the lake... "when the water rights and dam were own by a paper company that was closing it's doors. The proprietors around the pond decided to form a district." That was in 1994. And yes, the dam seems to be the issue which gets our attention, gets us all thinking, studying, and acting for the benefit of the lake. The water level remains a big issue for us. Our dam is still up for sale with future ownership a question. It was announced at the last Douglas selectman's meeting that Guilford stated they are going to "minimize their liability".
A lake district would definitely put the people around the lake in a position to take control of their own destiny - whether it be issues with the level of the water, the quality of the water, or the protection of the wildlife habitats and the watershed which feeds the pond. A lake district is a good move. A strong move. It takes the political boundaries and town personalities out of Manchaug Pond and puts the lake first. It gives the people of the lake a voice they don't have with town government; it gives the people of the lake 21st century tools to act and be protected. It puts us in a good position.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Municipal Districts Common in Massachusetts
The Manchaug Pond Association continues the work begun last August of educating town officials as to the beauty of Manchaug Pond, the benefits of forming a municipal district, and the need to position the lake community so it can act promptly and effectively in the future.
Municipal districts within cities and towns are common in Massachusetts. Water districts such as the ones in the Sutton villages of Wilkinsonville and Manchaug are simple, easy to understand examples. Sewer districts, fire districts, even school districts, there are also community improvement districts which look to the maintenance of roads, historic preservation and then those that manage a lake,pond or river. The watershed/lake districts look to the issues that are important to nearly all waterways - quality of the water, invasive aquatic weeds and their control, and water level and impoundment issues.
How do districts come about? Well, there is a ground swell of support from the local user group/property owners with a minimum of 80% needed. The support here on Manchaug Pond was and remains over 80%. The citizens bring their request to the town and then in turn to the state legislature for review, input and approval. Once approved, the district management committee will receive training from the government. The first meeting of the district, the property owners will vote to form the district and elect their clerk, treasurer and representatives and approve a budget, etc.
Why are districts desireable? Well, they get things done! They have a special interest in the area inwhich they live, know the issues and develop partnerships with individuals, businesses and government which would otherwise not happen. Their neighborhood is important to them. In this time where cities and towns wrestle with tight budgets and prop 2 1/2, these districts handle their own budgets with no economic costs to the town. They think creatively to secure funds throught the partnerships and grants available to municipalities.
A win-win situation!
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