Anne and I recently drove from Sugarloaf Mountain to Branch Pond, passing by the Belgrade and China Lakes. Whenever we come home this way, we are impressed with how special Branch Lake really is. So far, the Pond is condominium free, our water quality is far above the state average and the shoreline has not been greatly disrupted by development. In contrast, lakes only an hour south of here have wall-to-wall cottages and large areas of frontage where the trees have been clearcut. Seeing this always makes us realize how truly fragile our environment is and how important it is for all of us to protect Branch Pond.

For those of you who are away, August has proved to be somewhat more hospitable (weatherwise) than July. The sun has actually been out for two and three days at a time! Summer is definitely winding down, however. The Ikalainens have finished their blueberry harvest on the Winkumpaugh Road. The Branchview side of the lake has finally warmed enough so that Eileen Newcomb’s daughter (from Florida) was able to go swimming. The loons have started rafting (i.e. Flocking) in groups of lO-to-12 in typical pre migratory behavior. Dick and Ginny Bourne have finally arrived -for their last "two-week summer" on the Pond (they retire in January). Hilda Wall’s fields are covered with Queen Ann's Lace and Black-eyed Susans. Phyllis Leeman has picked her fill of wild raspberries at a secret patch near the Happy Town Road. The flag is flying over Branchwood on the narrows. And here and there a maple tree is already starting to turn. Fall is at hand.

The annual meeting of the Branch Pond association was held Saturday, July 26, at the Ellsworth City Hall, with -forty families in attendance. The -following issues were considered.

Road Legislation The status of our bill to change state statutes to legalize a third class of roads, Seasonal Ways, was discussed. Although the City appropriated $30,000 for the improvement of our roads in 1984, the work has never been done, since we never transferred title of the roads to the City. The failure to do so was upon recommendation of our attorney, Joel Dearborn, who advised that such transfer did not guarantee the City’s continued maintenance of the roads. As was outlined in the June newsletter, the bill is currently under revision by the Maine Municipal Association and the BPA. It will be reconsidered this fall by the State Committee for Local and County Government.

Discussion concerned whether the BPA should (a) withdraw the bill and start maintaining the roads as private ways, (b) sue the City -for acceptance of the roads as Public Ways, or (c) pursue- the Seasonal Way legislation. The cost of a lawsuit is estimated to be between $3000 and $6000, with appeal. Those roads that have had 20 or more years of consecutive maintenance stand the best chance of winning a lawsuit.

After lengthy discussion, a motion was passed (unanimously) to continue to pursue legislation for Seasonal Ways. If this legislative attempt fails, we will consider alternatives at next summer’s meeting.

Committee to Preserve Lower Lake The second topic of discussion concerned a proposal for the BPA to attempt to preserve the wilderness atmosphere of lower lake. At the present time, an 800 acre tract of land is for sale on the eastern shore. This land is being advertised nationally in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Boston Globe as suitable for major development. It was recently shown to several potential buyers from Boston and New York. Discussion ensued on what the BPA might do to ensure proper- development of this area. It was proposed that an independent investment group of concerned residents be formed. It was also noted that (a) the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Sierra Club might be willing to help preserve that part of the lake, and (b) since part of the property constitutes backland for the Phillip’s Beach Road, residents in that area might be interested in buying part of the- parcel.

A motion was passed (unanimously) that a committee chaired by Richard Bourne, be formed to explore options and initiate correspondence with interested parties for the purpose of preserving the wilderness aspect of lower lake. It was requested that the committee provide the membership with a proposal(s) by no later than next summer. James Woodall (Sargent Drive), Dave Hardy (Phillip’s Beach Road), and Nick and Noni McGeorge (The Boulders) volunteered to serve on the committee. Anyone else interested in helping with this effort, or who has ideas on how we might proceed, should contact Richard and Ginny Bourne (667-5261 or 11 Causeway Street, Medfield, MA 02052).

Maintaining Water Purity A third issue discussed concerned a proposal that the BPA take a more active role in encouraging residents to upgrade inadequate septic systems, with BPA funds, allocated as an incentive for such upgrading. Discussion centered on whether the BPA could or should use its resources in this way. The group consensus was that (a) we could not afford this type of expenditure, and (b) individual property owners should bear this expense themselves.

A motion was passed (unanimously) that $100 be allocated for an ongoing water testing program. Samplings will be drawn at different locations to determine if septage is seeping into the lake. Glen Curtis (Cove Road) has volunteered to draw the samples.

New Business Concern was voiced by several residents of Branchview Drive and the Wall's Farm Road about the seaplane noise which occurs at 5;30 a.m. each weekday, awakening residents. After discussion of what alternatives might be suggested to the pilot (e.g., taking off further from shore or later in the morning), it was decided that the matter be left to those citizens most affected. It was suggested that they-draft a letter, independent of the BPA, expressing their concern.

The McGeorge family is having difficulty obtaining a permit to rebuild their boat house, which burned last sunnier. If anyone knows how to deal effectively with the DEP on matters like this, the McGeorges would be interested in talking with them.

1986-1987 Officers The following were elected -for- the upcoming year: President, Don Hayes (Phillip's Beach Road); Vice President, Glen Curtis (Cove Road); Secretary, Mary Ann Mastrorio (Wall's Farm Road); Treasurer, Anne Hayes (Phillip’s Beach Road).

Dues and Treasurer’s Report Our Treasurer reported that the BPA is still suffering from expenses incurred in last years sludge fight and road legislation. A recent bill -from the legal firm of Ferris, Dearborn, and Willy indicates an outstanding balance of $1114.56 for services through July 1, 1986.

Given this deficit, the membership voted unanimously to set 1986-1987 dues at $25 per -family. This should cover additional legal expenses of approximately $1000 on 1987 road issues, if membership remains constant.

The 19S6 loon count has been tallied and, in spite of adverse weather conditions making sighting difficult, we still came up with the very respectable total (for Hancock County) of 138 adults and 34 chicks—the largest number of chicks in four years. Hatching dates for the chicks varied greatly -from very early June to July 24. Most of you reported fairly constant water levels in April and May, which may have helped the loons get an early start on their nesting. The late hatching dates were probably second nestings, which loons will do if their -first eggs fail to hatch. I'm grateful for all the extra information, like hatching dates, first sightings of chicks, ice out dates, lake developments, etc., which you took time to record. This helps us establish a more detailed picture of the loon population in Hancock County.

Ralph Mastrorio and Gloria DeAngelis, Coordinators of the Branch Pond Loon Count, would like to thank the -following families who helped with this year's effort: Cove Road—Mary Blethen, Murray and Judy Billington, and G1en and Beverly Curtis; Wall's Farm Road—Russell and Dottie Thompson, Adelle Murray, Harold and Pat Crichton, Irene McKinna, and Doris and Ellsworth Bourque; Phillip's Beach Road—Betty Flanagan, Chris Hardy-Kenlon, and Anne Hayes; Sargent Drive—Kathryn Lothrup and the counseling staff of Camp Jordon; and Branchview Drive-- Paul and Dorothy Wight, Vince and Gibby Griffin, James and Medwin Taylor, and Kathy Wilson. Special thanks are offered to Judy and Murray Billington for hosting this year's Loon Rangers' Breakfast.

As has been true for many years, a number of Branch Pond residents continue to draw their drinking water from the lake. As more and more cottages are built however, the practice may become less advisable. So what are the alternatives? Digging a well? Carrying water from home? Tapping the drinking fountains in Bangor? As part of the newsletter, we would like to share information on different options available for procuring safe drinking water.

Ralph Mastrorio has researched one alternative that involves drawing water -from the lake and then distilling it. The Crystal Pure Water Company (P.O. Box 2245, Fitchburg, MA 01420) markets a series of Aqua Distillers for water purification. Basically, these units boil the water and then cool it before it is passed on for consumption. The company's literature claims that such systems remove a whole series of organic, inorganic, and biological contaminants. Included within this series are coliform bacteria, algae, viruses, PCBs, herbicides, cadmium, lead, copper, and mercury. The units range in price from $339 to $1499, distilling between 3 quarts and 11 gallons at a time. Several of their models can be plumbed directly to an existent waterline and -faucet, whereas others have a manual fill and separate spout. A 7 gallon system that can handle a direct hookup (and appears as if it could be installed under the kitchen sink) retails for $459.

We are not endorsing these systems, since we have never tried them ourselves. However, if you are looking for an alternate water source, you might write for the literature and judge whether a distiller system meets your needs. Next spring, we hope to provide information on a filtering, rather than distilling, process that removes similar contaminants.

Following a week's postponement due to severe thunderstorms, the Second Annual Branch Pond Regatta was held Sunday, August 10. Eleven boats representing a variety of classes participated. First place was taken by Glen and Beverly Curtis of the Cove Road, who raced their 18-foot Grand Slam. Second place went to George Lewis, also of the Cove Road, in a 14-foot Hobie Cat. Third place was held by Erik Wight-Margolis (age 14) of Branchview Drive. Erik sailed a 12-foot Sunfish. Most Valiant Effort went to last year's first place finishers, Harvard and Paul Reynolds (Branchview Drive) in their 19-foot Lightning. Additional participants included: Steve Hamilton (Branchview Drive), Karin Schult (Branchview Drive), Murray and Judy Billington (Cove Road), Ellsworth Bourque and Ralph Mastrorio (Wall's Farm Road), Cleo and Dick 0lson (Whitcomb Road), Dick and Rachel Cook (Wall's Farm Road), and Anne and Don Hayes (Phillip's Beach Road).

Vince Griffin (Branchview Drive) and Dave Hardy (Philip’s Beach Road) served as this year's Co-commodores. The award ceremony and cocktail hour was hosted by Paul and Dorothy Wight (Branchview Drive). Dick and Cleo 0lson (Whitcomb Road) loaned their Pontoon boat, which was used as the officials' barge, and Bruce and Jean Hamilton (Branchview) provided the safety boat. Appreciation is extended to all individuals who helped with this event. Special thanks go to Paul and Dorothy Wight who, due to the regatta's postponement, graciously prepared for two cocktail parties.

The consensus of this year's participants was that the regatta is a positive event that should be continued or even expanded. Suggestions for future regattas include: (a) starting the race later in the afternoon to ensure better wind conditions, (b) handicapping on the basis of boat class rather than time-trial performance, (c) racing across 3 or 4 successive weekends, (d) altering the course and starting position to ensure more constant wind, (e) racing to lower lake and back (yes, through the narrows), and (f) including a separate windsurfing event.

As always, we could use volunteers to help organize next year's regatta and to decide which of the above suggestions should be implemented. Please contact Don Hayes (667-4716 or c/o P.O. Box 68, Ellsworth) if you are interested in helping. Vince and Gibby Griffin (Branchview Drive) have already volunteered to host the 1987 cocktail party and awards ceremony.

One of the -few tangible results of our recent sludge fight is a large soils map prepared by Civil Engineering Services. Depicted are all but two of Branch Pond's islands, as well as each island's official name according to the Maine State Geological Survey. How many can you name? There are ten in all, excluding the Cow and the Calf.

Depicted below is a map of the lake, with the position of each island indicated. The upper pond contains Teachers Island (1), Battleship Rock Island (2), Dees Island (3), Stores Island (4), and Little John Island (5). The lower pond contains Twenty-eight Acre Island (6), Pickerel Island (7), and Johns Island (8). At the present time, cottages exist only on Teachers Island, although several others are large enough -for building.

Does anyone know the names of the two small islands near Jones Point, at the entrance to Hanson's Landing? If so, let us know.

We welcome two new families to the Branch Pond Association. Frank and Barbara Howd of Orono have joined the BPA. The Howd's cottage is on the southwest side of lower pond and is accessed by Fire Road 4-A. David and Kathy Hawkes have also joined. The Hawke's reside in Bangor and own a cottage on the Cove Road. Support from both families is appreciated and we took forward to their future involvement in the BPA.

Thanks are due to Dana and Helen Whitman (Cove Road) for their extra contribution to the BPA treasury.

Do you have something that you would like to sell and think might be of interest to your neighbors on the Pond? Let us know and we will include it in forthcoming newsletters. The service will be -free to Branch Pond members and their -families. Our -first ads are listed below.

Sailboat For "Sail"
14-foot fiberglass, Merrimack class, sailboat for sale. Red in color with aluminum mast and boom. 90 square feet of sail, with new main and jib. One sail is blue in color. Call Murray Billington (Cove Road) at 667-9208 until Labor Day or at 207-942-5966 thereafter.

Windows For Sale
Two 45X39 inch, Caradco windows for sale. Double hung with screens. $30 each. Call Don Hayes, 667-4716.