Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:44 AM
Newsletters HomeFall 1989 Newsletter
| Topics: Jet Ski Debate Moves To Branch -Pond In Tune With The Loons Sailing, Sailing Over the ??? Lakes Ponds And Phosphorus Sand Beach Wildlife Around The Pond |
BPA Officers Membership Development At Branch Pond News Coming In Future Issues Annual Meeting |
Jet Ski Debate Moves To Branch -Pond
Annual meeting discussion led to consideration by the executive board of a proposal to limit the use of personal watercraft (trade names -Jet Skis Wetjet, or others manufactured by Kawasaki, Yamaha, Bombadier, etc.).
The result was a proposal to request the following restrictions:
 |
Limit such craft to one per shore front residence. |
|
Prohibit use by non property owners. |
|
Prohibit. rental or lease of such watercraft. |
Support for the proposal was generated by observations of property owners relative to the noise of the craft, disturbing the peace formerly enjoyed on a summer evening and the noted disturbance of water fowl in the Winkumpaugh delta.
A letter has been written to the Maine Congress of Lakes Association to determine how this matter has been handled an other lakes. Prohibition of personal watercraft on Maine lakes was in the original bill before the 1989 legislature, but was reduced to the following: a requirement to wear personal flotation devices while operating personal watercraft; prohibition of night operation of personal watercraft; and prohibition of operation by any person under the age of 12 years.
As submitted to the BPA, the proposal for Branch Pond was justified by "the need to maintain the character and environmental quality of the aquifer for current and future use". In New Hampshire a law has been passed that allows residents of towns that contain bodies of water to petition the state to restrict the personal watercraft on their lakes. Twenty lakes and ponds are affected by total or partial bans in that state.
The BPA Executive Board seeks your input on this matter. Do you wish us to pursue prohibition or a partial ban on personal watercraft an Branch Pond? Your comments are important. Please write BPA, P.O. Box 68, Ellsworth, Maine 04605.
The Branch Pond loon count this summer was thirteen loons and two chicks. One other chick fell prey to a hungry sea gull to the great dismay of the helpless watchers in Loon Cove.
On a Hancock County basis, heavy late spring rains flooded some nests, resulting in renesting on higher ground and late nesting. Some loons that normally inhabit our lakes and ponds moved to the salt-water bays and inlets. The county count was 193 adult loons and 33 chicks, a very stable population according to our coordinator, Ruth Sergeson.
If you see any harassment problems, call 1-800-ALERT US -(I-800-253-7887). County wide there were two incidents reported that led to prompt response by the wardens.
Rescue teams are standing by to respond to reports of loons stranded an iced over lakes. Call Ruth at 667-2039 or Maine Audubon at 1-781-2330 to participate or to report a stranded loon. Reports of loon activities include the rescue of a land-stranded chick and of another adult bird who landed on a wet black-topped road (It looked like water from the air).
Our Branch Pond count was again headed by Gloria DeAngelis, who did her usual super job. The count was followed by a breakfast get together et the Wights to tabulate information and eat delicious muffins.
1989 Regatta
Commodore Paul Wight reported that the Branch Pond Sailing Club had another successful season.
George Lewis, sailing a Hobie '14, won the first place trophy; Vincent Griffin, sailing a Harpoon, won second and the Reynolds family, sailing a Lightning, won third. Following the trophy winners were Glen Curtis, sailing a Phantom; Ralph Whedon, sailing a Hobie 16; Dave Whedon, sailing a Sunfish; and Steve Hamilton, sailing a Trac 14.
Many more participated, but did not complete the three races necessary to qualify for trophy consideration.
A BIG improvement this year was the new Regatta buoys. At five feet diameter they were readily seen by racers and spectators. This eliminated the search-for-the-marker factor in the races.
The Commodore wishes to express his appreciation to all those who have volunteered to assist in, the sailing program and in the great social events that accompanied-the season.
(Ed. comment - The Commodore has been a prime factor in the success of the program. Our thanks to his for all of his efforts.)
Branch Pond is as vulnerable to phosphorus pollution as any body of fresh water. We are the primary contributors to preservation or pollution. The DEP offers the following Do's and Don’ts for us as pondside dwellers.
|
Use non-phosphorus detergents |
|
Don't build new beaches; use temporary docks instead |
|
Leave trees along the share and stream front |
|
Check the sludge level in septic tanks every year. |
|
Leave existing rocks in place along the share |
|
Use fertilizer sparingly. Hay mulch is preferable. |
|
Don't use herbicides and pesticides in excess. Avoid their use if possible |
|
Don't put leaves, branches, or other organic matter into the water. |
|
Don't put paint or chemicals into the septic system. |
|
Don't use garbage disposals. |
|
Don't wash cars near lakes, streams or drainage ditches |
The Lakes Division of the Maine DEP has more information if you need it. (1-289-3901).
Our two-year discussion of the Sand Beach area problems prompted a forceful letter from member V. Paul Reynolds to Mr. Herbert Hartman, Director of the State Bureau of Parks and Recreation. As a result, meetings with Mr. Hartman were being held in Bangor during the week of Oct. 30th. Our thanks to Paul for his attention getting message. Governmental mills grind slowly, but we'll let you know of further progress.
September days brought several sightings in our area. Phyllis Leeman was about to leave for the season when she spotted a moose at their camp near Sand Beach. Fortunately, she had her camera nearby and now has pictures of the unexpected visitor.
Across the lake on the Phillips Beach Road moose tracks were sighted in the road in back of Sally Knobel's camp. No moose was seen to go with the tracks, however.
A loon distress call brought Joyce Hardy and family down to the waterfront in late September. Well off shore was a bald eagle (white tail, white head?) hovering over a loon, presumably in the hope of finding a fish dinner. The eagle (?) eventually soared off leaving the loon to his fishing and much happier about the whole thing.
The September executive board meeting found the BPA with a new President,. Ellsworth Bourque of the Walls Fare Road and Princeton, Mass. Barbara Howd and Dick Mitchell are continuing their great work as treasurer and secretary.
Peter and Gloria DeAngelis will monitor developmental activity and issues around the lake. Gloria is also working on membership. Paul Wight is our faithful Commodore, Don Hayes our historian, and your faithful editor is Dave Hardy.
Ellsworth Bourque has served on the board with distinction and has begun our efforts to move toward establishing the BPA as a non-profit corporation. This is a time consuming process and should be ready for your consideration at the next annual meeting. In the meanwhile, Ellsworth would like to hear from any of you with concerns about the pond and the association. His address is 32 Mirick Rd, Princeton, Mass. 01514
Barbara Howd reports that 111 families have paid their dues for the current year as members of the BPA. If you have not sent yours along, please send $25.00 to the Branch Pond Assoc, P.O. Box 68, Ellsworth, Me 04605. We need you all as members.
The association has offered both a political presence and a social focus for the pond.
Our thanks go to several people who made contributions over and above their dues -- Thanks to Sally Knobel and to Rodney and Joyce Pinkham.
Stephen LaFreniere has been the focus of attention at Branch Pond for several years. In.September he sold over 600 acres of his holdings to Herbert C. Haynes, Jr. of Winn, Me. He also offered and sold several pieces of back land to adjacent lake front land owners in parcels of about five acres. These sales have left LaFreniere with Twenty Eight Acre Island and little else in the Branch Pond watershed. His application for bridge construction to the island is still under consideration. The sale to Haynes brought new concerns for the land. Haynes is a timber harvester and real estate developer and has been characterized as a 'slash and get out man' by Belinda Toby, town clerk in Lakeville, where he bought 1400 acres in 1987.
In an interview with the Ellsworth American, Haynes said that his company did different types of forest management in different places. Ellsworth ordinances regulate timber harvest within 250 feet of the lakeshore, but not beyond. Local concerns of erosion in a watershed area have been expressed and Haynes says he is willing to discuss the possibility of control measures with the city.
Please let us know of your doings during the Winter. We'll print all the news that's fit to print and maybe more if we can find out. News items can be sent to Dave Hardy, 95 Greenwood Lane, Waltham, Mass. 02154.
Water quality tests for 1989 - A summary of the latest city ordinances -
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BRANCH POND ASSOCIATION
JULY 15, 1989
The annual meeting of the BPA was called to order by Peter DeAngelis at 9:30 am on July 15, 1989 in the auditorium of the Ellsworth City Hall. Approximately 50-60 interested campers were in attendance.
Peter introduced the speaker, Liz Hooper, Planning Board Advisor for Ellsworth. The executive board felt that the guest speaker should be afforded the opportunity to speak to the membership before the discussion of the business items on the annual meeting agenda.
Liz proceeded to outline her role and responsibilities as planning advisor. She indicated the immediate concerns at Green Lake and her general concerns for all bodies of water. These were:
-
Conversion of seasonal dwellings into year round
-
Sub-divisions and developers
-
Building Additions
-
Docking facilities
She touched upon the water supply system - a transmission line for Ellsworth at the Happy Town Rd. area. Inevitably stricter standards for Branch Pond and its watershed. The Watershed Management Plan is likely to be more restrictive than current regulations. Liz stressed that we must make hard choices and save our lakes and ponds.
Questions from the membership followed, such as:
-
What is the city's ability and degree of success in dealing with code enforcement - violations fines -court in dealing with big developers?
-
What about water level fluctuations? (Bangor Hydro)
-
What about water quality? (City standards revised on 5/15/89)
Peter directed attention to the agenda items planned.
Jim Woodall reported that new Branch Pond maps had been printed with the assistance of Frank Howd and Ruth Woodall. The maps contain accurate fire road numbers and attractive designs by Ruth. They were offered for sale as a fundraiser for legal costs at $5.00 each.
Barbara Howd presented the treasurer's report. Income received during the past year was reported as $3672.02, balance brought forward $2421.47 with expenditures of $3334.39 leaving a balance of $2759.10 as of July 15, 1989. She provided a written copy to the secretary for filing purposes.
Peter shared with the membership the executive boards intent to seek a broad base representation from the lake in its membership. Jim Woodall placed Sam Fuller's name in nomination. He was accepted. The Walls Farm Road needs a representative. Dave Hardy will serve from Fire Roads 310-315.
Jim Woodall summarized the intent of the By-Laws Committee. He announced that the timetable for enactment would hopefully be at the 1990 annual meeting. Jim also focused attention on the matter-of incorporation for tax-exempt status, etc.
Glen Curtis reported that seven sites will be used to test water quality. The cost at each site is $7.00 per test. He will be testing for coliform bacteria and ph.
Paul Wight gave a humorous introduction of the BPA sailboat racing program. A full schedule of six races beginning Sunday, July 2nd and running through and including August 6th has been planned. The Portsmouth handicapping system is being used. Three social gatherings following the 2nd, 4th and final races have also been planned and announced. Seventeen boats had entered prior to Paul's report. The purchase of much larger buoy-markers will be one of several highlights of the sailing season.
Gloria DeAngelis will keep abreast of changes and wording of state statutes regarding land use - shore front development and the status of the DEP regarding these matters.
Dick Bourne indicated, as did Frank Howd, that the new state regulations governing water safety require a 90-day waiting period for implementation. A stronger approach to OUI cases and all other related regulations will be in place for the boating season in 1990.
As mentioned in the executive board minutes, the concerns at Sand Beach were:
|
Sanitation |
|
Trash |
|
Traffic |
|
Camp fires |
|
Pets |
|
Parking |
|
Lack of maintenance |
A questionnaire had been sent to the owners on the lower south Branchview Drive area. Four responses indicated there was a definite problem.
Dick Bourne reported of his trip to Augusta to seek advice regarding the public status of Sand Beach. He learned that the State Parks and Recreation office is in Presque Isle. It .was suggested that the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Division be approached as to controlling and monitoring services at the beach. Liz Hooper offered to write a letter supporting the BPA position regarding Sand Beach. This letter would be sent from her Ellsworth office and express her agreement with the BPA position on Sand Beach and a general concern regarding public access to the beach. She would-also request a change of agency responsibility from Parks and Recreation to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
A brief, yet interesting, discussion ended the annual meeting. Suggestions were made to monitor - legislate if necessary - the use of jet skis. It was felt that an ordinance was needed to control them as to:
|
Age limit to operate (min. 12 years) |
|
One vehicle per resident |
|
Restrict rental facilities. |
Peter DeAngelis adjourned the meeting at 11:20 am
Respectfully submitted,
Dick Mitchell, sec.
667-9283
Fire Road 312.
