At its meeting on Monday, September 16th, the Ellsworth City Council voted, unanimously, to defer any decision concerning road maintenance for 180 days arid to set up a sub-committee to work together with representatives of the Branch Pond Association to arrive at a permanent solution for the road problem. This means that existing services will stay in place for the 180-day period and that our representatives will be busy working on our behalf.

The meeting was well attended by our members and by residents and taxpayers from other private road areas in the city. Chairman Lee McCormick stated that, in his memory. The audience was the largest ever to attend a council meeting.

City Manager Tim King had placed the issue on the agenda for the meeting and presented, along with city attorney Wayne Foote, arguments that any expenditure of public funds for work on private roads was illegal.

The council appeared to sympathize with our position and listened carefully to the many statements by residents and owners. Our attorney, Joel Dearborn, and our president, Chuck Rohn, gave counter arguments to those presented by Messrs. King and Foote. They suggested that the ultimate decision on constitutionality would have to be determined by the courts, but offered to work together with the council toward a solution rather than pursue a court case. The council agreed and meetings will begin in the near future.

Owners and residents from other than Branch Pond were at the meeting, asking for similar care for their roads or commenting on what they saw as inequity in "special" treatment for Branch Pond. These requests and opinions will be considered in the six months work toward a long-term solution.

Many of you were there, but for those of you who were not, your president, your neighbors and your attorney represented you well.

A big THANK YOU to all of you who were able to attend the meeting. The impressive turn out surely helped to convince the council of the solidity of our purpose and position.

It isn't coming!!! Ellsworth won the elimination contest as a possible site for the hazardous waste facility to be established by MWRA. Both Ellsworth sites were taken from the list by the state as a result of an extensive site visitation.

The decision came after many months of effort by C.A.R.E, headed by Judy McGeorge and David Williams. The effort was supported by the Branch Pond Association and by the Ellsworth City Council.

After Judy's appeal to BPA at our annual meeting, your executive board wrote to the Ellsworth City Council urging the use of city funds to engage an attorney to fight the dump location efforts. The council voted $15,000 for this purpose and supported the effort.

The attorney, Sharon Treat, an environmental specialist and a member of the state legislature, was able to convince MWRA to use a hearing procedure that would use sworn testimony and allow cross-examination of witnesses.

This was great news, but it was followed by the announcement that the site visitation had revealed a number of problems. The problems were sufficient to eliminate both areas in Ellsworth from the list. One problem was stated as the number of boulders that existed in the area that had not been noted in the preliminary information of soil conditions.

C.A.R.E. and its founders, Judy McGeorge, David Williams and Deborah Parent are to be congratulated for a non-stop effort that educated and led the whole community to success.

"Wastc not, want not" is the old saying. Somehow this seems appropriate, but with a different twist, "Want not, no waste".

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David Whedon, sailing his Hobie 16, won first place in the seventh season of racing of the Branch Pond Association Sailing Club. George Lewis won second place with his Hobie 14 and John Broome won third with his Hobie 16. Trophies were awarded by Commodore Paul Wight.

The season started with a 4th of July Polish race won by Don and Anne Hayes in their Drascomb Dobbler. The Dobbler was an ideal craft for Polish racing. Its ability to point into the wind is so restricted that Don and Anne had great difficulty getting it across the starting line.

The season ended with a Long Distance Race starting near Hanson's Landing and ending in the lower lake at Judy McGeorge's cottage. The race was followed by a family picnic. It was a great success and we are most grateful to Judy for inviting us.

Our thanks also go to Russell Thompson for taking pictures of our sailing and social activities and to George Lewis for the loan of his cannon - it gives the race a professional touch.

We're looking forward to another good year of sailing in 1992.

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As has been done for several years, Branch Lake has participated in the Volunteer Monitoring Program for freshwater lakes maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection. This program involves taking bi-monthly Secchi Disk readings off of Little John Island near the narrows. The Secchi Disk measures water clarity and provides a warning system for a lake whose water quality is in decline. Our readings this year have ranged from a low of 6.5 meters in early June to a high of 7.7 meters in August. These levels are slightly below readings obtained several years ago, where the seasonal average was in excess of 8.0 meters. Overall, our level of clarity is above the statewide average, which is between 5.0 and 6.0 meters.

Don Hayes.

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We are fortunate to have another interview of a long time resident by Don Hayes. Don spent some time on August 10^th with Alan Ikalainen and here is the result.

Q: Would you share recollections about your early days on the lake with us? Well, it was a lot different than it is now. When I first case here I was twelve years old. I’m 78 now, so it was over sixty years ago. And of course conditions change with time. And this was a great lake for fishing. There were all kinds of fish here, and there still are some; but not in the quantity and not in the size. My best recollection is coming here with my brother Toivo to a camp, which is where Fred Murray's camp is (i.e., the Wall's Farm Road). It was Fred's wife's place, the Bracey camp. We stayed there and used to go pickerel fishing. We had one little rowboat, that's all. We didn't go in the boat too much unless we wanted to travel out on the water, but we fished off shore — down here at Winkumpaugh Cove. And, oh boy, there used to be some great big pickerel in there! And every so often you’d land a great big pickerel, two feet or longer. And in those days you didn't go to Ellsworth too much, so Toivo's wife, Ina, and her mother used to make the greatest fish chowder. None of that fish was wasted. It was really wonderful. This was about 66 years ago — in the twenties.

Q: What brought Toivo to Branch Lake? He had some friends, Finnish people, who lived in Dedham and told him about it. He found out that there was some land for sale on this shore and so he bought three lots for $100 apiece. Then he proceeded to build a camp himself, right where Russell Thompson's camp is now (on the Wall's Farm Road). He liked it here and he started to build a log cabin. That was very nice. And my cousin Leonard used to come with me, and Oscar (Toivo s brother-in-law) used to bring us up here. We’d do little chores and then, in our spare time, we'd go fishing. That was great! That fishing business. Then my brother, he had a little four cylinder inboard boat that he bought in Blue Hill. He used to go out with us in that. He didn’t trust us youngsters to go out alone. The bass fishing was great, anywhere along the shore where it was rocky. We used to fish right of the rocks, down in the cove — there were some great big stumps and you could climb a root and get out a little further. That was a great place for getting those pickerel. They didn't stock the lake in those days. In fact, way back, I don't remember anybody getting any salmon. The land locked salmon were stocked, but what was here were brown trout. They have more or less disappeared now – and lake trout. Once the lake trout get established they reproduce themselves.

Q: What about Hanson's Landing? was it operating when you came? Yes, it was. The man in charge we used to call Uncle John or something -- or maybe it was Uncle Billy. And he was the caretaker. He'd get you your bait and rent you your boat. He was a nice gentleman. He'd tell you all about the fish stories too. He knew where all the various people came to fish and caught their fish. Brown trout seemed to be the most popular, and the white trout, - togue.

Q: Was there an ice operation at the landing at that time? I don't think so. I don't recall anything like that. But then Harjean had kind of a motel there. He built some cottages and rented them out. They were busy all summer long. Harjean was from New York City. He was a good carpenter. He spent his summers here and made money here. He had clients who would come from New York City and rent those places. They liked it here. He built a big sauna. Some of those millionaire women from New York, oh, they loved that sauna! Of course, he was a great fisherman. He used to catch a lot of togue. His wife used to cook them up and they used to serve meals. She was a Finnish woman and a good cook. She used to make terrific coffee bread. Everyone went for that. There was an afternoon coffee break.

Q: Was Harjean running an. Inn? Was it open to the public? No, I don't think it was open to the public. They may have advertised in New York. Everyone who was there had previously made an engagement to come. Most were wealthy people from New York.

Q: Was there a Finnish colony on the lake? Was Harjean the center of it? Well, I don't think so. The Finn colony was up off Route 1-A in Dedham and Lucerne. That's where the native Finns lived. There were several woodchoppers who cut pulpwood around the lake. They were Finn and they were natives. And then other Finns on the side hill. they had a little store and a sauna.

Q: When did you build your camp on. the Wall's Farm Road? This camp was already built. I bought it. It belonged to a man named Charlie EmmeIman. Then the other side of it was built just recently, when my daughter, Mary Ann, and Ralph Mastrorio built it. Just a breezeway between us. We used to use Toivo’s camp, and before he had his finished, we used to rent Bracey's and another one down the line. They were just tarpaper shacks for the most part. They weren't anything special. They were really good shelter. Toivo built a big fireplace in his camp. That was the best heat and best attraction around here for awhile. Toivo had a black wood kitchen stove, a Glenwood; and on one end of it they had a water reservoir that would heat the water. Russell Thompson still has the old fireplace that my brother had built. They built a new camp around the fireplace. Just the fireplace is still standing.

Q: What was the biggest fish you ever caught? Well in pounds, probably about 7 pounds — a small mouth bass. Here at Branch Pond, I caught a couple about the same size. The biggest fish I ever caught, I went with my brother over to Rocky Pond. We went there and there was a big thunderstorm coming up; but just before the thunderstorm, I caught a 7 and 1/2 pound pickerel and that was 37 or 38 inches long. At the same time, my brother caught a great big bass. Those two fish were caught simultaneously! I've seen a couple of big togue caught; one a man had that was over 12 pounds. It came ashore over at Hanson's Landing. That was a good size one. There was another man who came in with a pair of 9 pounders — he had two of them. He was a good fisherman. Every time he came here, he used to catch a togue.

Q: Do you give away secrets? Where is the best place for fishing? It depends what you're after, of course. The rocky shores, and any shoal of sand or gravel that is out further, those are the good places for small mouth bass. Years ago, there was no better place than Winkumpaugh Cove for pickerel. It was loaded! But since then they have all disappeared. For the togue, you have to go into deeper water in the summertime. In the springtime, I guess they have caught togue on the surface near the shore. That's in the springtime when the water is still cold. We came up two or three times in February. We stayed here and I always caught one or two salmon. I enjoy the camp life just as much as the fishing. You have plenty of wood and you keep warm. It’s kind of pleasant. Now, there are a lot of fishermen who come out with their skidoos. It is a whole different lake in the wintertime.

(To be continued)

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By MaryAnn (Ikalainen) Mastrorio

Within the past two years, three gracious ladies who were longtime summer residents of Wall’s Farm Road on Branch Lake have passed away.

The first was my mother, Anne McBreen Ikalainen, who passed away at the age of 81 on April 22, 1989, She first came to the lake 40 years ago with her husband, Allen Ikalainen, to camp in tents with Allen's sister and her husband, Doris and Ellsworth Bourque, at the site of their log cabin.

The second was Elizabeth (Del) Murray, wife of Fred Murray. She passed away on April 3, 1991. Adele first came to Branch Lake with her parents, the Bracey’s, in the 1930's.

The third was Irene McKinna, my next-door neighbor, who passed away at the age of 85 on May 16, 1991. Irene and her husband, Milton McKinna, bought their camp on Branch Lake 50 years ago.

These three lovely ladies will be sorely missed. May they rest in peace.

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The water from Branch Pond has been flowing through the new main on the Bucksport road and into the water tank on Dollard's Hill. Hydrants around town have been checked for pressure and, even as I write, Ellsworth may begin to receive the clear, pure water from the lower lake through the in town faucets. A minor glitch developed when three rocks clogged one of the valves between the pumping station and the city, but the valve was soon cleared.

The need to ensure the purity and clarity of the water brings us to the Planning Board sub-committee that is hard at work drafting a new ordinance covering development and building in the watershed area. As many of you know, the state has established some minimum regulations for lake shore areas for municipal adoption, but the fact that our lake is a water supply makes our situation one that will require regulation beyond the state minimums.

Last winter a consultant presented a proposal for regulation to the Planning Board that was Draconian. The proposal would have seriously curtailed agricultural activities in the watershed such as Merrill's Orchards and the many blueberry fields that have been in the watershed area for years and years. The consultant's plan was rejected and the sub-committee set out to draft its own ordinance. We are represented on the sub-committee at their invitation. Vice President Calvin Anderson will be meeting with them as our representative.

Your executive board wants to make sure that the properties on the immediate shoreline are not the only heavily regulated pieces of land. Regulations should be fair and the burden should be shared by all owners in the watershed as necessary.

Some things that you may expect, however, are increases in distance from the water line for any new construction, and an emphasis on satisfactory septic systems and gray water disposal procedures. We'll try to keep you up on possible regulations.

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By John Lyons

Twenty-three of the thirty-three respondents to the survey done over last winter on the subject of septic systems are currently employing a septic tank and leach field system. The age of such systems breaks down as follows:

1-3 years 11

3-15 years 5

15+ years 7

The following is a compilation of the ratings of various characteristics of septic systems with leach fields:

*One said ''Don't know"

Note - all people did not answer all questions

There appeared to be general satisfaction with the contractors who have installed septic systems as well as with the product itself. It was impossible to ascertain who might be more reasonable cost-wise because every installation is different due to local topography, etc. I would think that the prudent approach to hiring a contractor to install a system would be to talk with two or more before making a decision. The type and configuration of your installation will be pretty much determined by the City of Ellsworth and the soil engineer with whom you must consult. By the way, there seemed to be general satisfaction with the soil engineers that have been used.

The following is a list of contractors and soil engineers that have been used according to our survey:

Contractors Location

Conary Bros

David Hamilton Green Lake

Haslam Ellsworth

Peasley & O’Halloran Ellsworth

Del Spencer & Son

Walker Gray

Soil Engineers Location

A. Eggleston Ellsworth

C. Norburg Milford

Greg Perkins E. Holden

Earl Rafuse

Among the contractors, more reported using Hamilton and Haslam than the others. All responded that they would use the contractor again.

There really was not enough data compiled to be conclusive about the other type systems. Those three who reported having out-houses did not comment on their facility, with the exception that one said it operated adequately but with an odor. I think the pros and cons of out-houses are pretty well known.

The three owners of gas toilets described them as operating adequately with occasional odors indoors and outdoors (depending on camp location - see below). There seemed to be satisfaction with gas toilets except for the availability of parts and service. The manufacturer of perhaps the most popular brand - Destroilet - closed down several years ago. One current source of parts and service is Lewie's Gas Service in Trenton.

Another type mentioned once was a monomatic (electric recirculating with water) toilet. According to the feedback this has comparable features to the gas toilet (operating efficiency, odor, maintenance) yet parts are readily accessible at most recreational vehicle centers. Other advantages of the monomatic type are that it is easily drained and like other less common types can be used in the winter in camp environments.

The one report on Humus 30 toilet (composting) was not very encouraging. It described the toilet as operating poorly, having indoor and outdoor odor problems and requiring much costly maintenance. This particular toilet was purchased in the early 80's and has been sold.

Generally it would seem that this unscientific survey would point to septic systems with a leach field of some type that is properly installed in a proper location as the optimum way of handling household sewage around Branch Pond. Holding tanks appear to be a viable option also. Alternate type, self contained toilets appear to be appropriate only after careful research and consideration. We had hoped to have more input to offer on this subject, but currently are limited to relaying comments received in this survey. Two factors do seem worth noting about this "other* category. First is that they appear, as a whole, not to run as smoothly as a regular flush toilet, that is they require a certain amount of tending and tinkering. That may or may not be a negative depending on your particular situation and the alternatives available to you. The second factor (and there may be many more) that comes to mind as a result of-your comments is the compatibility of your system with the location of your camp. Camps at the base of a hill, for example, have their own particular problems when it comes to venting self-contained toilets (gas, Humus 80, etc.). Air currents apparently prevent the vented odors from rising and are a problem to one degree or another depending on weather conditions.

Although we only heard from thirty-three of the approximate 140-150 camp owners in BPA, a process was at least started that should be continued in some fashion. Networking about such important issues as waste disposal around our lake seems an appropriate priority. It should continue, not only to help protect this environment, but also to spread the word on the products, the providers of services and the advancements relative to sewage disposal so that we can benefit from each others experiences. I believe we have many inefficient septic systems on the lake. Many systems have been in place for some time in camps that are used for a relatively short time each year. In the press of demands to use our money for so many other projects, the septic system at camp can easily be put off. more information on the non-septic system, self contained toilet is needed for these situations, especially if they are such less expensive than the $7,000- $10,000 that a new septic system might cost.

Collectively, the people on Branch Pond probably have experiences - good and bad - with most facets of this subject. If any of you have any of these "good or Bad" experiences to relate relative to this subject that might benefit others, I will continue to serve as a clearing house for such information. Please send it to:

John Lyons,
c/o J. Lyons Fund Management, Inc.
401 S. LaSalle Street - Suite 900
Chicago, II 60605

As the information accumulates, I will report on it in the BPA Newsletter.

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David Dow, who is a year-round resident of Phillips Beach Road, was featured in the July 29, 1991 issue of U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

An excerpt from the article follows:

"The global marketplace is transforming lobstering, says David Dow, a lobsterman who runs the Lobster Institute, an industry-funded organization at the University of Maine. The institute promotes lobster and its vision of the New Lobsterman - out hauling. traps one day, debating arcana of the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement the next. Dow is an unabashed lobster enthusiast. He hands out lobster cookbooks (‘A lobster in Every Pot'), lobster nutrition pamphlets in the shape of lobsters, lobster newsletters, and lobster research papers. His office is filled with lobsterana, including a lobster-nose mask ("to wear at parties"). Don uses words like "new product development' a lot. Maybe consumers are squeamish about handling live lobsters? How about prepackaged microwaveable twin lobsters, he suggests. It's hard to ship live lobsters to Japan? How about taking the lobsters off the plane halfway and putting then back in salt water to revive them. (One such 'relay' pound has already been set up in Hawaii.) 'Everyone knew that lobster sold itself,' says Dow, 'but when you take a doubling of production in the last decade, coupled with a global seafood market and this very stiff competition, you have to say wait a minute.’

But Dow's image of a modern industry, shooting off faxes and lobsters to Asian trade shows, is still a rough fit with the lobsterman’s traditional secretiveness. And for lobstermen who lost money in 1990, what may matter the most is what has mattered always. So far this season, supplies are down - and that means prices are up."

David is up himself however, busy spending a sabbatical year as a working lobsterman.

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The annual meeting of BPA was called to order by Charles Rohn it 10:00 am on 7-27-91 at City Hall, Ellsworth, ME. Eighty plus interested people from the lake were in attendance.

Chuck asked various officers and committee heads to report. An annual meeting agenda was provided for those in attendance.

Dick Mitchell, Sec., read the written review minutes of 7-21-90 annual meeting.

Janice Fuller, Treas., gave the treasurer's report which stated a balance forward of $7543.85. A copy of this report was provided to the Sec. for proper filing.

Terry Blanchard reported that BPA had 124 paid memberships for 1990-91, Terry and Chuck indicated a strong desire to increase membership.

The water quality testing results of Branch Lake were given by Glen Curtis. He also provided a printed copy – printout of all test results for the past four years. Judy McGeorge expressed an interest and proposed that a partnership be established with the city in reference to BPA water quality testing efforts. Dave Hardy moved and it was seconded and favored that the association continue its water testing.

The sailing regatta program was announced by Paul Wight. Interest and participation have grown over the past seven years. Judy McGeorge invited all interested campers on the lake to attend a family picnic on August 11th at 12:00 noon at her place.

BPA Newsletter editor, Dave Hardy, indicated eagerness for printed materials to be included in the Newsletter. He also would appreciate any mailing address changes,

Gloria DeAngelis thanked those who were willing to participate in the annual July loon count. She reported 14 adults and 2 chicks sighted.

Judy McGeorge gave an introduction to C.A.R.E. She provided an informative talk gained through readings, public hearings and personal contacts concerned about the State proposal to establish a Toxic Waste Dump within the limits of the city lines of Ellsworth. She feels that the City of Ellsworth should lead with the smaller neighboring towns. Further public hearings are scheduled for March 1992. Don Hayes expressed a concern for financial assistance to combat this state proposed Waste Dump. Ellsworth Bourque expressed his reaction regarding water quality, property values and other environmental factors if a waste Dump facility were to be a reality in this general lake vicinity.

The BPA went on record supporting the C.A.R.E. concept and the Ellsworth City Council in its position as both groups deal with the Waste Dump issue. Frank Howd and Glen Curtis shared personal experience - knowledge - of other Watershed Waste Dump areas and the negative impacts on water quality and land values. The executive board of the BPA will deliberate upon its role, if financial, in terms of the Waste Dump problem.

Chuck Rohn gave a review of the Watershed Ordinance issue. Such an ordinance would restrict development within 17,000 acres of land, which has potential flowing water into the lake. Chuck, Cal Anderson and Terry Blanchard have established positive communications with the Ellsworth Planning Board Sub-Committee in developing a suitable Watershed Ordinance. The City Comm. has now asked that a BPA rep. also serve on the sub-comm. Ellsworth Bourque restated that the Watershed matter is a HOT ISSUE which deals with land constraints, property values, etc. Chuck suggested that an approach needs to be taken by BPA that an ordinance shouldn't constrain only shorefront owners. It was expressed by Dave Hardy and Cal Anderson that BPA is very fortunate to be in a position to work in. partnership with the city sub-comm. Dave Hardy will continue to work with the coordination of a committee project, which will create a Watershed mailing list. Gloria DeAngelis inquired about the city Comprehensive Plan Comm. which apparently no longer functions. She did express interest in the expanded data resulting from the new watershed mailing list. She viewed this as a positive impact on the association.

Chuck introduced the speaker, Tim King, the Ellsworth City Manager. Mr. King outlined four areas which he intended to speak about; namely, (1) our private roads (2) water filtration plant (3) Waste Land Fill (4) the Watershed Ordinance. As per annual concern, the road care issue would become of greatest concern. Two of the above items already received attention before the speaker was introduced. The water filtration systems, nearly in place, and Mr. King indicated a willingness to share water test results.

An extended discussion continued over the camp owners frustrations regarding the lack of camp road maintenance by the City of Ellsworth. Mr. King indicated that the city no longer needs to continue road maintenance. Further discussion flowed as to the classification of Public and Private ways and Public Access Ways. Don Hayes gave an overview of the status - legal position of the road maintenance issue from 1982-1987. Chuck reported that he had contacted Joel Dearborn, attorney, regarding our past legal history as we enter into another administrative (newly hired city manager) confrontation: BPA road maintenance vs. city government. Anne Hayes asked of the manager if he would research through the records to uncover a sum of $30,000, which at one time was to. be earmarked for lake road repair. In 1986, an amount of $10,000-11,000 was projected as a cost figure according to Don Hayes.

Byron Foster indicated to Mr. King that he is aware of a road engineer who is willing to assist the city with helpful road care maintenance hands-on clinics.

Don Hayes made a motion to hire legal counsel to bring the Branch Pond roads into Public Access Ways status for purposes of City of Ellsworth road maintenance. Sam Fuller, from the road committee, supported the motion of legal direction. Sam also has road maintenance expertise and is willing to give road consultation advice if called upon. Don's action was passed.

By-Law changes in membership were addressed with Chuck presiding. Membership is open to any family or individual who subscribes to the goals and endeavors of the BPA and is willing to conform to the established by-laws. Eligibility for membership is also contingent upon payment of annual dues of $25 by two adults as one household or of $15 for an individual owner.

Nominations for election of executive committee members were;

Judy McGeorge and David Williams

George and Jane Birkhead

They were elected as members of the executive board for a three-year terms.

John Lyon, septic system researcher, reported from the 33 surveys he had received. Although there are alternate systems such as gas and electric, the newer approved septic systems are basically more acceptable. John will continue to serve as a clearing center to exchange - collect – report available alternate systems.

Cal Andersen, V.P., reported on the activity at Sand Beach. A portable toilet has been placed there. The "No Fires" sign has been burned. Trash is to be removed by each user-party. Cal solicited our attention to maintain a watchful eye on the beach for any FIRE hazards. Call 667-8666, Ellsworth Fire Dept. to report fires.

Adjournment at 1:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Dick Mitchell, Sec.

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We welcome news or any Branch Pond type classified ads that you might care to run. Send any copy along to Dave Hardy, 95 Greenwood Lane, Waltham, MA. 02154.

Many of you have already sent in your membership dues for 1991-92. We thank all of you who have, but for those of you who have not — PLEASE send them along. Our effectiveness as a group is increased as our numbers increase.