President Chuck Rohn called the Annual Meeting of the Branch Pond Association to order at 10:00 am on July 25th, 1992, About 80 of our members gave up their Saturday morning to meet and consider our common problems.

Our treasurer, Jan Fuller, sent a report of a balance of $9097.32 with some legal fees still to be billed to us.

Our membership for 1991/92 was up to 139.

The following board members were elected for a three year terms: Gay and -Joe Flanagan from Sargent Drive; Norma Graffam from Walls Farm Road; Joyce and Dave Hardy from Phillips Beach Road.

A By-Law Proposal to split the MacGowan Cove representation in two pieces, adding an additional member to the board was presented. A vote on this change will be taken at the 1993 Annual Meeting.

V.P. Cal Anderson has been our representative on the Watershed Ordinance sub-committee of the Ellsworth Planning Board. He introduced Lucky Maher, chairman of the sub-committee. Lucky spoke of our common interest in maintaining the quality of the water in Branch Pond and of the desire of the sub-committee to suggest an ordinance that could preserve that quality without imposing regulations that would adversely affect property use and values. The BPA voted to support a survey being undertaken by the Watershed committee and several copies of the survey were taken by members of the BPA to be completed and returned.

The Watershed discussion brought to the fore the erosion and run-oft of roads around the lake and the potential for problems from that source. It was clear that the committee is not going to recommend any city action concerning the roads. The BPA voted that a survey should be done by a professional engineer to ascertain the potential for erosion and run-off of our many roads,

Pres. Chuck Rohn reported on the long series of discussions with the city over road maintenance and possible acceptance. He and our attorney, Joel Dearborn, have been meeting with City attorney, Wayne Foote and City manager, Tim King. Discussions have reached a point where direct talks with City Council President Dale Higgins are in order. Obviously there is no overnight solution in sight. Chuck urged that individual roads be worked on so that city council members would not feel that any vote that they sight take would involve an instant expenditure of funds. In the meantime, the city will continue with the minimal services that have been provided over the last few years.

Carol Rohn suggested that youth activities were a possible focus for the BPA. She offered her services as a central information point about organized goings-on for the younger folk around the lake.

Commodore Paul Wight updated the meeting on the regular Sunday races of the BPA Sailing Club. Weather has been fickle- but the races will end in early August with trophies for two classes of boats; the multi-hulls and the mono-hulls. All are welcome to participate, with a modest fee of $10 for the season to cover entertainment expenses and trophies.

Paul also spoke of the Fish and Wildlife activities at Branch Pond (Full report in this issue. There may be some big ones down there that have been missed by others. Paul's son Peter pulled up a big one after years of no luck). The BPA is grateful to the Commodore for his great effort every year in putting together the racing program - a Sunday highlight for the folks on the upper lake.

Your faithful editor offered space for news and ads for all who send theirs on to the editorial offices at 95 Greenwood Lane, Waltham, Ma 02154.

The loons are still with us, but in decreasing numbers, Gloria DeAngelis had a preliminary count of 11 adults and 2 chicks on Loon Day. (A few more seemed to emerge as the days of September decreased the human activity on the lake.)

John Dunn, Ellsworth CEO, spoke and then answered questions. In the works are some modifications in code ordinances that will permit a slight easing of restrictions on lake dwellers. The main change may be in tree removal and trimming in the Waterfront zone. (Changes had not been adopted as of October) The planning board has also passed authority for approval/disapproval to the CEO on changes in decks, etc. The best advice is to check with John on any possible projects that you say have in mind.

Coffee and doughnut holes were available before and throughout the meeting thanks to the executive committee.

City Manager Tim King continues his opposition to any road maintenance for the Branch Pond roads. Negotiations continue to drag on, but Council president. Dale Higgins is due to meet with Chuck Rohn and the two attorneys in the near future. Possibilities are acceptance of the roads, or some of the roads, as public ways or the granting of a public easement with a city ordinance specifying city services to b accomplished.

In the meantime the road association at Sargent Drive continues its efforts, supplemented by winter plowing by the city. Phillips Beach road folks are forming a road association to bring their road up to snuff. City grading was done twice on most of the roads around the lake,

Tim King toured the roads with the -grader operator and announced that he would suggest with-holding services until roads were brought up to code as part of his concern for erosion that might effect the watershed. The planning board and the council have not reacted to this suggestion.

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It's a long drive from Ellsworth to southern Florida, but BPA VP, Cal Andersen reached out to help the victims of the hurricane. Cal is manager of the Ellsworth Car Wash and half of a day's proceeds in early September were given to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. The amount was $7200, GOOD WORK, Cal.

Cal appeared in a picture in the Bangor Daily News with Natalie Knox, co-owner of Kiss 94-FM radio and -Janet Stanley executive director of Hancock County Red Cross.

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Some races were cancelled because of rain, but we had three beautiful races with plenty of wind and sunshine. To top off the season, Dick and Cleo OIson hosted an outstanding party, at which time trophies were presented.

Ralph Whedon, sailing his Sun-fish, won the class "A" (single hull boats] and Ron Fitzpatrick, sailing his Hobie Cat, won class "B" (multi-hull boats).

Commodore Paul Wight wishes to thank all those who operated safety boats, hosted our social events and performed other duties.

This was our eighth season and it gets better every year.

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Paul Wight

Greg Burr, Maine Fish and Wildlife, informs us that a fish trap was set in the lake last fell and 52 salmon were caught, 35 were 2 1/2 years old and 16 3/4" average length and 12 were 3 1/2 years old and 19" average length. The state stocked the lake with 1,350 salmon this spring.

He also reported that 100 bass were caught in four days and 21 perch were caught in a fish net. The average length of the perch was 8 1/2".

Mr. Burr also informed us that they are trying to obtain a public access to the lake. Further details were not available.

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Residents of both east and west shores reported an eagle sighting during July. Not much was heard of the bird after that, but keep an eye pealed next year.

It was an absolutely beautiful fall season. Foliage was the most colorful in recent memory. Cold weather did arrive early, however, and the wood stoves were burning from mid- September on.

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At the annual meeting it was suggested that we include a list of Folks recommended for work around our camps. There are several names that have been given to us that we can share now. If you have nominees for the list please let se know.

Ken Gatcomb 667-3379 has done very good finish carpentry, but will build from the ground up.

Alonzo Wentworth 667-7019 general contracting, but will also open and close camps.

Mark Sweeney and/or William Fernald 667-8816 will do scuba diving to retrieve lost moorings or whatever else. They live on Branch Pond Rd and have done just that for several of our members.

John Goode, Winkumpaugh Rd. does all types of camp- work including trees and opening and closing.

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This issue would have gone out in early October, but your faithful editor left all of his notes in Maine and needed one more stay at the lake before he, the word processor and the notes were all in the same place.

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Many of you (74) have sent in your membership dues for 1992-93. 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.