The second annual meeting of the Branch Pond Association was held on July 21, 1984. Gordon Dunn, President, called the meeting to order and the following issues were discussed and acted upon.

1. Ellsworth Bourque presented the proposed by-laws for the Association that were included in the June newsletter. The by-laws were ratified by the members present with the following amendments.

   1. The organization be named the Branch Pond Association.

   2. A quorum at the annual meeting will consist of at least twice the members of the Executive Committee.

   3. Expenditures of the Association by the Executive Committee will not exceed the existent revenue.

   4. The amount of annual dues will be set each year by the Executive Committee and based on the financial needs of the Association.

2. Lee Lowell, Chairperson of the Roads Committee, informed the group that at the July l6 meeting the City Council accepted the Public Easement concept for Fire Roads 11-a, 11-c, 11-d, l4-c, l4-d, 15-a, and 15-b. The status of Fire Road 11-e is still under discussion. The membership recommended that the present Road Committee, along with the Association's attorney (Joel Dearborn), prepare the necessary legal documents that will give the City easements for public use, outline the extent of road restoration, and specify the nature of maintenance for future years.

3. Gordon Dunn brought up the possibility of refunding dues to members living on the Cove Road (Fire Road 12) since the BPA Road Committee was not able to represent them due to insufficient membership. John Lyons, representing the Cove Road, indicated that he would rather increase membership in that area than receive a refund. John consented to canvass property owners on Fire Road 12 during late summer and fall.

4. Officers for 1984-1985 were elected as follows: Don Hayes, President; Gordon Dunn, Vice President; Jane Phillips, Secretary; Leland Lowell, Treasurer.

5. Because of the need for legal advice involved in final settlement of the road issue, members voted that dues for 1984-1985 will be $10 per family. No dues were assessed during 1983.

6. A total of $75 was appropriated for the purchase of computer software to maintain an up-to-date membership list and to generate mailing labels.

Although progress has been made, roads continue to dominate our attention. The July approval of the Public Easement proposal was a big step forward. At the present time, we are in the process of convincing the City of exactly what needs to be done to restore each road to a more acceptable level.

If the attorneys representing the City and the Association have the necessary documents done, the City Council may vote on an appropriation for restoration and yearly maintenance at their August 20 meeting. Our attorney has advised us not to rush a decision, however, given the importance of the issues under consideration. Hence, if the paperwork is not completed by late August, both the monetary appropriation and the actual easements will most likely be considered at the September meeting of the City Council. Please watch the Ellsworth American for the Council's agenda. If our roads are to be considered, then please make every effort to attend the meeting in person. I know that they are hot, long, and boring, but a supportive crowd does make a difference. Regular Council meetings are always held the third Monday of each month.

Since the June newsletter, we have received a large amount of information from the Department of Wildlife about prior fish management at Branch Pond. Once again, the Department requested that we provide input about what is being caught (and not being caught) during 1984. If you are interested in evoking changes in fish management on the Pond, please send your ideas on how regulations should be changed and information on your catches to Ken Mason (Fire Road 11-e), 53 Cumberland Street, Bangor 04401. If possible, indicate how your average catch this season differs from that of past years.

As a consequence of our call for help in June, two BPA members will be reactivating the DEP's water-quality monitoring program on Branch Pond. Ralph Mastrorio (Walls Farm Road) and Anne Hayes (Phillip's Beach Road) have both volunteered to test water quality twice a month between May and September. They will start taking samples next spring.

It seems that there has been a proliferation of sailboats on the Pond in the last few years. Is anyone interested in organizing a regatta for next year? Since we come in all shapes and sizes, handicapping of entrants would most likely be necessary; but perhaps a race could be set up from Teacher's Island to Little John Island on a weekend in late July or early August. If you are interested in organizing an event such as this, contact Don Hayes, c/o P.O. Box 68, Ellsworth, Maine 04605.