BILLINGTON SEA/TOWN BROOK WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

8/4/07

 

 

1. President’s Report   J. Simpson

 

1. Town By-Laws Section 134-3 Headway Speed.

 

In 2006 numerous residents were cited for over headway speed after 3 PM on weekends.  The association undertook to petition the town to amend the by laws so residents could enjoy water sports on weekend afternoons.

 

The association with the memberships support petitioned the town to change the headway law to allow more than headway speed (6 knots) on Billington Sea and Great Herring Pond to 7:30 PM or sunset whichever is earlier seven days a week.  Except for Billington Sea and Great Herring Pond headway speed must be maintained between 3 PM to 9 AM weekends and holidays and 7:30 PM and 9 AM weekdays.  This petition was voted approved at the annual town meeting June 11, 2007.

 

Members of the board canvassed the pond residents with petitions.  The results were:

91 residence in favor

 5 residences against

 4 residences abstain

 13 residences no contact made

113  Total.

 

The board presented the signed petition for inclusion in the slate for Town Meeting.  They presented their case to the Selectman on 1/11/2007.  The Town Finance Committee presentation was 2/28/2007 and the petition was part of the slate for the 6/11/2007 town meeting where it was voted approved.

 

2.  Treasurer’s Report   J. Reardon

 

Dues received was less than projected.  However expenses were also lower than budgeted.  We had an overage of 134.29 which is $100 over the projected overage.  The “Preliminary Budget” for 7/1/07-6/30/08 was presented.  It is the same as last year.

SEE ATTACHED

 

3. 319 Grant  - Billington Sea Road – Jim Simpson

 

This grant is to remediate the conditions of Billington Sea Road that will improve the run off conditions on Black Cat Road and ultimately Billington Sea.  The project will pave, grade, and condition etc Billington Sea Road in a such a way to lessen the run off of rocks and debris after a very heavy rainstorm.  Permits are all in and the project is out to bid.  The anticipated construction time is September and October 2007.    

 

A resident asked if a caution sign could be placed at the corner of Billington Sea Road and Black Cat Road.  Members of the board indicated we should push that forward but not as part of the 319 grant.

 

 

4. Water Monitoring Report   M. Leary

 

Testing  continues.  Phosphorous (encourages algae blooms) is lower than last year and nitrogen (encourages weed growth) is higher.  The increased nitrogen might be because the first testing was done later this year than it has been in the past.  In general the numbers are better and the tributaries are cleaner.  As part of the discussion about how the cranberry bogs use retention ponds the question came up of was the 319 project going to use retention ponds or something like it for the Billington Sea Road runoff.

 

Mike did a recap of the cycle of a pond and where Billington Sea is in that cycle.  Billington Sea is eutrophic pond, the last stage of the life of a pond.  Over the last couple of years due to better stewardship of the cranberry companies, remediated septic systems, more judicious use of chemical fertilizer and residents increased awareness of how to police what goes into the pond the pond has had less algae blooms and fewer weeds.

 

A new weed which was talked about last year continues to grow and spread (Floating Pond Weed).  This weed propagates primarily sexually although fragmentation propagation occurs but at a much slower rate than weeds that normally propagate through segmentation.  It doesn’t need much nutrient to stay alive and grow and has the potential to choke the smaller coves if not addressed.  Mike encourages anyone with this weed in their area to get rid of it.  Get as much of the roots out as possible.  Simple ways of removing it is to rake it up or to drag a heavy chain across the area in an attempt to dreg the area. 

 

A weed note the tall spiky weeds are less obnoxious than the low feathery or floaty weeds.

 

A treatment for Floating Pond Weed has been looked into that would cost between $3000 and $5000.  This would cover a treatment for two areas only.  One, the west basin which is much shallower than the rest of the pond and separated from the main part of the pond by the very shallow gut between the west basin and the rest of the pond.  Two, the other area that would be treated is the long almost land locked cove at the far east end of the pond.  The middle area is effectively flushed down the Town Brook every 55 days.  Billington Sea is an aquifer pond and this aquifer turns over every 55 days.  The west basin does not turn over quite as fast because the gut is so shallow and the nutrient, muck and stuff on the bottom just stays in the west basin instead of being flushed down the Town Brook like the rest of the pond.

Fish in Billington Sea.

Herring may soon return to Billington Sea on their own.  A fish ladder has been built, the first dam on Town Brook is gone and now the dam at Plymco is going to be taken out.  The removal of this would be the last impediment to the Herring getting back into Billington Sea.

 

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR POND.

 

Slow the flow of water into the pond. If possible leave shrubs and brush along the edge of the pond.  Shrubs and brush help keep leaves out of the pond.  Leaves are one of the biggest problems for the pond.

 

Create a barrier (your lawn) between the pond and run off sources.

 

Plant or nurture low growing shrubs and bushes.  Decorative grasses are good run off brakes. 

 

Create swales (low spots where water can pool) where practical.  A swale helps the water absorb into the ground instead of running into the pond. 

 

Keep your lawn mower blades sharp.  A clean cut helps the grass slow down the run off.

 

If you must fertilize don’t do it just before a heavy rain.  Water the fertilizer in slowly.  It is possible that slow release fertilizer will have less impact on the pond than liquid fertilizer that is immediately available as a nutrient.

 

  A written report was distributed.  SEE ATTACHED Water Monitoring Report was approved without discussion. 

 

5.  Election of Officers  B. Crosscup for the Nominating Committee

 

The Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of Officers:

President: Jim Simpson

Vice President: Bruce Crosscup

Treasurer: Jan Reardon

Secretary: Sash Erskine

Slate approved without discussion