BILLINGTON SEA/TOWN BROOK WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
8/5/06 1. Quorum present to do business. SEE ATTACHED ATTENDANCE SHEET Meeting commenced at 10:05 AM. 2. Annual Membership meeting minutes of 7/30/05 were read by the Secretary. Minutes approved without comment. 3. Treasurer’s Report J. Reardon Dues paid for last year totaled 48 families. Money remaining from last year’s budget was rolled over into the water monitoring budget for this year. The “Preliminary Budget” for 7/1/06-6/30/07 was approved by the Board and is presented to the membership. SEE ATTACHED Treasurer’s Report approved without discussion.
4. President’s Report K. Smith For the third consecutive year, the pond has been in relatively good condition. In fact, water clarity is better and the obvious presence of nuisance weeds and algae is significantly reduced. Plausible explanations for these conditions will be addressed by Mike Leary in his Water Monitoring Report. The following is a summary of the Board of Directors activities to date, for the ‘05-‘06 calendar year.
The Billington Sea shoreline cleanup took place at the end of September and was performed by many of the Board members. “Friends of Morton Park” were informed of the date and invited to participate but were unable to do so. Debris collected was considerably less than the previous year. As arranged, the Town picked up the collected trash. The Board has designated 9/16/06 with a rain date of 9/17/06 for this year’s clean up effort. Once again, members of the Association at large are encouraged to participate. If interested, please leave your name and phone number with Jim Simpson before leaving today. Compliments to the Town of Plymouth for rectifying the problems occurring at Morton Park, particularly on the 4th of July which reached an all time level of disgust last year. The policies adopted by the Special Parks and Beaches By Law Study Group were obviously put into effect and strictly enforced on the holiday. Mr. Crombie, Director of DPW, Town of Plymouth, who played an integral role in this effort, will detail the policies as they pertain to Morton Park and Billington Sea when he addresses the membership today. Over the Winter, Ira Smith undertook the task of revising and updating the Association By Laws. This was a very lengthy and time consuming effort. On behalf of the entire Board, I thank Ira for a job well done. The Board voted to approve the revisions and a vote of the General Membership will be taken prior to the closing of today’s meeting. Last Fall, the Board voted to move forward with the establishment and activation of an Association Web Site. The Board expresses appreciation to Jim Simpson for all of his time and efforts researching and presenting various cost figures and details on formulating a Web Site. It is hoped that members will access the site and find it a very informative vehicle for obtaining current information and issues relative to the Pond. It should be noted that the site is still in its formative stages. The Harbor Master’s Office has made available a copy of their By Laws that pertain to the governing of the ponds in Plymouth. A representative of the Harbor Master’s Office will be at this meeting to discuss pond rules and regulations, distribute material, and to answer questions. The Harbor Master will be invited to a Board Meeting this Fall to further discuss issues relative to Billington Sea. Per By Laws and with his agreement, The President appointed Ira Smith to do the audit of the Association’s Treasurer books. After reviewing all submitted documents, the books of the Treasurer are believed to be in order. Ira found documentation to be thorough and accurate. It has been requested that mention be made that a boat was stolen in late June from a West Basin residence.
5. Water Monitoring Report M. Leary Tests continue to be performed. They mainly focus upon nutrients, i.e. “mud” analysis. Note is made that Phosphorous has decreased considerably and nutrient loads are significantly lower in the West Basin. There has not been a noticeable increase in the presence of “brizola,” a jelly like ball which attaches itself to branches. The presence of these is a sign that the pond is healthier than in the past. It is believed that the cranberry bog owners are doing a better job of not releasing organic matter immediately and directly into the Pond. “Turtle Cove” has considerable milfoil weed and “Purdy Cove” has three types of floating pond weed. The floating weed is spreading. In the coming year, the Association might want to consider either raking the floating pond weed or having it chemically treated. The cost of chemical treatment would be approximately $3500. The Board needs to address this issue. A written report was distributed. SEE ATTACHED Water Monitoring Report was approved without discussion.
6. Election of Officers I. Smith for the Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of Officers: President: Jim Simpson Vice President: Bruce Crosscup Treasurer: Jan Reardon Secretary: William Reed Slate approved without discussion
7. By Laws The Association By Laws were revised. The revisions were approved by the Board and are now being presented to the Membership for ratification. SEE ATTACHED By Laws revisions approved without discussion.
8. Guest Speakers: George Crombie, Town of Plymouth DPW Director and Kim Michaelis, Office of Environmental Management, Town of Plymouth Handouts including a map of the snow district #1 Route 30, Morton Park Policy, Beaches and Parks General By Laws–amended 5/20/06, Road Classification Regulations, and the Agreement between the Town of Plymouth and the Horsley Witten Group for the Billington Sea Storm Water Remediation Design were distributed. SEE ATTACHED Mr. Crombie spoke about the Town having two “Environmental Scientists” who generate 2 to 3 times their salaries in grant money. The 319 Black Cat Rd./Billington Sea Rd. project has $175000 attached for design and construction. This project is designed to decrease the nutrient load to Billington Sea from run off water. Completion target for the 319 project is sometime next year. Another project of note is the “Plymco” dam removal.” There will be meetings to discuss the feasibility of this endeavor. If performed, this would improve water flow from Billington Sea down Town Brook and increase the “green way” paths along Town Brook to Morton Park. There is also a project for the Long Pond Watershed to increase recreational opportunity, i. e. walking trails. Kim Michaelis provided information about a new Town program, the “Nutrient Bank Program.” This program will be introduced in the Plymouth Harbor Watershed. Billington Sea is included in this watershed and therefore is eligible for the program benefits. The main goal is to reduce nutrients, e. g. nitrogen and phosphorous into the watershed bodies of water. Essentially, the program concept is as follows: If an entity introduces nutrients into the water, the entity must mitigate this nutrient load by an acceptable means. Acceptable mitigation could be monetary, improvement of a septic system, develop an acceptable natural buffer zone, etc. Monies collected in this program will be in a “bank” for use by various parties to assist in lowering nutrients in bodies of water. Note was made that pond treatments would be an acceptable use of “bank” funds. This program will be introduced next Spring to the Town as a By Law. This needs to be voted upon before it may begin. Mr. Crombie reported that two park rangers have been hired. The limit of people in Morton Park is 400. This figure is based upon septic system limits. He noted that home owner septic system up grade grants at low interest rates are available. There will be a “war on litter” in the form of a Plymouth “clean up day.” Various local groups/organizations will be asked to assist in this project. Note was made that littering in Morton Park now carries a $500 fine. Questions and discussion regarding admission to Morton Park included a) having fishing tournament boats, jet skis, etc. inspected/washed before launching into Billington Sea to reduce introduction of exotic weeds b) possibly closing off the “back” entrance to Morton Park c) strictly enforcing the 400 capacity by person count and not per “car loads.” Additional questions included Town responsibility for maintenance of private roads. Mr. Crombie stated that for the Town to “take over” a road, 75% of abutters need to approve and, in addition, if someone goes to court regarding this, the Town will not takeover the road due to court expense. Mr. Crombie and Ms. Michaelis were thanked for their informative talks and willingness to address the Association.
9. Guest Speakers Tim Routhier, Harbor Master Chad Hunter, Assistant Harbor Master Copies of Section I History, Article 10–Regulations Pertaining to Ponds, and Town of Plymouth Rules and Regulations Temporary Moorings, Floats, and Rafts on Inland Waters were distributed. Mr. Routhier informed that the Harbor Master office has a jet ski for patrols on various bodies of water in Town. Patrols are being performed on Billington Sea this Summer. All docks, rafts, etc. need yearly permits from the Harbor Master, even licensed docks. Note was made that compliance with this provision is small. When reporting issues regarding water craft to the Harbor Master, helpful information includes markings, colors, and registration # of the vessels. There was lengthy discussion regarding “swim areas” which are roped off and/or buoyed. The size of these areas, right of access, and Harbor Master approval were addressed. As of this date, there are no approved “swim areas” by the Harbor Master on Billington Sea. Conclusions by the Harbor Master were that the public has the right to access all water areas and the Harbor Master approves the size of “swim areas” and the type of markings to designate swim areas. Concern was raised that if a large number of “swim areas are designated, the functional part of the pond for boating could be reduced significantly. The Harbor Master and Assistant were thanked for their time and important information.
10. The Association presented Kathy and Ira Smith with a gift for their service to the Association over the years. 11. Meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM. Respectfully Submitted Ira Smith Secretary |