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Minutes of FOMP Meeting February 28, 2005 |
The minutes of last meeting were unanimously adopted without changes.
John Ciolfi hopes to finish the web site in 2 to 4 weeks. Content for the site will be added over time. The e-mail list server should be completed at the same time and John will act as the moderator of messages being sent to the list.
The purpose is to discuss the possible role of herbicides as part of alternative management programs for Morses Pond. Specifically, the focus is on Fluridone which is dispensed under the name of Sonar. It should be noted that Sonar is approved by the EPA and is targeted to work on Milfoil and Fanwort, the two non-native invasive rooted aquatic plants that have taken over Morses Pond.
The standard method is to erect a barrier to isolate the part of a body of water that will be treated. A treatment is usually completed within three months. say from April to June. Thus, if used in Morses Pond, a Sonar treatment could begin in April and be completed in June before heavy summer use of the Pond begins. It is estimated that the concentration of Sonar at the town wells will be so small that it can not be detected.
The Morses Pond Ad Hoc Committee needs to listen to the Water and Health Departments and others regarding the use of Fluridone
This is a meeting with members of the Natural Resources Commission and the Recreation Department to review the management program alternatives that are being considered and what has been eliminated.
Same purpose as the Stakeholders Meeting
("In lake action and watershed program")
Provide Nutrient Inactivation , primarily phosphorous
A surprise to the MPAHC and Dr. Ken Wagner, our Certified Lake Manager consultant, was that a significant part of the Morses Pond watershed is in Wellesley. By encouraging best practices through zoning regulations, building codes, wetland regulations, and good storm water control, Wellesley property owners can make a difference.
No new funds are necessary but a watershed program would call for good practices be used when building renovations are made or new development takes place. For example, when a small house is torn down and replaced by a larger house, this produces greater run off that should be captured by dry wells or, so called, rain gardens that are plants in swales where water runs off. Or, new driveways are to be installed, they should be slightly slanted to direct water onto lawns rather than run into the street and the storm water system. Or, lawn chemical companies should be required to conduct soil testing in order to calibrate fertilizer application rather than indiscriminately applying a maximum dose.
The Morses Pond Ad Hoc Committee has yet to develop a policy but it appears that the Committee believes that all Wellesley residents should participate in Best Practices that lead to a watershed environment that is friendly not only to Morses Pond but to the our down stream neighbors that is Wellesley College and the Charles River Watershed in which we are a participant. As the saying goes, "God helps those who help themselves" and besides, we can t ask Weston to help us if we are not willing to help ourselves. It is also another way to get everyone in Wellesley involved in Morses Pond and be more aware of our water resources in general.
To help with a Watershed Program, Doug Wilkins has volunteered to help. He and his family have been long terms residents of Wellesley. Doug is a PBK graduate of Harvard College and graduated from Harvard Law School. He is an attorney specializing in environmental law and land use.
The general consensus of the meeting was that an effort to improve the watershed may PROVIDE AWARENESS of the issue even if it would be difficult to implement compliance. Furthermore, care should be taken to think through the POTENTIAL POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR SUCH ACTION.
Property values are adjusted up by 10% for abutters. With the pond degrading, why are abutters assessed more? In any event, the reason for cleaning up the pond shouldn't be because of property value and revenue to the town. It should be because the pond is a valuable resource to the community. The pond supplies the town with a good and less expensive water source than other alternatives. It is also provides the community with recreational and educational activities. Thus, we will be focusing on the good the pond provides to the community and not the revenue from property taxes.
DISCUSSION continued regarding the collection of DUES THAT WERE SUGGESTED AT $10 TWO MEETINGS BACK. There was some concern that asking for dues would not encourage participation in FOMP while it should result in members who are committed. Since people could still be informed through e-mail notices, even if $10 was too steep for paying dues, it was agreed that the issue would be presented again for consideration after the bylaws are adopted.
CAROL HILDEBRAND reported meeting with JANET BOWSER, the Director of the Natural Resources Commission. Carol said her committee will be reviewing NRC brochures regarding Morses Pond and the NRC will allow FOMP notices, etc. to be included with NRC mailing being sent out to announce the upcoming forums. Carol will do a first draft and distribute for comments shortly. Erin Reilly will help add graphics to the piece. Dick Gleason also worked with Carol and suggested we show the town how important the pond is to us by planting "good for the pond gardens" like the "demo garden at Hunnewell Fields".
Frank Hays reported no additional comments from anyone on the bylaws, so they were approved UNANIMOUSLY AS SUBMITTED with a couple of typo fixes to be presented to the membership for ratification at the annual meeting.
Fred Fortmiller and Frank Hays agreed to the task, and will recruit others for the Nominating committee. Voting will take place at the Annual Meeting.
Thursday, March 31, 2005, NEW STARTING TIME - 7:00 PM in the Wakelin Room of the Main Library
Respectfully submitted by Barry Herring, Secretary