Lake Nipmuc Association Meeting

Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 7pm

Mendon Senior Center

·         Meeting opened at 7:00pm.

·         Minutes of May meeting  – Minutes accepted as read

·         New membership update – No new members in May (3 renewals)

·         Treasurer’s report - $977.33 (pd Mendon Greenhouse for Planters $70, Paid Ileen M for newsletter expenses $210.29). Motion to approve by Michelle W., seconded by Shirley Smith.

·         Stormwater

·         The MHD has been given permission to dredge the sand bar by One Old Taft Ave.

·         Shirley S. and Linda Hawkes (Mendon Highway Dept) represented Mendon at the Stormwater Conference held in May by the Blackstone River Coalition.

The Stormwater Conference held at Alternatives Unlimited in Whitinsville on May 14, 2009 was entitled “The Lull before the Storm.”  This reference was to the fact that the slowing of the building boom allows communities to lay the groundwork for better stormwater management practices. The conference consisted of seven hours of information packed presentations by Jan Reitsma, Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley National heritage Corridor, Thelma Murphy of the EPA, Tammy Gilpatrick of BRC, several conservation and planning board members from area towns, and many others. The event was well attended and provided a unique educational experience for all.

As a result of low impact development techniques provided at the conference, the Mendon Highway Department installed a deep sump and swale at the end of Taft Ave and Millville Road to redirect runoff from Millville Road going into the Lake.

·         Lake Monitoring

·         Con Com has contracted with ACT (Aquatic Control Technology) again to treat the Lake for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Notice will be sent to LNA members from the Board regarding this. The Lake will be treated on June 17th.

·         The Board will check on the Purple Loosestrife before the end of July/early August. Additional pulling may be required

·         There are several water lily patches around the lake that make it difficult for boaters. They are not invasive plants but can be a problem if not thinned out. To chemically treat them would cost $1,500 which the Association cannot afford. Shirley S. will contact Michele Robinson at the DCR to find out what our options are.

·         Our latest newsletter includes a piece on Canadian Geese and their unfortunate contribution to e-coli in the Lake. A proven method to discourage the geese from invading your property is to install low wire fencing along the edge of your property. Another way to discourage the geese is to refrain from feeding them. There are several websites that include detailed information on managing geese.

·         Education

·         The next planned newsletter will go out in the late summer early fall.

o        Joan C. suggested drafting an article on the history of Lakeview.

o        Additional suggestions included a history of the old icehouse, and a comparison of historical fishing documents compared to current conditions.

·         Anne Mazar of the Town Crier recently published (June 5th edition) a great article on the formation of the Lake Nipmuc Association and our accomplishments.

·         Other Business :

·         Ileen M. and Shirley S. did a great job with the planters in front of Town Hall. Take a look at the newly planted geraniums.

·         Mark Reil is a student from Nipmuc Regional who has recently taken on the role of Water Quality Monitor for the Blackstone River Coalition. He tests sites along the Mill River in Mendon on a monthly basis. Mark was also the person who coordinated the Ice Fishing Derby on the Lake this winter. He would like to schedule another Derby next winter with proceeds benefitting the Lake Association.  (THANK YOU!)

·         As a fundraiser, the Board thought it would be a good idea to join Mendon’s Progressive Yard Sale (June 6th), however, we didn’t have anyone to coordinate this but a few people were willing to donate their items. If you would like to volunteer as “Yard Sale Coordinator” please let us know and we can plan for one in the Fall or at the next year’s Progressive Yard Sale.

·         The Board would like to thank Laura T. for her role as VP of the Association. Laura has stepped down from her position. Due to this, the role of VP needs to be filled. Joan Caldarella has expressed her interest in joining the Board. Any other interested candidates should make themselves known before an official vote is taken (by the next meeting July 2nd).

·         Next Meeting - Thursday, July  2nd at 7pm at the Mendon Senior Center

·         Meeting adjourned

This page was last updated on 11/17/09.