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BLAISDELL
2003 SPRING EDITION
Published by your BLPOA Board of Directors
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Vol. 1-03 June, 2003
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Our New BLPOA
Website Goes Live!
Mike Gudefin announced recently that www.blpoa.org is up and
running. Wait til you see this site …
it’s worth picking up a PC if you don’t have one already! Chock full of information, the site is easy
to access and use. You’ll find
Go to www.blpoa.org … you’ll love it!
THE BLPOA 2003 SUMMER
CALENDAR
July 4 FLARE NIGHT 9:30PM
August 1-3 DOG HOUSE WEEKEND
August 2 ANNUAL MEETING 10:00AM
You’ll find more
details throughout this issue.
Please support the
BLPOA!
Flare Night On
The 4th
Flare Night has become a
·
What’s the best way to enjoy the display? First, be sure to buy some flares and light them off
from your dock or waterfront at 9:30PM.
They cost $3(1), $5(2), $8(3), or $10(4). You can purchase flares from Bill Hallahan or
any BLPOA Director. Then, join your
neighbors at the waterfront and celebrate. Enjoy the fireworks that appear and
cheer on the boat parade, If you have a boat, join the parade … but be sure to
observe safe boating rules and keep your running lights on.
·
Why 9:30PM? Because that’s when it gets
(really) dark! Now, this one is really
important … so please hold off, even if the kids are getting itchy. Synchronized ignition is just a spectacular
thing to witness!
The Bradford fireworks are on Saturday night,
so you won’t miss those either!
Dog
House Weekend
Yes, the Dog House is back by popular demand and the modern-day version will be open the first weekend in August. Gail Olson and Rick Bailey will once again head up their traveling road show and bring the Dog House back into our lives!
Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear and fill up on a Super, a Cheeseburg BO, a Special, or whatever you want … and be served by some of the old-time DH crew that were trained by Pat & Stell Rooney. This reporter has learned that Chan, Junie, Jackie, Gail, Laura, and others will dish out food and drink (sorry, no Sun Spot any more!). Charlie Hosmer has promised to bring his appetite, so don’t miss spending time with him and the other DH hall-of-famers!
Dog
House Hours of Operation
Friday, August 1 5-8PM
Saturday, August 2
11AM-8PM Sunday, August 3
11AM-6PM
Located
on Route 114 at Wright’s Beach … right where it used to be!
This is the
major BLPOA fundraiser for 2003
Please visit us often over the weekend … and bring family and friends!
2003 Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held on Saturday, August 2, at 10:00AM in the Camp Wabasso dining hall. Smoking is not permitted. Please park in the lower parking lot at Rte 114; the camp has requested that we not park at or near the dining hall.
Yes,
this is the year we lower the lake!
In general, all projects involving
dredge, fill or placement of new structures (e.g., docks) on or within the
banks of surface waters require a permit from the NH DES Wetlands Bureau. The
Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act is too long and complicated to extract
in this newsletter, so it’s best to say that the shoreline improvements or
shoreline work you want to do when the lake is lowered might well require a
permit, so it’ s best to inquire soon.
If you are planning to make repairs to an existing
dock, a permit is not required. However,
making improvements is a different story; adding to a dock will
generally put you in need of a permit. You may want to check out the NH DES
websites at www.des.state.nh.us/wetlands and www.des.state.nh.us/cspa to familiarize yourself
with rules and requirements, and even find an application if you need it. The best alternative might be to call Gary
Springer at 603-271-2147. Gary works in
the Shorelands Protection Section of the NH Wetlands Bureau and should be able
to answer your questions.
The state has notified us that they will inspect the dam this year and we have requested that the inspection be made in the fall, when the water level is down and the inspection can be most thorough. Bruce’s inspection indicates that the dam is in fine shape and will be cleaned and repaired if needed in the fall.
Water Quality
The water quality of the lake continues to be as good as or better than most other lakes in the state … and we still have no exotic weed growth! Bill Hallahan’s testing team is already hard at work and the first water test for the ’03 season was conducted on May 27. Additional tests are scheduled on July 1 and 29, August 26, and September 30. NHDES will assist with the July 29 test. Bill reports that the cost for testing has been increased significantly by NHDES, in response to some issues that include a reduction in state funding.
Water quality will continue to have a very high
priority in our association planning and activities. Since we are still free from exotic aquatic
weeds, our primary conservation efforts will focus on PREVENTION, through
monitoring lake access and the continuing vigilance of our weed watcher
teams. These efforts are critical,
because if prevention fails, it forces us into control … and we don’t want to go there. You too can help in our prevention efforts,
so read on!
Don Hall attended the annual meeting of the NH Marine Patrol and reports that exotic weed issues dominated the agenda. The same was true at a recent DES seminar attended by Bill Hallahan. Milfoil continues to spread and is now found in many NH lakes. In addition, Brazilian Elodes (an exotic weed new to this area) is making its presence felt. It behaves much the same as milfoil and grows as high as 25’. Given the spread of exotic weeds, the state and many lake associations are quite naturally trying to expand efforts to control that spread. State funding for milfoil has been cut back dramatically, which places even more of the financial burden for control on to the shoulders of the lake associations.
Right now, there are 3 popular ways to control the spread of these
weeds; harvesting, blanketing, and chemical treatment. Harvesting is a reliable control method, as long as
it is done early. The state is hoping to form dive teams to harvest
exotic weeds. Blanketing can be
effective in limiting spread, but neither of these methods eliminate the weed
itself … and that is the problem! Chemical
treatment has, in some places, actually eliminated the milfoil weed, but is
expensive and has other downsides. We
have been told that lakes exploring the use of chemical treatment find that the
cost is in the range of $20,000 per 100 acres. In case you are wondering, that
would put Blaisdell in the $30,000 range were we ever forced to consider this
method for control.
Is it any wonder then that your board is focused on PREVENTION? We have a great lake and we want to keep it
that way!
What Can I Do To Help?
A number of folks have brought up this important question, and the board has a few thought to pass on:
· Clean your boat and trailer thoroughly before launching it, especially before and after you transport it to another body of water.
· Be sure that boats and trailers from your visitors or renters are inspected and cleaned before launching them.
· Keep your eyes peeled when you are out on the lake and report any suspicious weed growth; things you haven’t seen before.
· Take a sample if you can. Cut the weed with a knife, put it into a plastic bag or moist towel, keep it damp and cool, and get it to Bill Hallahan (or one of his Weed Watchers). They will arrange for DES analysis.
· Get involved! Talk with Bill and volunteer to help out on the weed watch … or talk with Carrie Godkin and volunteer to help with the boat inspection team at Wright’s Beach. Neither job will take much of your time … but it will make oh so much difference to our water quality efforts!
Exotic weeds, like milfoil, will dramatically downgrade water quality, the habitat for fish and game, and our property values. Together, we can work to stay weed-free and keep our lake as one of the highest quality in the state … but we need your help!
At its May meeting, the board appointed Carrie Godkin to chair an ad hoc committee to investigate and address the issue of access to the lake for boats using the Wright’s Beach ramp. Most of these boats are “traveling” boats that are launched for a day of fishing and then moved elsewhere. The exotic weeds found in other lakes are often put there by a traveling boat, and this fact moves the lake access issue to the top of our weed prevention efforts.
Beginning June 7, and continuing on weekends throughout the summer, the Wright’s Beach ramp will be staffed by a BLPOA “Host”. The Host will welcome the boater, inspect the boat and trailer with the owner, accept the launch fee, and unlock the gate to the ramp. Carrie and her team are planning to staff each weekend with BLPOA volunteers on 2-hour shifts. All of this is being done with Estelle Rooney’s permission and support.
The work is easy, pleasant (and frankly, relaxing!). Give Carrie a call at 938-5457 to let her know when you can help out. Remember, “an ounce of (weed) prevention is worth a pound of (milfoil) cure! We need your help.
Water Safety
Don Hall, our resident Marine Patrol Auxiliary Officer and water safety
director, has some important reminders for all of us and for our guests:
·
As of 1/1/03, anyone between the age of 16 and 26, operating a
ski craft or a boat powered by more than 25 HP, must have a valid Safe
Boating Education Certificate (those under the age of 16 are
prohibited from operating such ski craft or vessels
·
Adhere to NH Navigational Rules!
Of particular concern on Blaisdell is “Headway Speed” (no wake, max 6
mph). You must not exceed headway
speed when within 150 feet of shoreline, swimmers in the water, rafts, floats
or docks, etc. That’s 150 feet, folks … 50 yards, half a football
field, 10 car lengths! In other words,
let’s all slow down when we’re in close.
·
It is the operator, not the type of boat, craft, or water toy, who is
responsible for accidents and mishaps.
Vigilance and common sense are the keys to enjoyment. Have fun, but be safe!
Safe
Boater Education Certificate (SBEC)
It’s the law!
You must now possess a valid SBEC if you are between 16 and 26 years old
and operate a ski craft or a boat powered by more than 25 hp. We’ll all have to have one by January 1, 2008
… and there are several ways to meet requirements.
To Get Your Own SBEC
In a classroom …
Call 1-888-254-2125 or 603-293-2645
Or visit www.state.nh.us
then click on Mandatory Boating Education for a
schedule of classes
Over the Internet …
Go to www.boat-ed.com/nh
By instructional video …
Call 1-800-830-2268 for information
Many insurance companies offer a discount on SBEC completion, so check it out!
You can pick one of these up wherever NH fishing
licenses are available, or you can call toll free to 1-877-642-9700. Be sure to have a copy in your home or your
boat. You’ll certainly find that it comes in handy, especially when you get
ready for your SBEC test! The Marine
Patrol’s website is www.state.nh.us/safety
A ski craft is “a vessel less than 13 feet long
that is capable of exceeding 20 mph and has the capacity to carry no more than
an operator and one more person”. Ski
craft may be operated only by persons who are 16 years old or older and who
have a valid Safe Boater Education Certificate as required by the schedule
found in the New Hampshire Boater’s Guide.
Betty Blodgett reports that we have 93 members on the roll right now and that she wants to see that number grow in the year ahead. The 93 represents an increase of more than 16% over the prior year … and we thank you all for your continued support. Lets’ keep it up … and talk it up! Encourage your friends and neighbors to join us if they haven’t already.
Your membership dues notice is included in this
mailing, so please take the time to fill it out, update your personal
information (like your e-mail address if you are willing to share it), and mail
it back to Betty right away.
For those of you wondering, this year’s “Ice Out”
date was April 20 and Bill Hallahan won the pool (well, who else knows more
about Blaisdell water!). Estelle Rooney
(who must know more than even Bill) had the 21st and just missed out
on the $20 payout … better luck next year, Stell! Leon Malan, our Iron Man, reports that he
swam in the lake on ice out day, which for him has become an annual
event. Isn’t it too bad there was no
crowd to root him on? Maybe next year
for you too, Leon!
Stell was hospitalized during the winter, but has
now returned to her home and is recuperating quite nicely. She is up and about, but hasn’t spent much
time out doors and is looking forward to some warm, dry weather (aren’t we
all!). She recently enjoyed a visit from
her brother, Don Wright, who grew up with her at the lake, but now lives in
California.
You can send a card or note to Stell at 239 Rte 114, Blaisdell Lake, Bradford, NH
03221 … or even stop by for a quick hello.
In Memoriam … Dick Bailey
We are sorry to report that Dick Bailey, a
well-known lake resident, passed away in January. Dick was the 6th BLPOA president
(1955) and served several terms as a director. He was a talented teacher and
craftsman, and was a friend to many around the lake and its environs. He was always willing to pitch in and offer a
helping hand, without ever expecting anything in return. His daughter, Gail Olson, is our immediate
past president, and his son Rick, a former director. Our respects and sincere sympathies go out to
the Bailey, Olson, and Swinerton families.
The Blaisdell News Needs News!
Our next edition will be sent out in mid-September
and we would love to have it chock full of news from YOU. Please call or write Dave Young (938-2066 or jadyoung@mcttelecom.com
) with the stories that made your summer memorable. We’ll do our best to share
them all … at least the ones that are printable!
That’s it for now
… please
feel free to contact any officer or board member with questions or suggestions:
|
’02-’03 Board of Directors
Contact List President: Dave
Donovan 938-5306 Gail Olson 988-2446 Vice President: Chan Blodgett 938-2965 Moe Geoffrion 938-5922 Treasurer: Clerk: Dave Young 938-2066 Jane Pratt 938-5448 Dam: Membership: Betty Blodgett 938-2965 Norm
Forand 938-5843 Water Quality: Bill Hallahan 938-2339 Peg Demone 938-5484 Water Safety: Don Hall 938-2525 Floyd Mundy 938-2331 Emeritus: Estelle Rooney 938-5362 Carrie Godkin 938-5457 You can write to BLPOA at our business address: PO Box 453, South Sutton NH
03273 |
SEE YOU AT THE ANNUAL MEETING … AND THE DOG HOUSE
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER
… ENJOY THE LAKE!!