BLAISDELL LAKE NEWS
2001 FALL EDITION
Published by your BLPOA Board of Directors
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Like all Americans and
people of good will, we were shocked by the September 11 attack on America. The
association wishes to express its heartfelt sympathies to the families and
friends of the victims of the tragedy … and to assure any of you touched
personally by it that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We considered foregoing this
fall publication, but felt some Blaisdell Lake news might feel good right about
now and help to get things back on track.
Many of us have been on the lake through 2 or 3 wars and find it a
source of calm in troubled times. The
lake is a never changing anchor in our lives; one that helps us to reflect in
peace and refresh our spirits.
We never dreamed of being
put to the test again, especially this way, but let us work steadfastly
together to meet the challenges that lie ahead with faith and determination.
Snowmobile Trails
Snowmobile trails on your property must be marked with signs for visibility and safety. Should you not want snowmobilers to use the access roads or trails on your property, post appropriate signage on both sides of the road/trail. Check with
NH
Fish & Game (603-271-3422) for signs and information.
For those of you using ice bubblers to prevent winter damage to your docks, remember that town and state licenses are required. The town license is 50 cents and you should check with the NH Marine Patrol on the other. Bubblers must be posted with visible signs for the safety of those using the lake. Your bubbler should run intermittently and not be left on 24 hrs. per day, since the open water area around your dock need not extend far beyond its posts.
BLPOA Tag Sale
Volunteers Needed!
Please talk with Gail Olson (Tel. 603-938-2446 or write her at PO Box 646, Sutton 03273) if you are willing to chair the next BLPOA Tag Sale (mid-July, 2002). Lots of folks have said they were disappointed there was no tag sale this year, but we lacked volunteers.
We
need you … so please volunteer to help out!
Remember, “many hands make for light work” (or something like that!).
Water Quality
Bill Hallahan reports the lake continues well above average in all water quality testing results. Specific testing is done 4-6 times per season and includes tests for algae growth, transparency/clarity, phosphorous, dissolvents and temperature. In response to concerns expressed at the annual meeting, two additional sets of tests were conducted this fall for MBTE and E-coli, with negligible or “less than negligible” results. Bill is supported in his testing efforts by Dan Morrissey and Mike Gudefin. Our thanks and appreciation go to this very able BLPOA team!
Dan (a highly credentialed Hydrologist in his “real life”) presented an outstanding water quality report at the annual meeting in July. The report shows two noticeable trends that have occurred over the last 10 years: transparency has decreased slightly and there has been a corresponding increase in algae growth. There is, however, no cause for alarm; as we noted above, the lake is clean and healthy! Bill, Dan, Mike (or any member of the board) can provide you a copy of the report should you want to review it.
They stressed the need for a natural buffer between lawns and the water, to constrain erosion and run-off. For those of you with lawns, use a safe fertilizer (if you use one at all). If you’re not sure when/how to clear land, care for lawns, etc., please check with Bill or his team and help to preserve the quality of the lake and its environs.
Weed growth is quite healthy around the lake (which is the way it should be!) and regular inspections show there is currently no “exotic weed” growth that should concern us. The best-known exotic weed is Milfoil, now found in 46 NH lakes. BLPOA efforts to stay ahead of the Milfoil spread have been very successful, thanks primarily to Bill Hallahan. He has stressed the need for education, signage, good boating practices, and vigilance. This summer, he formed and trained a BLPOA Weed-Watcher team, made up of property owners from around the lake. Bill, Mike, Leon Malan, Norm Forand, Pete & Carol Coe, and Nancy Isaacson check their areas weekly, looking for new or suspicious weed growth.
The Milfoil battle is probably our biggest (potential) water quality concern … and we can use your help! You can sign up with Bill (603-938-2339) as a Weed-Watcher, or you can simply bring suspicious weeds to him or his team. Cut the weed as far below the surface of the water as you can (being sure to retain any of the weed above the surface), put it in a clear plastic bag with some lake water to keep it moist. Pass it on right away, or keep it refrigerated (24-48 hrs. tops) until you can get it to Bill.
12 BLPOA members attended a water quality education meeting in Sutton last week, hosted by Bill and his counterpart from the Kezar Lake association. The meeting was facilitated by the NH Department of Environmental Services, and stressed the need for vigilance. It was very informative, but you can rest assured that Bill and his team have already instituted and sustained the recommended practices!
Once again, the key word is vigilance! Next season we should all be on the lookout for suspicious weed growth and clean our boats and trailers carefully before launching (especially after transport). We’ll talk more about this whole issue then.
Water Safety
Don Hall reminds everyone
that the NH Boating Education Law becomes effective January 1, 2002. All persons operating a power boat with a
motor in excess of 15 HP must have a Safe Boating Education Certificate; those
under 17 by 1/1/2002, with other age groups phased-in
annually through 2007. SBEC classes are scheduled throughout the state and are also available on-line. We will have more information on this important topic next spring.
Don reports a safe and sane summer for lake boaters, and along with the board, says thanks for being courteous, watchful and safe. When searching for holiday gifts for the boaters in your family, think of the safety gear necessary to operate your boat; personal flotation devices (one per occupant AND a throwable), rope, anchors, fire extinguishers, etc.
BLPOA By Laws
The recommended By Law revisions were approved at the annual meeting. As a reminder, the key revisions were:
· Lowering of the lake is limited to every five years, unless repairs are required.
· Fiscal year is now May 1 to April 30. (It was July 1 to June 30).
· Voting and Non-voting members are defined. An amendment was approved to allow seasonal residents to become non-voting members.
· Arrears charge policy (for membership reinstatement) was eliminated.
· Clauses added to provide for; 1) dissolution, and 2) restrictions on activities (these clauses were required by the IRS, as part of the non-profit status negotiations).
· Changes to the policy for succession of officers and directors.
A By Law Booklet will be printed next spring, for distribution at the 2002 annual meeting. In the meantime, the draft copy mailed to you in June should answer your questions.
Annual Meeting Update
51 members attended the July 28 meeting at Camp Wabasso! … what a great turnout! After committee reports were presented, the major old business items focused on the formal achievement of Non-Profit status for the BLPOA and the By Law revision proposal. Dave Donovan was thanked for his strong leadership and guidance, as he worked with his team for over a year to conclude all of the requirements. Dave Hansen’s team spent nearly as long, and has brought both the By Laws and Articles of Agreement (required by the state of New Hampshire) up to date and made them reader-friendly. We’re thankful for the talent and commitment from everyone involved in these 2 important projects.
New business centered around the budget, the revenues needed to support it, and the election of officers and directors. A $1,875 annual budget was approved:
Water Quality: Testing and Education $1,000
Administration 300
Achievement Award 50
Dam Registration 100
NH Lakes Association 100
Sutton Rescue 100
Bradford Rescue 100
Contingency 125
Annual Meeting Update
(cont.)
Increases in the line items for Water Quality and Administration support: 1) additional activity in water testing and conservation education, and 2) increased mailings.
A motion to set the BLPOA dues at $20 was approved and the new rate will become effective on May 1, 2002 (the new fiscal year). With a membership base of 80 (give or take), revenues from dues will be approximately $1,600. The balance of the revenues needed will come from fund-raising efforts like the tag sale. Almost all of your dues go specifically to the protection of the lake and its watershed; water testing, water safety, dam maintenance and other property protection concerns.
President Gail Olson announced that Estelle Rooney was appointed Director Emeritus by the board. The appointment recognizes Stell’s long and valued service to the association and ensures we will continue to benefit from her knowledge and counsel. She is one of 2 living founders of the association (Pud Ellsworth being the other), a past president, vice president, clerk … and for the past 15 years, our treasurer. Thanks, Stell … our appreciation and gratitude is beyond measure!
Gail also presented the BLPOA Achievement Award to Camp Wabasso for their long involvement with and support of the association.
Dave Hansen was elected Treasurer, succeeding Estelle Rooney. Norm Forand, Peg Demone and Floyd Mundy were elected to 3-year terms as directors, and Gail expressed kudos to outgoing directors Chan Blodgett, Dave Hansen and Vicki Mandel.
Please feel free to
contact any officer or board member with questions or suggestions:
|
’01-’02 Board of Directors
Contact List (Winter Numbers*) President: Gail
Olson 938-2446 Dan Morrissey 746-5803 Vice President: Dave Donovan 938-5306 Moe Geoffrion 938-5922 Treasurer: Dave Hansen 781-453-9453 Al Byam 413-253-2588 Clerk: Dave Young 746-6611 Jane Pratt 938-5448 Dam: Bruce Ellsworth 746-3446 Mike Gudefin 938-2997 Membership: Betty Blodgett 938-2965 Norm Forand 938-5843 Water Quality: Bill Hallahan 938-2339 Peg Demone 781-344-2363 Water Safety: Don Hall 456-3439 Floyd Mundy 938-2331 *The area code for all numbers is 603, unless otherwise noted You can write to BLPOA at our new business address: PO Box 453, South Sutton NH
03273 |
Have
a safe, healthy, and happy “off-season”
… See you in the spring!!