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Thorndike Pond
Conservation Association
Annual Meeting - 1978
THORNDIKE POND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Annual Meeting
M/M Kruse Home, Jaffrey, N.H.
August 5, 1978
The meeting was opened by President William Jackson at 11:12 A.M. in the field adjacent to the Kruse veranda. Total head count - 67.
It was moved, seconded and voted that the inclusion of "Alan Winslow" as a director be struck from the minutes of the 1977 Annual Meeting. Exhaustive research having proved that no such person inhabits this region, the mysterious figure is presumed to have been a figment of the imagination of the then Secretary-Treasurer, who shall be unnamed in this presentation in order to protect his reputation as a Jurist in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Treasurer's Report presented by the undersigned, was accepted unanimously and enthusiastically. At fiscal year's end, our cash balances total $2,110.
Vice President Herbert Grant reviewed the voting and subsequent events leading to the selection of the Chemserve Company of Milford, N.H. to conduct a continuing study of the water commencing with the calendar year 1978. This study involves three visits by Chemserve to the Pond each year (after ice-out, mid-July, and post Labor Day), during each of which samples are taken at 22 different stations. The present cost is $500 per year.
Herb Grant then introduced Robert Niedrach, President of Chemserve, who explained the aging process of ponds (eutrophication), which eventually results in a body of water becoming a solid land mass. Normally a very slow process taking thousands of years, it can be expedited dynamically by the effects of over-development and the attendant increase in nutrient input (chiefly phosphates and nitrates). Some lakes in this state have reached the point of serious trouble in a matter of two or three decades. Even though Thorndike now tests acceptably, members are urged to maintain vigilance about any possible "insults" to the Pond: using high-phosphate detergents in washing machines, failing to correct trouble with a leach field, washing a boat with an improper detergent, etc. Mr. Niedrach noted that just 15 pounds of phosphates in 1 billion pounds of water is enough to cause a serious algae condition (Ed. Note:Thorndike contains 4-5 billion pounds of water). The Chemserve program is designed to keep us informed of trends in water quality on a continuing basis, with reports to be made to the membership annually, or more often if the situation calls for it.
Herb Grant then displayed the new Sechi Disc, which he will be using at intervals to maintain a record of water visibility. Herb explained that limited visibility (6 - 10’) is not of itself unusual or worrisome for a pond like Thorndike, which is relatively shallow, mud-bottomed, and surrounded by large pines
As per the request of members attending the meeting, we are listing below laundry detergents containing no phosphates and dishwasher detergents with lowest phosphate contents.
Laundry detergents containing no phosphates:
· Axion
· Pels
· Arm & Hammer
· Borateem,
· Era.
· Also, pure soaps such as: Duz, and Ivory.
Dishwasher detergent with lowest phosphate:
· Electrosol (this has 7.1% Calgon, Finish and Cascade all have 8.7%).
These are New Hampshire packs; they do vary by State so be sure to check the label of whatever you are using.
Herb Grant gave background information on the application of member William Shearer to the Town for variances in the placement of his home and garage in relation to the Pond and also to the northerly boundary with William Fritz. Having sounded the TPCA Board of Directors, Herb stated at the recent hearing on August 1st that the Association felt it necessary to place itself officially in opposition to the granting to Mr. Shearer of variances to the Sub-division and Wetlands ordinances involved. Herb furthered that the Association's action should not be construed as an intrusion into a neighbors' disagreement, but rather as a statement of deep concern for the welfare of the Pond as a whole and for the integrity of the duly-constituted institutions of the Town.
Mr. Shearer explained briefly that he had been unsure of the side boundary and unaware of the 100-foot set-back requirement from the Pond when construction work commenced. He said he had made a mistake, but it was an honest one, ana1 he could not see that any important purpose would be served by requiring him to comply with the ordinances at this stage.
Bil! Jackson then reported that a decision by the Board of Adjustment was expected "sometime next week."
Bill Jackson explained that an unannounced inspection of the dam was made last Fall by the N.H. Water Resources Board, the result of which is that three remedial actions must be taken by the Association:
(1 ) One large and several small trees must be removed,
(2 The northern concrete "L" must be raised several inches to stop end-wash
(3 We must henceforth remove the 11" high spillway plank during the winter months to reduce erosion around the flanks of the dam and to eliminate wash-over at least during that much of the year. Members should understand that these requests will necessitate a full lowering of the water level this Fall (approximately 40" down from full ), and an 8-12" drop in ice level from this winter forward.
Frontage owners are again urged strongly to remove as much vegetation and leaf matter as possible from their shores when the lake is at its lowest in early October
It was moved, seconded and voted that the annual dues be continued at $20 for the fiscal year 1978/79. Your treasurer will appreciate receiving them without further badgering, at 15 cents per badger.
Chairman Roger Whitcomb of the Nominating Committee produced the following slate for the fiscal year August 5, 1978 to August 4, 1979:
· President: William L. Jackson, (repeat)
· Vice President: Herbert B. Grant (repeat)
· Secretary-Treasurer: Frederick T. Ernst (repeat)
· Directors for two years:
o Nell Schofield (repeat)
o Kathleen Frame
Directors previously elected, with 1 more year to serve: John V. Hubbard and Edward M. Ginsburg. All other candidates for high office having been effectively silenced, it was moved, seconded and voted that the Secretary cast one ballot for the slate as presented.
President Jackson noted that ten or twelve white-on-green signs have been placed around Whittemore Island, more or less unobtrusively, to convey to visitors the basic rules prohibiting fires, overnight camping, and trashing.
Ted Ernst reported on the interest of several members to have a study made of the fish population, with special regard to the possibility of introducing new species such as rainbow and brook trout. Arrangements have been made with the Fish & Game Department in Concord to conduct a "fish survey" at their first opportunity (1979), although the opinion of that office and local Warden Ken Warren is that Thorndike is not large enough, deep enough, cold enough in the summertime, nor possessed of the right nutrients to support either breed of trout. Actuality, there have been several unsuccessful efforts since World Was II to stock the Pond with rainbow fingerlings. Ardent angler Bill Schofield then commented that the smallmouth fishing is plenty good enough as it is - at least for the more dedicated fishermen. In any event, it is hoped that the Fish & Game survey report will be available by our next meeting.
Roger Whitcomb remarked on the absence of two buoys in the Narrows and one at "Mother-in-law Rock" off the Ginsburg place. Ted Ernst will contact the Inspector, Robert Roy, to see if spar buoys can be installed at these points.
Heavy indebtedness was expressed to Debbie and Ray Kruse, Jo Benedek, Tom and Louise Kell, and all other blessed souls who conspired to make the entertainment phase of the meeting a resounding success. Ray Kruse claimed and was granted full credit for the meteorology.
Respectfully submitted, Fred Ernst. Secretary