Annual Meeting - 2023

Annual Meeting Minutes
Thorndike Pond Conservation Association
Saturday, August 5, 2023 10:30am via Zoom
 

• Approximately 30 households participating, including board members Steve Magoun, Liza Frantzis, Amy McGregor-Radin, Jim Brouder, Jinnie Russell, Jim Potter. David Nash was not able to attend.
• New member introductions - Molly Mansfield introduced herself and will be taking an active role on behalf of her family.
• Deceased members - A moment of silence was held for Judge Ed Ginsburg, Sally Austermann, and Earl Silbert.
• Properties bought and sold - Marie Bolles’ home at 224 Gilson Road sold last fall to Greg and Susan Hunt. 

As a reminder, it is customary to let the TPCA know about a home that is to be up for sale prior to public notice.
 

Old Business

• Approval of 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes - Jim Potter moved to accept them, Liza Frantzis seconded and members voted to
  accept by show of hands.
• Reports - 
   

Treasurer-Amy McGregor-Radin.  Largest expense is Lake Host salaries, augmented by a grant from NH Lakes Assn. Donations and dues up slightly. 30% dues have been sent in, reminders will go out. Biggest change was investment of $100,000 in government bonds through Fidelity Investments. Worksheet appended to these minutes.

Waterfowl report-Anne Banghart.  One goose family with 3 goslings. Fencing is working where in place: 2’ high chicken-style fencings recommended. Consider helping neighbors with fences. No babies from loon; 3 spotted early this year; 1 more recently. John Brouder taking over leadership of committee from Anne Banghart.
 

Water quality testing -Jonathan Birge—report appended
 

Dam report-Jonathan Birge-report appended.  Working group to be formed; Peter Russell, Jinnie Russell,Lisa Frantzis, Tammy
Fortune, Wm. “Pepper” Denman, and Jonathan Birge. They will make a recommendation to board/members. Last renovated in 2013 exceeding NH requirements, which included creating an “impoundment” style rather than a spillway model. A hydrologist was hired in 2011; modeled a 50 and 100 year flood design. TPCA opted for a 100 year level renovation for the 2013 work. Camp Wa-Klo is especially impacted by high water levels; pond-side cabin and pathways. 1” of rain equals approximately 5” of additional water in pond 24 hours later due to size of our watershed and direct rain. State Dam Bureau is most concerned with safety of homes and surrounding roads, bridges of dams. Ours is considered a “low impact” dam.
 

Weed-watching-Jim Potter (full report appended to minutes).  2023 team: Jim & Anne Banghart, Eve Share Banghart, Emily Carr, Alisa Nash, Roberta Schnoor.  Reports are logged monthly, but anything raising questions is addressed immediately. 2 photos submitted to the NH Dept. of Environmental Services on 7/26/23; still waiting for a response.  The plants in the photos do not match known invasive species.  Volunteers needed!

Lake Host-Jim Potter  For 2023 the TPCA lake host leadership team is:  Lake Host coordinator + Paid Lake Host Manager - Jim Potter; Volunteer coordinator – open (Skip Cornelius is taking a one year break from this.)  Camp coordinator - John Brouder
Grant writing, administration, including entering timesheets + boater data - Paul Santos Amazing success in recruiting - 8 paid hosts! Covering most of the hours we have identified as critical (early mornings and late afternoons M-F, and all day on weekends and holidays).  We offer up to 62 hours per week of paid lake host time and all of them are getting $15/hour.  Wa-Klo covering 2 hours per day, mid-day, Monday through Wednesday.  Thank you to the volunteers—lake hosts and behind the scenes! You are providing a valuable service to the pond and are also helping increase our potential grant for paid Lake Hosts next year. Contact Jim Potter to volunteer.

New Business
 

Ratification of actions taken by the board- Jim Banghart moved to ratify actions over past fiscal year; Fred Mansfield
seconded. Members approved, none opposed.
 

Permit Reminders - Steve M. reminded all of the requirements for state and/or town permits for construction, paving, septic, water’s edge work, fires, campfires, tree work and docks.
 

Call for volunteers / Activities performed by the Association.  QR Code to learn about opportunities

Request for dues - Members agreed to keep dues at the $200 level after Jim Banghart motioned and Lisa Frantzis seconded.
 

Election of Officers and Board Members

• Jim Potter presented the slate. Skip C. motioned to accept; Phil Bailey seconded. Slate was approved. No discussion and no nominations from the general membership. Officers approved listed below.

Other business - Questions, Concerns, Additional Topics of Discussion
 

The question was raised about distance motorboats must stay from swimmers and paddlers; Jim Banghart responded that motor boaters must remain 150 feet from anything; shore, boats, swimmers, etc. They must pass at “wake speed” which is idling as slow as possible without being in neutral.  Tammy Fortune wants anyone to report any boating problems caused by their motorboats. Each driver is well-trained in the proper use and safety is their top priority. 978-225-3292 tammy@campwaklo.com
 

Speed limit on Gilson and Thorndike Pond is 25mph, please heed it.

Road repairs: John Brouder spoke with the Jaffrey Road Manager about repair material used for culverts around the pond which may affect pond environment. The town uses the same locally sourced materials for all Class 6 roads and is unlikely to change their methods. Tammy Fortune mentioned a rumor that the Thorndike Pond Road/Page Road bridge may not be maintained by the town of Dublin. She will look into that.
 

Cheshire Historical Society has exhibit on history of area summer camps. The society welcomes old photos of Thorndike Pond camps/campers, which they would scan for archives.
 

Cocktail Party tonight! Thanks to The Russells for hosting.
Adjournment at 11:52am

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