Section 4.1 The years 1990-1994
Subsection 4.1.1 The year 1990
The year was notable for the successful petitioning to ban water skicraft on the Pond; the ban was effective December 31, 1990.
The Town of Springfield apparently sanctioned the developers of the Palazzi Pond property who wanted to build single family homes and condominiums on the property, though the reasons for the sanction were not specified in the minutes.
The condition of Stocker Pond Road, always an issue, was further exacerbated by the resignation of the Town’s road agent in the middle of winter.
To my knowledge, Jan Brandeen and Cathleen Narowitz were the only people who actually sent notice to the Association to construct a home on their property: 128 Stocker Pond Road. In that note they raised a number of interesting questions about the procedures of the Association. Quoting from page 2 of the meeting minutes:
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For several years now, we have attempted to get an answer to our question about voting privileges, raising the matter each time we sent in our dues. Is there only one vote per household, or is there one vote for each adult member of the household? … We have also wondered if the dues covered the household, or whether each of us should pay the dues. We have decided to withhold payment of our dues to the Association this year until we have received an answer to our questions.
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We feel that issues that require a vote from the members of the Association ought to be announced prior to the meetings to allow for a more careful consideration and an opportunity for a more informed discussion. Therefore we are not filling out the proxy which enclosed with your letter. While in most instances, we would probably vote with the majority, there may be times when we disagree and want to reserve the right to vote accordingly. The proxy does not allow for that expression.
Subsection 4.1.2 1991
Real Estate Offering! An interesting flyer with a photo advertising property 236-014 on Lumber Lane. Note the amenities still include Water: pumped from Lake, and Sewer: Metal Holding Tank/Dry Well.
The annual meeting addressed many of the usual matters, but floating logs, overhanging trees, and aquatic vegetation had renewed interest. In a surprise perhaps to nobody but the Town Selectmen, a letter was received indicating that the road on the east side of Stocker Pond was now to be called Stocker Pond Road. The Association brought the matter of aquatic vegetation to the State who replied "There are many pros and cons to controlling aquatic weeds. Probably the most important question is, when is an aquatic weed a nuisance or what weeds are beneficial to the lake and which are not. If weeds appear to be a nusisance in front of one’s cottage, raking is the most cost-effective means of creating a family swimming area. Other techniques are more costly and may require permitting."
It was hand-written on the above letter that a possible method of vegetation control was the use of an "aqua screen", a fabric placed on the bottom of the Pond in the spring to inhibit growth and removed in the fall.
Subsection 4.1.3 1992
A passing of the torch. The newly elected president, Thain Allan [property 236-025], and secretary-treasurer Fred Parsons [property [236-032], offered sincere thanks for the work of Alan and Barbara Eckbreth who had served as President and Secretary-Treasurer since 1988.
Bylaws were reexamined, and no changes proposed. There was some serious discussion needed as the original bylaws said that only those who owned property on Stocker Pond could be full voting members. It was agreed that those property owners on the east side of Stocker Pond Road were to be considered full voting members as they had deeded right of way to the Pond. As to how votes were to be counted, and the Association kept the rule of one lot, one vote.
It was voted to erect a sign about milfoil at the "most used" launch site on the Cote and Reney Lumber yard property.
The deeds of properties sold by the Three C’s Development, Inc. on the east side of Stocker Pond Road, the so-called backlots, describe their deeded access to the Pond. Extracting from the deed for property [236-52], we have: "Together with a right-of-way over other land now or formerly of the The Three C’s Development, Inc. for the purpose of reaching the shore of Stocker Pond with the further right to use said shore for all purposes incident to boating and swimming. The right-of-way, including shore frontage rights herein granted, shall not be less than fifty-two (52) feet in width."
From the October 1, 1955 drawings of the Three C’s Development, Inc, the right-of-way granted to the backlots is all of property [243-03] of which the path currently used for snowmobile access is a small part. The property was originally owned by Gretel Cole who on October 23, 2008 passed it to Gretel Judith Taylor for the price of $0. The property remains listed in the Town’s assessing records as having $0 appraised value.
Subsection 4.1.4 1993
A number of interesting topics arose throughout the year and at the annual meeting. Noteworthy is that President Thain Allan and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Parsons "stressed the first reason for the existence of the association: to be in a position to act quickly and effectively, as necessary, to protect the interests of the membership. To that end, the membership is requested to keeps eyes and ears open to any news and/or events that might have a bearing on our livelihood at Stocker Pond. Anything of interest should be directed to the officers of Stocker Pond. …." In a letter to the Association members, Thain Allan amplified saying that "Of particular importance would be any planning, zoning, or board hearings with respect to subdivision or other significant development plans for property around the pond and its watershed."
[This suggests a web page for the Association containing news and a restricted access email link to the directors].
Adding significance to this request was the offering of the "old Howard property" [property 236-019] which had previously been purchased by developers with the intent of constructing condominiums. The property was once again for sale and being actively marketed by the realtor. A note went out to the Association to determine if there was interest in purchasing property (either by the Association or a subset as a new entity). While there was some interest, Mauri and Robert Schwartz asked a number of direct questions including:
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How would the title to the property be held?
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For those who participate in the purchase for the property, how will the investment be protected? Will there be shares in a corporation? Will there be a setup like a cooperative?
The Schwartz’s go on to say that having just purchased their own property [proterty 236-012], they were somewhat cash poor, but suggested that even as "new kids on the block", they would like to see Stocker Pond as well as the land around it, well taken care of and treated respectfully.
[We note that eventually that property as well as a significant number of other parcels were purchased by the Schwartz’s to protect them from development.]
There was significant discussion regarding the adoption of a bumper sticker which would identify residents of Stocker Pond analogous to the Eastman "E" which is used by their local security force. The Grantham police were definitely in favor, and a sticker was produced, but it seems it was never implemented. Of course as more owners of property have become full-time residents, there were fewer concerns about non-locals in the area.
A larger scale weed control project fund was proposed, suggesting annual contributions of 50 to 100 dollars per year in case the need arose for more dramatic action to control aquatic vegetation. It was suggested as a topic for the 1994 agenda.
Jack English and Warren Heinzelmann were both honored for significant past efforts on behalf of the Association.
Subsection 4.1.5 1994
Another relatively uneventful year. The water quality in the Pond continues to be good, though the State would like the Association to take water samples for analysis more than once per year. "A friendly but heated discussion concerning the level of the" Pond occupied some of the annual meeting with advocates for a lower level desiring beach area and those opposed said it contributing to expanding aquatic vegetation. In the end of course, it is the beavers who control the water level. Still in the 90s, Fish and Game would often remove beaver dams, but without removing the beavers from the area, that was a fairly futile task.
While the Association had pushed the idea of SPA bumper stickers to identify the cars of property owners and had support from the police department, the owners themselves were generally unwilling to fill out information forms that would be held by the police.
