The Stocker Pond Association An historical perspective

In a letter from President Heinzelmann to Commissioner Whitaker, Heinzelmann said the Palazzi Corporation "had been negligent regarding this [Palazzi] Pond, and that the State has also been negligent in not following up this matter to see what has been done."

The Commissioner replied to Heinzelmann’s letter and engaged Palazzi in correcting matters on his pond. On the other hand, the tone of the Commissioner’s letter was somewhat telling. He wrote "I should perhaps comment that the Department’s people feel that but for the pond which the Palazzi Company created as a settling basin, the condition of [Stocker] pond would be a great deal worse." The Commissioner did go on to say he would arrange for a series of turbidity tests to be done for comparative purposes.

By August of 1970, the waters of both Stocker and Palazzi ponds were significantly clearer, and the Stocker Pond Association began to redirect its efforts elsewhere. In an effort to gain some status with the Town and to resolve what some felt was a "discriminatory attitude toward the summer residents", the Association invited the town’s Board of Selectmen to join them for an informal discussion "to clarify our position as non-residents for the community." Also included in this meeting was a discussion of how to coax the Town into better maintaining Stocker Pond Road north of the Cole property.

The August 1971 Association Meeting was less dramatic. Discussions included how the wetlands to the south were contributing the the coloration of the water in the pond, initial efforts to remove logs from the Pond, and formal efforts were taken to have a warrant article placed before the voters to have the Town assume responsibility for all of Stocker Pond Road. Of more interest was report on the proposal to place an earthen dam at the outlet to Eastman Pond which would raise the height of that pond by 15 feet and double its surface area. Concerns were expressed over how this dam would affect the flow of water into Stocker Pond, and of course the issue of safety should the dam ever be breached.

The minutes of the 1972 annual Association meeting recorded a number of changes in the elected directors. Jackson P. English [property 236-030] replaced Warren Heinzelmann [property 236-028] who was warmly thanked for his significant service to the Association, Reverend Robert Carty [property 236-036] was (re)elected Secretary-Treasurer, and Ted Rouillard [Lumber Lane], Don Cole [property 236-026] and Glenn Haskell [property southeast side of the pond] were elected to the board of directors.

Beaver dams were reported at the inlet, Selectmen notified, and it seemed Fish and Game would look into the matter. The State chose to do nothing regarding the condition of the wetlands to the south of the Pond, suggesting a number of private contractors who might help clean up the area with State approval. Many logs were removed from the Pond. The Town agreed to take responsibility of the entire length of Stocker Pond Road, but agreed only to pave it up to Cole’s property, as it remains 50 years later.

In May of 1973, the Association acquired from the Three C’s corporation the triangle of land south of Sanborn Hill Road with the diagonal following the Springfield-Grantham town line. Eventually the western portion would be deeded to the Town and the eastern part developed for a single residence. The first murmurs of controlling activity on the pond arose, with the Association noting that Eastman pond had a 10hp limit on outboard motors, but it was felt water skiers on Stocker Pond should self regulate. Contact was made with the Lake Sunapee Protective Association and Dartmouth to inquire about best practices for septic systems and maintaining water quality. It should be noted that at this time, most properties were used only seasonally, and many if not all drew their drinking water from the Pond.

In a rather long exchange between various State entities and the Association, the issue of regulating the water level in Stocker Pond was becoming clearer. The watershed to the north of the Pond is complex. Eastman and Bog brooks feed into a broad wetland which has two outlets: Stocker Brook which soon joins with the Sugar River, and Stocker Pond. The wetlands to the south flow into Stocker Pond. As a result when the area receives heavy rains, water flows in from three sources: the inlet, culverts directing water off the highway straight into the Pond, and water backing up from the north. This of course accounts for a rapid rise in the water level, which can only subside when Stocker Brook can absorb the excess. The State is unwilling to try to regulate this natural balance.