Section 6.1 The years 2010-2014
Subsection 6.1.1 The year 2010
Due to an oversight in scheduling there was no 2010 annual meeting.
Subsection 6.1.2 The year 2011
The water quality remains fairly constant, and no contamination has been noted despite the arrival of a new family of beavers who took up residence in the inlet. Pat Woolson did remind the Association the cyanobacteria blooms are an ongoing risk as the water warms.
In disappointing news, the DES informed Pat Woolson that the ongoing lake monitoring program at the State level did not receive funding. Accordingly, the State’s visit on July 25 will be its last. The is unfortunate since the State maintained a database with a history of the water quality in the Pond going back to the early 1990s. Thain Allan said he would take the reports we have and create our own database so we can continue to have an ongoing record using the information we receive from the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA). The LSPA recommends we continue to test three times per year. More volunteers are definitely needed.
The Grantham Conservation Commission is conducting a Wetlands Survey through the Town and Stocker Pond will be a part of it, including information about the 21+ culverts which direct runoff from the Interstate into the Pond.
There was a brief discussion of perhaps lowering the annual membership from $25, but with the uncertainty resulting from the defunding of the DES monitoring program, it was decided to take no action this year.
Glenda Szczesiul accepted the nomination to serve as President for the next two years as did Thain Allan to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Dave Szczesiul, Pat Woolson, and Maryann Rayno were elected to fill out the directorship.
Subsection 6.1.3 The year 2012
Aside from an update on financial holdings of the Association, the content of the minutes from this year’s meeting are the same as last year’s.
Subsection 6.1.4 The year 2013
While advanced notice of annual meetings has always been sent to Association members, this year’s announcement carried a more serious tone which we summarize.
"The critical purpose of the Stocker Pond Association over the years, has been to oversee and protect the Pond’s ecological health from potential degradation of water quality by pollution coming from surrounding runoff, and from invasive weeds. Although the State of NH’s Department of Environmental Services has responsibility for the oversight of all our our bodies of water, the reality is that its resources are inadequate to keep track of smaller water bodies like Stocker Pond. The current risks to our Pond’s value as a scenic and recreational resource are very real; and degradation of the Pond would further greatly affect each of our property values. In the absence of adequate State resources, it falls to those of us who value Stocker Pond to care for it. It is for this reason that we encourage you to be an active member of the Stocker Pond Association."
Importantly, membership would include:
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At the very least the modest contribution of a membership fee.
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Attendance at the annual summer meeting, at which you will learn of the status of the Pond’s health and the work being done to sustain it—and further, to have your own voice heard on these important issues.
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Hopefully, your active involvement along with Association officers in the work of monitoring and maintaining the Pond’s quality.
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And—importantly—an opportunity to meet and become familiar with your neighbors around the Pond.
The minutes of the annual meeting contained a number of significant points.
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Water quality and aquatic vegetation reports were mixed. While phosphorus levels were comparable to average levels for similar bodies, turbidity and pH had both increased. Perhaps of even more interest, "a representative from the DES was surprised by the level f weed growth, particularly in the inlet area. This year the representative and Pat were unable to take the boat far enough into the inlet to reach the usual testing point at where the townline crosses the property. As a result, the representative said she was to going to recommend that the DES send out the aquatic growth specialists to survey the Pond."
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Thain Allan reported that he had discussions with Melissa White, the Town administrator, and Connie Jones, a member of the Selectboard concerning the Town’s interest in the ongoing management of the Pond. Connie recommended we contact the Grantham Conservation Commission to begin the dialog. As of the meeting date, no reply had been received.
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A lengthy discussion took place regarding the future of the Association and whether it should perhaps be dissolved. In consideration of the ongoing process to involve the Town in monitoring of the health of the Pond, it was voted to affirm the continuation of the Association until the next meeting while a strong effort is made to explore additional help and direction developing and implementing a long-term plan for Stocker Pond.
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As significant number of properties had changed hands or been put up for sale over the past year.
Subsection 6.1.5 The year 2014
There were conversations with the DES to see if the Association could get them to do a new survey of the Pond, noting type and density of aquatic vegetation. Initial conversations were quite encouraging, especially given newer GPS-based technologies for mapping. Unfortunately, budgetary constraints rule and the State DES is already extremely busy mapping water bodies with invasive species of aquatic vegetation to find time to do a survey of native species. It was recommended that it would be expeditious to hire a private firm to do such a mapping. Specific recommendations were made. See the correspondence for details.
The Cote and Reney property was sold. This sale may impact boat access to the Pond which has the potential benefit of limiting boats entering the Pond which may have been contaminated with invasive aquatic vegetation.
Unfortunately all that exists from the annual meeting is an agenda which largely contains the usual items.
