Section 7.1 The years 2020-2024
Subsection 7.1.1 The year 2020
The annual meeting was held at the home of Dotsy and Russ Miles [property 236-28]. As it was the first year of the COVID pandemic, it was bring your own camp chair, mask, snacks and refreshments. The decision was made to forego the potluck social.
A number of new faces at this meeting. There was the usual financial report, a decision to suspend dues again for the year, and Dave Szczesiul gave a summary of the water testing. The detailed report is available.
Subsection 7.1.2 The year 2021
The annual meeting was held at Linda and Tom Shemanske’s [property 236-25]. At least with vaccines in use, most people felt comfortable gathering outside.
Water testing costs were increasing, $144 this year for a single test. The detailed report showed increases in conductivity and turbidity, but stable pH. The highest E. coli reading was 4 at the outlet; the State restricts swimming at beaches when E. coli numbers reach 88. Dave Szczesiul commented that heavy rains a few days prior to testing probably contributed to the turbidity. He says the State will test for dissolved oxygen which will be a better indicator of the health of the Pond. The water report indicated the presence of reeds (Phragmites?) growing on the eastern shore by the northern peninsula. Karin Nicoll [property 243-06] volunteered to help with the water testing next year and to compile testing results over the years in a spreadsheet.
Bruno Soucy [property 236-16] volunteered to use his snowmobile to create a path around the Pond for cross country skiing. A new winter social was proposed for late January or February.
Subsection 7.1.3 The year 2022
The annual meeting had been scheduled for Dotsy and Russ Miles’ home, but COVID intervened and it was held at Shemanske’s that year.
Water testing was missing E. coli results, but otherwise seemed stable. Karin was fine-tuning the spreadsheet to give us a broader perspective on water quality trends. Craig Beckerleg [property 236-33] brought up concerns about an increase in weeds, in particular native milfoil at his property. There was some discussion about testing both in spring and late summer.
There were no dues collected again this year.
Rose and Paul Mitchell were looking for volunteers to replace them as President and Secretary-Treasurer. The following offers were made:
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Directors: Tom Shemanske, Mike Stanhope
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Treasurer: Ken Nicoll
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Secretary: Linda Shemanske
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Water Testing: Dave Szczesiul, Karin Nicoll
It was decided that we would like to repeat the winter social again in the winter of 2023. Soucy’s [property 236-16] and Stanhope’s [property 236-23] coordinated the fireworks display, the cost of which was offset by individual donations, and not from the Association coffers. Ideas for activities for the winter social can be directed to Linda and Tom Shemanske, Rose Mitchell or Karin Nicoll.
Late Fall Updates: In attempting to change signatories for our accounts at Sugar River Bank, it was discovered that the original Property Owners’ Association of Stocker Pond was no longer in good standing with the State for failing to file annual paperwork. As a result, we currently do not have access to those funds. Ken Nicoll has been working to determine the State requirements for us to reincarnate ourselves as a new Stocker Pond Association. More information will be forthcoming in early 2023.
Subsection 7.1.4 The year 2023 (A new beginning)
With our troubles accessing the funds of the Property Owners’ Association of Stocker Pond, a number of residents organized a Zoom meeting on February 4 with the intent of assessing interest in trying to create a new not-for-profit organization to represent the Stocker Pond community. Attendees were Ken & Karin Nicoll, Mike & Pam Stanhope, Dave Szczesiul, Paul & Rose Mitchell, Bonnie Glovaski, Josee Dupuis, Eric Kolaczyk, Jeff & Kathy Peterson, Mike & Becky Niklas, Cuyler Gauthier, Kathleen Stewart, Tom & Linda Shemanske.
It was resolved to go forward with the effort with Ken Nicoll taking the lead in producing the necessary documents which would be signed at the upcoming Winter Stocker Pond party.
The application to form the new not-for-profit organization (Stocker Pond Community Association) was signed and subsequently submitted to the State. We have the following official documents:
The fall meeting: September 9, 2023
Subsection 7.1.5 The year 2024
Subsubsection Barton Hill Conservation Project
From their website (https://www.ausbonsargent.org/), Ausbon Sargent "started a campaign to raise funds to protect 151 acres on Route 114 in Grantham, which abut the protected Reney Memorial Forest. This property is called "Byron Barton Woods" and it provides beautiful scenic views visible across from the rest area on I-89 in Springfield. The NH Wildlife Action Plan shows a portion of this property as ranking high for significant wildlife habitat, which includes rare cliffs and talus slope. The landscape is a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees with good soils for long-term forest resiliency. As part of the Sugar River watershed, this property will aid in the protection of this important resource. Lastly, there is an opportunity for low-impact recreation along the existing snowmobile trail, and future trails that can tie into the 400-acre Reney Memorial Forest. We hope you will find value in this property that not only protects our treasured wildlife, but also our important watershed, and beautiful scenic vistas for those traveling through our region."
In May, DividedSky Farm hosted an informational session with Ausbon Sargent regarding the land trust’s efforts to purchase and conserve the Byron Barton Woods property. A number of Stocker Pond Community Association were in attendance. After the meeting, Robin Johnston asked Treasurer Ken Nicoll whether the SPCA would consider making its own contribution to Ausbon Sargent to assist with the purchase of that property. The Association polled its members offering options of $0, $1,000, or $2,000 for a contribution from our reserves. The majority vote was for $2,000 and the contribution was made by Treasurer Nicoll on July 1.
The Grantham Conservation Committee had already donated $10,000 of its monies to this effort and was attempting to make a second contribution.
Subsubsection Are the white pines dying?
Quoting from a press release (June 10, 2024) from the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
White pine trees in New Hampshire have been dropping needles, but that is to be expected after last year’s rainy late spring and summer, according to the N.H. Forest Health Bureau.
For the past 15 years, pine forests across the northeast have been affected by several fungi that attack pine needles, causing them to discolor and to cast off of the trees prematurely. Collectively, the group is referred to as "needlecast diseases."
The recurring disease currently affecting white pines has been named "white pine needle damage" by pathologists.
"The fungi that cause white pine needle disease depend on above-normal precipitation during the spring and summer of the previous year, and we certainly had that in 2023, which is why WPND seems epic this year," said Kyle Lombard, administrator of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands’ Forest Health Bureau.
WPND is highly unlikely to kill white pines. Instead, it’s a minor setback in the tree’s annual growth cycle, usually affecting only the most recent year’s needles.
"Folks shouldn’t panic if they see white pines with orange or brown needles, or even if there are so many needles dropped that you can rake them up," Lombard added. "Once the affected needles have cast off, new needles will start growing in their place, fully elongate in July and the trees will be green again in August."
For more information about white pine needle damage, visit nhbugs.org.
New Hampshire’s Division of Forests and Lands is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. NHDFL’s mission is to protect and promote the values provided by trees, forests and natural communities. This mission is accomplished through responsible management of the state’s forested resources; by providing forest resource information and education to the public; and through the protection of these resources for the continuing benefit of the state’s citizens, visitors, and forest industry. Learn more at nhdfl.dncr.nh.gov
Subsubsection The Fall Meeting, September 7, 2024
Subsubsection The Little Free Library
As discussed at the annual meeting, the Little Free Library came into existence on November 22. Mike Stanhope transformed a donated doll house into the wonderful structure pictured below. The Gurin’s gave permission to locate the library on their property at 74 Stocker Pond Road.
