Great East Lake Improvement Association Annual Meeting at Week’s Park July 11, 2009 10:00 am

The meeting was called to order by President Bess Smith at 10:10 am followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Secretary’s Report
Minutes from July 2008 annual meeting were accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report
Bill Hohenberger gave the treasurer’s report as follows:
As of June 30th, $11, 945 has been collected in membership dues and $2,665 for the Invasive Species Defense Fund. A total of $4000 has been made in contributions. Assets: Total of $56,353.11 which includes the ISDF of $32,775.40 The report was accepted as read.

Nominating Committee
Doug Smith listed the slate of officers and directors for 2009-2011 Bess Smith, President; Jennifer Craig, Vice President; Chris McKay, Treasurer; Gene Rosenthall, Secretary; Linda Schier, Past President; Director Walt Neff (for one year); Janet Gould, Chuck Hodsdon, Marcia Hodsdon, Bill Hohenberger, Dee Kasprzak, Dave Mankus, Ron McKay, Doug Smith, Dorothy Smith, Pat Theisen, and Stephanie Theisen. The slate was voted on and passed by the membership.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Water Quality
Chuck Hodsdon invited members to take a copy of the water quality report issued by UNH. Chuck and Dave Lafond take samples every few weeks and send them to UNH for analysis. He reported that algal growth was low last year compared to other years. Dissolved oxygen – measured for past two years – was maintained all season and will continue to be good this year because the temperature of the water is still 20 degrees centigrade. Maine and NH are discussing whether the phosphorous level in GEL is increasing to more than it should be to keep the lake in the category it presently is in. The readings have been around 8 ppb. New Hampshire maintains that a high quality water lake can have readings up to 10 ppb; Maine’s standard is up to 8 ppb. Since phosphorous gets into the lake by way of septic systems, fertilizer, sand and dirt, Chuck stressed the importance of keeping those substances out of the lake.

Lake Hosts
Linda Schier explained that the Lake Hosts greet boaters launching at the Maine boat launch and inspect the boats, propellers and trailers for any invasive materials. The paid staff has been working this season since May 22nd. Linda introduced Kaitlin McKay who is the Lake Host captain. Our program is funded by both Maine and NH. The paid Lake Hosts include Kaitlin and Courtney McKay, Nick Lee, Scott Mrazik, Ashley Lizotte, Jay Fugarazzo and Tessa Venell. The Volunteer Lake Host hours have changed from 6:00 am to 10 am to being throughout the day so can volunteers are paired with paid staff.

Weed Watchers
Dorothy Smith spoke for the group, asking that Weed Watcher volunteers sign up again so that the database can be updated. There is an Invasive Plant Patrol workshop in Acton on July 14 sponsored by Great East Lake and the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (MVLMP) Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants. Members have the opportunity to sign up for the program at the Weed Watcher table.

Membership
Gary Field, who has been the membership coordinator for the past six years, praised members for responding to the membership drive and mailing their dues early. To date there are 354 members plus about 20 more signing up at the meeting today. More than half of the properties around the lake have contributing members. Recently there have approximately 400 members by the end of the summer season.

Loons
Carol Lafond reported two chicks hatched from the nest in the Scribner River. The loons on Loon Island are on the nest. Carol requested help from anyone living near the island to monitor the area and let her know when the chicks hatch. The loons in the 2nd Basin left the nest so therefore those won’t hatch. The Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) is requesting help with the loon census, and to see Carol at the LPC table after the meeting to become involved.

SPEAKERS

GEL Watershed Survey
The Great East Lake/Lake Ivanhoe survey is part of the Watershed Based Management Plan for the lakes in the Salmon Falls watershed which also include Horn Pond, Lovell Lake, and Wilson Lake. The plan makes recommendations to the towns and lake associations as they look forward. This grant funded plan includes a review of water quality data, land usage through computer modeling, the surveys, and town ordinances –with suggestions how to protect water quality through development. The report should be completed in September.

The watershed survey enlisted 47 volunteers who walked throughout the watershed on June 13. Those present at the meeting who participated in the survey stood to be applauded for their efforts in attending the training, taking part in the June 13th survey, and follow up surveying. The purpose of the survey is to see where sand or soil is entering the lake, so help can be offered to rectify the situation. Few major problems have been found, but many small problems were noted. Linda gave the analogy of “death by 1000 cuts”. Those owners of properties on which problems were detected will receive letters offering help from the AWWA (Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance) YCC (Youth Conservation Corps). Anyone who recognizes that there is an erosion problem on their property, and doesn’t receive a letter, is invited to call the AWWA office. Handout sheets showing ways to slow down the water from entering the lake are available at the AWWA table.

A Look at Invasive Species
Amy Smagula from NH DES (Department of Environmental Services) reported that today Great East Lake is free from invasive plants. Prevention, early detection, and rapid response, is what DES advises. Amy praised GEL weed watchers, especially Carol Lafond who spotted one invasive milfoil plant near the boat launch in 2007 and with the guidance of NH DES, removed the plant. Today in New Hampshire there are 73 water bodies infested, 63 lakes with variable milfoil and nine with fanwort. Fanwort likes coastal water bodies; milfoil is most likely, followed by fanwort.

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) is another invasive which produces liver or neurotoxins and may be the cause of cases of ALS in those living nearby. To date, there is no strong correlation with ALS, but Dartmouth-Hitchcock is doing research which will take several years. While clouds of algae are natural; blue green slum is indicative of Cyanobacteria.

Zebra mussels are an invasive currently found in the Berkshires in Massachusetts as well as in Vermont, Connecticut, and New York. They thrive in water bodies with low calcium and algae which GEL doesn’t have; however there are 27 lakes in NH which could be potentially infested. Zebra mussels are the size of pistachio nut with stripes – if seen, Amy urges everyone to report it as they can easily be transported on boats.

Chinese Mystery Snails were introduced in the early 1980’s in NH and is in 27 states. They don’t compete with food yet but could transport pathogens. There is currently no great way to control them.

Laurie Callahan from the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants talked about invasives in Maine. The mission of IAP is to train weed watchers. Laurie mentioned that GEL is hosting an Invasive Plant Patrol workshop in Acton and urged people to register for the program. The focus of Invasive Plant Patrol Program is for early detection – an important force. It provides training and technical assistance; a quick key and field guide are available for free to those who attend a workshop. Seven of the 30 infested water bodies in Maine are in York County. MaineVLMP has begun a new initiative to target water bodies or regions with Weed Watchers offering a program which educates and boosts weed watcher activities for two weeks. Last year Moosehead Lake was targeted because of proposed development in that area. This year they are targeting Acadia and Mt Desert Park.

Announcements
The Town of Acton is working on long-term planning concerns this year. Summer residents are encouraged to participate in two informational sessions on two Saturdays: July 18 and August 1 from 9am-12 noon. These sessions are regarding proposed zoning changes in the Comprehensive Plan which will be voted on in November. If anyone would like more information, please call Tom Cashin at (207) 636-3582.

Calendars
Gary Field announced the winners of the photo contest used in creating the 2010 calendar. This year there were 23 photographers who submitted their photographs. Five judges, including some who had award winning photographs last year, chose the photos to be used in the calendar and this year’s prize winners. The top three winners were awarded a framed copy of their photo with a plaque on the frame. Those whose photos were chosen for the calendar received a free calendar. Gary plans to continue this tradition each year.

Prize winners:
First prize: Elaine Meagher
Second prize: Lennie McKinley
Third prize: Bill Carroll
Best in Special category (Winter): Jennifer Craig - Sunrise on the New Year

Lake Concert
Bess announced the Band Concert, organized and led by Hal Moulton will again take place in the large part of the lake at 7:00 pm, and the band will begin playing as they pass through the Second Basin.

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 am

Other Business
Several members spoke of concern for high speed boats racing back and forth on July 10th with noise so loud that the sheriff could not hear the caller trying to phone in a report. Instances were also mentioned of boats passing within 40 feet of a swim platform and running without lights after dark. Bess reinforced the fact that GELIA is not a regulatory agency. Some individuals could form a committee to explore legislation to control the speed limit. Walter Neff spoke of how to reach the agencies in both states to report problems, and that more magnets will be available next year with the appropriate contact numbers. Walt stressed getting the bow number and description of the boat to give to the sheriff. Phone number: 207-657-3030. The Maine warden is coming today because of a complaint about the July 10 occurrence.

The meeting was followed by the raffle and hot dog lunch. In addition to traditional raffle items, a kayak was donated by Raise-A-Dock which was raffled separately.

Respectfully submitted,
Pat Theisen