THE HANCOCK & SAND PONDS

NEWSLETTER Distributed to owners who are concerned about maintaining the quality of the area May 2010

Edited by Cindy Legault

Please join us Hancock & Sand Ponds Association Annual Meeting July 17, 2010, 9:00 a.m. Denmark Municipal Building

Agenda             

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Welcome Secretary’s Report Treasurer’s Report Election of Officers Milfoil and Pond Watchers Report LEA Report Boat Launch Site Usage Loons and Eagles Website E-mail Communication Navigation Buoys Dam Committee Report Donations to LEA, VLMP, COLA Other New Business

Annual Dues Using the attached self-addressed envelope, please enclose your $40 check payable to the Hancock and Sand Ponds Association. Mail by July 1st to Hancock & Sand Ponds Association c/o Carl Harbourt – Treasurer, 54 Kingfisher Way, Denmark, ME 04022 Or bring to the annual meeting. Thank you for your support!

17th Edition

Greetings from your President On March 25 I was hoping the snow had stopped, the birds were arriving, ice was out, loons had returned, it must be spring. This is when our minds shift to the outdoors, returning to open our camps, and thoughts of enjoying the summer fun on our ponds. As we head into summer, be assured that the important routine activities on our ponds will continue this summer as they have in the past. Additional details of these activities are presented throughout this newsletter, we hope you will review them and become involved when you can. These activities include: * Safety buoy placements will occur in early May, * Kelly Bowles will return as our excellent paid Courtesy Boat Inspector stationed at the public launch on Wabunaki Road, * Water quality testing and the exchange of information with local and state officials, * The Dam Oversight Committee will continue to monitor the dam and water levels, * The Pond Watchers Program will continue with new training classes offered -- dates to be announced. The 2010 Hancock Sand Pond Association meeting will be held on July 17th, at 9:00 AM at the Denmark Municipal Building. Our Board has made a commitment to you that annual meetings will be limited to two hours-and that during that time we will complete the published agenda. Please review the proposed agenda and let us know if you would like items added for discussion. I recognize that some issues are more controversial than others. The issue can be introduced and discussed briefly at the annual meeting. If additional discussion is required, a special meeting will be scheduled to address that issue and those who wish to attend may do so. Results from that meeting will be reported to all members. In attempt to establish better communication with our members, we are asking you to send your e-mail address to our HSPA e-mail address: [email protected]. Distributing information via e-mail expedites the distribution of information, is in color, and saves the Association

Page 2 communication costs. Our e-mail database is protected and recipients of HSPA e-mails cannot see the e-mail addresses of other members. HSPA will not share your e-mail address with anyone. Did you know that the HSPA is the envy of other pond associations in our area? HSPA enjoys a 61% membership -- 129 of the 213 property owners on Hancock and Sand Ponds care enough about the quality of our environment and in doing their part to pay their dues. All of our programs depend on your dues. Therefore I urge you, if you have not yet paid your 2010 dues, please send them to: Hancock Sand Pond Association, c/o Carl Harbourt, 54 Kingfisher Way, Denmark, ME 04022. Let’s really beat our 2009 record and go for 100% participation. Your Board invites you to share your thoughts and ideas with us to better enhance our Association. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting. Sincerely yours, Nelson Gouterman, President [email protected] 207-452-2491

HANCOCK AND SAND PONDS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING 11 JULY 2009

Secretary’s Report The thirty-eighth annual meeting of the Hancock and Sand Ponds Association was held at the Denmark Town Hall on 11 July 2009.

Items of Business The Secretary’s report from the 2008 Annual Meeting was read and accepted with one modification. Jesse Dugan was corrected to read Jesse Dubin. The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Income Balance on hand 10 July 2009: $11,690.84. The Treasurer reported he changed the fiscal year to begin 1 July and end 30 June. Approximately 50% of property owners pay their dues. Editors note:

WHAT? Only half of us are paying dues? Election of Officers

The following officers were elected: President: Nelson Gouterman Vice President: Gordon Fuller Treasurer: Carl Harbourt Secretary: Steve Torrey Liability Insurance The State of Maine limits the liability of Lake Associations and their officers for the lake(s) of which they are accountable. However, associations and their officers are not exempt from liability. President Johnson introduced the topic and then proceeded to present various insurance agency coverage packages and their respective costs. The Association believes the dam is a liability. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that a decision to obtain liability insurance will be left to the Board to determine and purchase if deemed appropriate. Dam Committee Dick Johnson introduced Ed Cooper to the members. Ed has been the primary gate controller for the last two years. He and Carl Harbourt have monitored lake levels, precipitation and outflow from Hancock Pond for the past two years. The dam has been inspected and deemed to be in good shape. Boat Wash Station Bill Farrel has worked with LEA and owners of property that surround the public boat landing on Hancock Pond to determine what would be required to build the wash station. He stated that the owner of the property adjacent to the current parking area which consists of land on an embankment has offered to donate the land to the Association. Much discussion was then heard on the availability and the actual use of boat wash stations on other waterways in the area, erosion secondary to a wash station, and maintenance issues of a station if erected. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to continue to pursue the feasibility of a boat wash station for the public boat landing and to pursue the donation of property for that station if it is in the best interest of the Association. The decision to accept the property lies with the Executive Committee. Milfoil Pond monitoring The volunteer program to monitor for milfoil along property shorefronts is up and running. A two-hour training was held last summer for property owners and will be offered again this year by Jesse Dubin. Jesse Dubin continues to monitor the water along the boat landings for milfoil.

Anyone who sees suspicious water weed is encouraged to notify Jesse Dubin or notify the state at 1-800-4524664. Boat inspections at the public boat launch continues during peak launching periods. It was noted that inspectors have no regulatory rights and can only note, caution and encourage boaters and report violations to the regulatory officials.

Page 3 Buoys have been placed within the guidelines set forth by Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands Navigational Aide Program. Dick Johnson and his sub-committee continue to place buoys each spring and remove them in the fall.

LEA Report by Colin Holme Boaters and fishermen in general are diligent in cleaning their boats and motors. It is in their best interest to control the spread of invasive water plants.

Donations LEA A motion was made, seconded, and passed to give a $1600 donation to LEA. Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program A motion was made, seconded, and passed to give a $200 donation to VLMP. Congress of Lake Associations A motion was made, seconded, and passed to give a $200 donation to COLA.

Water Quality Testing by LEA continues at Sand and Hancock Ponds. Due to the heavy rains this year it is expected that the ponds will have higher sediment and particulate levels this summer. The ponds’ water quality overall is good. It is expected that due to the rain, bladderwort and algae levels will be higher this year.

New Business Pond Association Website The Association believes a web site would be informative and improve membership numbers. Mary Stitzell volunteered to chair a new committee to establish and maintain the Pond Association web site.

Watershed Project grants are still available for residential properties until the end of this calendar year. Landowners who wish to reduce storm water drainage into Maine’s lakes and ponds and reduce erosion may wish to consider applying for one of these grants.

Membership dues A number of ways to improve payment of dues was discussed. The President-elect will write and distribute a letter introducing him to Association members and potential members and explain the purpose of the Association. The mailing will include information about the new web site, membership dues and the Maine State Tax deduction that can be applied to dues payments and the Associations plans for the future.

Two lakes in Maine have been reported to be newly infested this year with milfoil. Hancock and Sand Ponds still remain free of observed milfoil.

Two workshops will be held this September 19th at the Sebago town office that are open to the public and sponsored by LEA. Gravel Road erosion prevention and homeowner conservation practices are the topics. Culverts placed by the town of Sebago on Hancock Pond Road replaced old culverts. No new drainage beds were laid. LEA feels the job was done well given the existing conditions of the road and terrain. The Association decided that a targeted mailing to homeowners along Hancock Pond Road would be done to let them know about the availability of LEA grants for erosion control. The Board has this for action. Wabanaki sub-division It was noted that all owners in the division will be required to be Pond Association members.

Recognition of a job well done The Association recognized the long and dedicated service of retiring President, Dick Johnson. Dick served as President for 35 years. The State of Maine Conservation Association presented a certificate of appreciation and the Association presented a buoy as a symbol of appreciation.

HSPA’s Pond Watchers & Milfoil By: JoAnne R. Harbourt

There will be limited access to water frontage for back lot property owners.

I feel like I have beaten you to death with all the dire news about milfoil infestations causing a reduction in property values and a loss of environmental quality. Nothing has changed. We are still surrounded by Maine lakes already infested with milfoil and other invasive aquatic plants, new infestations were discovered in 2009, and it still costs a whole lot of money to control an infestation once it takes hold in a lake.

Navigational Buoys Refer to the newsletter for buoy type explanations.

Instead, I want to tell you of the success we are having here on Hancock and Sand Ponds with our Pond

The right hand side of the sub-division has for-sale signs posted. It is believed that future owners will use these lots primarily for garage and septic fields.

Watchers Program. We have approximately 30 people trained to survey the aquatic plants that grow in their own waterfront zone. The concept is to increase our chances of early detection by having an army of Pond Watchers survey as much of the shallow areas of our ponds as possible each summer—and we need your help. Several Maine lakes have prevented disaster by catching an invasive aquatic plant before it can spread and become entrenched. Of Course, your dues to the Hancock and Sand Ponds Association (HSPA) and the Maine State grant funds allow us to post a paid Courtesy Boat Inspector (CBI) at the public launch on Wabunaki Road. This is an important first line of defense. Last September a CBI stationed at Kezar Lake pulled a fragment of Eurasian Milfoil off a boat from New York preparing to launch into the lake. Our excellent CBI from last summer, Kelly Bowles, will be back on duty again this summer on weekends during high volume hours. Stop by to say hello. Boat inspections and 30 Pond Watchers are not enough! Milfoil will take root wherever sunlight penetrates to the bottom of a fresh water body, and no method for permanent eradication is known. The more survey eyes, the better. Volunteer to become a Pond Watcher. It takes only two hours of training and several hours of survey time each summer to help. We want you to get to know the native plants that grow in the water along your own shoreline, and if it looks new or different—report it! Call or write JoAnne (207) 452-2285, [email protected] to report or volunteer.

Drawing by Ben Leuang

The 26th Annual Maine Audubon Loon Count Results: In Spite of Heavy Rains, Loon Numbers Are Resilient FALMOUTH, Maine, January 14, 2010—Data from the 26th Annual Maine Audubon Loon Count shows that while the population of adult loons held relatively steady in 2009, the number of loon chicks was substantially lower than in 2008 – probably due to extremely wet weather. After analyzing the observations of hundreds of looncounting volunteers, Maine Audubon biologist Susan Gallo estimated that there were 2,753 adult loons and 175 chicks in the southern half of the state – the region where the count’s data was most robust – this past summer.

Page 4 These estimates are based on observations made by over 900 volunteer counters on 311 lakes and ponds across the state over the course of a single Saturday in July. The estimated number of adult loons is roughly the same as was estimated from last year’s loon count. But the number of chicks this year was the 6th-lowest in the count’s 26-year history. Too much rain can be a big problem for loons, and in June and July of 2009, the weather station in Gray recorded almost 20 inches falling on 38 different days. “When lake levels rise after big rain events, nests are flooded and eggs literally float away,” says Gallo, who coordinates the loon count and analyzes its results every year. Maine Audubon is also analyzing loon count data to monitor the long-term effects of climate change. “Loons are connected to northern climates, and Maine is at the southern edge of their range,” explains Gallo. “Over time, data from the loon count has the potential to track changes in the Maine population that may end up being climate-related.” Still, chicks fared better this year than in 2006, another wet summer. It’s also possible that Maine gained more chicks after the day of the count. “Loons do re-nest if their first attempt fails,” explains Gallo, “so it’s likely there were also additional nests later in the summer,” when weather was drier. In spite of heavy rains statewide on the day of the count, 917 participants braved the weather to contribute one more year’s worth of scientific observations. The high rate of participation not only generates more reliable scientific data; it also makes the Maine Audubon Loon Count the biggest wildlife-monitoring project of its kind in New England.

Editor’s note: Maine Audubon reports 3 adult loons on Hancock Pond, 3 adult loons on Sand Pond and one chick on Hancock Pond. To report loon nesting sites, chicks hatched, loon deaths, or loon activity please contact Barbara Tomaskovick-Devey at (207) 647-5838 or via, email at [email protected].

Loony over Loon Cam By: Cindy Legault

Check out a live loon-cam from Minnesota! They set up a man-made floating nest-island equipped with a 24/7 live camera and sound. http://www.mnbound.com/liveloon-cam/ . I watched a loon pair caring for two eggs. Hopefully they will still be there if you tune in.

HSPA and LEA: An Important Partnership By: JoAnne Harbourt Maine has numerous organizations working to keep its waters clean and safe. Some work at the state and local level, such as the Congress of Lake Associations, Town CEOs (Code Enforcement Officers), and Conservation Commissions. Others have a specific area of concern such as Loon Echo Land Trust. These organizations play an important part in protecting our lakes by addressing the big picture through environmental laws and land acquisition. There are two types of organizations that are fundamental to lake protection right in our own backyard, “where the rubber meets the road.” In other words these organizations are out on our lakes winter and summer, working to keep them beautiful. The Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) and our own Hancock & Sand Ponds Association (HSPA) are testing water quality, running milfoil and watershed programs, trying to prevent environmental damage, and educating people about the need to maintain quality lake environments. Some people think that paying dues to the Hancock & Sand Ponds Association or to LEA, but not both, is enough. However, I ask you to consider doing both, without LEA we would not have a milfoil prevention program, or the numerous other lake-protection programs that we run. Check out LEA at www.mainelakes.org and think about joining them as well as the HSPA. HSPA and LEA are important partners in keeping Hancock and Sand Ponds as clean and beautiful as we all want them to be. Looking for a great outing? While you are on the LEA website read about Pondicherry Park, Stevens Brook Trail, and Woods Pond. All three offer great hiking opportunities, and all three were acquired and build by LEA membership, civic organizations and businesses, and organizations such as Loon Echo Land Trust. Editor’s Note: Pleasant Mountain also has hiking trails offered by Loon Echo Land Trust.

A Note from Your Treasurer By: Carl F. Harbourt Here is the good news. Membership in the Hancock & Sand Ponds Association (HSPA) is at 61.5%, up from 52 percent at this same time last year. It is great that so many of you agree with me that the HSPA plays an integral part in protecting the value of our lakefront

Page 5 property, and the quality of life we enjoy here on our ponds. Now the bad news: 61.5% is not enough. Aside from the unfairness issue—that 38.5% of our neighbors take a free ride; your board must consistently reduce or ignore important programs that simply do not fit the budget. Your HSPA dues pay: • For a Milfoil Prevention Program, • To maintain membership communication costs and postage, • To place and remove summer safety buoys, • For dam monitoring and inspection costs, • For Maine non-profit filing fees, • Donations to support state and local lake protection organizations. We also attempt to save money for unforeseen issues that may arise. Issues that our pond communities will face include rising milfoil prevention costs, and the inevitable cost of replacing our dam (experts say in about 15 years). All this will require greater participation in HSPA membership. HSPA dues are only $40 annually and we want to maintain dues at that amount for as long as possible. You can help by paying your dues promptly, and by letting me know when properties around the ponds change hands. Any information you can provide makes my job easier, and HSPA more effective. Send information to our e-mail address [email protected], and your dues to: Carl F. Harbourt, Treasurer, 54 Kingfisher Way, Denmark, Maine 04022

Eagle Notes By: Barbara Tomaskovick-Devey No eagle chicks were sighted this summer. The adult eagles located their nest on Bear Island, but we have not seen them much. If anyone has any stories to tell of them, or of the loons, this summer, please let me know. In the meantime, I will share one my husband, Don, heard. The man says he saw an adult eagle swoop down to the lake surface and come up with a fish too big for it to carry. It kept trying to lift off with the fish in its mouth, but couldn’t. So, rather than drop the fish, the eagle did something neither the narrator nor we had ever heard of before. The eagle used its wings to swim to shore, as if the wings were arms doing the breast stroke. Really! The wings circled around in unison, propelling the eagle forward, as it held that fish in its mouth! And when it got to shore, it bit the fish into pieces and brought those pieces back to its nest. Now, like you, I’ve heard all kinds of stories about eagles carrying off whole cats and small dogs. I don’t know about you, but this story makes me kind of

disbelieve those other stories, since, if an eagle is capable of carrying a cat to its nest, it ought to be able to handle a fish, even if it’s a 4-pounder!

Lasting Impressions By: JoAnne R. Harbourt Late last summer Hancock Pond residents Julie Boesky and her husband Jon Shapiro made a generous donation to the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) in the name of Arnold Dugmore. Julie said, “We know Doug cared deeply about the lake and saw it as a treasure to be protected. Supporting LEA in his honor seemed a fitting way to honor a man who was a wonderful neighbor.” Arnold “Doug” and his wife, Fran, were long-time residents on Hancock Pond. Julie and Jon bought the house next door to Doug in 2004. Tragically, Doug was killed in a motorcycle accident in September 2007. In the short time that Doug, and Julie and Jon were neighbors, Doug made a lasting impression on them. “When we first moved up to our place six years ago, we were struck by Doug’s friendliness and gentle manner.” Julie like other Wabunaki neighbors recognized a calm quiet gentleness about Doug that made him a favorite of our community. His love of the lake was infectious, and he generously shared his knowledge of the woods, the lake, and lakeside living. He was always available to help with dock issues, bugs, wildlife, and wasp’s nests. Julie recalls Doug’s willingness to help her husband, Jon, and their son, Ben, improve their fishing acumen. After many—mostly unsuccessful—fishing ventures Doug took them out at sunset one evening to show them, in detail, what they were doing wrong. At age 70, Doug fulfilled a dream by purchasing a motorcycle, learning to drive, and obtaining a license. As with all other pursuits in his life, Doug was meticulous about the care of his bike, the safety precautions he observed, and where and when he rode his bike. Doug shared his love of motorcycling with his daughter, Kathy DeLuca and son-in-law Dan, and they enjoyed many outings together. On September 6, 2007, a pickup truck pulled out of a side road into Doug’s path. Doug laid his motorcycle on its side in an effort to avoid the collision but hit the truck anyway. He died shortly after arriving at the Maine Medical Center. Kathy’s husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in July of 2007, and Doug was there to support his daughter in every way he could. In 2008, to honor her father and his love of motorcycling, and to raise money for the Maine MS Society, Kathy’s business, The Smilin’ Moose Tavern in South Paris began to sponsor the annual Arnold Dugmore Ride for MS. Soon, it will be three years since the loss of Doug. But, his character and thoughtfulness have made lasting impressions. The annual Arnold Dugmore Ride for MS

Page 6 raises thousands of dollars, Doug continues to provide an example for his family to look up to, and is remembered as a treasured neighbor. Julie says it best; “When I walk by now, I still look over from time to time, expecting to see Doug kneeling in his garden, waving, and calling out hello.”

BUOY SUMMARY Rock: Displays the word “ROCK”. Buoy will drift several feet with the wind. Stay at least 40-50 feet from the rock buoys. Black & White Striped: Warns of dangerous navigation between itself and the shoreline. Allow 40-50 feet of space between your boat and the buoy. Hazard: Displays open faced diamond symbol and the word “HAZARD”. Indicates a dangerous area. When two buoys are present do not navigate between them. If 3 are set up in a triangle – do not navigate in or near this triangle. 200-Foot Rule Boats are not supposed to travel at high speeds within 200 feet of the shoreline. Note that rocks within the 200 foot area not marked. Use caution in these areas. Do not tie up to the buoys.

If you rent your Hancock or Sand Pond Waterfront home and want to make certain that your renters know the guidelines for protecting the pond and your investment, call us at (207) 452-2491. The Association will provide you with a Renter’s Information Packet that you can give to renters. The packet will briefly explain local and state laws on boating, buoy explanations, lake protection and environmental concerns. Also, it will provide local business and emergency telephone numbers along with other useful information.

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Native  Plant  List                     Small Shrubs: • Bush Honeysuckle (do not confuse with European Fly Honeysuckle which is invasive!) Grows 2-5 feet high • Mapleleaf Viburnum – grows 4-6 feet high Trees • Ironwood – grows up to 30 feet • Hemlock – grows up to 80 feet Vines and Groundcover • Bunchberry – grows 6 inches in height (See pictured above) • Checkerberry/Wintergreen - grows 6 inches in height • Woodbine/Virginia Creeper – climbing tree vine reaching heights of up to 40 feet • Ligonberry – also called Crowberry or Mountain Cranberry. Grows 7 inches in height Perrenials • Bowman’s Root • Creeping Phlox • Foamflower • Appalachian Barren Strawberry

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The Hancock & Sand Ponds Association This association was formed by waterfront owners in 1971 who wanted to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of Hancock and Sand Pond. Over the years the Association has developed into an active organization providing the following services to the landowners: • Water quality testing, along with a relationship with the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) • Safety precautions; installing buoys to mark rocks and dangerous boating areas • Dam maintenance and operation – keeping the water at the appropriate levels • Education through the annual meeting, written materials and the Newsletter • A venue to express our opinions and concerns The governing board of the Association is as follows: President: Nelson Gouterman Vice President: Gordon Fuller Treasurer: Carl Harbourt Secretary: Steve Torrey

Carl Harbourt, Treasurer 54 Kingfisher Way Denmark, ME 04022

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