May 30 Association Meeting Notes and Actions
Waushakum Pond Association Meeting Minutes
Date:
May 30, 2023
Meeting Start Time:
6:11PM
Meeting End Time:
7:17PM
Location:
Waushakum Pond Beach
Reading & Approval of the Minutes
o Motion made by Neil and seconded by Scott to accept, none rejected
Treasury Updates
o Balance: $1,595
o Steve will be paid the amounts agreed upon in the last Association Meeting
o Company Match Programs – if you have this ability, Matt can give banking information
o Dues Collection - $5 by check is due to maintain or attain voting status
Message from Becca (Ashland)
o Last spring we didn’t treat, but hope to this year (tentative June 15th)
o Testing from National Heritage will need to happen before the treatment occurs
o Once they have the end of year report, they can extend it to the Association
o Association concerns about being delayed to a timely treatment
o Becca: Tricky – have to be grown high enough to reach but not so high as to seed. They have to guess the date for a “golden zone” – if the Association notices a trend in timing they are happy to take it into consideration for future contract years.
o Association concerns about sediment on Ashland side
o Becca: Need to have the conversations with the Town Manager and to figure out where the sediment is coming from (natural or non-natural)
o Association would like to further pursue looking into the sediment on Ashland side of the lake
§ Bambi King would be interested in helping to further look into this and will reach out to the Association
o Becca indicated that she would make sure to coordinate signage for both Ashland & Framingham that will be posted days in advance (including at the Boat Ramp) and in multiple languages.
Treatment Updates
o The weeds seem to have come up earlier this year and the Association would like treatment as soon as possible and to get on a schedule in the future for earlier treatment (before seeding).
o Budget remains in place for the treatment of the invasive weeds as well as the testing and application of algicidal treatments when needed.
o Message from Dominic – Assistant Conservation Administrator – Framingham
o The last treatment provider, Solitude, was deemed unqualified due to past deficiencies in performance and a new provider has been selected.
o Treatment last year was June 15 and is generally in June but that was due to Solitude booking. We're trying to work to get an early May treatment date moving forward.
o Association would like to make sure Ashland & Framingham are on the same plan for treatment and that there are signs posted days in advance (including at the Boat Ramp)
Cyanobacteria
o There are signs of a film forming, Framingham was notified and signage not to swim in the water was posted during Association Meeting
o Framingham has budgeted for algicidal treatment, but there isn’t a budget for Ashland
E-Coli
o The water is tested every Monday from May through September.
o The bacteria levels at the beach continue to be within the acceptable range, the last report coming in at 12 colonies per 100 ml (acceptable being under 235)
Next Meeting
o Association & Friends gathering was scheduled for June 14th but it will need to be rescheduled (date TBD).
Event Planning
o Fourth of July Parade - would like to do it again this year
o Spring Clean-up – would like to do it again this year. Try to clean out items that are in the water
Waushakum Association Board Nomination and Elections
o We need more volunteers, including anyone who would like to be a Board Member
o All positions are open, but we have to fill the President Position since Chris will be leaving
o We will vote during our next meeting
New Business
o Thursday, 4:30PM @ Waushakum Pond there will be a handicap wheelchair dedicated
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