Post on 17-Feb-2022
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Summer is almost here; camps are opening, boats are being launched, and high expectations for another great summer are evident everywhere!
The PLPA Board has been busy since last fall through this spring. We have conducted association business via conference calls and have much to report to you in this newsletter as well as at our annual meeting on July 6th at 8:30am at the Limington Town Hall. It’s very important to note that since our association was formed in 1996, there has never been such an active group of board members from my perspective. They accept responsibility and ownership for the many important projects that are focused on our mission and are in the best interest of all property owners who live in the lake watershed.
Let me provide you information on what your board has accomplished and/or is working on presently:
•The Grant 319 funding of $58,000 has of,icially arrived and a Steering Committee that consists of our PLPA Board members, town ofSicials, and staff of the York County Soils and Water Conservation Commission are currently meeting to identify special areas of erosion and pollution sources into our lake. We will be providing you speciSics at our annual meeting.
•PLPA is on our way to become the Sirst ever lake association in the State to be awarded “Firewise” status by the State of Maine Forest Service having met their qualiSications. More speciSic information on “Firewise” will be available soon on the PLPA website. •We have a new website, http://www.thePLPA.org, that is up and running (note it’s “.org”). We are also planning to communicate with you using social media including having our own Facebook page. •The septic cleaning program continues to be offered to our membership and terriSic pricing is still available.•Our lake book, “From Horne Pond to Pequawket Lake” has been a huge success. There are only 65 copies left. •The Board is planning on providing at least two educational opportunities for our members this summer. We’ll keep you posted on the dates so that you can get them on your calendar.
This summer board members will be visiting all the camps to distribute a laminated sheet listing “Suggestions to Improve the Pequawket Lake Community”. We are asking you to post this important reminder in your camp to help family and friends (and renters) familiarize themselves with camp life on Pequawket Lake.
PLPA is alive and healthy!
How To Be Lakesmart and Firewise...Tips from the Maine Forest Service
*Within 5 feet of your structure(s) create a non-combustible area using inorganic mulch (gravel, rocks, or erosion control mix).*Trim low branches and prune shurbs; remove dead vegetation within 30ft of residence. Cut tree branches 10 ft from house and chimney, and raise branches off the ground by 10 feet or 1/3 the tree height - whichever comes first.*Keep 100 ft of garden hose attached to your residence during fire season (Mar - Nov)*Pump septic every 3-5 years and keep septic area free of woody growth.*Keep gutters free of leaves, needles and debris. Cover chimney with 1/2” mesh screen. Direct run-off to a rain garden or collect & use for watering vegetation.*Stabilize shorefront areas by leaving rocks, shrubs, and trees. *Make paths stable and winding to reduce erosion and runoff: path serve as a firebreak between vegetated areas.
NEWSLETTERPequawket Lake Preservation AssociationSummer 2013
PLPA Annual GeneralMembership Meeting0830July 6thLimingtonTown Hall
88 Foreside RdCumberland Fside, ME 04110
PLPA President Update…by Tom Gruber
Annual General Membership Meeting...July 6th...8:30am!!!
Brush Chipping & Wood Chipping…. week of July 15th. Be ready. Specific Date TBA!! Check www.theplpa.org for updates.
Check out our new website:www.theplpa.org (note: not “.com”)
The Pequawket LakePreservation Association
Contact: Dana Swanstrom, Administrator@ dswanstrom@yahoo.com
WORKING FOR YOU!PLPA Officers
Pres….Tom Gruber……...tgruber@maine.rr.comVP…....Bill Moore………..mainemoores@roadrunner.comSec…..Dave Goodwin…..dhgs2000@gmail.comTreas...Pete Lockwood….plockwoo@maine.rr.com
Board of DirectorsFrank Conway……..francis_conway@raytheon.comMark Eastman……..spidmeister@gmail.comGary Fullerton……..fullertons@fairpoint.netMargie Gruber……..margerygruber@mac.com Jay Johnson……….leward1@aol.comVince Kane………...vkane1@roadrunner.comJohn Pappanikou….johnpappanikou@comcast.netDana Swanstrom….dswanstrom@yahoo.comCarden Welsh……..cnwelsh@me.com
A big thank-you to Mary Davichick who recently retired from the Board. Mary also served as Secretary for many years. Enjoy the summer, Mary, you deserve it!
PLPA General Membership Meeting 6 July 8:30 am
Moy-Mo-Da-Yo Recreation Site *Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day 9am to 8pm daily.*Summer camp runs 1 July - August 16. Children can be enrolled for one week or the whole summer. *Day use fee is $5 per car; a seasonal pass is available at the Town Office or at MMDY for $25 for residents & $30 for non-Limington residents; $5 fee to use the boat launch.*The RV hosts have not yet been confirmed as this newsletter goes to press. The part-time attendants are Ginny & John (and possibly another attendant yet to be named).*If you paddle, sail, or boat over, you need to pay the $5 day use fee unless you come after 6 pm.
New Membership ModelIn an effort to keep our dues at the
current rate of $25 per/year, the Board is considering a new membership
model that allows you the option to give more to support our activities and to
increase the “milfoil rainy day fund” (our Treasury). Come to the annual meeting
where John Pappanikou will present the new model. If approved by the general membership, the new fee structure will
go into effect in 2014.
Maine Congress of lake Associations ( COLA)
As the only statewide network of individuals and associations devoted solely to the protection and preservation of our lakes, Maine COLA is your voice for lake protection.
PLPA will be represented at the annual COLA Conference being held at Colby College in Waterville on 22 June. George Bouchard, Gary Fullerton, Dave Goodwin, Pete Lockwood, Bill Moore, and Tom Gruber will be attending.
The agenda includes introduction of the new Executive Director, legislative updates (and there are a lot of them!), how climate change is affecting our lakes, and additional information on how to monitor our lakes beyond the secchi disc reading.
On June 1, COLA will have a new Executive Director, Rebecca Kurtz. She will be the first full time Executive Director COLA has had in its 42 year history. Also at the June meeting, there will be a vote on a new name and new membership categories. The new name being considered is the Maine Lakes Society, and it will include two membership categories: the Council of Lake Associations (COLA) and the Friends of Maine Lakes (Friends).
If you want to know about COLA, you can check out their website… www.mainecola.org. Membership is open to everyone, individuals, lake associations, road associations, and others. An individual membership is only $25. For more info go to www.mainecola.org.
TOWN OF LIMINGTON UPDATE
In May, 2011, the Town of Limington entered into a four year agreement with the York County Sheriff's Office to hire a contract deputy. The deputy provides exclusive patrol service to the town for 40 hours per week. In March, 2013, Deputy Thistlewood was promoted to Sargent and was replaced by Deputy Stan Moore. Dial 911 for an emergency. If it is not an emergency, you can contact the Dispatch office anytime at:
207-324-3644 Option 1.
From then on, none of us ever thought there was any place in the world like that lake in Maine. --E.B. White. From his essay, “Once More to the Lake”, published in One Manʼs Meat by Tilbury Press
Book UpdateFrom Horn Pond to Pequawket Lake
The Book Committee is pleased to report over 300 books have been sold! Inventory is shrinking. There are only 65 books left. If youʼd like to order a book, you can email Sally Moore at mainemoores@roadrunner.com or call 207-637-3894 to make arrangements for payment and delivery. Books are $20 each plus shipping/handling.
COMMUNICATIONIn an effort to save on the mailing expenses for the spring and fall newsletters, the PLPA Board approved transitioning to electronic communications this season. We have email addresses for approximately 60% of our mailing list. This newsletter will be the last hard copy you receive in the mail unless you let us know that you would like a hard copy mailed to your home address. You can do that when you send in your dues. Simply indicate your preference on the form below.
Dues… Dues… Dues...Dues...Dues…Dues...Dues…Dues…Dues...Dues...Dues….
Please complete this form so we can keep our records up-to-date and send with your dues (only $25) to:Pete Lockwood (PLPA Treasurer)139 Mountain RdRaymond, ME 04071
Name:_________________________________________________________________________________Home Address: _______________________________________State: ________________Zip:_________Home Phone Number: ( ) ___________________________
Camp Address:_______________________________________________
Email Address:________________________________________________
Check this block if you would like to continue to receive a hard copy of the newsletters in the mail.
WelcomeChristopher G. Piacentini223 Marcia WayBridgewater, NJ 08807Camp Address: 110 July St
MUGS AND UPDATED MAPS FOR SALE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING… THE ONLY TIME AND PLACE
TO BUY!!!!
Membership Stats
2007…72 members…50%2008...77 members….53%2009...91 members….63%2010...82 members….57%2011...94 members….65%2012...89 members….61%
Note: %ʼs based on 145 camps on lake.
Septic System Update
For the third straight year, PLPA will provide our members with a discounted rate for cleaning out your camp’s septic system.
Jerry Anderson is the contractor and can be reached at (207) 432-‐2753. Call this number to schedule a date and time to complete the necessary cleaning.
His rates are lower than the current market prices and you will pay according to the size of your system...500, 750 or 1,000 gallons. Also, you will beneSit with a free PLPA membership valued at $25.00 to be applied to your 2014 dues.
Besides the expense reductions (discount plus dues), you can feel conSident that you are doing your part to keep our lake healthy.
Explore the Abenaki Path!If you paddle, sail, or motor over to hike the Abenaki Path there is no fee! Look for two large Abenaki Path signs to the left (west) and right (east) of the Moy-Mo-Da-Yo Beach as you approach the waterʼs edge. You should “park” away from the beachproper over by the Abenaki Path signs at either opening of the path. You can also drive over and park your car in the MMDY parking lot and hike the trail.
The loop footpath is .9 mile long and has 5 benches installed at scenic sites. It can be walked with ease in less than 30 minutes. A more leisurely walk, with stops at the benches along the way, can take up to an hour. While the path is clearly marked and easy to follow, it is recommended that small children be accompanied by adults. Better to wear shoes, than flip-flops!
You are encouraged to be an Abenaki caretaker while following the path, by picking up trash, throwing aside branches, and replacing guide rails that have been knocked aside.