22nd Annual Meeting of the Lees Pond Association

The meeting was called to order at 10:45 AM by President Bev Nelson. Present: Bev & Jim Nelson, Karin Nelson, Suzanne & Don Wiedenheft, Peggy & Jim Hoburg, Barbara & Ken Ganem, Paula & Rollie Young, Bill & Reta Keylor, Ed & Jane Harrington, Gail Coleman, Bridie Bannon, Pat Hajny, Bob Clark, & Moultonborough student Elaine Velie Please visit our website at leespondassociation@weebly.com The July 2012 minutes were approved unanimously. Treasurers Report: approved unanimously Total income: Total expenses: Balance 6/30/12: Total 6/30/13 $1,875.00 $ 328.00 $5,011.60 $6,558.60

Milfoil Report: Karin Nelson We are making progress in our battle with milfoil! The whole shoreline was treated in 2005 (40 acres). In 2013 one area opposite Vinces of 10.4 acres was treated on July 16 with a new chemical, Renovate Max G Herbicide (active ingredient 2-4 D). 16 passes were made in 55 minutes using the airboat allowing treatment to reach shallow weedy areas. We were allowed to treat the area that was formally off limits due to bridle shiners. Small areas were pulled by the Dash boat including North end by Clarks. It is very important to pick up milfoil on your shoreline and floaters that you see in the water. Also, please mark any plants that you see in the water with markers located on Karins dock. There may be some Town money at the end of the summer to do some more pulling. Report on Pond Filling In: Bob Clark The subject of dredging the pond was raised again to create a pathway around the Northern side of the island. The pond is filling in on the North end with mud flats that are organic and plants. This m ight involve draining the pond and take years to recover. The process would be very expensive and might cost $150,000. DES considers dredging a last resort. Water Quality Report: Bev Nelson Water is sampled 3 times each summer. Here is a summary of 2012 data provided by the NH DES Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP)

22nd Annual Meeting of the Lees Pond Association

Chlorophyll A levels were very low in June and increased in July and August. Average levels were below the NH lake median which is good. (an estimation of the algal abundance or lake productivity) Conductivity/Chloride levels were slightly greater than the NH lake median, but were relatively low. (The numerical expression of the ability of water to carry an electrical current. It is determined by the number of ionic particles present. The soft waters of New Hampshire have traditionally had low conductivity values. High conductivity may indicate pollution from such sources as road salting, septic systems, wastewater treatment plants, or urban/agriculture runoff.) Bev Nelson performed a conductivity test of the water in front of each house on the pond summer 2012 and did not find above normal readings at any location. Raised readings might mean failed septic systems. E coli levels at the beach areas were well below state standard for public beaches. Total phosphorus levels are elevated at the bottom of the pond due to decay of plant material. Upper level layer phosphorus levels were relatively low. Overall levels were steady but slightly higher than the State standard of 10. (Phosphorus is typically the limiting nutrient for vascular plant and algal growth in NH lakes and ponds. Excessive phosphorus in a pond can lead to increased plant and algal growth over time) Transparency improved as the summer progressed but was less than 2010 and 2011. (A measure of water clarity and can be affected by algae and sediment in the water as well as the natural color of the pond) Turbidity increased as the summer progressed. (Turbidity in the water is caused by Suspended matter (such as clay, silt, and algae) pH levels decreased to lower than desirable meaning the pond is more acidic. (this is a condition caused mostly by acid rain and out of our control)

Run off Discussion: Don Wiedenheft ask this question. Is there run off from the Lees Pond watershed that is causing plant growth and organic mud flats? Are there sources of phosphorus such as land fill, sand dumping, commercial establishments, septic systems, and/or fertilizers and landscaping that are running into the pond? It was suggested that more testing be done in the river at the North end and at the outlet and in front of Bob Clarks house to trace the source of nutrients. In our favor is a high pond flushing rate. It was noted, our pond is not a glacier pond but created by restricting the flow of a river to be used as a mill. Bob Clark feels that the biggest risk to the pond is the 33 acres for sale on Route 25 that is zoned commercial. Bob, Ed Harrington, and Jim Hoburg formed a committee to look for a solution.

22nd Annual Meeting of the Lees Pond Association

Three houses were surveyed by New Hampshire Lakes Association to reduce run off. The Access Road was also surveyed. Ed Harrington and Jim Nelson continue to work on this project and are working with Moultonborough Conservation Committee and NH Lakes Assoc.

New Business: By a unanimous vote, Bev was given money, less than $100, to buy chemicals for continued water testing. These chemicals are necessary to correctly use the SMART3 colorimeter given to Lees Pond by New England DES. It tests pH, turbidity and Dissolved Oxygen. Total Phosphate still needs to be taken to State labs. Lees Pond Association voted to join New Hampshire Lakes for $300 as an association. NH LAKES organization works to preserve lakes in New Hampshire through education and quality monitoring. They sponsor the LAKE HOSTS program. Jim Nelson reported NH Lakes is encouraging all associations to join NH LAKES and all individuals to join both their local association and NH LAKES. Click onto this form to join NH Lakes today. http://jotform.us/form/31325955578161 Individuals can become a personal member of NH Lakes now for $35 when they are also a member of Lees Pond Association. Karin will try to make a permanent marker for the rock and ledge on the East shore that is a hazard to boats. If you have any materials or know how to build a marker, please contact Karin. The officers and steering committee were unanimously reelected: President: Bev Nelson bjnelson61@roadrunner.com Vice President: Bob Clark robertclark270@aol.com Treasurer: Karin Nelson forkarin@hotmail.com Secretary: Paula Young young.roland@comcast.net Steering Committee: Bev Nelson, Bob Clark, Karin Nelson, Paula Young, Bev Neighbors, Barbara Ganem, Bill Keylor, Ed Lazdowski, Jane Harrington, and Vince Buoniello Dues: It was unanimously voted to keep the dues at $75 for the year. Next years meeting: The second Saturday in July will be July 12, 2014.

Announcements: The Lake Host Program needs volunteers to monitor boats entering and leaving Winnipesaukee to make sure they are not spreading milfoil or other nonnative species. Contact Bev or Karin if you are interested.

22nd Annual Meeting of the Lees Pond Association

Thanks to Karin for the weed station that helps us to identify native plants vs. milfoil.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM followed by a delicious pot luck lunch in the Nelsons home. Respectfully submitted by Paula Young, Secretary __________________________________________________________

Please pay your 2013 dues with this coupon-$75 per family/household Please make your check out to Lees Pond Association
Name_________________________________________ Address________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________ Mail to Lees Pond Association, c/o Karin Nelson, Treasurer, PO Box 603, Moultonborough, NH 03254