Summer 2014 - Bunganut Pond Association

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Bunganut Shorelines Summer 2014 Minutes of Bunganut Pond Association’s Annual Meeting Thirty-­‐five people attended the annual meeting at 10:00 A.M. on July 13, 2014. The following Board of Directors were present: Chuck Shaw, President Ed Sanborn, Vice President Andrea Pierce, Treasurer Pat Giles, Board Member, Bruce Andrews, Board Member Charlie Kokernak, Board Member Chuck Shaw presided over the meeting. Andrea Pierce gave the financial report. Dues collected last year amounted to $2,800. The report was accepted as presented. The two main topics of discussion during the meeting were: Ø The failing condition of the dam Ø The need to encourage more property owners to become members of the Bunganut Pond Association. Old Business: Dam Control Report Chuck Shaw provided a thorough report, summarized here. Although melt-­‐off was gradual this spring, a serious problem with the dam became apparent in early July. Severe thunderstorms with flood warnings (associated with Hurricane Andrew) were predicted on July 2nd. Chuck opened the dam that night as the water was just over the boards. He closed the dam on July 5th when the water was ½” below the boards. He noticed the water coming out of the outflow pipe was gray, indicating a washout. The following day, this was investigated further. A dimple in the rip-­‐rap was discovered. A 4” X 6” hole was located in the dam face at the waterline. The outflow was much greater than water flowing into the hole. As Chuck and Tom further investigated the water flow, it was apparent the hole was much larger. On July 7th, the Dam Inspector was contacted, as required for a potential dam failure. The hole was re-­‐examined. It was determined to have opened further during the night and the rip-­‐rap was unstable for several feet each side of the opening, indicating washout under the fabric. In the process of making a temporary repair to the dam, the collapsed area was dug out. The area in front of the fore bay was badly washed out. Concrete blocks were stacked across the opening, the rip-­‐rap was replaced. A layer of heavy canvas was put in-­‐between to minimize washout. Clay was then packed behind the blocks, the hole was backfilled, and concrete plates were used to cap the filled area. This should hold until fall. The Dam Inspector approved the temporary repairs and requested input on the permanent work to be done. Summary of the Dam Control Report: 1. Opening the gate creates a real risk of washing out the front of the dam and a risk of catastrophic failure. If we have heavy rain, we may have to tolerate higher than usual water levels this summer. 2. The dam needs substantial repair this fall. 3. It is anticipated that the lake will be drained down early and fast this year, probably around October 1st. Discussion ensued following the Dam Control Report. Ed Sanborn is currently looking at options for the permanent repair. One option is a new pipe to replace the rusted, collapsed pipe. Another option is creation of a concrete channel. Cost, efficiency, and durability will be considered in determining how to make the permanent repair. There was considerable discussion about how to raise more money for such urgent needs. Two ideas were suggested and are being considered. The first is to sell T-­‐shirts (Save Bunganut, Save the Dam). The second suggestion was to create posters to be purchased and placed by homeowners on docks that indicate “Helping to save the dam by being a member of the Bunganut Pond Association”. Ed Sanborn offered to check into the T-­‐shirts. Chuck Shaw offered to talk to Jay Van Tassell about the posters. Water Quality Jay Van Tassell was unable to attend the meeting, but Chuck reported that the water quality remains the same as usual. Algae and erosion are under control. The Maine Lakes Association will train people to do lake quality monitoring. If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Lake Quality Monitor, please contact Chuck Shaw [email protected] for more details or http://www.mainevlmp.org Monument Last year the membership voted to install a monument to Ken Anderson, a long-­‐time Bunganut Pond property owner to pay tribute to his work with the Association, his work protecting the water quality, and as acknowledgement of his generous financial support over many years. The monument is a stone monolith, one of the old spillway slabs with a bronze plaque inset. It is installed at the dam. New Business: Election of Board of Directors The existing slate of officers was re-­‐elected for the upcoming year, with one exception. Charlie Kokernak is retiring from the Board after many years of dedicated involvement. Christine Chamberlain was elected to the Board to replace Charlie. The Board of Directors for the 2014-­‐2015 year: President Chuck Shaw 207-­‐459-­‐8614 [email protected] Vice President Ed Sanborn Secretary Kathy Georgens Treasurer Andrea Pierce Bruce Andrews Pat Giles Jay Van Tassel Christine Chamberlain [email protected] 1962 Map Howard Dupee showed an interesting 1962 aerial map of Bunganut Pond. Stocking the Lake Someone asked if Bunganut Pond is stocked. It was mentioned that in the ‘80s, the lake was stocked with trout. At the present time, only the state can stock fish, but they only do it if there is a public boat launch on the lake. It is illegal for individuals to stock fish. More Members Needed The second major topic of discussion at the meeting was the need to encourage more property owners to become members of the Bunganut Pond Association. Over the past couple of years, the organization has lost 1/3 of its dues paying members. Far fewer than half of the property owners on Bunganut are members of the Association. It was suggested that every member talk to his/her lake neighbors to encourage them to join and participate. A membership form will be included in the next newsletter. It was suggested that we set-­‐up a PayPal option on the website to make it easier for people to send in their membership dues. Ed offered to talk to Brian Johnson, the Webmaster. It was suggested that we need an advertising campaign so that property owners know about the Association and the work it does to maintain the quality of the lake. Thanks Special thanks were given to Camp Cedarbrook for hosting the annual meeting again this year. Many thanks to Chuck Shaw for his diligence in monitoring the dam and reporting on its current state. Many people expressed appreciation to Ed Sanborn and the Bunganut Lake Camping Area for the wonderful display of fireworks. The meeting was adjourned at 11:05. 1962 aerial view of Bunganut ~ courtesy Howard Dupee Do You Belong to the 42%? Do you realize that only 42% of property owners on Bunganut Pond are members of the Bunganut Pond Association? To become a member, one need only pay $50 annually. The funds support work to maintain the quality of the lake, including regular maintenance of the dam. Several years ago the Association had a membership of over 90. Currently, there are about 50 dues-­‐paying members of the Association. With over 120 property owners on Bunganut Pond, that means only 42% pay dues to help maintain the lake, while 58% enjoy the pond without contributing funds to maintain it. Will you join now? Urgent repairs to the dam are needed this fall. Without it, the dam will not last, the water quality of the lake will deteriorate, and the water level will be lower. We need to build up our treasury to pay for such emergencies. Will you help? Please join the Bunganut Pond Association now by completing the membership form in this newsletter. Thank you for supporting this great pond! New England Camp Cedarbrook Affectionately called “the girls camp” by many people on the lake, New England Camp Cedarbrook’s mission statement is, “A place of retreat where girls can encounter Christ, make friends, and have fun.” This non-­‐denominational camp is the only all girls Christian camp in New England. Girls ages 7-­‐17 attend camp to learn skills in outdoor living such as archery, riflery, swimming, and outdoor cooking. Bible studies are an important part of the camp. Most of the staff members were campers at Cedarbrook in years past. The camp has an active mentoring program each year for those teens that are interested in becoming leaders of the camp. If you’re wondering why the dock wasn’t in as early as usual, and their waterfront scene has been quiet in June and early July, it is because campers will only be there for two weeks this summer. Although networking through churches and word of mouth have been reliable marketing strategies in the past, Camp Cedarbrook is starting to investigate other ways of advertising in order to reach interested families in the future. The camp currently owns about 110 acres, purchased shortly after the fire in the ‘40s damaged the land around Bunganut Pond. Originally it was a camp attended by Jewish boys. One claim to fame is that Leonard Nimoy was a camper! The Pioneer Girls Clubs owned the camp when it was called Camp Cherith (kerith). It was one of 23 Camp Cheriths in North America. Following a dispute several years ago between some of the Cherith Camps and the Pioneer Girls Club organization, about half of the 23 camps split off to share the name Camp Cedarbrook. Their philosophy has remained the same over the years. This peaceful location is recently being used as a rental facility for summer and fall. Their large dining room can fit 200 people. The property includes many cabins, a lovely waterfront, and plenty of open lawn area. They have hosted weddings, team building activities, retreats, mother/daughter weekends, and a scrapbooking event. If you are interested in learning more about their rental availability, contact Director Laura Cloutier at [email protected] or Assistant Director Laura Brown at [email protected] Special thanks to Lyn Vail, Laura Cloutier, and Laura Brown for sharing the history and current work of New England Camp Cedarbrook. Many thanks to Jay Van Tassell and the Lincoln Press for their generous donation of time and cost to print each newsletter for free for the Bunganut Pond Association. Open Letter to Property Owners To the members of the Bunganut Pond Association and all property owners on Bunganut Pond: On July 2nd I opened the dam gate due to high water level before hurricane Andrew. On July 5th, when I closed it, I noticed a grey color to the outflow, indicating clay in the water. I could find no damage. The next day Tom Trudeau noticed a depression in the dam face and called me. After moving a few rocks, we found a major cavity behind a seam in the matting. We were able to insert a ten foot 2X4 without finding the bottom. There was no water flow into the hole with the gate closed. I informed MEMA, as required by law, and Ed Sanborn called a local contractor. The contractor excavated the hole and closed the opening with concrete blocks. He packed clay behind the blocks and refilled the hole with removed material. He also capped the repair with concrete blocks. The state dam inspector agreed that the temporary repair was satisfactory and there was no need to lower the water level immediately to prevent dam failure and possible damage downstream. Special thanks to Mark Trudeau, who had equipment on site and working two hours after we told him about the problem. Clay in the water coming through the pipe proves that the inlet pipe has failed somewhere between the clay line and the gate sump. With the gate wide open, the flow into the hole was not more than a quarter of the outflow. We believe the pipe has rusted out and partially collapsed. The blockage forced the water to find a different path to the part of the pipe beyond the collapse. The water in the hole was the same level as the pond and too dirty to see anything, so we can’t be sure. At a minimum we must replace the pipe with a new plastic pipe, compact the fill, rebuild the clay line, replace the matting and put the rip-­‐rap stone back on the dam face. In order to be certain we can complete the repairs this fall, I plan to open the dam October first and drain the pond as low and as quickly as possible, so please plan to pull your boats and floats accordingly. The repairs will cost money. We won’t be sure how much until Mark opens up the dam. There is a donation jar at the Bunganut Campground and “Save the Dam” Tee shirts are on sale there. Donations can be sent to Bunganut Pond Association, Attn: Andrea, PO Box 237, Alfred Maine, 04002. Please talk to your neighbors as well. We all want a lake next summer and for many summers to come. Chuck Shaw, President of the Bunganut Pond Association MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM If you would like to support the water quality and have a voice in decisions concerning Bunganut Pond, we urge you to join or renew your annual membership to the Bunganut Pond Association. Annual Dues are $50.00, usually due each July. Please send this form and dues to: MS. ANDREA PIERCE, TREASURER BUNGANUT POND ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 237 ALFRED, ME 04002 NAME________________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS_______________________________________________ POND STREET ADDRESS___________________________________________ TELEPHONE ( )_______________ E-­‐MAIL_________________________ If you are an occasional visitor to Bunganut Pond and would like to donate to the ongoing effort to maintain the quality of this lake for all to enjoy, please consider a donation to support the maintenance of the dam. Thank you. Looking for more information on Maine lakes?
Maine Lakes News Digest at www.mrlakefront.net
Maine Congress of Lake Associations at www.mainecola.org
Copyright © 2014 Bunganut Pond Association, All rights reserved.
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Bunganut Pond Association
P.O. Box 237
Alfred, ME 04002