Nashawannuck Pond Committee

Meeting minutes 9.01.2021 call to order by Paul Nowak 6:09 Beth Tiffany read Mayor LaChapelle’s Policy #9 for Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law….. due to Covid. Roll call: Paul Nowak, Beth Tiffany, Elaine Wood, Amy Marsters, MaryLou Dodge, all present Guests: none Last month’s meeting minutes 7.28.2021 motioned by Marylou seconded by Amy for approval. (no meeting in Sept) We got an invoice from Gary Golas for &2700.00 to “ Obtain Extension Permit for Order of Conditions, new expiration date 4/25/24. All work including permitting pertaining to application of herbicide and algaecide for Nashawannuck Pond on 7/14/21.” Beth made P.O. and got it to City treasurer 9/2/2021 Herbicide treatment for invasive plants and prolific macrophytes was completed on 7/14/2021 by Solitude; we will wait for the invoice. Siltation basin restoration and gabion weir is complete. There will be a walk thru 9/9 9:30 - 11:30 with all parties involved to assure everything was done to contract. Cyanobacteria - (This explanation is general and as accurate as possible at his time, more info to follow) Paul was contacted by a concerned citizen Alison Ryan from Northampton, she has many credentials to qualify her for this research. They met and had a long conversation about potential measures to halt cyanobacteria. She has been working with other entities on zoom meetings. It has been researched that the introduction of Barley straw to the water will decompose and it releases a type of hydrogen peroxide and when released cyanobacteria cannot exist. It is organic, no chemical, no permits needed. There is a farm in CT that is growing Barley for this application. Paul also spoke with officials in Worchester that are also involved in managing cyanobacteria. They have labs for testing the water. Baseline samples were taken last week from Nash Pond and will be analyzed. They have figured out how many bales are needed for Nash pond at a cost of $1000. Straw to be put in in April. Motion was made to appropriate approx $1000 for Barley straw when needed. All in favor, Amy, Beth, Paul , Elaine, Marlylou. Beth asked about the bascule gate for the dam. How does it work and who decides to adjust it when? Was it adjusted for hurricane Henri? Amy & Marylou want to be part of the Farmer’s Market this summer, still discussing how often to go for cost of space and profit, Amy filled out form; probably do this in September or October Winterfest - We will not be doing vendor Fair or chili contest this year, due to possible covid issues. Beth Spoke with the city treasurer Jennifer Gallant. She confirmed that we CAN have an automatic cutoff for purchases like the vendor fair. Good to know for future endeavours. At this time with the rise of covid cases and restrictions we do not feel we should do the music and ice bar at Keystone. Beth will reach out to Liz and Kisha, it seems we have to have the “app” I think it is Timely to put the events on the Nash pond website. Do we have to purchase it and who can upload the information? Without this, how do we advertise Winterfest? Items of interest to consider: photo contest perhaps ask for donation for each, a link to the donation page. snowflake contest, trivia contest, storefront contest, Mt Tom ice cream flavor, coloring contest. Ask Katie McCallum if she would do the scavenger hunt, snow sculpture again. Face in the Hole - do we see about adjusting it or ask the public for any volunteers to make one? Do we see if we can do the Ice Harvest with Picard? When we have an idea of what we want to do, we ask for a Winterfest sub-committee of volunteers. I will edit the sponsorship list with Amy, should be done to send out in early October. Next meeting 8/9//21 meeting adjourned 7:09.