Nashawannuck Pond Committee

Meeting 8/31/2022 call to order by Beth Tiffany 5:55PM Roll call:, Beth Tiffany, Amy Marsters, Marylou Dodge, Elaine Wood Guests: Paul Davis Guest speak time - no comment Meeting minutes from 5/22/2022 and 7/20/2022 motion to approve MaryLOu and second by Amy, all in favor Yes, Elaine - abstained, she was not at last meeting ● Approx 46,000 in pond account ● Barley Straw Project - still on course - 4 water tests look good - no cyanobacteria. Zoom meeting 7/29 with al involved - Paul could not attend this meeting but he emailed info “Spent much time with all the folks regarding the Water Testing. Was on a Zoom call yesterday with the CRC and Allison discussing the results of the Barley Straw Experiment and setting sights on next year. Bottom line I feel this endeavor was a favorable activity. Out water clarity was improved, and despite the hot dry summer, we did not experience a Cyanobacteria Bloom. We are going to increase the Barley Straw Bail deployments a little more for next year” ● Solitude treated the pond 7/26 for nuisance weeds - waiting for invoice ● Open meeting law training has been completed by Beth, Amy & Elaine, Marylou Kisha so far. A reminder for Paul. Have to fill out form when done and send to Barbara Labombard ● New committee member on board Bonnie McCloud, we believe in April has not been able to show up, not sure if she is still interested - Paul to talk to Mayor about how to handle this. ● Need someone to learn how to do the newsletter, graphics for posters, www. & Timely for Winterfest - Beth to talk to Kisha ● Letter from Cassie Tagert, conservation Agent - Paul spoke with and responded accordingly. “ I hope this message finds you well. My name is Cassie Tragert and I'm the Conservation Agent for the City of Easthampton. I'm reaching out today because the City is looking to pursue a grant opportunity to complete a water quality assessment and develop a watershed-based management plan for Lower Mill Pond. My hope was to get the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committees support in that effort. The grant is the 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant through the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and I have attached a copy here. For this effort, the City would greatly appreciate your support in the form of a Letter of Support for the grant application. I have attached a template that you could use if you so chose. Please feel free to add any additional information that you may have regarding the pond and its significance in the watershed. I know this is quite short notice, and for that I apologize, but we are hoping to compile letters no later than the end of day Tuesday, August 16th to include in our application submission.  The City will be completing the grant application and if awarded, the City would use the grant funds to hire a consultant to complete the water quality assessment and develop the management plan. The City would manage the grant reporting requirements and facilitate the work with the consultants throughout the process. The successful completion of this assessment/management plan would allow for the City to more competitively pursue other action grants to improve the area further and ensure a healthy pond into the future. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the application or would like more information. Feel free to call me at 413-529-1463 if that is more convenient for you as well. “ Winterfest ● Have to start to vet with the sponsorship list - Amy & Beth - please anyone to add to it. ● We should ask publicly for a theme - it’s 10 years. ASsk Katie McCallum - Beth ● Someone has to learn how to do the Timely APP for WInterfest ● Beth to get in touch with Erin at Keystone to be sure we are good to go- present that we have Boylston Room west for gala and East room for events hallway for vendors - - perhaps the Magic show, dance etc .. May meeting - check on Gala until 2023 Winterfest - Beth to checked with the band, Boylston Rooms & meyers ● Decided to do : photo contest, snowflake contest, online trivis , perhaps, Mt Tom Ice cream contest, Wagon rides, Ice harvesting, Bumbles onoutside again. Check with Katie for scavenger hunt ( a yes ) and snow contest (tenative) . ● Boni at WEdgeworks said last year to let her know how to have the businesses involved. Beth will manage this. ● NO chili tasting This is still pending action: Beth to work with Kisha - ● Talked about Facebook cover photo, Kisha just changed and can use photo contest winners in the future. Eventually use Trivia questions for Facebook posts. Maybe flashback of dredging video as FB post ● Kisha to upload video from Winterfest from Roxanne Gunn and Easthampton media into the web site. Next meetings @ 5:30 9/21, 10/19, 11/30, 12/28 Meeting Adjourned 6:55