WINTER 2003 SINGLETARY SUN
Articles: (Click on the article name to view)
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Happy New Year and thanks for your enthusiastic support.
2003 has gotten off to a chilly start. We certainly have our share of ice on the
Lake this winter.
Our Officers and Board members have swung into full action
to start the New Year. The federally funded 319 Grant we were awarded is now a
reality and planning has begun for its implementation this spring and summer. I
once again urge all association members to call Dick or Karen Norlin @
508-865-2581 to volunteer to do your part in this project. It promises to be one
the most significant projects ever undertaken to improve the quality of our
Lake.
As you read in the last Newsletter, we have lots of other
projects and programs in various stages of activity slated for progress in 2003.
On the social front, the Spring Wing Ding is scheduled for Sat. April 5th
and last years party was a blast. Mark your calendar now to attend this year and
get to know more of your neighbors and association members.
I would also like to encourage all members to participate
in Earth Day 2003 clean up day on April 26th @8:30 a.m. at the Boat
ramp. Info on both events will follow this Newsletter.
On a more serious note, you may have all read about State
grant money drying up for Lakes and Ponds. As a result we, along with all the
other associations, will not receive any funding for the indefinite future for
weed control and treatment. This means that the burden to maintain our Lake will
fall squarely on our association. To that end I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all Lake
Association members to contribute the absolute most they can when paying your
2003 dues. Without an increase in dues collections we may be in danger of not
being able to treat the weed infestation and algae in our Lake. Please make
every effort to attend our scheduled functions since we use these as added forms
of raising funds. Fund raising in the future promises to be one of our biggest
challenges.
Thanks again for your great support in 2002 and I look
forward to a very exciting and eventful 2003.
Hope you enjoy this edition of the Newsletter and feel free
to contact any of the Officers or Board members with your ideas or concerns.
TIM VANDERLINDEN
BACK TO TOP
YOUR SUPPORT NEEDED MORE THAN EVER
As your lake association enters this new year, we’ll be facing a great fiscal challenge. You may have read in a recent Worcester Telegram article, that funding for most lake management grants has been suspended. One of the victims of these cuts was the Department of Environmental Management grant we relied upon to help fund our weed control program. This year we would have been eligible to receive $20,000 through this grant program, which is now unavailable to us. Without government assistance, this year’s lake management programs must be funded solely through our dues collections.
Last year (2002) was a record year for our membership with 127 member families who contributed on average over $100 each in dues. This year (2003), the needs of our lake will rely even more on the generosity of our members who are able to pay in excess of the $75 minimum dues.
We ask that you renew your membership as soon as possible, so please take a moment now to fill out and return the enclosed dues mailer.
We all enjoy our lake. As a contributing member of the association, you choose to help care for our great lake to enjoy today, and for generations to come. We must all share the responsibility of our common goal, a clean and healthy Lake Singletary.
EARTH DAY CLEAN UP SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY APRIL
26 AT 8AM
THE FIRST EARTH DAY WAS PROCLAIMED BY THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO AND CELEBRATED ON MARCH 21,1970. IT WAS CREATED BY JOHN MCCONNELL AS A RESULT OF HIS INTEREST IN SPACE EXPLORATION AND AWARENESS OF THE MARCH EQUINOX.
“ The symbolism of Earth Day - the equilibrium and balance of the equinox - encourages and inspires independence and cooperation. The simultaneous global event deepens our sense of unity. It fosters a sense of rights and responsibilities in the protection and care of Earth. From Earth Day has come a growing consensus that every individual and institution should act as Earth Trustees, seeking what can be done in ecology, economics and ethics to benefit people and planet. This will help us obtain a healthy, peaceful future and speed the day when bells will ring all over the world as we celebrate Earth Day, the Great Day of Earth.”
John McConnell
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS WORLDWIDE EFFORT, THE ASSOCIATION INVITES YOU TO JOIN TOGETHER ON SATURDAY APRIL 26TH AT 8AM AT THE BOAT RAMP ON WEST MAIN ST., MILLBURY IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE WATERSHED AREA AROUND LAKE SINGLETARY. COFFEE AND DONUTS WILL BE SERVED TO NOURISH ALL THE EAGER VOLUNTEERS.
Report
from the Water Testing Committee
We
are approaching the beginning of the sampling season for our volunteer
monitoring program. This year we plan to expand our efforts to include storm
drain sampling to support the 319 grant described in this newsletter. The intent
is to collect samples from selected storm drains before and after the retrofit
project. The purpose for sampling is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new
storm drain system by projecting the expected reduction in nutrient loading.
At
the annual meeting last August, several LSWA members volunteered to participate
in this year’s program. In the coming weeks these members will be contacted to
begin a training program for the sampling. If you didn’t sign up and are
interested in helping out, call or email Karen Norlin. Training will be provided
- you don’t need any technical or scientific experience, just a willingness to
commit some of your time.
The
319 grant program requires that LSWA develop a Quality Assurance Program Plan
(or QAPP for short). The QAPP describes what measures our group will take to
insure that the data we generate under our sampling program is valid. The QAPP
is divided into 24 sections describing such things as documentation and records,
sampling methods, instrument calibration, data management, and so on. The final
document must be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
We are well underway, with the first draft about 50% complete. The draft
has been reviewed by the Mass Water Watch Partnership, and their comments have
been incorporated.
The
highlights of last year’s monitoring program follow.
Water
Clarity:
Secchi depth is a measure of water clarity. A reading of 4.5 meters or
greater is considered excellent water quality. Swimming is not recommended when
Secchi depth is 1.3 meters or below.
This
year we had readings of 4.5 meters in July and 4.6 meters in August. This is the
first year we have measured readings 4.5 meters or above for 2 consecutive
months.
The
record Secchi depth recorded for Lake Singletary was 5.0 meters in July of 2000.
The worst year for clarity was 1998, when we had readings of 1.8 meters for 2
consecutive months (August and September). In 1998 we never recorded a reading
above 3 meters.
To view chart of water clarity data click here.
For detailed information on our sampling program click here.
Actions
You Can Take to Protect Lake Singletary
Keep phosphorus out of the lake:
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Reduce fertilizer use or use low-phosphorus "lake-friendly" fertilizer |
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Keep a vegetated "buffer" between the shore and developed land |
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Build responsibly- obtain necessary permits, use erosion-control barriers such as hay bales and silt fence, minimize disturbed areas, and mulch and replant as soon as possible |
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Use phosphate-free detergents |
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Maintain your septic system – pump frequently and conserve water |
Protect the view:
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Maintain low visibility – leave a natural "buffer" along the shore to protect water quality and wildlife habitat |
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Limit tree cutting within 100 feet from shore |
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Leave the shoreline in its natural state – existing rocks prevent erosion by stabilizing the shoreline |
Practice responsible boating:
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Choose a boat the fits the size of the lake |
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Avoid spilling gas - fix all leaks |
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Watch your wake – large wakes cause erosion and damage wildlife habitat |
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Know and obey boating laws |
BACK TO TOP
LAKE
SINGLETARY ATTIRE
The association has golf shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts and baseball caps for sale. Order now for the summer. They make great gifts too! See below for logo used on all the apparel.
Golf shirts-$25.00 available in white, ash (gray), navy,
forest, black
Sizes: small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, xxx-large
T-shirts- $10.00 available in white, ash, black, stone,
navy, natural
Sizes: small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large
Sweatshirts-$22.00 available in white, ash (gray), navy,
forest, black
Sizes: small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large
Caps-$9.00 available in khaki or khaki with black trim
To order: Call Mona at 508-865-0741. You may leave items you wish to order, your name and your phone number.
MEET THE CAPTAIN
With this issue of the Singletary Sun, we are adding a new column, “The Captain’s Corner”. The Captain will answer your questions on boating; safety, operation, maintenance and regulations, best practices for your lakeside property, or any other lake related topics. To ask your questions, go to your association web site:www.lakesingletary.org and click on “The Captain’s Corner” button. Your questions will be personally responded to, and answers to questions of general interest will be printed in the following newsletter.
This month the Captain has some “ice advice”.
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New clear or black ice is stronger than old ice. A few inches of new ice may be strong enough to support you while a foot or more of old ice may not be. |
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Snow on the ice will insulate it slowing down the freezing process. The additional weight of the snow can also decrease the weight-bearing capacity of the ice. |
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Ice is generally weaker near the shore. |
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Ice over moving water can be unsafe especially around inflows and outflows. |
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Fluctuations in water level can also weaken ice. |
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Ice that begins to thaw is “rotten” and is especially weak in late winter. The ice may be solid on the surface, but may be unsafe due to uneven melting underneath as ice melts or rots from the bottom up. |
Grant
Program Update
The $150,000 Mass DEP/US EPA 319 grant that we were awarded is in final negotiation stages so we will be starting on the tasks very soon!
As a review
from prior newsletters, the main purpose of the grant is to reduce non-point
source pollution by upgrading 20 storm drains and 3 detention swales around the
lake plus supporting tasks that will measure the success of the program, and
provide educational programs.
As a
reminder, we need HELP from volunteers around the lake.
We especially need help with sampling streams and storm drains going to
the lake this spring. We will also need help with working with our Conservation
Commissions on permits, working with our Local Cable Access, and storm drain
stenciling. We will be calling those of you that signed up to help at our Annual
Meeting. If you did not volunteer at the meeting, please contact Dick Norlin
(865-2581) or Mark Briggs (865-7839) or email through our website www.lakesingletary.org.
Surely many of you can put in some time to help your lake this year to make this
important program a success!
We
were also notified this fall that the Mass DEP Ponds and Lake Grant Program has
been terminated due to state budget shortfalls! This is a tragedy for LSWA as we have obtained grants for
approximately $10,000 every two years since 1994. Please see the article
elsewhere in the newsletter about the letter writing campaign to Ellen Roy
Herzfelder, the new secretary of the EOEA.
In addition to this program, there are other programs that benefit LSWA
that are funded by this office including our water-testing program so it is
critical that we all send a letter. Please
also cc your state legislators:
SUTTON
MILLBURY
SENATOR
RICHARD T. MOORE
GUY GLODIS
Room 312-D
Room 413B
State House
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Boston, MA 02133
Tel: (617) 722-1420
Tel: (617) 722-1485
REPRESENTATIVE
JENNIFER M. CALLAHAN
PAUL K. FROST
State House
State House
Room 437
Room 549
Boston, MA 02133
Boston, MA 02133
Tel: 617-722-2000
Tel: 617-722-2487
MUNICIPAL
SEWERS OUR FUTURE, BUT WHAT ABOUT NOW?
As most of you already know, the “sewer implementation committee” was created with the goal of bringing municipal sewer access to the homes surrounding Lake Singletary. The idea of municipal sewering was presented in our “Lake Management
Plan”, which lists nutrient influx into our lake as the major water quality concern. It identifies inadequate and malfunctioning septic systems around the lake as the primary source of this nutrient influx.
Faced with the current climate of government spending reductions, funding for our sewer project will most likely be delayed longer than originally anticipated. Municipal sewers may be our future, but in the present, we all share a responsibility to minimize negative impacts on our lake. With the health of our lake and our families in mind, it’s time to take an honest look at our own septic system design, function and maintenance plan.
Properly constructed and maintained septic systems pose little threat to the environment and human health. However, improperly functioning systems pose a contamination risk to groundwater and our lake. During high water periods, a marginal septic system may be more likely to contribute poorly treated sewage to our lake. Disease-causing organisms found in this wastewater can cause dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A. Nitrates can contaminate drinking water and lead to illness in humans, including blue baby syndrome, which affects an infant’s ability to carry oxygen in their blood. Other nutrients, primarily phosphorous, can promote algae and weed growth, which can deplete oxygen levels causing fish to die.
Assuming you have a properly designed and functioning septic system, the following are recommendations to minimize the potential harmful impacts to our lake:
-Regular Inspection-One of the most important ways to care for your septic system is to have it inspected on a regular basis. This extends the life of the system and helps avoid unnecessary and expensive repair and replacement costs. It is generally recommended to have inspections done every 2-3 years.
-Regular Maintenance- Solids must be regularly be pumped from the tank. A family of four with a 1,000 gallon tank will need to pump the system after 2-3 years of use.
-Conserve Water-Hydraulic overload is a major cause of septic system failure. Low flow plumbing fixtures will minimize the amount of water entering a system.
-Care of the Drain field- Trees and shrubs should not be planted near the drain field because the roots can plug the perforated pipe structure. Vehicles should not be driven or parked over the drain field as their weight can compact the soils and damage drain field components.
-Household Waste Disposal-Limit the types and amounts of wastes poured down the drain. Garbage disposals can nearly double the amount of solids added to the septic tank and should not be used. Cooking oils and fats harden after disposal and block the septic tank outlet and even clog the soil pores surrounding the drain field. In addition, chemicals like paints, solvents, and pesticides should not be dumped down the drain as these items may kill micro-organisms living in the soil that help purify the waste water.
Remember these suggestions only apply to properly designed and functioning septic systems. If your system is older or originally designed for seasonal use, you may want to consider consulting a professional to evaluate your present system.
SPRING WING DING
Back by popular demand!
Join us for our second annual
SPRING WING DING
DICKEY’S RESTAURANT
RT. 146, MILLBURY
SATURDAY, APRIL 12th 7:00 PM
All you can eat; soup, salad, chicken,
rolls, french fries, ziti and dessert
Entertainment by Ron Dickey
Adults:$15 children:$7.50
Call Ginny at 508-865-3859 or
Mona at 508-865-0741 to
reserve your spot as space is limited.
Please send check payable to LSWA to:
Mona Kawolis
95 West Sutton Rd.
Sutton, MA 01590