Here we go! The minutes have been transcribed and they are now on the web site. You'll find them under "Joe's Pond Assn."

You'll see in the minutes that President Tom Dente promised to get in touch with Ray Richer regarding the sediment pools planned for Sandy Beach Road and Barre Avenue and report to members via the blog. The situation on Sandy Beach Road was discussed at the meeting and, true to his word Tom contacted Ray and here is the response:

Hi Tom,

The update is that no more info is available than was available at the
last meeting.  Phil Beattie's schedule is very tight just now (we are on
his list) and the culvert area probably would best not be disturbed
during prime 'camper' season.  After most of the summer folks leave
would be the best time to attack the problem areas on this road.  (As a
consideration to all campers on Sandy Beach Road)

The original application to the state was reviewed by the proper state
level agents, and rejected only due to lack of funds.  No state
officials visited the sites, just as previously reported...as it did not
get that far with them.  The towns, Danville and Cabot, were notified as
well as the landowners involved.  Then when our application was rejected
and other applications were submitted all receiving the same results
that ended the application process to the state.  The towns involved
gave permission as long as it didn't cost them any money.

Yesterday I met with Judy and Sam Lewis on this issue.  They are going
to look into the 'official' possibilities of the Town of Cabot picking
up their responsibilities in this project.  We will wait to hear what
results they come up with... considering their expertise in that area
(at the state level) it is very fortunate that they are willing to
'navigate' this course for us.  We will wait to hear of the results that
they come up with in the meantime.

The Lewis's were in agreement that if the Town of Cabot gets involved in
this that the culvert by Ricker's/Parizo's boundary should be pulled
up and the culvert that is apparently buried under it also be removed
and the culvert properly 'set'... this would help eliminate the amount
of sediment that is dumped into the sediment pool on the exit of the
culvert.  In the long run it would save the town money to do it right as
they have had to attend to it each year with more fill and man-hours...
that is one of the issues that the Lewis's are going to bring up to the
town... along with their basic responsibility of attending to the class
3 road.  Although, the proposal to the state did not involve altering
that culvert, it did involve the runoff ditch along the property
boundary going to the pond... but if that culvert were fixed the work
done by the Association in the ditch would last longer.  It is our
understanding that the town can't go clear to the pond with the 'fix'...
there are some limits as to how far from the road (center) they can
go... but all that would be discovered in discussion with the town and
the Lewis's I believe...

We will keep you posted.

Ray Richer

*****

When/if there are more developments, we'll report here.

In the meantime, Paul and Mary Brooks, Old Homestead Road, have sold their cottage to James and Carla Gabert. The Gaberts hail from York, Pennsylvania, and have relatives here at the pond. We welcome James and Carla to Joe's Pond. I'm pretty sure they know the area well, already having ties here.

Another bit of information is that our good friend, Homer Fitts, is getting married soon! It's something of a fairy-tale romance in that Homer and his wife, Elsie,
were friends with this other couple, Frank and Margaret Guilmette, for many years and then each lost their mate. Now, Homer and Margaret are planning a life together. Congratulations, you two kids! Many of us have already met Margaret and she is a sweet lady. We wish them both many years of happiness together and look forward to welcoming Margaret to the Joe's Pond community. We'll perhaps lose Homer as a year 'round resident, though, because they may decide to head south for the winter, but I'm sure he'll still get back home in time to help us with the Ice-Out Contest next spring. Way to go, Homer!!