This article was just sent to us.  It was on WCAX-TV and also appeared in the Caledonian Record:

Article published Jul 27, 2012
ATV rollover kills Barre man

WELLS RIVER — Vermont State Police say a Barre man died when the all-terrain vehicle he was driving crushed him Thursday.

Adam Davis, 27, was trying to drive his four-wheel ATV up a steep embankment in a wooded area of Wells River when it rolled on top of him, according to state police. His body was sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

According to a government website on ATV safety, part of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 16 deaths in Vermont from all-terrain vehicle crashes from 2007 to 2010, the last numbers available.

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The following is from Mert Leonard, Health Officer in Danville, who tests the water at the public beach: 

Greetings all.
Good news at the Joe's Pond beach water test was safe for swimming at  1st spot at 45MPN/100mL and second spot of 55 MPN/100mL. Second pond was not safe for swimming at > 2420 MPN/100mL. Third pond was safe for swimming at 34 MPN/100mL. 

Yesterday, July 26th, I was summoned to the beach to observe the 50 wild geese, actually rather tame ones, messing up much of the beach area. I have heard about this mess but couldn't imagine it until I saw it. The lawn and beach area is being cleaned up, and as soon as that is done the beach will reopen.

This must be the "problem" with the Joe's Pond all over. We need to take some action to convince the birds to move on. Any where they congregate they should be disturbed by load noises, flashing lights, reflective streamers, boats etc. Keep them on the move and perhaps they will leave. Above all, encourage people not to feed them. 

Thanks to Mert for reporting back to us.  

 The geese are able to fly now, but probably won't take off voluntarily until cold weather unless people make it too uncomfortable for them here.  As Mert says, you can chase them with boats, pitch firecrackers at them, or play loud music to discourage them, but please remember you have neighbors who may not appreciate the racket. The reflective tape, or even old CD discs fluttering on strings along the shore may do it.  Chico Carcoba sent pictures of string strung "goose high" along the waterfront with what looks like reflective party decorations, which he said is effective.  They apparently don't want to navigate under or over anything, and any movement disturbs them as they think it might be a predator.

The top picture has more  "decorations" on the string, and that may be because there's an easy walk-on beach area leading to the grass.  In the second picture, there appears to be a small sea wall, and according to wildlife experts, the geese will not try to come ashore there.  They also avoid tall grass and/or bushes, as there may be predators hiding there.


Geese spend the night on the water, and only come ashore to feed during daylight hours so they can see any predators that may be around.