THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY, AUGUST 24, 2012, BY JOE'S POND ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, TOM DENTE: 

What can the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) and members do about the E-coli situation?

 • The JPA can work with Federal, State and Town authorities for a solution to problems affecting the State of Vermont’s water, called Joe’s Pond. The Association is currently and has been working with Federal, State and Local officials on septic, geese problems and other water quality issues.

 • The JPA can ADVISE members to inspect their septic systems or to test their system with red dye.

 • The JPA and members can and should report suspect properties that may be leaking septic, to the Town of Danville (Health Officer 684-3426) or Cabot (563-2279). If you smell septic you should report the property to the proper town office.  I have done this, but members need to be more vigilant in this area and get involved. Identifying these properties is needed.

 • The JPA CANNOT require Members to do anything regarding their property. The JPA authority is limited to JPA property.  If you have not had your septic system inspected under the new rules you should, particularly if your leach field is within 30 feet of the shore. State engineers and private engineers are available to inspect your system. 802-751-0130.

 • The JPA power is in having the large number of members influence elected and other officials to do the right thing, at least as far as Joe’s Pond is concerned.

I have had a number of conversations with the Danville Health Officer, Mert Leonard, concerning the E Coli situation. He has gotten the ANR office in St. Johnsbury on board and a meeting is being planned for next week. He said the best thing Joe's Ponders can do is to report anything to him. He has been out here several times and one system is currently being repaired. The process is to notify the town health officer who then notifies and gets ANR involved. We are now at this level.