Spring 2015 MLPOA Monomonac Lake Property Owners Association

If you have not paid your dues President’s Message please consider paying TODAY. Whether we are new-timers or old-timers living on Lake Monomonac, we all find beauty, wonder, and enjoyment throughout the seasons. The bright colors of fall, the stark cold solitude of winter, the greening hope of spring, and the bustle of summer all contribute to our unique and gentle way of life. Preserving the natural beauty of our lake and ensuring that future generations will enjoy the same qual- ity of life is the overarching mission of MLPOA. Your membership, associated dues, and participation are essential for continuing the work of maintaining the quality of our lake.

Your Board of Directors continue working hard this year to make a positive difference:

Visit monomonac.org or Monomonac Lake Property Owners Association, for important information and engaged conversation MLPOA Newsletter May 2015 MLPOA Officers Annual Meeting July 18, 2015, Wellington Park Water Quality Testing and Reporting throughout the summer months Burt Goodrich, President Exotic Milfoil Weed Treatment for up to 30 acres in early June 2015 74 Paradise Island Rd, Rindge, NH 03461 603-899-5780 John Sarasin Lake Education Program on June 3rd, 2015 for grade five [email protected] students from Rindge and Winchendon Lake Host Program during June and July that educates boaters and reduces Phil Simeone, Vice President 10 Marina Way, Rindge, NH 03461 milfoil contamination 603-899-6712 [email protected] This year MLPOA celebrates its 45th year of service! We hope you enjoy read- ing this newsletter and learning about on-going efforts to preserve our lake for Kathy John, Secretary generations to come. Please share this newsletter with folks who may not yet be Lapham Lane, Rindge, NH 03461 members and encourage their participation in Monomonac Lake Property Own- 603-899-9606 ers Association. [email protected] Thank you,

Bob Childs, Treasurer Burt Goodrich, President 50 LaChance Circle, Rindge, NH 03461 603-899-6146 [email protected] P.S. This year’s annual meeting will be held on Saturday, July Anne Reed, Communications 18th at 8:30 a.m. for coffee 62 Paradise Island Rd, Rindge, NH 03461 and 9:00 a.m. for the meeting. 781-718-2078 Join us at the Recreation [email protected] building at Wellington Park. See you there! MLPOA Newsletter

John Sarasin Lake Education Day and Lake Monomonac Every year in June, an intrepid group of boaters gathers at The Millers River is a recreation and historic river which origi- Rindge Acres Beach to embark upon a great adventure. This nates in southwest and meanders through the wonderful group of MLPOA members has the pleasure of taking picturesque towns of north central joining with 200 fifth graders, from both Winchendon and Rindge, out onto the River downstream from the town of Millers Lake Monomonac to learn about Falls Massachusetts. Although a majority of lake ecology. the river flows through central Massachu- setts, much of the watershed is contained in This year will be the 22nd time for southwest New Hampshire. Lake Monomo- this event. John Sarasin Lake Edu- nac, as part of the Upper Millers River wa- cation Day builds a bridge with the tershed, is a primary contributor to the river. local community as well as respect for the fragility of the lake. Children Through the efforts of the Millers River learn how important clean fresh wa- Watershed Council there has been a com- ter is to our world. prehensive study of the river through Mas- The Limnologists from New Hamp- sachusetts, but very little study of the wa- shire State arrive early in the morn- tershed has been done in New Hampshire. ing and load onto the boats with the The Upper Millers River watershed Coun- cil feels its important to the health of the Millers River in Massachusetts to also have water quality and environmental data from the New Hampshire watershed. In order to obtain that data a meeting was held with 2015 MLPOA Lake Host representatives from NH conservation com- Program missions, lake associations, the Franklin Pierce University Environmental Science De- MLPOA will once again be participating partment, and representatives of the Upper in the Lake Host Program with the help Millers River Watershed Council. of a grant by the NH Lakes Association in the amount of $1300. As part of the grant A cooperative plan is being developed to we match the funds that we receive with monitor some of the streams, lakes, ponds, volunteer time. and wetlands that contribute to the Millers River. Lake Monomonac is one of the lakes The Lake Host Program is one of the being considered for the placement of sen- nation’s premier aquatic nuisance spe- sors at the inlet and outlet streams to col- drivers and children. Promptly at 9 cies education and prevention programs. lect crucial data, such as water temperature am the first excursion takes off in a Lake Hosts are young people trained to and flow rates.This data will be shared with long line of pontoon boats and then greet visitors both entering and leaving all and hopefully provide MLPOA with addi- separates to different areas on the the boat launch area to protect us from tional information on the health of our lake. lake. The Limnologists try to ensure further invasion of invasive species. Their that each child plays a role in test- duties include asking questions and fill- It is a further goal of this group that by de- ing the waters. ing out a boaters survey, distributing veloping this collaborative plan it will in- brochures, conducting courtesy boat and crease local understanding of, and ability to The boaters have endured all manner trailer inspections, and reminding boat- address, environmental risks which threaten of weather over the years, but every ers to clean, drain, and dry their water- the integrity of aquatic resources in the Up- one of them looks forward to coming craft. Be sure to say hello to our hosts per Millers River Watershed in NH such as back the following year. The children when you see them at the North of The climate change, water quality, invasive spe- are well behaved, and excited to take Border Boat Ramp. cies and habitat for fish and wildlife. part in this activity. So if you look out your window or Remember your membership supports By visiting the Millers River Watershed step out onto your deck on June 3rd programs like these that are so important Council website at www.millerswatershed. this year you may see an army of to keeping our lake healthy and safe for org additional information can be found boaters and children helping to pro- all to enjoy. If you are interested in be- about the organization and the natural, tect our lake. coming a volunteer or want further infor- recreational, and historic points of interest mation please let us know. along the Millers River. by Kathy John by Phil Simeone by Phil Simeone

Page 2 Spring 2015

Variable Milfoil Exotic Milfoil Weed Treatment Variable milfoil is creating a serious economic and recreational Treating for exotic milfoil is an on-going challenge. Without nuisance in New Hamp- the vigilance of MLPOA and our annual shire lakes. Variable mil- treatment process, exotic milfoil would foil was first introduced take over our lake. Our treatment plan in New Hampshire lakes for this year is a return to the herbicide in the late 1960s by way “Diquat” which has been applied in pre- of discarded aquarium vious years. Aquatic Control Technology plants into lakes and oth- and NHDES have both recommended er waterbodies. It then a return to Diquat due to less than an- spread from lake to lake ticipated results from the last 3 years of by boats, motors, trail- treatment with 2,4-D and fear of our mil- ers, fishing gear, and by foil developing immunity to 2,4-D. Wa- natural forces. Variable ter temperature, chemistry and low level milfoil can live out of the currents were the cause of poor results water for hours and then in some treatment areas. rejuvenate once it is in- We are planning to treat all 30 acres of troduced to water again. milfoil in Lake Monomonac in early June Because variable milfoil in accordance with a Permit issued by the has no natural predators, NH Division of Pesticide Control. it can grow at explosive rates, rapidly inhabiting shoreline areas. Small fragments of variable milfoil carried by water currents and The following temporary water use restrictions will be waves created by boat traffic float in the water and form roots, imposed on the day of treatment: allowing the plant to take hold in shallow waters and colonize another area of the lake. One small fragment of variable milfoil • No swimming for 24 hours following treatment, within 200 can potentially multiply into 250 million new plants within a year’s feet of treated areas. time. It can grow one inch per day to reach 18 feet in length, creat- • Do Not Use this water for drinking, irrigation or for mixing ing a matlike canopy near the water’s surface. At this time, Mono- sprays for agriculture or ornamental plants until further no- monac Lake has approximately 30 acres that have been colonized tice. Some irrigation restrictions may be relaxed, as per the by variable milfoil. The number of colonized areas can grow expo- pesticide label, at the discretion of the applicator. nentially if left untreated. • These restrictions apply to all intakes within 1,200 feet of Left untreated, variable milfoil will clog lakes, causing boating and treatment area, and to all wells within 50 feet of the treat- swimming hazards and crowd out native species of aquatic plants, ment area. necessary for the food and shelter of fish and fowl. In extreme cas- es, milfoil has been implicated in the drowning of swimmers who Contact Aquatic Control Technology, 11 John Road, Sutton, MA became entangled in the long vine-like plants. 01590-2509, 508-865-1000, [email protected] for information on the release dates of these restrictions or Less obvious is the increased nutrient loading caused by decaying for additional information on the irrigation restrictions. organic matter, reduced dissolved oxygen levels, and increased lev- els of phosphorus and nitrogen which contribute to the rapid aging The shoreline of the lake will be posted with signs warning (eutrophication) of the lake and loss of property values. Studies in- of the temporary water use restrictions that will be imposed, dicate that shoreline property values may decline as much as 20% immediately prior to treatment. If you have any questions to 40% when variable milfoil is present in the waterbody. concerning treatment, contact Aquatic Control Technology at 508-865-1000 or go to www.aquaticcontroltech.com. These results present important implications for prevention and control strategies. Once introduced and fully established, variable I am also pleased to report that MLPOA applied for and re- milfoil is virtually impossible to eradicate. The use of herbicides is ceived a State of New Hampshire grant to assist our weed the best method available for treating the ongoing infestation at treatment. This grant is for 25% of the cost of treatment and Monomonac Lake but it is very expensive. This year we are treat- is not to exceed $2,873. The estimated cost to treat 30 acres ing 30 acres at the cost of $11,490. NH-DES will contribute with a is $11,490. We are fortunate to receive a grant this size for grant for 25% ($2,873). Our final cost will be $8,617 which comes the third year in a row. Obviously New Hampshire is support- from MLPOA member dues paid by lake property owners like your- ing our desire to eradicate the milfoil but we need your sup- self. Please help us protect the property and the recreational val- port to make it happen. Please send your membership dues. ues of our homes by paying your membership dues. by Bob Childs by Lourdes Gray

Page 3 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID MLPOA W. CHESTERFIELD NH Monomonac Lake Property PERMIT NO. 1 Owners Association Box 693 • Rindge, NH 03461

Annual Meeting July 18th Rindge Recreation Building, Wellington Park

Coffee and snacks at 8:30 am Meeting at 9:00 am

Join Us!

Rindge, NH 03461 NH Rindge, Owners Association Owners

Monomonac Lake Property Property Lake Monomonac

50 LaChance Dr LaChance 50

or or Join us today and support YOUR Lake! YOUR support and today us Join C/0 Bob Childs Bob C/0

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