Summer Solstice Concert

Enjoy the triumphal return of the North Reading Community Band and welcome summer on Thursday June 19th at 6:30pm. Bring a picnic, or just a chair or blanket, and enjoy the music.

fish kills info

Below is an excerpt from a MassWildlife info sheet on Fish Kills.  People have noticed more dead fish on the shore than usual this year.  Usually this is a natural thing. Read on if interested…

 

After the long, hard winter months, lakes and ponds across the Commonwealth are finally beginning to warm up.  While this is a welcome sign to anglers and swimmers alike, it can be an extremely stressful time for many fish species. Since spring, the Division has been receiving reports of dead fish in a number of ponds throughout the state.  Obviously, the sight (and smell) of up to hundreds of dead and dying fish along the shores of your favorite pond can be a distressing site and immediately bring thoughts of   pollution.  Fish do act as the “canary in the coalmine”, so it’s natural that someone would think a fish kill was the result of pollution.  But in fact, the exact opposite is true.  The vast majority of the fish kills reported turn out to be natural events.

 

Natural fish kills are generally the result of low oxygen levels, spawning stress or fish diseases.  Dissolved oxygen depletion is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills.  As water temperature increases, it simply cannot hold as much oxygen as when it was cold.  During the long hot days of summer, oxygen levels in shallow, weedy ponds can further decline as the plants consume the oxygen at night resulting in low oxygen levels in the early hours of the morning. This situation can become critical if the levels fall below that required for fish to survive which is approximately 4-5 parts per million.  In addition to the depressed oxygen conditions, late spring and early summer are when most warmwater fish species, such as sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass etc.), begin to spawn.  At this time, large numbers of these species crowd into the shallow waters along the shore vying for the best spawning sites.  These densely crowded areas are susceptible to disease outbreaks especially as water temperatures increase.  The result is a fish kill.  Nothing can be done to prevent this; it is a natural occurrence.

 

So how do we know when a fish kill is reported whether it is natural event or the result of pollution?  As the lead agency in fish kill response, a Division biologist will review each call and through a series of questions, make a determination on whether the kill is natural or requires a site investigation.  The Division also maintains a 40+ year database which helps track waters with a history of natural kills.  In the event that it is a pollution kill, the Division will notify DEP for analysis of water and fish samples as well as a formal investigation.  To report a fish kill Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, contact Richard Hartley at (508) 389-6330 or one of the five District Offices.  After normal business hours or on holidays and weekends, contact the Environmental Law Enforcement’s Radio Room at 1-800-632-8075.

 

Thanks,

Janet

 

PS – this AM a big snapper was laying eggs on the beach at Clarke Park. 

Here comes Summer!

Hi everyone,

The weather has been just wonderful.  Time for a Spring update on all the great things happening.

 

Flyover – On April 19 local pilot Nancy took a  group up for a flyover of Martins Pond and the drainage areas above and below to help identify any flow issues ,beaver dams, encroachments, etc. that may impact the area.  We have a DVD of the flight and many photos.  The good news is it all looks pretty clear.  Flyovers are usually done at this time – no ice – no leaves – clear view to waterways.  Thanks Nancy.

 

SHORE! – the Shoreline Home Owner Restoration Effort is beginning.  Our team will be visiting properties around the pond May 3^rd and 10^th to look at needs, wants, and opportunities to improve habitat and reduce shoreline erosion.  Funded through our latest grant, with some home owner participation.

 

Docks – As the docks go in, remember all docks are supposed to be permitted.  We have a list of permitted docks so if you are in question whether your dock has a permit, or would like the permit number, email me.  Permits go with the property so if you newly purchased a home you may have a permit you don’t know about.  They are good for 15 years and renewable. If you have a permit, please put your permit number on your dock facing the water.   If you do not have a permit and would like to “get legal” we have put the simplified license application on our website.  You only have to do this once.  If we get a group of people to do it together we can all go to ConCom together and maybe have a little dock permit workshop some time this summer.   About a third of the docks on the pond have permits now.

 

Bird sightings – Lori is keeping a tally of birds in the area and the list can be seen on our wildlife page.  If you have spotted anything else, email me and we’ll get you on “the list.” 

 

Turtles – That might not be a frisbee in the road.  Watch out for turtles which are usually all over our roads in late May and June.  Remember, snapping turtles don’t get that name for nothing.  Be very careful moving them. 

 

Upcoming events.  Tentative dates for upcoming events.

 

Memorial Day May 26^th – We have been honored by the Minutemen Militia by being chosen to be the Honorees of the Parade.  If you would like to walk with us in the Parade, we’d love to have you, especially those of you who have volunteered over the years.  Kids welcome of course! Wear your Martins Pond T shirt if you have one, or blue or white.

 

Summer Solstice Concert – Thursday night, June 19^th at Clarke Park, the return of the wonderful North Reading Community Band 7PM, bring a chair and hang out.  A nice cheap date. FREE

 

Children’s Fishing Derby – Saturday July 12^th,  8-11Am with free lunch after.  Kids under 16 shore fish for trophies and prizes ,a great family day. FREE thanks to our sponsors.

 

Neighborhood Watch – Raj has started pulling together a new neighborhood watch group, meetings will start soon.  After a few robberies, many of you stood up to take action, especially Raj.  Stay tuned for emails about that group’s kick off.  This group will work with Police and help identify issues and solutions to keep us safe.

 

Flooding – In our first step to clearing the two areas that have been a 25 year battle, Benevento has started the process to replace the undersized culvert in his property.  We hope to see this improvement this summer/fall if all permitting goes well.  We are still working every angle on the Bridge at 62, and are hopeful we are getting closer to seeing that replacement a reality.  Due to the recent drought water levels are quite low for Spring, about a foot below normal Spring levels.  This puts us in a good position right now should a big storm come through.

 

That’s it for now!

 

 

Thank you,

Janet Nicosia, Co-Chair

Martins Pond Association

Martins Pond Reclamation Study Committee

www.martinspond.org

978-664-1776

 

 

 

 

 

 

"All About Martins Pond"

Hi,

We hope to see many of you at this Friday, February 29^th’s informational meeting All About Martins Pond.  We will discuss the state of the pond, flooding, wildlife, and our new Grant project the Martins Pond Shoreline Restoration and Sedimentation Reduction project which is just underway.  We will have info on how you can get a dock permit, what is ,or is not allowed at the pond, history, and displays on recycling and stormwater pollution.

 

Please come!

 

Janet

Save the Dates. Feb 9th Winter Festival, Feb 29th Martins Pond Presentation and Celebration

Hi,

Please come to the following 2 events:

 

FEBRUARY 9^TH - Martins Pond Winter Festival Noon to 3PM at Clarke Park. Our 15^th Year!  Skate, play games, eat great hot food, make smores, ride a pony.  Talk with neighbors and friends.

 

FEBRUARY 29^th – Our first ever All About Martins Pond Night.  7:30PM at Town Hall Rm 14.  We will celebrate accomplishments and discuss future challenges.  Merrimack Professor Dr. Lyon will present the findings of an in depth study of the pond just completed and we will talk about our new $286,000 grant and what it will do. We hope to answer many of the burning questions we are often asked about Martins Pond, like…

 

What are the water problems? Why is the water brown?

 

What can be done?

 

Why sewer?

 

Will we ever be able to swim?

 

Why do we flood?

 

What's being done?

 

How do I get permission for a dock?

 

How can I fix my property, my walls are falling down?

 

Handouts, presentations, question and answer, refreshments, maps and posters.

 

We urge all of you who have expressed interest in the Shoreline Restoration program to attend. We will be displaying techniques and planting which will be available.

 

Hope to see you all at both events.

 

 

Thank you,

Janet Nicosia, Co-Chair

Martins Pond Association

Martins Pond Reclamation Study Committee

www.martinspond.org