NEWSLETTER!

Sand Dam Reservoir Association Newsletter

Announcements/Reminders:

Sand Dam Day this Saturday, August 14th, 9-11 AM at 61 Wood Rd. Come by boat or car! Please bring a dish to share. It will be so nice to see everyone, and in a lovely outdoors setting. See notice, previously distributed, for details. Many thanks to Rico & Judy for hosting Sand Dam Day this year.

Save the Date: Bella’s dinner/social/fundraiser coming November 13th! The fabulous Black Tie Band will be providing great music and Kevin Kitson’s outstanding wines will accompany dinner. The raffle and silent auction will provide additional entertainment and opportunity for small treasures!

Dues,dues,dues! For those who have not yet paid this year’s dues, it is time to do so. The amount remains unchanged at $100 for full membership (restricted to those owning property adjacent to Sand Dam Reservoir). In addition, friends of SDRA are asked to become Associate members, at a fee of $50. All funds help to support our efforts toward achieving a healthy lake. Please remit your check to: Marissa Danville, PO Box 284, Chepachet, RI 02814 or give it to any Board member. Thank you.

Updates:

In late June, approximately 30 acres of our lake was treated for milfoil using Procellacor at a total cost of $26,525. Not a lot left in the treasury!

Phragmites were once again identified, growing in the cove area prior to the Morin’s properties, on the north side of the cove. Deb & Cleo have removed the bulk of it, and Justin will try to get at a couple of the more difficult growths within that location.

A couple of weeks ago, several people reported an odor toward the south end of the lake, and also indicated that the water did not seem to have the clarity it should. In conversations with a few other lakes, as well as guidance from Elizabeth Herron at Watershed Watch, it would seem that the heavy, continuing rains over a number of days, appear to have disturbed the waters to such a degree that caused some stirring up of the bottom layers, reducing clarity as well as disturbing the decaying milfoil, which can give off odor – as dead or dying plants are prone to do.

The Steve Hopkins property on Keech Dam Rd., formerly a quarry site, extends to the lake. In recent years, as Steve took steps to develop the property, there was always attention to minimally impacting the lake. The site will have up to 14 houses located on ⅓ of the land, toward the road, all with proper drainage, and all of it away from the lake. The remaining ⅔ is intended to be left in its natural state, with paths and trails only . The Town of Glocester is named as a secondary party to the natural area, and SDRA is named as third party for the open space area. There are absolutely no financial responsibilities for SDRA, nor can we be liable for any aspect of the property. Our connection gives us a voice, should it be needed, or if changes are proposed to the naturally conserved area. Much appreciation to Steve for his thoughtfulness and caring in the development of this land, adopting approaches that would be favorable toward keeping our lake healthy. In addition, according to our by-laws, the Homeowners Association will be eligible for a single SDRA full membership, with one vote.