Author: secretarysdra

Sand Dam Reservoir Association Newsletter

● ANNUAL DRAWDOWN begins October 1st. FYI, our DEM permit allows for a drop of 2 inches per day.
● Our lake was treated in June with Procellacor, targeting 30 acres at a total cost of $26,525. The followup
survey showed no evidence of milfoil. Many thanks to all who made this possible through your
participation in our Bella fundraisers in the few years prior, plus the efforts of so many this past year by
making donations, large & small, to help raise the needed money.
● Annual dues of $100 are due, actually overdue. If you’ve not yet paid your dues, please send a check to
our Treasurer, Marissa Danville, at P.O. Box 284, Chepachet, RI 02814. Thank you.
● Bella’s Social & Fundraiser: The Board initiated work to host this event in November, with Eric & Marissa
carrying out most of the tasks to date. However, with the current covid situation, all agreed that we
should postpone this until the Spring.
● The Steve Hopkins property: This refers to the land that runs from Keech Dam Rd. to the lake; some may
recognize it as a former quarry. The approximately 45 acres has been structured to provide for some
homes, with access from the road, and that comprises approximately ⅓ of the property, with the
remaining area earmarked for conservation. Steve worked hard to ensure that the property’s design
would support best practices, & gives SDRA an advisory role & notice regarding any potential changes to
the portion of the land set aside for conservation. All paperwork has now been finalized.
● Cleanup for the area across from the Transfer Station will be done in November: The date is to be
determined & is weather-dependent. More to follow closer to that time.
● SDRA is continuing to work with “Save the Lakes” to achieve legislation and funding that would assist
lakes in their efforts to combat invasive species

           

 Sand Dam Reservoir Association Newsletter

 August 12,  2021

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. 

SDRA 2021 Boat Greeter Program: Volunteer Signup
Following are the dates remaining for known fishing tournaments at our lake. Contact Judy by phone (401-486-8414) or email (colalucajudy@gmail.com) to let her know the ones you can attend by giving:
● your name
● phone # or email address
● the date(s) when you can help
If not experienced with this program, no problem – training on the job is a great way to learn.

Date/Event Time/Club Volunteer shift

Sat, Aug. 7: 4pm-12am 3:15-4:15pm
Independent Bass Anglers

Sun, Aug. 15: 6am-2pm 5:15-6:15am
RI State Bassmasters

Thurs., Aug. 19: 5-9pm 4:30-5:15pm
Thursday Night League

Thurs., Sept. 16: 5-9pm 4:15 – 5:15pm
Thursday Night League

REMINDER: Please attend the SDRA Annual Meeting this evening, June 16th at the Glocester Senior Center, 1210 Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI 6:30 PM – arrival & informal chat time6:45 PM – meeting starts

SDRA ANNUAL MEETING: AGENDA  –  JUNE 16,2021, 6:30 PM

 Glocester Senior Center, 1210 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI

6:30 PM: INFORMAL CHAT

6;45 PM: WELCOME & CONFIRM QUORUM

INTRODUCE BOARD

REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS

• President
• Vice-president
• Secretary
• Treasurer

REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

• Budget 
• By-laws 
• Nominating Committee 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  EDUCATION

• Lake Smart Program
• Boat Greeter Program 
• Communications & Information Sharing

COMMITTEE REPORTS: LAKE MANAGEMENT  

• Water Quality Monitoring                   
• Dam Management                             
• Keech Pond Liaison/Relationship     
• Annual Drawdown                        
• Hand & Suction Harvesting               
• Herbicides                                          

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  COMMUNITY OUTREACH 

• Trash
• Town of Glocester
• State of RI
• Save The Lakes

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

• Fundraising                        
• Communications                 
• Planning, documentation     
• Insurance                          
• Legal                               

MEMBER CONCERNS OR IDEAS

VOLUNTEERING 

NEW BUSINESS

• Nominations Committee Recommendations & Vote
• Sand Dam Day – Volunteer?  
• Other

ADJOURNMENT

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Lake and Watershed Annual Forum Wednesday, May 26, 2021 * 6:30-8 pm Johnston Memorial Park –               Dunn Building Pavilion   1583 Hartford Avenue *              Johnston, RI * 02919

                                                                                                                                                  It’s been too long since we gathered to share our question and experiences with lake and watershed management. A great deal has happened with updated state regulations and policies, increased recreational use of our local waters in response to Covid-19, and so much more. Please join lake association and watershed group members from around the state for presentations from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Resources (RI DEM) staff explaining changes in the freshwater wetlands regulations, answer your questions, address issues and update us about their activities. Learn more about the Resident Initiative, promoted by Save The Lakes to engage local and state action to benefit Rhode Island’s freshwaters. Come ready to share your point of view and learn more about how we all can save the lakes. Save the Lakes is proud to be hosting this outdoor meeting, which allows you to safely spend time with other waterfront neighbors sharing solutions to waterfront problems. Lakeside stewardship means learning how to care for your lake and the lands around it – and here is your chance to become a lake steward! Bring a folding chair and join us for some fun, education, and socially distant networking as we learn more about our lakes and how we can work together to keep them, and us, healthy.

 Save the Lakes * 61 Wood Road * Chepachet, RI, 02814 * Tel: (401) 486-8141 * Email: info@stlri.org http://stlri.org

SDRA Board Meeting Agenda – May 17, 2021 at 7 PM
(to be conducted telephonically)
Call to Order
Roll Call
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Secretary (March Minutes review & approval)
Treasurer
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Herbicides Contract Update………………………….…..Deb
Restaurant initiative……………,,,,,,.……………………….Deb
Earth Day & Trash………………………………………….Judy
Statewide Initiatives/STL………..…………….…….…….Judy
Fundraising………………………………………………….Janice
ANNUAL MEETING/draft agenda………………………………..Janice
(Attachment 1- Especially see specific questions)
Board Concerns
Member Concerns
Next Meeting
Adjournment

ANNOUNCEMENTS
APRIL 15, 2021

MATCHING FUNDS DRIVE to attack milfoil

$3,675 – raised to date toward the $6000 target that represents the anonymous donor funds

Campaign runs until the end of April
Please donate – any amount is appreciated!

Many thanks to all who have made donations to this or other fundraising drives this year.

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EARTH DAY – Saturday, April 24 – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Our participation will be part of a town wide effort to clean up trash!
9 AM – 1 PM – Arrive at 9 to receive assignments!
Our group will work the areas around the lake.
PAVILION at KENT FIELD, MAIN STREET, CHEPACHET
● Bags & gloves will be provided.
● All Covid-19 regulations will be followed.

The first 50 people will receive a FREE Glocester Earth Day T-Shirt!!
Contact Judy if you have any questions: colalucajudy@gmail.com or 486-8414

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SDRA ANNUAL MEETING – Save the date! Wednesday, June 16, 6PM Pavilion at Kent Field, Main Street in Town – Outdoors

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