Holiday Message and Best Wishes
On behalf of the officers of the Clemons Pond Association, I would like to wish all of our membership, and to all visitors to this website, a happy and joyous holiday season.
The winter months bring with them the snow, which tends to subdue most pond activities, allowing us to reflect upon the wonders of nature that we sometimes take for granted, especially in the small corner of our world known as Clemons Pond.
Looking forward, the Association will continue to monitor the conditions of the Pond in an attempt to maintain what Mother Nature has given to us. We are always appreciative of all positive and negative feedback, comments and concerns that are forwarded to us, whether they be by entries into our website guestbook, or by any other means of communication available.
Richard R. Hunt
President
Association President Richard Hunt shares the following excerpts from a December 5, 2011 Maine Congress of Lake Associations (COLA) note.
Webmaster note: Please be aware of these issues and what’s going on with regard to them. How these issues resolve may have a direct impact on the Clemons Pond shoreline and residents.
“Water Issues Maine COLA Is Watching
“Although the State Legislature adjourned months ago, several important issues are still in play and will soon require [members’] attention.
“Shoreland Zoning: The stakeholders group charged with simplifying the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance has nearly concluded its work. So far, all water quality protections have been passed on by the diverse group, including setbacks and clearing standards within 100 and 250 feet of the high water mark.
“Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat (IWWH): At this time it looks as if the 250 foot protective setback for moderate value habitat for inland wading bird and waterfowl may be seriously weakened. Protection of high value habitat for these birds will remain, but development in areas of moderate value will most likely be allowed under a Permit by Rule from the Department of Environmental Protection. More on this next week.
“Land Use Regulation Commission: A recent memo from Commissioner Beardsley of the Department of Conservation indicates that LURC will be replaced by the Maine Land Use Commission. MLUC will retain the regional authority LURC had but significant changes are in the works. We'll keep you posted.
“New bills will begin to appear in January, but we need to be watching events starting now.”
Maggie Shannon, Executive Director, Maine COLA
Vandalism: Awareness, Watchfulness, and Communication
Sometime during the week of November 14th, a length of copper tubing running from our propane tank to our generator was cut and stolen. While not major incident in the grand scheme of things, it's an inconvenience and an extra expense. More worrisome, though, is the potential implication of any kind of escalation in property vandalism on the pond. Awareness and watchfulness of our own properties and our neighbors' properties are probably the best lines of defense. Also, communication is critical to our collective awareness. That's where this website can be a useful tool. Please contact me via email with any information about vandalism on the pond and I'll post it here so that everyone is aware of what's going on. davidhoward13127@gmail.com
Turning Up the Heat: Some Useful Information about Firewood
As the pond cools, docks come out, and summer memories fade, our thoughts reluctantly turn to the looming winter and keeping warm. This article, Firewood Tips and Best Bets, from The Old Farmer's Almanac, provides a list of woods and their heat values, along with other useful information on working with and burning firewood. (Thanks to Bill Stansky for the link. Apparently you can take the boy out of New England but you can't take New England out of the boy.)
Photo Gallery - Updated
Please visit the updated photo gallery. Click HERE to jump to the Gallery page for details.
