Town
of Lamoine, Maine
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Town
of Lamoine, Maine |
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Lamoine Conservation Commission
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The meeting started at 7:10 p.m.
Commission Members Present : Fred Stocking (chair), Carol Korty, Donna Theall, Tom Spruce, Raymonde Dumont.
Others present : Joan Bragdon, Nancy Pochan, Ken Smith, Michael Garrett, Judith Whitcomb.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting : postponed.
Presentation of the Freshwater Initiative by John Peckenham and Teresa Thornton, of the University of Maine (Mitchell Center for Watershed and Environmental Research).
A $20,000 grant from the Island Foundation was just approved, which will permit expansion of the proposed study of groundwater to the area of the aquifer in Lamoine, Hancock and Ellsworth, with possibility of comparison to other areas later on. Theresa has joined the project as a Masters’ Student.
The goals of the study are to study the quantity and quality of groundwater around gravel deposits, and to correlate these with the extent of gravel mining. The inventory of private wells in the area of the aquifer will be updated, and owners will be asked for observations past and present on water quality (smell, taste?) and quantity. Laboratory test will also be done. Observations regarding gravel mining in the same area will include: how long, how deep and how compliant with ordinances. The findings of the study will be compared to those of the Gerber study (which included 318 wells). In particular, questions will be asked regarding the impact of mining on the movement of water, and the filtering by gravel deposits. Recommendations to the state might be made based on the findings. Future spin-offs, if the current study proves promising, may include more detailed field work, more laboratory data, and more policy review. Comparisons will be made with other towns, especially some that are known to have water problems related to gravel extraction.
The timeline for the study involves much data collection in September and October, for which volunteers will need to be recruited as soon as possible. Press Releases will be prepared by Teresa, and Donna will check newspaper deadlines. A workmeeting on September 12 is scheduled, in order to organize the search for volunteers and contact names. Mary Ann Orzel’s well survey of 2000 needs to be located, including the list of well owners at that time. The Cold Spring Water Co. will be involved, as some of the study funding is for Wellhead Protection. Active gravel pits will be located.
In October, volunteers will be trained. Town records will be obtained, and measurements will be made, avoiding days immediately after heavy rain.
As for funding, sufficient grants have been obtained, but the town needs to raise $3000 in matching funds . Fred suggested that the project be described and donations be requested on the occasion of the October 20 presentation on Drinking Water, by Andy Tolman. A midwinter event might also be planned.
Concerns of Those Attending : Ken Smith announced two organized walks on the Coleman woodlots, one in managed tree growth, the other for recreation.
The Latona Spring will be looked at by an engineer, and the owners will come to an agreement with each other as to how to proceed thereafter.
Water Quality Coalition:
Carol Korty attended an event in Blue Hill, run by Dr. Jane Disney and involving school children some time ago. This year, MDI students were involved. It may be possible to have Lamoine school children participate in a similar project. Principal Val Perkins is interested, but funds maybe an issue. A first step will be for Dr. Disney to present that project to teachers. If there is sufficient interest on the school’s part, the LCC will present the idea to residents on October 20 and look into ways to facilitate its realization.
Recycling Committee : will include Tom Spruce, Nancy Pochan and Donna Thornburn.
Future events and meetings:
The regular LCC meeting in October will be held on the 13th, and will be needed to complete preparation of the following week’s event, as well as to review agenda items postponed today.
On October 20, Andy Tolman will speak on “Maine Drinking Water in the next 25 years”. Fred will look into availability of the school. Press releases including a bio of Andy Tolman will be submitted to the Lamoine Quarterly and to the newspapers. Carol will also invite participants in the Freshwater Initiative from Hancock and Ellsworth, as well as the funding sources for the study.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymonde Dumont
Lamoine Conservation Commission