Mill Pond

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1398dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Save  Mill  Pond</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1398dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Mill Pond...</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Historical Sketch </B></div> <div> Mill Pond dates back to colonial days when the river was dammed to create a pond to supply water for the operation of a mill. Benjamin Marston took over the mill in the early 1700's and the Marston family ran it for many years, giving the area the place name of Marstons Mills.</div> <bR> <div> The mill ceased operation in the early twentieth century, but the environs haven't changed much, with the pond and the Marston Homestead pretty much as they were in the 1700's. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Hidden Problems</B></div> <div> To the casual observer, Mill Pond appears to be doing just fine. The water glistens as it runs over the spillway and the swans and cygnets paddle by. But the pond is actually in dire straits:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The water is very shallow. Because the pond has a steady inflow of water and the outflow is regulated by the spillway, the water level is always exactly the same. However, the depth of the water is disguised and in many areas it is just a few inches deep and at the deepest point just a few feet deep. The pond has been filling in with sediment.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Water quality is poor, with nitrogen and phosphorus fostering the growth of plant life and algae. High bacteria levels make the pond unsafe for swimming.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The shoreline is closing in, with vegetation filling in from the shore line to over twenty feet in some areas, and the northern end of the pond is almost totally filled in. Eventually, Mill Pond will close in completely from the shores and become a wetland with a small stream meandering through it.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The threat of substantial development on the shore of Mill Pond is looming on the near horizon and this will only worsen all of the above problems.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Mill Pond Preservation Committee </B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Mill Pond Preservation Committee was formed in August, 2004 to address the problems that are confronting Mill Pond. This committee is comprised of the following members:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Representatives of the Barnstable Land Trust [BLT].</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Representatives of Three Bays Preservation.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Representatives of The River Day Committee.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Town Councilors for Marstons Mills, Janice Barton and Leah Curtis.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Concerned citizens and abutters of Mill Pond.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Priorities</B></div> <div> The issues facing the ponds were aligned into three major tracks, or efforts, and these are all being addressed in parallel:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Preserving open space to minimize further harm to the watershed, Mill Pond and its downstream environs.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Developing a plan to rehabilitate Mill Pond itself.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800c811111100.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Educating those in the watershed about how they can minimize their impact on water quality.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Immediate Issues </B></div> <div> The Mill Pond Preservation Committee has identified that the preservation of open space along the shores of the pond as a top priority and an issue requiring immediate action.</div> <bR> <div> Right now, approximately 26 acres of land at the back [westerly side] of Mill Pond is under the threat of development which would put an additional strain on Mill Pond's water quality. Also, some of this land is in very close proximity to the Hayden well field and the development of it could threaten the quality and safety of our drinking water supply.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Protecting Our Water Supply</B></div> <div> The land involved consists of two parcels, known as Archibald and Eldridge and each are about thirteen acres. The Archibald Parcel is for sale now [to settle an estate] and preserving it is an immediate concern of the Committee.</div> <bR> <div> A good portion of the needed money for the Archibald Parcel has been pledged: a large sum from the Land Bank and $500,000 from a state grant. The Committee has approached the C-O-MM Water Commissioners asking them to spend $375,000 to buy a portion [three lots] of the Archibald Parcel to provide protection of the water supply which is precariously close by.</div> <bR> <div> Right now, the area near these three lots is a dumping ground with piles of rubble, stoves, air conditioners, couches, etc. strewn near the Hayden well field.</div> <bR> <div> After being unable to obtain a commitment from the C-O-MM Water Commissioners to acquire these three lots, the Committee decided to take the matter directly to the C-O-MM Fire District voters.</div> <bR> <div> A petition was prepared and signed to get an Article on the Warrant and it will be decided by the voters at the C-O-MM Annual Meeting on May 17, 2005 [<A HREF="vote.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vote!"><U>more</U></A>].</div> <bR> <div> <B>Voter Support Is Needed!</B></div> <div> The Committee is asking all voters in the C-O-MM Fire District to attend the C-O-MM Annual Meeting on May 17, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the <A HREF="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=760+Osterville-West+Barnstable+Road,Marstons+Mills,+MA&ll=41.663574,-70.388784&spn=0.058716,0.116751&hl=en" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=760+Osterv"><U>Marstons Mills East Elementary School</U></A> on Osterville-West Barnstable Road in Marstons Mills and to <I><B>vote in favor of this Article!!!</B></I>.</div> <bR> <div> Your vote will not only help protect our water supply, but would be an important first step in saving Mill Pond.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U>Home</U></A> | Mill Pond | <A HREF="faqs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U>Faqs</U></A> | <A HREF="maps.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Maps"><U>Maps</U></A> | <A HREF="vote.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vote!"><U>Vote!</U></A> | <A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News"><U>News</U></A> | Photos | <A HREF="keepposted.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep Posted"><U>Keep Posted</U></A> | <A HREF="contactus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <bR> <div> © 2005 Mill Pond Preservation Committee</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>