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Freshwater Ponds Committee <br />July 22,2025 <br /> <br />Laurel Francke-yes <br /> Linda Farricy-yes <br /> Goals and Objectives <br />Printed copies of the mission statement, short-term goals, and long-term goals <br />were provided for review. The materials shared were part of what was originally <br />submitted to the Select Board when the committee was formed. Members were <br />encouraged to think about the committee’s future role, particularly regarding <br />educational outreach and community engagement. Ashley Fisher emphasized the <br />need for thoughtful feedback, noting that this approach aligns with how other town <br />committees operated. Sue Dangel raised a question about permissible email <br />communication between members, and Ashley clarified that while information can <br />be shared, there should be no discussion or correspondence to comply with open <br />meeting laws. <br /> <br />NEW BUSINESS <br /> Cyanobacteria alerts and signage <br />The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issues advisories based on <br />specific thresholds, including the presence of visible scum or mats and cell <br />counts that indicate a risk. Different cyanotoxins are monitored, and pigment <br />levels are analyzed to assess bloom activity. Routine water testing is conducted <br />biweekly when conditions are stable and weekly when concerns arise. If there’s <br />potential for public health concern, an alert is posted to keep the public informed. <br />In the case of an official advisory, both public signage and notification to the state <br />are required. The public is advised: "When in doubt, stay out," especially if they <br />notice musty, earthy odors or decreased water clarity. Irene Checkovich <br />suggested that source information should accompany any notices on the <br />website. <br />Existing signs are already placed at public access points, but there’s a <br />consensus that signage must be consistent and user-friendly. The committee was <br />encouraged to further explore freshwater resources recently posted online, <br />including links to the Cape Cod Commission and its educational materials, which <br />offer valuable insights into pond management practices for both the committee <br />and the public. <br /> Cape Cod Commission Freshwater Initiative <br />The Cape Cod Commission’s freshwater initiative continues to progress, with a <br />Ponds Network meeting scheduled for September, and an upcoming event on <br />August 14 from 6–8 PM at the Museum of Natural History in Brewster. The <br />initiative involves ongoing study of multiple ponds across Cape Cod, to better <br />understand their conditions. The goal is to gather detailed nutrient data to <br />support town-level action and potentially prompt a formal diagnostic assessment <br />by either the town or the state. This data, once released, will be highly valuable <br /> <br />