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Freshwater Ponds Committee <br /> December 8,2025 <br /> Members volunteered for and were assigned to the working groups, with leads and <br /> facilitators identified as follows: <br /> • Pond Inventory and Mapping: Irene(lead), Linda <br /> • Community Engagement(Johns and Santuit Ponds): Larry, Amy, Diane(advisory) <br /> • Educational Materials and Communications: Amy(lead), Jonathan, Laurel <br /> • Government Relations: Diane(lead), Sue Dangle <br /> The committee emphasizedthe importance of beginningwith concrete, achievable tasksto <br /> move beyond abstract strategic discussion. Itwas also noted that no working group may <br /> exceed four members in order to avoid quorum-related issues. <br /> Lessons from the Formation of Friends of Ashumet Pond <br /> Members reviewed key lessons learned from the formation and operation of the Friends of <br /> Ashumet Pond. It was noted that successful initiatives were driven by a small core group of <br /> approximately four to five motivated individuals with complementary skills, including <br /> Leadership, technical expertise, and communications. <br /> The group relied primarily on a social media platform for communication, supplemented by <br /> a dedicated website and a donation mechanism. It was noted that the absence of formal <br /> nonprofit status did not present a significant barrierto fundraising, although donations <br /> were not tax-deductible. <br /> The initial organizing meeting was prompted byheightened community concern related to <br /> environmental conditions, resulting in strong attendance and successfulvolunteer <br /> recruitment. Members emphasized the effectiveness of direct, local outreach methods <br /> such as door-to-door engagement and physical notices, notingthat mass-mailed <br /> postcards often failto reach absentee property owners. <br /> Outreach and Public Events <br /> The committee discussed the potentialfor organizing community events, panels, or <br /> informational sessions atthe local libraryor other public venues. Questions were raised <br /> regarding protocols for committee-sponsored events, which may require clarification from <br /> town staff. <br /> It was suggested that initial outreach efforts focus on informal gatherings designed to <br /> gauge community interest, particularly in support of forming new or revitalized pond <br /> associations. <br /> 5 <br />