The Watershed Vol. 1, No. 1

The Oyster Pond Environmental Trust Newsletter, Fall 1995

OPET, P.O. Box 496, Woods Hole, MA 02543-0496

Thank you for joining OPET!


Charter

OPET was formed to conserve and protect the natural environment and ecological systems of Oyster Pond.

Incorporation

OPET is now incorporated as a not-for-profit corportion in the State of Massachusetts. Papers have also been med for-status as a 501(C)3 charitable organization eligible for tax-deductible contributions. Approval is expected within S to 6 months.

Membership:

OPET now has over sixty dues paying members. These dues are what make the OPET projects possible. Remember $25 regular; $100 sustaining.

Friends and neighbors who have expressed interest in and support of our activities are urged to express this support tangibly by joining as Members. Documentation of this support through the OPET membership roster is essential to further the policy and land acquisition activities underway.

Do we have your name right?

We are working hard to consolidate mailing lists and membership lists. Newsletter recipients should please send any address corrections, or suggestions for others to include.

A year for getting organized

A year has passed since a group of residents of the Oyster Pond watershed area met to consolidate the work of the Pond Watchers and te Oyster Pond Trust through a new organization called the Oyster Pond Environmental Trust, Inc. Members and donors received a mailing in December 1994, reporting on the election of directors who represent concerned residents of the watershed and include leaders of both efforts. This Board of Directors has worked productively throughout the past year, meeting virtually every month (missing only January!).

Officers and committee assignments:

President: John Dowling

Vice President: Cecily Selby (Coles)

Secretary: Wendv Gabriel

Treasurer/Newsletter Editor: Lon Hocker III

Counsel: Dana Rodin, esq.

Committee heads:

Pond Management: Barry Norris

Land Preservation and Acquisition: Werner Loewenstein

FundRaising: William Kerfoot

Other directors: Duncan Aspinwall. William Brewer, Stanley Hart Birgit Rose, Donald Zina

Committee reports

Pond Management


Intensive committee work included: desigu and distribution of a questionnaire to elicit specific community interests and concerns regarding the Pond, analysis ofresponses, and consultations with Pond Watchers and Dr.Brian Howes of the W.H.O.I. Sea Grant Program, consultant to the Town of Falmouth. A position statement was approved by the OPET Board and now has been sent to Peter Boyer, Town Administrator, for consideration as Town policy. The text of this statement is in this news-letter.

Land Acquisition and Management


An agreement has been reached with the Salt Pond Sanctuaries that, upon receiving status as a tax-exempt organization, OPET will assume the responsibility of the remaining mortgage on the Oyster Pond Trust property on Ransom Road. At the same time, Salt Pond Sanctuaries will transfer to OPET title of all the parcel (known as the Fisher property). Fulfillment of this critical agreement, coupled with continuing financial support from interested and generous donors, will assure the preservation of this undeveloped land. More details two pages ahead.

The activities of this committee have concentrated upon consultations with the 300 Committee to consider collaborative efforts to preserve and protect the natural resources of the watershed.

Fund-Raising


Thanks to continuing contributions for the preservation of Oyster Pond, payments on one mortgage were completed and payments on the balance continue to be made. With tax-exempt status and transfer of title anticipated in the next two months, a major Campaign will be launched in early 1996 to preserve the seven acres on Ransom Road. If you can make a contribution this year, please do. The sooner we can get this mortgage paid the better! Make your tax deductable contribution payable to Oyster Pond Trust c/o The Salt Pond Sanctuaries.

Our First Annual Meeting

John Dowling's article in the Salt Pond newsletter and Bill Brewer's articles in the Falmouth Enterprise helped prompt considerable interest in the Annual Meeting, held at the gracious and spacious facilities at the Sea Education Association. Sixty-five people attended. President John Dowling opened the meeting with a review of the rationale for founding OPET. State Representative Eric Turkington spoke about the significance of ponds and their health throughhout his district. Brian Howes provided a lucid and fascinating review of the unique characteristic of Oyster Pond and (two deep kettle holes that retain salt water). Lively discussion followed and several sppeial guests were introduced.

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