A very generous anonymous benefactor has offered us a unique opportunity to double the effect of our donations toward Dean Pond by promising to match all monies, up to $5000, donated between now and Labor Day.

This year the Popponesset Beach Association allocated $28,000 of the 2021/22 budget for hydro-raking of invasive vegetation and for an in-depth scientific survey to clarify our long-term needs to maintain the pond as a viable healthy ecosystem. Currently we have an additional expense of $12,000 needed for removal in the Fall of the hydro-raked vegetation to an approved dumping site. Our immediate fundraising goal is $25,000 but we aspire to raise as much as we can beyond these immediate costs towards water quality improvements and general pond maintenance which is estimated at $8500 to $10,000 per year.

The PBA and the Pond Committee are very aware that the association has extensive needs and requests for funding for our many projects and activities, so we invite the community to help supplement some of the ongoing pond expenses to reduce, but not eliminate, the need for PBA financial support. In line with that, Friends of Dean Pond has become a tax deductible 501c3 organization, which means your contributions may be tax deductible.

Dean Pond is a treasured resource and feature of Popponesset. The PBA thanks all the members of the pond committee -  Melissa Allen, Mary Ann Brennan-Newcomb, Greg Carey, John Cloherty, Elizabeth  Calder, Heidi Dalaklis, Michael Madnick, Joan Quilty, and Ann Zmudsky – who have contributed outstanding work, support and financial commitment to ensuring the future health of the pond for all of us.

All Popponesset homeowners have or will receive a solicitation letter in the next few days and we invite everyone to contribute by Labor Day and take advantage of the generous pledge to match our donated funds. Please contact Mary Ann Brennan Newcomb with questions: 617-529-4376.

Popponesset residents can help to forward the initiative to improve our water quality. Watch this informative video about the Town of Mashpee's plans for funding and designing a system for wastewater treatment.  See how you can be involved: Step one is to be educated about the issue. Step two is to register to vote in Mashpee and vote for the project to be implemented. The first important vote will be in the Town Meeting Warrant available in March.

Selectman Andrew Gotlieb on
TOWN OF MASHPEE WATER TREATMENT PLAN

To the Poppy Community:
In addition to all the troubles that COVID has caused, these have been very eventful months for the Board and for Poppy. Here is a brief summary of current issues as we head into Spring.  You will see separate summaries attached to this letter for security, the pond, and the water quality testing we have been doing. Please read those attachments for detailed information.

Drainage
We are happy to report that we were able to hit four drainage areas this year:  Nick Trail and Shore, Clover and Shore, Bearse (all relatively small projects) and Uncle Edwards. Thanks again to Tim and Christine for a job well done.
Phase I of the Uncle Edwards drainage project (See our previous letter : Jan. 4th Letter from PBA Board) is now complete and, in the recent major storm, we saw a significant reduction in the water left on the street. We plan to monitor that area next year and see if Phase II is needed. This fix was expensive, and budget will determine whether we can apply similar fixes elsewhere.

With Uncle Edwards Phase I completed, we will soon be looking at other streets in the area: Eliot and Shore, Squaws, Cordwood, Nashawena and Pembroke.  If you would like your area considered, let us know. We also plan do more drain cleaning to see if that will help but the high water table still poses a problem.

Beach Access
At the requests of residents, we hope to improve accessibility at the beaches by installing boardwalks - on Squaws and Sandy this year, and Dean’s Hollow next year.  Before planning gets too far, and before we contact Mashpee Conservation Commission as required, we will reach out to the affected areas for a site walk. You can expect the installations to resemble boardwalks at Bluff Avenue and Kim Path that we installed three years ago.

The Community House
Work has begun for activities at the Community House for the Summer of 2021. Given continued Covid-19 concerns, we plan on hosting all activities outdoors like we did for summer of 2020, which was a huge success. The team is preparing for summer Arts and Crafts, Summer softball and soccer, Bingo, Movies on the Big Blow-Up Screen, our Third Annual Trivia Night, Summer Concerts and our Annual Road Race.  Watch for more details on our website as the season gets closer. Please contact any Board Member if you can volunteer to help for any events. We’d love to have your help!

Dean’s Pond
 The Pond Subcommittee is growing concerned about the continuing growth of invasive species and their long-term impact – see the attached Pond Report.  The long-term funding needed to maintain a healthy pond is beyond our regular budget and the Subcommittee is looking into fundraising, grants, and other sources of revenue. Link: POND REPORT.
 
Budget 2021
We are in the process of putting together the 2021 budget. Due to COVID and other issues, we have some “one-time money” this year that we can apply toward some of our current issues - in particular toward increased security. The problem with “one-time money”, however, is that once it is gone - we can’t plan to spend to that level every year.

Finally, at the end of February the 2021 invoices and statements will be going out. Please be on the lookout. Spring feels far away but it’s not. Let’s all hang in there.

The PBA Board

Links:
SECURITY REPORT
WATER QUALITY REPORT