As we near the end of the year many of us are considering making our 2024 tax-preferred donations. You can contribute to research on the water quality and health of our beautiful Popponesset Beaches by supporting the Popponesset Water Stewardship Alliance with a tax-deductible donation.

Water quality and the future health of our beaches is a subject of serious concern for all PBA homeowners. Since 2019 Nicole Corbett, a Popponesset local, has performed water quality testing of our ocean waters for the Popponesset Beach Association free-of-charge. She also has been monitoring invasive seaweeds and created the Poppy Jellyfish Sting Kits program. Nicole continues to research the health of our beaches through her non-profit organization Popponesset Water Stewardship Alliance.

Recently, Nicole has made it possible for us to make our donations to her research tax deductible. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Popponesset Water Stewardship Alliance to support Nicole's research and contribute to the future health of Popponesset beaches. You can easily contribute by clicking on  this link: DONATE TO POPPONESSET WATER STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE.

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