Sherwood Forest is in need of volunteers for the following projects, but SFNA would also like to hear your suggestions for projects that you believe would be beneficial or that you would like to volunteer for.
Clean up Day on May 31, 2008
Come help clean up the old garbage around Sherwood Forest
Forest Wide Tag Sale event June 21 and 22
Everyone having their items for sale at their homes and people travel thru the forest tagging them. But we need people to help.
There will be an anticipated Neighborhood Watch Review presented by the Becket Police following our annual meeting on the 8th of August. This is not yet fully confirmed so please check prior. |
Big Robin Beaches. This year we will need volunteers to mow two beaches on Big Robin. The larger one on Will Scarlet drive and the smaller on Sherwood Drive |
Presidents Letter
Dear Fellow Sherwood Forest Residents,
Since August, I have been busy trying to get to know some people and have taken the time to attend as many meeting as possible. The next year will be upon us soon, and we have to prepare for some of the issues that are at the forefront of the organization. The State of Massachusetts has rated some of our Dams in Sherwood Forest. I feel it is necessary, to form a committee of representatives from all the lakes to deal with the needs of the Dams and Waterways. The creation of a simple ten year plan will help us to evaluate and pinpoint the areas of need.
Another area I have been working on is revisiting the Bi-laws. A few of the members of SFNA and I, have been trying to simplify them and to re-write them. Hopefully we will be successful and will try to present them to the organization at the annual meeting in August.
Last but not least, I hope to see more volunteer’s getting involved in Sherwood Forest. I am grateful to all who put their time and effort in maintaining and trying to make Sherwood Forest a better place to live. We have to continue to strive to make Sherwood Forest all that it is, and all it can be.
Thank- You
Ann Tuleja
` President of SFNA
FRIENDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST
GREEN DREAM RAFFLE
Enclosed are tickets for the 2008 Friends of Sherwood Forest raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to pay the water testing expenses mandated by the State of Mass. If you use the lake to swim, please purchase a packet of tickets to subsidize the mandated testing so that the beaches will remain open for swimming. There are five beaches tested on a bi-weekly basis. Little Robin, Excalibur & Lancelot each have one beach tested, and Big Robin has two beaches that are tested. The annual expense is approximately $1500.
The Grand Prize is $250
The drawing is at the annual meeting in August. The winner does not have to be present. Sold ticket stubs will be accepted up to the moment of the drawing. Sold ticket stubs and a check made out to Friends of Sherwood Forest may be returned to me in person or by mail. My address is Robert Wollenberg, 122 Hollyberry Road, Bristol, CT 06010. I am the person registered with the Town who is responsible to distribute & receive tickets, record proceeds and report the outcome to the State. After the expenses were paid, the 2007 raffle generated $1,117.77 profit for the Association. Thanks for your participation.
FRIENDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST
2008 will be another challenging year for the Friends of Sherwood Forest. After all necessary expenses were paid for fiscal 2007, the Friends account now has $4,575.69. I anticipate the 2008 expenses to be approximately $11,000. The majority of the money is spent on
In order to meet the anticipated expenses a voluntary contribution of $75 is requested. Any amount is appreciated.
19 Sherwood Drive, 122 Hollyberry Road
Becket, MA. 01223 Bristol, CT 06010
All contributions are voluntary and are being used to PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.
As you know, Sherwood Forest Neighbors Association (SFNA) owns the lakes within Sherwood Forest. SFNA has granted permission to SOLO to coordinate the water treatment needs of the Forest lakes.
Since the inception of the SOLO effort, funding has always been by voluntary contributions from throughout the Forest. These contributions were used to spot treat the areas requiring attention. The permitting requirements were minimal and easily obtained.
Over the last 3-4 years, the permitting requirements have become much more stringent and require the assistance of expert water treatment contractors. Any anticipated treatment of any of our 5 lakes for invasive weeds now has to be presented on an annual basis to the Conservation Commission for approval. The process requires pre and post inspections & reports, attendance at Commission meetings, notification of waterfront property owners, and the application of the approved treatment. The cost of this annual process has significantly increased due to the additional permitting requirements. As the costs have risen, so have the concerns that the money donated by people who use a particular lake is used for monitoring & treatment of that particular lake. To alleviate those concerns, a new funding and accounting system is being instituted.
The new system will encompass 2 funding needs.
The first is the need for an amount of money to be used to pay the annual expense associated with obtaining the permits necessary to treat any Sherwood Forest lake. The permit application is presented to the Conservation Commission in December. If the permit is obtained, then all five lakes are inspected in May for potential treatment. The historic cost of this portion of the SOLO annual expense is approximately $5000. SOLO is going to allocate this amount on an acre of water basis to each of the 5 Forest lakes. At the present time, SOLO is asking for voluntary contributions to cover the permitting and inspection expense. All contributors should indicate which lake they want their contributions to be allocated toward.
The allocation formula is $5000 per 100 acres of water = $50 per acre
Little Robin 8 acres = $400 suggested contribution $25/property owner
Big Robin 72 acres = $3600 suggested contribution $50/property owner
Lancelot 7 acres = $350 suggested contribution $25/property owner
Excalibur 8 acres = $400 suggested contribution $40/property owner
Nottingham 5 acres = $250 suggested contribution $60/property owner
After the May inspection, the costs of the treatments will be determined. A representative from SOLO will hold a meeting to explain the costs for each lake and begin to collect the monies needed to perform the permitted work. When sufficient funds are collected, the necessary work will be scheduled and performed. No work will be performed without the required funding in the bank.
After many years of hearing concerns regarding the allocation of contributions, SOLO feels that this method is an equitable way to address those concerns. SOLO hopes that all Sherwood Forest residents who use the lakes will voluntarily contribute to the fund for the lake that they use.
Any excess contributions will be applied toward the SOLO expense for the specified lake for the following year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at bill@maier.com
Sincerely,
Bill Maier, Chairman
Name_________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address________________________________________________________________
Forest Address _________________________________________________________________
Email ________________________________________________________________________
Lake I use _____________________________________________________________________
Contribution Amount____________________________________________________________
Mail checks to SOLO/SFNA 19 Sherwood Drive., Becket, MA 01223
All contributions are voluntary and are being used to protect your investment
SFNA Meeting Calendar
Saturday 4/26/08 |
Noon in the Berkshire room |
Open Meeting |
Friday 5/2/08 |
7PM |
Council Session |
Sat 6/11/08 |
9AM |
Membership meeting |
Friday 7/11/08 |
7PM |
Council Session |
Sat 8/9/08 |
9AM |
Membership meeting |
Fri 8/15/08 |
9AM –Noon, 6PM – 9PM |
Elections |
Sherwood Forest Lake Management Billing Breakdown
SOLO update for the 2007 Season
Lake Water Management paying off – but always more work to do.
For the moment, things seem to be looking up.
The Lakes have been monitored during the Spring and early Summer months
resulting in the following treatments in August.
Roughly 6 acres of Niad were treated in Big Robin.
Scattered growth of Phragmites were treated on shorelines on Lancelot, Excalibur, Little and Big Robin
No significant growth of Milfoil was located – Lancelot having some early signs of what will likely be a required spot treatment in 2008 – along with hand pulling which has shown some success in the past season and could be a new viable alternative where limited growth conditions exist.
Some of you, I’m sure, remember the days of weed clogged waters where boating, swimming and fishing would never again be a part of the “Great Life” in the Forest.
We’ll, you’re continued Financial support has made it possible for an update report like this one to exist.
But, the battle will likely never be over.
SOLO now has mandatory fees – be they inspection, pre and post survey reporting for local Environmental and Conservation Authorities. In other words, money needs to be spent before effective water management can be considered.
Keep a continuous eye out for strange boaters entering out waters. So you understand this warning, the biggest contributors to a new influx of milfoil are boats arriving from some other lake that can bring milfoil on their motor props. Can you imagine the savings that would be achieved if we could all do a better job of keeping unknowing offenders away for our waters???
Dams on Big Robin, Little Robin and Lancelot all have need for repair – and the Bureau of Dams, having inspected all three, will provide some direction in the Spring of 2008.
Other matters:
The Big Robin HD system was repaired this past Spring, at no cost, and provided an algae free season for all on Big Robin.
The Fishing Season on all Lakes in the Forest has a new twist! The DEP has studied our past Propagators License, which allowed us to fish License free, and has told us our model ownership by individuals is not and never was structured to allow us the “Free” status.
So while we’ve had many years of free fishing, the regulations now require all anglers to have a Mass. License – or be fined if caught without one. And Game Wardens will be on the look out for offenders – so be aware from this date forward.
Catch and Release is still in place on all Lakes. So keep the small fish if you must but release the fish over two pounds – they are the breeders and future population for all who love to fish our waters. (email me if there is any confusion on this topic, ok.)
There you have all the news.
Sherwood Forest is ranked near the top in Lake water quality in the Berkshires. Thanks to all of you who contribute to make the Forest a place that just doesn’t get any better!
Solo is a group of volunteers who need your support – and if you provide that support, we’ll do our part.
Enjoy the holidays and see you next season.
Best regards,
Bill Maier
Bill@maier.com