Past Meetings

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=160 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="24af46b0.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="107" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MISSION"><U><B>MISSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT TO DO?"><U><B>WHAT TO DO?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JOIN CUSH"><U><B>JOIN CUSH</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="POLLUTION SOURCES"><U><B>POLLUTION SOURCES</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MEDIA"><U><B>MEDIA</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WATER TESTING"><U><B>WATER TESTING</B></U></A><B>    </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#006666" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CUSH HOME PAGE"><U><B>HOME PAGE</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=275 BGCOLOR="#006666" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="24eb44e0.jpg" border=0 width="180" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harbor Friendly Yards"><U>Harbor Friendly Yards</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Can Boaters Help?"><U>How Can Boaters Help?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Next Meeting"><U>Next Meeting</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Past Meetings"><U>Past Meetings</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lectures"><U>Lectures</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Water Testing Plans"><U>Water Testing Plans</U></A></div> <div> Watch for Youth Activities</div> <div> in the future</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=320 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="10" CELLPADDING="8" CELLSPACING="5" WIDTH="682" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#CC9933" BORDERCOLORDARK="#006666" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 8894 WIDTH="634"><div> <B><U>PAST MEETINGS</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Scroll Down for Summaries of CUSH Meetings</B></div> <div> <B>Most recent meetings are listed first</B></div> <bR> <div> November 2008 Meeting</div> <div> La Grua Center -- Stonington, CT</div> <bR> <div> Welcome to the 67 new CUSH members who joined in 2008! For those who couldn't make our November 12 meeting, here's a recap of what was discussed.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>2008 accomplishments</B></div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Harbor Friendly Yards</B> planning began in January and was launched in March thanks to Gloria Gorby, Saren Langmann, Bruce Biddle, and Amy Nicholas. A 4-page Yard Care Guide for the Coastal Homeowner was printed and tucked into 24,000 newspapers going to all residents of Mystic, Stonington and Pawcautuck. Two educational lectures were held: organic landscaper Frank Woods spoke on "Creating a Harbor Friendly Landscape" and Susan Addis' talk, "Poison in the Grass," discussed health risks from lawn care chemicals. A handout sheet outlining harbor friendly lawn practices CUSH asks homeowners to follow was created. When residents agreed to use the guidelines, they were given little 4 x 4 inch CUSH Harbor Friendly Yard signs to plant in their yard during Stonington Garden Club's exceptional garden tour. Due to Borough regulations, signs in the village had to be taken down within three weeks, but not so throughout the Town of Stonington, so expect to see more to sprout up in 2009 outside the viaduct. </div> <bR> <div> <B>CUSH's Water Testing Program</B> was started by Claire Gavin in January. By February, she had assembled a Water Testing Advisory Committee and chosen 12 proposed sites in Mystic River and around Stonington Borough, Barn Island, and Sandy Point. We were excited that 12 water testing volunteers also signed up. To ensure continuity of data, we formed teams of two for each site, meaning we could only cover six this first year. Since most of the volunteers live near Stonington village and easy boat access to a site is important, the Mystic River and Barn Island test locations were put on hold until we have volunteers from those areas. Unfortunately, by our November 12 meeting we still only had partial testing results - URI's Watershed Watch lab is backed up due to the high response to their program this year. What data we had, however, showed good news. The only high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus came from tests in Wequetequock Cove, an area that historically has had flocks of swans, an old mill pond at the headwaters, and questionable soils for septic systems. Save the Bay's Pawcatuck River results were not as good, however, and we expect Mystic River may have similar pollution when we begin testing those waters. From the beginning, CUSH has sought to collaborate with Save The Bay's Westerly office, which performs regular testing in the Pawcatuck River, and SE*CRES (Southeastern Connecticut River Estuary Stewardship) that focuses on local rivers and estuaries, to ensure our groups do not duplicate each others efforts and thus enable greater coverage of local coastal waters.. When all the CUSH sample analysis is available (hopefully by February), we will send you a final report, and include the other organizations' data too, if possible. But bear in mind, one season of testing is considered "preliminary" in the world of science. Heavy rainfall and other year to year variations can cause results to be markedly different. </div> <bR> <div> In May, CUSH began planing our <B>first fund raising drive</B>. Thanks to Bill Dohrmann, Wiz Arndt, Susan Piver, Jeff Dolph and a wonderful team of "stuffing and mailing" volunteers, nearly 3,000 letters went out by August 11. We are grateful to you and other intrepid supporters who as of October 31, 2008 have contributed $7,596, in spite of the slowing economy, mortgage mess, and subsequent meltdown. We also received $2,600 in grant funding via the Town of Stonington, so our 2008 income is expected to nearly cover expenditures by year end, bringing assets back to around $16,000. Checks continue arriving, and some water testing invoices are still out, so we'll give you the final tally in January. The other good news is that in 2007 CUSH had 33 paid memberships; thus far in 2008 we have 100. So thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support in spite of the financial uncertainty surrounding us! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Media enthusiasm</B> for CUSH's mission has remained strong during our second year. We were featured in 10 newspaper articles, two magazine stories, and Channel 8 television covered the pumpout boat service in July. Five radio stations also aired three 20-second educational public service announcements from CUSH throughout July, August and September. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Plans/Ideas for 2009</B> </div> <bR> <div> CUSH will always have more ideas than we can execute. When we come up with a concept, funding can often be found or grants written, but we always need one individual willing to take responsibility for leading the project and a small committee to work with them. So if anything below is of interest to you, please call me at home (860) 535-4134 or on the CUSH line, (860) 949-0911. Discussing ideas in our meetings gives us members' perspective and creative input, but if you can't attend our meetings, here's your chance to participate. </div> <bR> <div> 1. <B>Community Outreach</B>. To expand awareness of CUSH's environmental messages, we need more community outreach, especially in the Mystic and Pawcatuck/Westerly areas. To broaden our reach, we added two board members, Mike Logan and Susan Piver, with deep roots in Pawcatuck. We also joined the Mystic Chamber of Commerce, and I am looking to add Board members with a long involvement in Mystic marine activities as well. Outreach at its simplest is a CUSH table at 2-4 events where we hand out educational brochures on non-point sources of pollution and environmentally save boating practices. If you have suggestions about which events we should be at, please let me know what they are and the organizer or contact. If you'd like to work an event for a half day, that would be helpful too. </div> <bR> <div> 2. <B>Community Access TV</B>. CUSH can have 30 minutes of free air time on Channel 12. Although the Board has several ideas about creating a program, perhaps in collaboration with local students, we need an adult volunteer to lead this project and are open to your suggestions. </div> <bR> <div> 3. <B>Pumpout boat emptying station at Stonington Borough sewage treatment plant.</B> You may recall this project was proposed by First Selectman Bill Brown in 2007. Unfortunately, there was no money available after five budget defeats in 2008, and it seems unlikely anything other than bare essentials will survive Town budgets in the near future. Yet we believe this facility is crucial to having adequate pumpout service between Pawcatuck River and Mystic Rivers. Members at the November 12 meeting concurred. The total cost of a fixed pier, where pumpout boats can tie up to empty into the sewage treatment plant, and the pumpout station itself were quoted at $64,000 a year ago. A DEP grant will cover $39,200; the Harbor Management Commission will contribute $12,500 to use half the pier for the Harbor Master's boat; leaving $25,500 to be raised. Updated quotes will be obtained. Meanwhile, we propose establishing a special fund for this project, and doing fun fund raisers (see next item) until the amount needed is in hand. If you have comments or ideas, please let us know. </div> <bR> <div> 4. <B>Fun Fund Raising</B>. The Barraza fashion show benefit on October 11 brought CUSH $400 in funds and memberships. And it was a blast. So, why not make fund raising fun, we thought? Martin Piecuch suggested a "Dancing on the Dock or Beach" event, because I feel we need to attract younger members. Teens and young adults want to help CUSH, and hands-on activities that can be completed in one or two afternoons during the summer would seem best. The concept is to organize a beach or river side clean up, with a hot band and dance following, aimed at ages 18-30. Half of a reasonably priced ticket would go toward funding the pumpout station. If you have ideas for clean up locations, other suggestions, or would like to organize/work on fun fund raisers, let me know to add you to our "please call" list. </div> <bR> <div> 5. <B>Demonstration Coastal Lawn Buffer</B>. Buffer zones consist of shoreline plantings of low growing, salt resistant native grasses and shrubs that help prevent storm erosion and act as filters, with roots using up excess lawn nutrients before they reach the water. Buffers also discourage Canadian Geese from making your property a favorite resort, adding lots of nitrogen to the water. Last year CUSH asked Save The Bay if they would provide expertise to help plant a demonstration lawn buffer on Stonington land that was open to the public, thus enabling residents and tourists to discover that lawn buffers can be beautiful, reasonable in cost, not block their view, and serve important functions. Save The Bay agreed to provide expertise and some volunteers. Gloria Gorby asked Stonington Village Improvement Association if it would provide funds to pay for the plants if such a buffer was created at Borough point or in the dog walking park (beside the sewage treatment plant). SVIA was interested, but I did not proceed with a formal proposal after the CUSH water testing program took off, for fear doing both might stretch our little organization too thin. I plan to propose the Buffer project at SVIA tonight and am open to your comments and suggestions. </div> <bR> <div> 6. <B>Habitat Restoration</B>. CUSH long-term goals include working to help restore eel grass beds (marine nurseries) and to establish oyster beds for their natural water filtration capabilities. Did you know one oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day! And they apparently remove nitrogen too. In the book <I>Oyster,</I> it was calculated New York's once extensive oyster beds filtered all their harbors every 24 hours. CUSH hopes to collaborate with Save The Bay and The Nature Conservancy, two organizations who have roughly three decades more experience than we do, on how we might work with them to help such projects move forward locally. We're just beginning to explore the how, what, and when, but if this rings your chimes, let me know to put you on our want to participate list. </div> <bR> <div> Our November meeting was adjourned to enjoy wine and cider, but planning for 2009 will continue well into January, so please let me know your ideas and interests. </div> <div> One last thing. I must say what a treasure we now have in the La Grua Center where we held our last meeting. The renovated 1812 Foundry (behind the former Monsanto Building in Stonington Borough) space is sleek, open and beautiful. It can accommodate 126 people seated and 175 standing, has a sound system, a caterer's kitchen, and a mezzanine. The price is especially right: free to non-profit events open to the public without charge. Fees for private/profitable events are reasonable, and I found Wendy Bury a joy to work with. To plan an event, contact Wendy at La Grua's retail shop, 121 Water Street, Stonington, at 535-1030 or <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><U>W_bury@hotmail.com</U></FONT>. </div> <div> This Thanksgiving week I am incredibly thankful for all you have done to support CUSH in 2008! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Enjoy a wonderful holiday, </div> <div> Gracelyn Guyol, President </div> <bR> <bR> <div> November 2007 Meeting</div> <bR> <div> Saturday, November 10, from 10-11 a.m, at Save The Bay offices, 12 Broad Street, Westerly. </div> <bR> <div> This watershed runs from North Stonington down both sides of the Pawcatuck River, so it has a major impact. The meeting is free, open to the public, and wheel chair accessible </div> <bR> <div> Organized in 1970, Save The Bay has transformed Narragansett Bay - once choked by raw sewage and dying a slow death from industrial toxins - to a place where people are able to swim, fish, sail, and enjoy the waters. Their Westerly office opened in July 2007 to focus on our region. David Prescott, Narragansett Baykeeper for South County Coast, will discuss the Pawcatuck River watershed's role in Stonington harbor quality. </div> <div> Martin Piecuch and Elizabeth Falk were "enthralled" by what they learned about the Pequotsepos Watershed at our October 6 meeting in Mystic, signing up for memberships in both CUSH and the nature center that very day. (I think they also wanted our new hats.) </div> <bR> <div> For those of you who have already mailed in membership contributions (a total exceeding $3,200 so far), I'll be delivering your members-only hats this week.</div> <div>  </div> <div> The Oct 25 issue of <I>Mystic River Press</I> and <I>The Westerly Sun</I> will include the first installment of a monthly CUSH feature (they're giving us 16 column inches for educational purposes!). Be sure to watch for it. For those out of town, it will be posted on our web site a day or two after publication each month.</div> <div>  </div> <div> We're making plans for 2008, and I have a short "wish list" so far. CUSH needs:</div> <div>  </div> <div> 1. A recording secretary to keep the official record of roughly 3 board meetings and 2 membership meetings in 2008. Because of our educational focus, other gatherings will be lectures or "active" events not recorded.</div> <div>  </div> <div> 2. A volunteer willing to investigate and help start a pendant pumpout signaling service. The DEP has pendants that can be raised on a boat to signal you want pumpout service from one of the local free boats, but we need someone to help organize this program here for next summer. </div> <bR> <div> 3. A volunteer to help organize an "old prescription turn-in" program. For years consumers have been told to avoid accidental poisonings by flushing medications that were no longer needed. Yet sewage treatment plants and septic systems are not equipped to handle these substances. "Feminized" male fish and other mutations in waters around the country are causing communities to form coalitions for better environmentally safe disposal systems. CUSH needs someone with time to do a little research on what other groups have done (via internet and/or phone calls) and to help form plans on what we might do (and pitfalls to avoid) in establishing a program for Stonington.</div> <div>  </div> <div> 4. Glorious e-mailed photographs of your favorite place in Stonington harbors. I am invited to make brief presentations about CUSH to local groups and would like to include fabulous photographs in a PowerPoint presentation. Please e-mail me places and activities in Stonington harbors, telling me exactly what/who/where is pictured and giving the photographer's name along with permission for us to use the shots for publicity purposes. Send scenic photos or action shots of someone catching or displaying a great fish, of someone kayaking, under sail, swimming, clamming or anything else we enjoy in/on our harbors. E-mailed, digital photos only, please. Also, spread the word to any groups in which you're a member that I'm happy to give 10-20 minute presentations on CUSH.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>October 2 Update</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Several excellent events, outlined below, have occurred for CUSH since my August 30 e-mail to you. But first, please remember we have an <B>"active" (meaning fun, informative, non-business type meeting) this weekend, Saturday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequot Sepos Road, Mystic.</B> Designed for curious adults, young people ages 8-18 (bring your children/grandchildren), and anyone passionate about understanding how to improve harbor waters, the meeting will be lead by a Nature Center educator. Using an interactive watershed model, they will explain how watersheds impact the harbor, the animals of the watershed, and finish with a 30-minute walk along part of the Pequotsepos Brook Watershed.</div> <div>  </div> <div> This is the first of several "active" programs. If we get sufficient turn-out (indicating interest), there will be a second meeting <B>Saturday, November 10 at 10 am to learn about the Pawcatuck River Watershed</B>, presented by David Prescott, head of the new Save The Bay office in downtown Westerly. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Young people can earn </B><B><U>free</U></B><B> membership in CUSH by simply attending four "active" meetings</B>. Their reward? Participation in creating future CUSH youth activities to help restore the harbors, plus our new "badge" of membership - golden CUSH hats. </div> <div> Two hundred hats just arrived last week, thanks to member Peter Ross asking Mystic friend Ron Adams (owner of the top quality Adams Hats) to make a donation. Our hats are all one color - golden yellow, emblazoned with the CUSH lettering and our mascot fish, Flo. They cannot be purchased, only given to CUSH members so that <B>when you see anyone wearing these distinctively sunny hats, you'll know they are harbor supporters.</B> Current adult CUSH members can pick up theirs at Saturday's meeting (or I'll deliver, but that will be slower!) </div> <bR> <div> I hope you saw <B>Russ Morey's article about the upcoming watershed meeting in </B><I><B>The Stonington Times</B></I><B> September 27 issue, page 2.</B> If not, go to our web site where it will be posted. <I><B>Mystic River Press/Westerly Sun</B></I><B> have invited me to write a 650 word article once every month </B>to help educate readers on harbor issues. I have submitted one article on watersheds that I believe will run soon (it too will be posted after it appears). I can't match the delightful prose of Russ Morey, but I am extremely grateful the local papers are demonstrating such support. If you know editors/writers at these publications, be sure to express your appreciation. </div> <bR> <div> <B>CUSH Vice President, Kathryn Burchenal, is writing a flurry of grant applications</B>, first to fund the Town of Stonington pumpout station adjacent to the Borough sewage treatment plant, then for several other educational projects. We're very fortunate to have a former cancer researcher (where careers depend on grants) handling this important task. </div> <bR> <div> Our non-profit status is official. The <B>IRS has designated us a 501(c)(3) public charity as of May 22</B>, <B>2007</B>, so your donations and membership fees are tax-deductible. <B>Please join if you haven't already. The forms are on our web site, </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><B><U>www.cushinc.org</U></B></FONT><B>.</B> </div> <bR> <div> Be sure you have the <B>lecture by Charles Gauvin, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, on your calendar for 7:30 pm, Wednesday, October 10,</B> at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club, 186 1/2 Water St., Stonington Borough. This is the last in a series of great lectures arranged by member Francis Pandolfi on clean water. Gauvin will discuss climate change and the health of fisheries, freshwater and saltwater. Global Warming is a subject of considerable interest yet the facts are subject to a wide range of interpretations. It presents both an extraordinary challenge and opportunity to those concerned about fisheries. The niche of fish as an indicator species for the health of rivers suggests that their decline is a harbinger of more extensive environmental degradation. Don't miss this opportunity to get the facts from a national environmental expert. </div> <div> Look forward to seeing you Saturday at the nature center. (If there is someone coming from the Borough and willing to give another a ride, please contact me.)</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CUSH MEETING SUMMARY</B></div> <div> <B>April 29, 2007, 4 PM - Stonington Police Station - Pawcatuck</B></div> <div>      </div> <div>      Gracelyn Guyol opened the meeting by presenting 15 different layouts for a CUSH logo, with thanks to Nick Kiratsous (CUSH member from Osbrook Point) and a graphic artist at his publishing company.  She asked for preferences and suggestions.  The logo featuring a fish had the greatest appeal and will go through further modification based on the group's feedback.</div> <div>      Attorney Joe Selinger in New London has been hired to do the non-profit filing.  CUSH will be a 501(c)3 public charity with the IRS and a non-stock corporation under Connecticut laws, a “mainstream,” well-recognized structure.  The application will be filed in early May.</div> <div>      The first meeting of CUSH's Board of Directors was held earlier in the day:   Gracelyn Guyol, President; Kathryn Burchenal, Vice-President; Willis “Wiz” Arndt, Treasurer; and Alexis Michas.  Additional members will be added over time.</div> <div>      The new brochure <I>How Boaters Can help Clean Up Stonington Harbors</I>, created by Gloria Gorby and funded by Stonington Village Improvement Association and Dodsons Boatyard, is in distribution, going to mooring holders with renewal contracts in March, and to yacht clubs, marinas, and retail marine outlets for future handout.</div> <div>      Jim Robins presented proposed copy for “NO DISCHARGE ZONE” signs to be posted at all marinas, yacht clubs, and other docks, stating it is illegal to dump waste material of any kind in Stonington harbors, including from heads, holding tanks, sinks, shower sumps, bilges, and portable containers.  He will laminate the signs and be responsible for getting permission to post them from dock owners.</div> <div>      Water testing and resident education are the two primary missions of CUSH, consuming one-half and one-quarter respectively of its proposed annual budget.   Gracelyn outlined a Water Testing Plan, which will screen for a broad array of non-point pollutants not usually tested by other organizations to help establish a base-line for current harbor water quality.  Using results of this initial screening, monthly water testing is proposed at 10 locations suggested by local marine scientists between the Mystic and Pawcatuck Rivers for on-going documentation of water quality.  Once problem substances have been verified (in addition to high nitrogen and reduced oxygen levels which are well known), likely sources of these pollutants will be sought and steps taken to reduce the influx through resident educational programs. </div> <div>      While Gracelyn was talking with locals that currently do water testing, Don Murphy, Chair of the Stonington Shellfish Commission, suggested that having one data base where all water test results done in Stonington harbors were recorded would provide valuable information.  At the meeting Gracelyn introduced Bill Dohrmann, who has agreed to perform data entry for this complex project with technical assistance from Peter Snyder.  Some 12-year results from the CT Bureau of Aquaculture have been obtained and additional historic data will be sought from WPCA, Stonington Sanitarian, the Shellfish Commission, Storm Water Management, Pawcatuck River Estuary Study, DEP and others.  CUSH members are asked to mail copies of any water testing data to Bill Dohrmann, 68 Island Rd, Stonington.  To alert CUSH to other past or ongoing water testing results that should be included, e-mail Gracelyn at gguyol@aol.com. </div> <div>      Moira O'Malley was thanked for creating a Household Hazardous Waste flier for the April 28 HazMat disposal.  Members said there were lines of cars at the disposal, a good sign.  For future collection dates and locations, go to Hazardous Materials at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><A HREF="http://www.cleanupstoningtonharbor.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cleanupstoningtonharbor.com"><U><U>www.cleanupstoningtonharbor.com</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <div>      Thanks to <I>The Stonington Times</I> Managing Editor Lee Howard, CUSH's press release, Cultivating a Harbor-Friendly Lawn, will be published as an article either May 3 or May 10.  Copies of the release are on the CUSH web site.</div> <div>      Francis Pandolfi has arranged for three environmental leaders - Dr. Michael Dombeck Chief of the U.S. Forest Service under President Clinton, Dr. Lise Hanner, Executive Director of Connecticut Nature Conservancy, and Charles Gauvin, President of Trout Unlimited - to give free lectures at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club June 20, August 8, and October 10 at 7:30 pm.  A press release is on the CUSH web site. </div> <div>      Now that CUSH has a telephone number and harbor pollution hot line (860 949-0911), a permanent address (P.O. Box 883, Stonington, CT 06378), and a soon-to-be-completed logo, a membership drive will begin.  Although grants are expected to fund water testing ultimately, obtaining them takes months, meaning member support will have to fund most activities this year.  Categories of members will be:  Individual $20, Family $50, Corporate $500, and Sponsor $1000.       </div> <div> Under new business, it was suggested new members receive a baseball cap with the CUSH logo.  Peter Ross volunteered to contact Adams Hats for a donation.</div> <div>      Scott Bates, a candidate for Stonington Borough Burgess, said results of his survey of village residents showed their #1 concern was property taxes and #2 concern was Stonington harbor! </div> <div>      Gracelyn said she would like to hold summer meetings at an outdoor location and add a social aspect to make them more fun.  She asked for volunteers to assist.  The gazebo at Whalen's Wharf was suggested since it overlooks the water and has parking nearby as well as a grassy area.  If there are other good locations in Mystic and Pawcatuck areas, please e-mail Gracelyn at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><A HREF="mailto:gguyol@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:gguyol@aol.com"><U><U>gguyol@aol.com</U></U></A></FONT>.  </div> <div> The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.  </div> <bR> <div> The next CUSH meeting will be Saturday, June 2 at 10 am at an outdoor location to be announced.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>CUSH MEETING SUMMARY</B></div> <div> <B>March 10, 2007, 10 AM - Stonington Police Station - Pawcatuck</B></div> <bR> <div>          Gracelyn Guyol welcomed the enthusiastic group and outlined the organizational progress made:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">CUSH has a permanent address:  P.O. Box 883, Stonington, CT 06378.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The telephone number is (860) 949-0911.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Attorneys are being interviewed to file an application for the corporate form of non-profit, not a 501(c)(3) as originally discussed.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An annual budget has been drafted but cannot be finalized until the Water Testing Plan (to identify specific pollutants in the harbors) has been completed, since roughly half of the annual budget will be for this critical activity.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> She stated the need for an improved CUSH logo, and Gloria Gorby offered to contact a local graphic artist to develop proposals.  Gracelyn asked that the logo be oval or round with the letters CUSH in the center and Clean Up Stonington Harbors encircling the edge, to enable its use on stickers as well as other educational print material.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Gracelyn announced that Moira O'Malley's Hazardous Material Team is creating a flier to promote awareness of the next HazMat disposal day - April 28 in the Town of Stonington.  Details will be e-mailed to CUSH members and posted on the web site.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Volunteers are needed to help distribute fliers in early April.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">She also discussed development of the Water Testing Plan that will identify specific harbor pollutants.  The plan will specify what pollutants will be scanned for, geographic locations throughout the harbor to be tested, and the frequency of such tests, expecting such a plan will be completed in April.</div> <bR> <div> Priscilla Griscom presented a progress report from the Water Testing Team on development of a Water Data Inventory database to include existing water test results from various government agencies and local scientific groups.  Although numerous organizations collect data, the results are not shared or easily accessible.  Compiling them in one database will provide an indication of historical changes in water quality and identify trends that will document evidence of long-term evidence or improvements when they occur.</div> <bR> <div>             Gloria Gorby presented a new brochure she created for CUSH's educational effort, <I>How Boaters Can Help Clean Up Stonington Harbor</I>.  Underwritten by Stonington Village Improvement Association and Dodson Boatyard, the brochures will be distributed to mooring holders from Dodson's, Don's Dock and other marinas; to members of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club and Wadawanuck Club; and to homeowner associations along the harbor.  Copies also have been sent by Gracelyn to local media with a press release.</div> <div>             </div> <div>              Bruce McMahon, founder of SE*CRES (Southeastern Connecticut River Estuary Stewardship, Inc.) introduced himself and outlined his plan to monitor water quality in rivers and estuaries where tidal action is low, contributing to a buildup of environmental problems.  He has a 19 foot Mako boat with meters and equipment donated by project Oceanology.  The boat and services are available for hire by CUSH as well.</div> <bR> <div>              Kate Robinson reported that many Connecticut towns - Stonington included - have no regulations on pumping out septic tanks.  Such maintenance is especially important along waterways.  She presented a copy of the regulations from Westbrook, CT, which is overseen by their WPCA and Director of Health.  After discussion by the group, Kate agreed to talk with the Stonington Health Commissioner and pursue getting similar regulations adopted within the Town of Stonington.</div> <bR> <div>               Jim Robins suggested CUSH look into posting NO DISCHARGE signs at all local marinas or docks as a reminder to boaters that all Fisher's Island Sound is a no dumping zone with stiff fines for violations.  He agreed to survey marinas to determine if DEP signs already exist and to talk with marinas owners on the feasibility of CUSH signs.  If signage will help and be posted, Jim will proposed sign size, copy, and layout for approval at the next CUSH meeting.</div> <bR> <div>               Prior to the meeting, Police Captain Jerry Desmond expressed concern to Gracelyn (as he unlocked the meeting room) about boaters pumping out into local waters.  He praised the Town of Westerly for obtaining and staffing a pumpout boat, the new RI law that will prohibit thru holes in boats enabling discharge into local waters, and for establishing a system of boat inspection with crafts that pass receiving an official sticker to display.  Stonington Harbormaster Eric Donch had also expressed his belief an additional pumpout boat is needed, because those from Westerly and Mystic areas are so busy they cannot adequately service Stonington.  Gloria Gorby's new brochure lists marinas in Stonington and Westerly that provide pumpout services.  However, Gracelyn plans to meet with the harbormasters for Stonington, Lords Point, Mason's island, Mystic River, Noank, and Pawcatuck River to ask about this problem and solicit their ideas on additional ways CUSH can reduce pollution.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" >The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The next CUSH meeting will be Saturday, April 21 at 10 am at the Stonington Police Station community meeting room.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>CUSH MEETING SUMMARY</B></div> <div> <B>January 14, 2007, 4 pm - Stonington Police Station - Pawcatuck</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Gracelyn Guyol welcomed the enthusiastic group to a meeting devoted to discussion of the CUSH Goals, Objectives, and Action Plan for 2007.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A detailed outline of the Plan is posted on the CUSH web site under the <B>ACTION PLAN</B>  tab above.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Discussion during the presentation and afterward elicited many suggestions, three of which were added to the plan (#25, 35, 36).</div> <bR> <div> Gracelyn queried members on the most convenient times for future meetings.  It was unanimously concluded that Saturday mornings around 10 a.m. would be better than the current schedule and that the Community Room at the Stonington Police Station was a good location.  The scheduled meeting date of Sunday, February 18 at 4 pm will be maintained and there will be no meeting in March due to Gracelyn's extensive travels those months; Saturday, April 21 at 10 am is proposed unless conflict with a significant event is discovered. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Restoring Stonington Harbors to Pristine Condition</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>