Roundup Meeting Notes 2025

Summary Notes

2025 AIS Patrol Roundup Meeting

October 5

Proposed 2026 KICKOFF -  JULY 11^TH @ 9:00 place TBD.

Attendees: Maria Gross, Tom Gross, Tim Keith, Bette Jacques, Cindy Hall, Tim Lohe, Thia Siegel, Christie and Richie Girouard, Gloria Brennan, Don Yurewicz

1. Opening and Attendance

The meeting opened with informal sharing among patrollers about late-season lake conditions, new plant observations, and experiences learning to identify aquatic species. Several attendees expressed appreciation for their growing awareness of native versus invasive vegetation.

2. Avenza Mapping and Blog Posting

Don reviewed procedures for using the Avenza mapping app and the CLCA website for posting patrol reports and maps.

• Members confirmed they could now access the AIS page via the CLCA website, navigate to the Maps section, and download the GeoTIFF patrol map along with step-by-step instructions.

• For easier posting, Don recommended using the Wix “Spaces” app, which connects directly to the Conway Lake blog. It allows users to upload screenshots, text, and photos directly from a phone.

• Several members requested one-on-one help to complete setup and learn how to post patrol data to the grid.

• Don explained how to drop a pin (teardrop marker) in Avenza to record plant locations with latitude and longitude data and how to capture screenshots for patrol summaries.

Follow-up: Don will update the written Avenza instructions to include pin-drop and screenshot procedures and post the revised guide online.

3. Notifications and Blog Access

Several members reported not receiving email notifications of new posts.

• Don will check Wix notification settings and ensure all active patrollers are subscribed correctly.

• Members were reminded to visit the CLCA blog directly to view all patrol reports if notifications fail.

4. Zone Coverage and Patrol Coordination

Maria thanked Don for maintaining the green-coverage patrol map, showing near-complete lake coverage this season.

• Zones 5 and 6 were patrolled later in the season.

• Cliff Cabral continued professional diving in Pennacook Cove, confirming full coverage there.

• Members were encouraged to pair up for patrols for both safety and enjoyment (examples: Thea with guest patrollers; Maria with Gitch).

• The idea of “neighborhood captains” was discussed—designating local leaders to coordinate nearby residents and schedule group patrols by area (e.g., Potter Road, Breezy Point, Stritch Road).

Action: Maria will reintroduce the neighborhood captain idea at the 2026 kickoff meeting to strengthen local participation and coverage coordination.

5. Breezy Point Recruitment

Tim will reach out to Breezy Point property owners via the local road association newsletter to promote Weed Watchers participation and CLCA membership.

• He plans to emphasize both environmental stewardship and property value protection as key motivators.

• Maria and Don offered to attend a neighborhood info session if interest develops.

• Bill Petrie will provide Tim with CLCA membership data for Breezy Point to identify current members.

6. LakeSmart Program Updates

Maria summarized the LakeSmart program’s goals—reducing shoreline runoff and promoting lake-friendly landscaping.

• The program has been well received in Conway, with Eaton also now engaged through its Conservation Commission and Eaton Fest outreach booth.

• Members discussed developing LakeSmart by neighborhood zones to foster community involvement.

Action:

• Don to ensure LakeSmart resources and webinar links remain posted on the CLCA website.

• Tim and Maria will coordinate with Bill on identifying which Breezy Point residents are CLCA members and potential LakeSmart candidates.

7. Watershed and Phosphorus Monitoring

Discussion turned to water quality results from Green Mountain Conservation Group and CLCA tributary testing.

• Phosphorus levels were stable overall but remain elevated in Page Brook, Snow Brook, and the stream behind Dean’s property.

• Members noted concerns that wake boats and shoreline cutting could reintroduce phosphorus from sediment back into the water column.

• Don reminded that most of Conway Lake’s watershed lies in Eaton, making cross-town collaboration essential.

Action:

• Members encouraged Forest Bell’s October 8th webinar on watershed management hosted by NH Lakes.

• Don to circulate the link and summary to the group.

8. Purple Loosestrife Control

The group reviewed a letter from Deborah Marnick (Shikarawa Lake Conservancy) noting sightings of Purple Loosestrife near the public boat ramp and Whirling property.

• Members discussed removal protocols: plants should be pulled or dug, bagged, and disposed of as trash.

• Page Brook area has ongoing monitoring by Bill and local patrollers, who have been successful in preventing re-growth.

• Members agreed loosestrife is a good teaching and outreach opportunity due to its deceptive beauty and invasiveness.

Action:

• Maria will raise Loosestrife management at the next CLCA Board meeting for inclusion in spring outreach.

• Don will add photos and removal tips to the CLCA blog.

9. Wake Boats and Shoreline Erosion

There was significant discussion on wake boat impacts—shoreline erosion, phosphorus resuspension, and loon nest disturbance.

• Members noted wake events near Bug Island nearly destroyed a nesting site this summer.

• Tim proposed designating “No Wake Zones” for the two southern fingers of the lake where channels are narrow and shallow.

• Discussion on jurisdiction concluded that signage could be posted locally (as with Dolph Cove) even if not officially state issued.

Action:

• Tim and Don to draft language for a “No Wake / Shallow Zone” sign and consult with the NH Marine Patrol and the Town of Conway about placement.

• Maria to coordinate posting wake safety materials from NH Lakes on the launch kiosk and CLCA website.

10. Tin Mountain and South Cove Launch Protocol

Bill (via update) confirmed contact with Tin Mountain Conservation Center regarding its summer youth kayak program.

• New protocol: all kayaks are inspected by Lake Hosts at the main launch before being hand-carried to South Cove.

• This ensures AIS compliance and child safety.

• The Eaton Conservation Commission continues to monitor access and parking concerns at South Cove; discussions are ongoing with the Town of Eaton for official signage.

Action:

• Don to circulate Steve Kafka’s one-page summary of South Cove access findings to the group.

• Maria to coordinate with Steve and the Eaton CC about follow-up signage placement.

11. Educational Materials and Field Guides

Maria distributed the new 2025 Maine Field Guide Supplement on Invasive Aquatic Plants and additional laminated native/invasive reference sheets.

• Copies available for $10 each (supplement) or $32 for the full laminated book.

• Don and Maria will maintain extra copies for patrollers who lose or damage their booklets.

Action:

• Maria to restock laminated field guides for 2026 season and consider adding pages if new plant species appear.

12. Plant Observations and Findings

• Bryozoan colonies were observed near Dr. Smith’s dock and in Otter Cove—positive indicators of good water quality.

• Native milfoil and Elodea showed robust late-season growth; Don suggested informal mapping of these dense native stands for ecological tracking.

• Floating bladderwort continues to appear in Page Brook; Cliff will confirm species identity next spring.

13. Next Season Planning

• Proposed 2026 Kickoff Meeting: Saturday, July 11, 2026, pending confirmation with Dolloff Cove schedule.

• Annual CLCA Meeting: Saturday, August 1, 2026.

• Weed Watchers Potluck Picnic: Proposed for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Ritchie & Christy’s property (to be confirmed).

• Cliff Cabral will again provide sample invasive plants at the kickoff meeting for in-person identification training.

14. Action Item Summary

Task	Lead / Responsible	Target Date / Notes
Update Avenza user guide with pin-drop & screenshot instructions	Don	Winter 2025
Resolve Wix email notification issues	Don	Immediate
Provide individual app setup help to members (Donna, Thea, Cindy)	Don	Before spring 2026
Distribute South Cove access summary (Kafka)	Don	November 2025
Coordinate signage and parking with Eaton CC	Maria, Steve	Winter 2025
Recruit Breezy Point volunteers via newsletter	Tim	Spring 2026
Share CLCA membership data for Breezy Point	Bill Petrie	Winter 2025
Add loosestrife photos and removal info to blog	Don	Spring 2026
Post wake safety materials and kiosk handouts	Maria & Don	Spring 2026
Attend Forest Bell NH Lakes webinar	All	Oct 8, 2025
Restock laminated plant field guides	Maria	Spring 2026
Plan kickoff and picnic dates	Maria & Christy	Spring 2026

15. Closing

The meeting concluded with expressions of appreciation for everyone’s continued commitment to protecting Conway Lake. Members left energized by new discoveries, improved tools, and stronger collaboration between CLCA, Eaton Conservation Commission, and the LakeSmart and NH Lakes programs.

Adjourned with thanks.