2024 Critical Votes on
Management Plan & Pond Levels
TPIA posted a draft of the proposed new Management Plan to the website in early May for comment. All comments received were reviewed and an updated version of the proposal has been produced. This version of the Management Plan was voted on at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Members and approved by a margin of 90 to 5.
• Dam and Water Level Management Plan (to be voted on) (Redline from prior draft)
In addition to the document above the working group developed a set of Position Descriptions to guide the individuals managing the dam on behalf of the membership. These supplement the Management Plan, and can be modified by the Board as needed. They are presented to help members better understand all the work that goes into operating the dam. TPIA members did not vote on the Position Descriptions.
• Position Descriptions (Redline from draft released for comment)
TPIA received extensive comments from Mr. Steven Hazen acting under power of attorney to Robert MacDonald and Lloyd Locklear. These comments were included in the input into the changes made to the draft documents circulated for comment. Mr. Hazen specifically requested that his documents be made available to the Membership. We do so below, with the note that the Board does not necessarily agree with many of Mr. Hazen's assertions and recommendations.
• Mr. Hazen's comments on proposed new Management Plan
• Mr. Hazen's comments on proposed Position Descriptions
Because there has been a longstanding debate about Water Levels, TPIA held a written vote on Water Levels at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Members. Members were given two options to vote for:
1. Historical/current levels as confirmed by the 2023 Member Survey,
Sets new Off-Season low level (-30") and draw down target (-27").
2. Lower water level targets by 4" In-Season Hi/Lo and Off-Season High.
Set new Off-Season Lo of -32", Set draw-down target of -32".
Members overwhelmingly voted 90 to 5 for Option 1 - maintaining historical lake levels and establishing new off-season drawdown and low level targets.
Background
At the 2023 Annual Meeting TPIA formed a working group to update the Dam Management Plan which was created at the time of the TPIA's acceptance of the Dam,
This document had not been updated in the ensuing 30+ years, even though the Board Order said "The plan should be updated regularly as experience is gained in managing the water levels of Thomas Pond and Dingley Brook."