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Pond committee activities: July 15, 2007 Cattail problem tackled! We have hired
an Environmental Contractor, Gary Crawford, to take care of the cattail
problem around the detention pond. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May, 2007 New Fountain. We decided to temporarily retire our aerator and install a brand new 8 ft. fountain! Stop by the pond to check it out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ April 14, 2005 Finally, the aerator is installed! After the electricians and DTE did their part last week, the crew from "All About Ponds" installed the new aerator this past Saturday. Thank you Shelly Babcock for supervising and coordinating this project! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ April 6, 2005 2005 Fertilizer report Dear neighbors, We are sending out this report as a reminder in an ongoing effort to keep our neighborhood and our community informed about the importance of using the proper fertilizer for our lawns and protect our natural surroundings as well as our very own detention pond. Spring is finally here and with it the season for lawn care and maintenance. Pretty soon (if not already) you’ll be out there checking the sprinklers, your mower, mulcher, edger and all the other contraptions that help us make our lawn look beautiful. We would like to raise everyone’s awareness about
the content of the fertilizer you use and especially focus on the phosphorous
as the number one factor in the degradation and destruction of the ecosystem
in and around our pond and our environment. Therefore, we cannot stress enough
the importance of using non-phosphorous fertilizers. If you have a company taking care of your lawn, just ask them to exclude the phosphorous from their “mixtures”. We’ve consulted many lawn care specialists and they all say that there is enough phosphorous in the soil and that it is not a vital nutrient for the lawn. Furthermore, many cities like Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills already have ordinances against using fertilizers that contain phosphorous. Shouldn’t we look ahead and try to keep a clean and healthy environment? This concerns every household in our subdivision. After over-watering your lawn or raining, the runoff carries the fertilizer down the street and through the storm drainage system into the pond. The Pond Committee members as well as the board members
have consistently included all issues concerning the pond in our meetings
as an ongoing “Pond project”. Last year we even received the “Environmental
Excellence Award 2004” from the city of Canton for the beautiful and
natural look of the pond. We are extremely proud of this award. Please help us in maintaining a beautiful and healthy environment by using “NON PHOSPHORUS” fertilizer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ April 6, 2005 Special Pond Project report Dear neighbors, You are receiving this flyer because your back yard borders the pond area. Last year the pond committee brought the decision to create and maintain the so-called “green belt” around the pond and the area west of it. It varies from a few feet to several yards in certain spots. This area is very crucial in the fight against the algae forming in and on the surface of the pond during the summer and fall. It acts as a filter barrier that uses up the excess nitrates and phosphates from the fertilizers we use, which substances the algae need for their growth. We’ve also invested a lot of time and money from our subdivision dues to have this area populated with not just any wild grass but actual Michigan native wild flowers and plants as well as quite a few oak trees. Our plans are to have the entire area and the pond become a self-sustaining ecosystem that with a little bit of our help will also become a place that is visually pleasing and that you would gladly visit during your morning or afternoon walks or just enjoy from your back patios. This will enhance your property value and thus benefit the subdivision. In order to achieve this and at the same time keep our subdivision dues as low as possible we ask of you that next time you have the lawn mower out set the blades at their highest position and cut the remainder of last year’s wild grass and flowers in this green belt, all the way down to the water edge. If you live in the area west of the pond we ask that you mow down two passes beyond the tree line. This is necessary only once and its purpose is to spread out the seeds and create a cover for the new growth. If the ground is too rough for your mower, at least weed-wack the grass to only 4 or 5 inches. If you have a company maintaining your lawn, please ask them to do the same. We thank for your support and remember to always use non-phosphorous fertilizer. For the latest news and events around the pond please visit the “Pond Project” section of our website www.covingtonsquare.org .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ September 7, 2004 Detention Pond Update A web archive of the flyer recently delivered to your mailbox ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ August 11, 2004 Notes from Tilton's advisor Mrs. Kelly Kelly and our subdivision's president Mr. John Silagy on the development of the pond project. Mr. John Silagy: Mrs. Kelly Kelly: Mr. John Silagy: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- August 21, 2003 Covington Square Detention Pond Bulletin Aquatic Vegetation Planting No Mow Zone Swimming & Rock Throwing Trees Finances Fertilizer If you have questions or concerns about this project, please contact John Jackson at 734-397-8985 or John Silagy at 734-397-5574. Also, feel free to contact any of the homeowners on the committee: Larry Ristovski, Yogi Patel, Gino Polidori, Shelly Babcock, Bob Wischer, Lisa Alspaugh
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- March 29, 2003 Covington Square Subdivision Pond Committee Meeting Minutes The following items were discussed: Budget – we paid $1317.11 for the new 48” standpipe, split couplers and HDPE Dualwall pipe. We knew the cost was going to be $300 to $500 more than budget. This is because of the need for a bigger standpipe. We are still in good financial shape as we will not incur the $1000 pipe flushing expense. We decided that any savings needed would come from first from the bushes and then by reducing the number of trees planted this year. This could come into play if we incur substantial costs for equipment to plant trees. Canton Township and Tilton info – John advised that Canton Township was to call him back on Friday, March 28. He did not receive a call. He feels they do not want to address the west end and so are avoiding calling him back. It was decided John J. would send an email to Tilton and Canton Township and advise we are getting our own estimate. He will invite any concerns that should be addressed. It is disappointing Tilton and Canton Township seemed to have changed plans on the west end due to the extent of work on the east end. It is the committee feeling we need to address the west end’s grade or we may jeopardize the vegetation on the west end. John Silagy will contact the Boy Scouts in the neighborhood who want to work on the project and see if we can have them clean up the cat tails on the west end. Yogi will get a couple of contractor quotes. We will do something to the grade on the west end to protect the vegetation. Pondscape – Lisa could not be at the meeting. However, she provided John J. will an update on Saturday by phone. The plants are all selected and ready to order as soon as she is given the high sign. Lori Treder has sent RFQs for the trees and bushes. She thinks we can get very good prices due to the economy and the competition for this kind of work. She should have the estimates by 4/2. Gino will check with Plymouth Rentals on the cost of a Bobcat with a drill to plant trees and a front end loader. We may want to do the tree planting ourselves depending on cost. The committee feels the homeowners ought to plant the vegetation. It should help to build a sense of community. We will plan on doing the trees before the vegetation. It will make for less confusion as well reduce the risk of someone getting hurt. Cathy will do a “handout” for those living on the pond to help them understand the “no mow zone”. This will be a diagram showing where not to mow. Volunteers – Shelly advised we have an ample number of volunteers provided all show up on 5/10. We may need help on a different day if we plant the trees ourselves. Equipment – Gino is checking prices. Volunteers will be asked to bring rakes and shovels. Communication – John J. will do a short article for the next subdivision newsletter. He will get to Cathy by 4/2. Longer-term Maintenance – Yogi agreed to get the table showing the maintenance requirements to Larry to put on the website. Yogi confirmed he would perform the inspection functions for this year. It was agreed the Board needs to make the detention pond inspection and maintenance a standing committee appointed at the Annual Meeting each year. Fertilizer – the committee commended Larry for his fine work on the fertilizer flyers to date. John S. will do a very simple reminder flyer regarding no phosphorous fertilizer by all homeowners. There seems to still be a lack of understanding that this applies to all homeowners and not just those on the pond. We agreed to confirm the start time on 5/10. We recommend 9:00 AM. The committee suggested the next meeting be on 4/19
to give us time to do any last minute details. After the meeting, it was determined
this is the Saturday of Easter weekend. John J. will check availability and
confirm or change.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- March 14, 2003 Covington Square Subdivision Pond Committee Fertilizer Report Dear neighbors, In an ongoing effort to keep our neighborhood and our community informed about the importance of using the proper fertilizer for our lawns, we’re sending out this report as a reminder and an addition to the previous one distributed earlier this year. As the season for starting lawn care nears, we would
like to raise everyone’s awareness about the content of the fertilizers
we use and especially focus on the phosphorous as the number one factor in
the degradation and destruction of the ecosystem in and around our pond. Therefore,
we cannot stress enough the importance of using non-phosphorous fertilizers. The only non-phosphorous fertilizer that we found is made by LESCO and it’s called “Scenic Green”. The code is “25 – 0 – 11” and it can be found at the following stores:
If you prefer to hire a lawn care company, we asked around and are providing you with a list of companies that provide lawn care with non-phosphorous fertilizers. In fact, most of these companies mix their own blend and will be happy to exclude phosphorous from their formula.
If the company you hire is not on the list, please request that they do not use phosphorous in their fertilizer and ask them what they would do to protect and preserve our pond. You can always find a copy of this and other reports in the “Pond Project” section of our very own subdivision website http://www.covingtonsquare.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- February 22, 2003 Covington Square Detention Pond
Retrofit Project Present: John Silagy, Gino Polidori, Lisa Alspaugh, Bob Wischer, John Jackson
John Jackson reported that he spoke recently with Bill Serchak, Canton Township, and Chris Mueller, Tilton, about the project and specifically about the west end. They both say there is nothing functionally wrong with the west end that makes not doing anything this year and problem. Bill says Canton Township has spent almost three times what they expected. They are unable to spend time this year beyond doing the final grading. John asked Bill to come up with a couple of options with costs to do additional work on the west end next year if we decide to do so. Bill agreed to do this. Pondscape sub-committee Lisa and Bob gave a very positive update with a great deal of detail about the planting plans. Both met with Chris of Tilton and were very impressed with the plan, the plants selected and Tilton’s approach. The variety of seed mixes and plants will make for an excellent prairie habitat look around the pond. There are five different types of trees planned that should give a very nice variety of colors and looks. We discussed the purple loosestrife issue and agreed we need to aggressively attack it this year and next. The plan includes some colorful annuals being planted to give color this year. It will take until next year for many of the plants to develop their full color. Lisa reported on her conversation with Rick Plecha at Field School. His fifth graders will help on our project on May 10 and we will provide several volunteers to help them clean the Truesdale Drain and build a frog pond. We also seem to be getting a great price on 2 1/2 to 3 inch trunk trees. Lisa will verify the cost. If it is as good as it seems, John J. will advise John S. and an offer to homeowners will be made to order and additional tree if they pay themselves. We need to address the issue of the person at the southwest end who has a purple loosestrife garden. John Silagy will address this via the Board. Lisa will get with Lori Treder and get an answer from Neher Prefect to see if they do weed control like we need in the pond area. If not, they will explore who can do it and the cost. Fertilizer It was agreed to get a reminder to homeowners about
the need to request/use low or no phosphorous fertilizer. There is a flyer
going out in a few weeks with other info. We'll do this at the same time.
John J. will get with Larry R. on new info. Longer-term Maintenance A print out of the Canton Township web pages on Detention Pond Maintenance was discussed. It does a good job of laying out what needs to be done to keep the pond in good shape. John J. will get the info to Yogi and ask for him to propose how we address this. Volunteer enlistment Shelley Babcock advises she has not started a formal volunteer list for 5/10. However, she says she has a number of people informally committed and will get going in a few weeks commitments. Board/Financial John S. advises all is well. We can spend up to the $17,000. budgeted. The current plan appears OK. Action Steps Next Meeting March 22, 2003, 9:30 AM, John Silagy’s home
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- January 25, 2003 New photo gallery additions: Check the January 25th photo gallery for the latest photos of the Canton Township Employees playing with the "big toys" and changing our landscape. You'll also see some of our pond committee members!
Pond Commitee Meeting: Detention Pond Retrofit Project
• Project progress discussion – Canton
Township continues to work on the excavation of the existing pond area. They
have hauled considerable amounts of silt/sediment. This was not anticipated
in the original plan. The good news for Covington Square residents is there
should not be a cost increase to them due to this. Bill Serchak, Canton Engineering
Department, and Kelly Kelly, Tilton Inc. Consultants, both are very positive
about the progress and pleased with the subdivision’s committee involvement.
There are some developments needing to be addressed: • Fertilizer update- Larry Ristovski confirmed
that Ace Hardware is the only area locations that confirm the sale of the
low or no phosphorous fertilizer. John Jackson mentioned that Kelly Kelly
says Tru-Green says they use this type of fertilizer. Larry will follow-up.
The committee also agreed we need additional communication and reminders on
the fertilizer issue-see next steps. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- January 13, 2003 Fertilizer report: The impact of lawn fertilizer on the retention pond Dear Neighbors, What has fertilizer got to do with our retention pond? How can we avoid this side effect of fertilizer? If I don’t live next to the pond, why should
I be concerned about the type of fertilizer I use? Where can I get low or non-phosphorous fertilizer and
how much does it cost? What else can I do to protect our pond? Please help keep our subdivision’s pond healthy and beautiful. Using the use of the right formula of fertilizer will save us money in the long run and provide for a much better looking pond. If you have questions, please contact us by email at jacksonj46@aol.com The Covington Square Subdivision’s Pond Committee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
December 28, 2002 Pond Comitee Meeting Minutes • Review of Progress to date • Plan drawing – we reviewed the drawings
provided to us at the December 18th meeting. For discussion purposes, we divided
the diagram into three sections: • Plant types – the handout from the December 18th meeting was handed out. The pictures were viewed as representative types of flowers we can select and plant. Not all of the plants in the pictures are represented in the estimate. It was agreed the Landscaping sub-committee would be responsible for working with Tilton to select the types and numbers of plants we actually plant. • Preliminary cost estimates – the cost
estimate sheets were distributed to those who had not already received one.
The project costs, per the sheet, are: • Plan options – After the extensive budget discussions, a unanimous recommendation to the Board was agreed upon. The follow is the Committee’s recommendation to the Board: Recommendation: 1. For 2003, proceed with Section A (east end) of the plan as outlined in the Site Improvements and Site Re-vegetation cost estimation sections. Also, complete the tree and shrub Optional Improvements outlined for Section A. This would be done to avoid erosion and other problems associated with disturbing the area again in the future to do planting. 2. Proceed with planting of additional trees and shrubs in Section B (west end) that can be accomplished within the $17,051 cost estimate. 3. Take no action, other than herbicide if required, in Section C (middle) in 2003. • Sub-committees – the Committee agreed to form sub-committees to provide attention to specific areas and to allow other homeowners to participate on the project. The following sub-committees were formed with leadership and membership as indicated. For those not at the meeting, their involvement will be contingent upon their agreement to serve. If other sub-committees are called for, we will furnish those as the need arises. • Pondscape - responsible for working with Tilton
Inc. to select plants and vegetation for the pond. Also responsible for scheduling
and supervising the planting on the sub-division’s behalf. • Volunteers – responsible for recruiting
and mobilizing volunteers for planting and any other parts of the project
requiring homeowner involvement • Communications – responsible for keeping
homeowners informed of the project’s status, requirements of them. Also,
this group may be responsible for publicizing our efforts to the community
through newspapers, cable news, etc. if it is deemed worthwhile. • Longer-term Maintenance – responsible
for determining issues for maintaining the pond from year-to-year, identifications
of vendors to provide needed services (we agreed the subdivision lawn service
would do any maintenance to the pond area), certifications needed and for
capturing the responsibilities in a document for future use. • Truesdale Project Coordination – responsible
for contacting Field Elementary School and determining interest in coordinating
their efforts with ours. Then, advising Committee and Board of any needed
recommendations for action. • Project Coordination – responsible for
coordinating efforts with Canton Township, Tilton and Covington Square homeowners • Next steps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- December 18, 2002 Meeting with Canton Township They proposed the following pond layout: (right-click and pick "Save Target As...")
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- November 3, 2002 Retention Pond Retrofit Project Progress Report The committee made up of Covington Square homeowners that was commissioned to oversee the retrofitting project at the October 15, 2002 Association Meeting wishes to report the following: · The project is underway. The Pond Committee met with Canton Township officials and Tilton Associates, the consulting firm. · Draining of the existing pond will begin as soon as Canton Township can free up equipment and a crew. Once this is done, which should be no later than early December ’02, the existing drainpipes, from the manholes to the pond, will be flushed. The exit drain on the east end of the pond will be relocated a short distance to the north to improve drainage. Excavation will likely begin in Feb/March. · The pond will be slightly smaller and a more natural habitat. There will be “no-mow” zones on the banks of the pond. The consultant’s sketches should be available soon at covingtonsquare.org Check them out. It will still be usable for ice-skating and playing hockey in the winter (except ‘02-’03 when under construction). · As explained at the 10/15/02 Association meeting, the project will be funded largely by a grant from Wayne County and many services provided by Canton Township. The subdivision will need to pay approximately 20% of the costs and provide assistance in planting vegetation in the Spring of ’03. Based on initial projections, the total cost of the project to the subdivision will likely not exceed $15,000 as discussed at the 10/15/02 Association meeting. This number is subject to adjustment when a more detailed cost estimate is received in early December ’02. · Money budgeted this year will be used to defray the overall cost of the project. Once again, we will have better costs in December ’02. · An Association dues increase should be anticipated for 2003 to cover the costs of this project. A best guess at this time is that our dues will likely not exceed the amount mentioned at the 10/15/02 Association meeting – the mid-$200 range. The budget will be finalized after the first of the year when all projected costs are known. · It is being recommended we budget in the future for pond maintenance. While the amount is not yet known, it does not appear to be a large annual amount. There is a need, however, to take care of undesirable plant removal, replacement of plants that die, etc. · We are being told we need to avoid phosphate containing lawn fertilizers to have a healthy retention pond. Initial information on no/low phosphate fertilizers and companies is posted at covingtonsquare.org · If you have specific questions about the retention
pond retrofit project or want to know more about the project, we expect to
have another informational meeting after the first of the year. In the meantime,
please feel free to contact the project chairperson for Covington Square,
John Jackson, at jacksonj46@aol.com He will bring appropriate matters to the
Pond Committee’s or Board’s attention.
Covington Square Subdivision Association Pond Committee P.O.Box 871082 Canton, MI 48187 |
Click
here to view or download the report as a PDF document
Detention Pond Update September 2004
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