The purpose of the Six Ponds Improvement Association is to educate and inform members and the public about environmental issues and other items of special concern to the residents of the Six Ponds area of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Six Ponds – Who and What We Are Today
Some 73 years ago, a group of concerned neighbors met together at a home on Long Pond Road in Plymouth. Eighteen people were there, many who were local (meaning they lived here year-round) but some were only part-time residents, coming from as far away as New York City. These 18 people had a profound connection to our neighborhood, and were worried by the threats that came with a booming economy and population growth. For those of us who live here now, it is almost unimaginable to think that Long Pond Road was unpaved, that many houses still used outhouses, and there was only general mail delivery. Route 3 did not exist. Mail delivery was via Buzzards Bay. Telephone lines were party lines (“a telephone land-line or circuit shared by two or more subscribers”). Ice blocks were purchased at the Nunes’ shop further north on Long Pond Road, as many summer residents had no refrigerators. The site of the Wildlands Trust office had been a working farm, producing food for local consumption. The population of the entire town of Plymouth was little more than 13,000 in 1950. Today the town boasts over 60,000, with new housing developments planning hundreds of new homes.
Discussion at that meeting in 1951 was of a “Five Ponds Improvement Association.” Round Pond was added a few months later, and the first official meeting of the Six Ponds Improvement Association was held on July 5, 1952. Interestingly, the word “Improvement” was agreed on after considerable discussion -- it was felt that “improvement” sounded less selfish than “Protective.”
And so, the Six Ponds Improvement Association has stood firm to advance and preserve the quality of life on a close-knit group of neighboring ponds: Bloody, Gallows, Halfway, Little Long, Long, and Round Ponds. In close proximity to one another, the ponds are physio-graphically different: Halfway Pond gives rise to the Agawam River, which flows into Buzzards Bay, with Long Pond and Little Long Pond also in the watershed. Bloody Pond is in the Herring Ponds watershed, flowing into the Cape Cod Canal and then on to both Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay. Bloody, Round and Gallows Pond are true coastal plain ponds, with no surface inlets or outlets.
The Six Ponds area includes many acres of protected open space and is home to the Wildlands Trust, southeastern Massachusetts’ nonprofit land protection organization (wildlandstrust.org). Together, both groups strive to preserve the fragile pine barrens environment, protect the water quality of the ponds, and maintain the rural quality and natural beauty of the neighborhood. The organizational bylaws focus on the following matters pertaining to the Six Ponds area:
- Building laws, zoning laws and permits;
- Road maintenance, road signs and traffic control;
- Health, water, safety and sanitation;
- Fire laws and regulations;
- Matters and activities affecting the comfort and quiet enjoyment of property and property rights
- Collection and dissemination of information to all members concerning any matter affecting the Six Ponds area
- Such group or community measures as may, from time to time, be for the benefit of the Six Ponds area; and
- Representation of the Association before any agency, board, body, authority or commission of the Commonwealth, or any town or county, when matters affecting the area are under consideration, said representation in no way to limit any appearance or action by any individual or Member of the Association.
Membership is open to all. Its officers administer the Six Ponds Association. The officers are elected at the Association’s annual meeting and serve one-year terms until the next annual meeting. There are nine Members-At-Large, who are also elected at the annual meeting, and along with the officers, constitute the Executive Committee. This Executive Committee acts on behalf of the Association, and reports to the membership via meetings and newsletters. The Executive Committee sets forth an annual budget approved by the membership, which requires a 50% quorum. At this time the Executive Committee meets each month at a member’s home. All members are welcome to attend.
We are fortunate to have the Six Ponds Improvement Association. Newer neighborhoods in our town have Home Owner Associations (HOAs). An HOA is a group of property owners with the legal authority to enforce rules and regulations that focus on restrictions, as well as building and safety issues. Membership is mandatory if you live in the neighborhood, and dues to the HOA can be very steep. Our Association is a group of well-intentioned neighbors who are collectively concerned with maintaining the natural character of the area, keeping our ponds clean, and our neighborhoods safe and quiet. We collaborate together for improvements in keeping with these goals, and membership is optional. We focus on general advocacy and community events, and promote education. Many of our neighbors are active in town government, either as town meeting members or committee members.
Yes, our neighborhood has changed significantly since the 1950’s. Change is inevitable. However, without the Six Ponds Improvement Association, I’m sure many changes would have adverse effects on our quality of life. With careful oversight, the SPIA has preserved the natural environment on the ponds. Volunteers take samples for water quality testing, clean up roadsides, and attend controversial meetings at Plymouth Town Hall. Neighborly goodwill is extended at meetings and potluck dinners.
Those 18 neighbors undoubtedly did a good thing 73 years ago. They hoped their actions would see that our neighborhood would still be such a desirable place to live decades later, providing natural beauty, healthy recreation, a safe refuge and peaceful living. Help us keep the Six Ponds just that.