Why SPIA?

Many people ask us Why be a member? When it is suggested to nonmembers they should consider joining the Square Pond Improvement Association, the response is frequently, “Why…what do they do for me?” That is a fair question and in response we have listed some of our basic activities below.

The SPIA works to:

• Provide a voice in the community. Members can vote on lake issues and decide on actions, legal or otherwise, that will benefit Square Pond residents.
  
• Support water safety – provide and maintain marker buoys.
  
• Monitor water quality (results reported to the State of Maine)
  
• Work to protect owner property investment. For example, we have taken such recent actions as performing a water-shed survey in cooperation with the York County Soil & Water Conservation District. This is an ongoing activity. Grants have been awarded by the state and work is underway to distribute the moneys to qualified property owners. This is an effort to reverse the persistent deterioration in water quality. The project will require additional volunteer work in coming years. An equivalent effort at Mousam Lake, which is further along than at Square Pond, is already paying dividends.
  
• Donate money to local community organization and charities (e.g., Acton and Shapleigh Fire Departments, Youth Conservation Corp.)
  
• Monitor and report on wildlife to State organizations (e.g., Loons, eagles)
  
• Initiate and support various social activities on Square Pond (e.g., canoe races, fishing derbies, ski show and classes, boat parades, “Light-up-the-lake,” etc.)
  
• Inform the community of activities and issues that directly affect our investment at Square Pond. (e.g., the SPIA Newsletter and www.squarepondme.com Website). The Web site is a dynamic method of communication and is frequently updated. The Newsletter is published annually.

In short, as an organization, we represent all Square Pond property owners, as we work to preserve our lake environment as the wonderful place for rest and for play,that it is today. All of most of the above is done by volunteers, who are themselves property owners.

Useful Web Sites:
Acton Fire Department
Town of Shapleigh
Maine State Government
Main Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Land and Water Quality
York County Soil & Water Conservation District
Mousam Lake

Webmaster’s note:
We are having a tough time keeping up with member’s address changes. Help us out! If you have recently had a change of address, such as a new Email address, we would appreciate it if you would give the secretary a jingle or drop her an Email (secretary@squarepondme.com).