b"C H A P T E R T H R E EWe are very interested in the quality of the water. A.tpresent the checking is done randomly and infrequently. The county lah is so overworked and understaffed that all they can do is put out brush fires, of which Oyster Pond is one .Is there interest in getting citizens to pay for additional tests.?(We) feel we should keep pressure on so something will be done. We want to show that we wish for improvements.(We) suggested we gather information that Board of Health needs and then let them follow through legally.Before the meeting wound up, issues chairman George Douglass invited his colleagues to look to the issues which concern everyone. Out of the discussion that ensued, these five concerns were cited as being of greatest importance to the board: water pollution, harbor patrolling, dredging, use (having to do with crowding, docks and moorings), and land development.Two weeks later, The Chronicle took notice of the meeting under this headline: Stage Harbor Friends now organized.Acknowledging the steps taken at the October 9 session, the paper reported that FSHW already had 93 members. It existed to provide an informational resource for members and other interested parties concerning the condition, development and preservation of Stage Harbor waterways and adjoining lands. The Friends had hoisted anchor and was sailing close-hauled into a brisk wind.Cape Cod Chronicle, October 27,1983 StageHarborFriendsnow organizedCHATHAMFriendsofStageHarborJudyHoyt,assistanttreasurer;LibbyMottur, Waterways, anewassociationformedherelastrecordingsecretary;andLewisKimball, summer, has completed its organization process andcorresponding secretary.has elected officers. Boardmembers areBeatriceBarrett, Martha The 93-member group, according to ;ts recentlyBatchelder,GeorgeDouglas,PrescottDunbar. adopted bylaws, exists to provide an informa'tionalBobbie Gryska, Martha Stone, Francis Jones, Lynn resource for members and other interested partiesLandy, Doug Wells, and Doug Rhodes.concerning the condition, development and presenceMartha Stone heads the organizations research of Stage Harbor waterways and adjoining lands. committee, and members include Bobbie Gryska for Specifically, the group will concern itself withStage Harbor, Marge Upson for Mill Pond, and Matt pollution, patrol of harbors, dredging, the general usePlum for Oyster Pond.of harbors, and land development. The Friends bylaws call for the annual meeting AtameetingOctober9,JoanKimballwasto be conducted on a weekend sometime in July or electedpresident;SpencerGrayandRichardAugust of each year. Individual groups will meet as Batchelder, vice presidents; Sue Wilmot, treasurer; necessary during the year.This was the first of many articles The Cape C od C hronicle has written about the Friends since it came into existence.This story appeared on October 27,1983.42"