The Sluice Pond Association Board of Directors is in contact with Lynn Water and Sewer regarding their control of the pond water level through the opening and closing of the Sluice gate that enables water to flow to Flax Pond. As many of you are aware, there has been a persistant problem with water level regulation during spring floods. Officials informed us in May that we will soon receive a copy of a written policy regarding the control of the gate and water levels and that their long standing legal dispute with contractors regarding the Eastern Avenue outflow pipe hookup with Flax Pond should soon be resolved. The flood control has been a problem for years. The water in Sluice Pond is currently being maintained at the level set by the city council.

On June 1, 2006 the Sluice Pond Association Board of Directors listened to the problems of residents caused by the local flooding. A Sluice Pond Emergency Response and Flood Committee formed to assist residents in need and to prepare efforts to assist senior neighbors in the future. Contact Dave Mallet for information. To date we have securred city assistance from DPW through our work with Community Development to obtain gates for the public boat ramp that can control boat traffic in emergencies. This will alleviate large wave basement reflooding and limit use by recreational vehicles during water evacuations.

The following public service information was posted by Congressional Representative John F Tierney:

Toll-Free Number Available For Those Affected By Flooding

On Thursday, May 25, 2006, Essex County was declared a federal disaster area, triggering assistance to help meet the recovery needs of residents and business owners. A toll-free application telephone number is now operational for those who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms and flooding beginning on May 12, 2006.Those affected by the disaster may apply for assistance immediately by calling this toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, seven days a week. Those with speech and hearing impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. You may also register on-line at www.fema.gov.

Residents of Lynn Ponds are eligible for a wide range of programs such as funding for temporary disaster housing assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs, and disaster unemployment assistance.

In response to the devastating flooding the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in coordination with a variety of State and Federal agencies, has opened five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to provide a “one-stop” location for flood victims to obtain information about various relief programs and available assistance. In addition to the federal agencies at the DRCs, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), many state agencies and organizations present include the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Division of Unemployment Assistance, the Department of Veterans Services, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Revenue, the Division of Insurance and Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Again, residents and businesses affected by the disaster may apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) or by visiting www.fema.gov.

To download SBA loan application forms, please visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/dloanassit.html.