Residents report bright green, paint-like bloom; board plans sampling protocol

Chair reported receiving notices and photos about a transient, colorful algal bloom that several residents described as bright green or paint‑like in spots along the southern shore and near coves. Members who observed the bloom said it often dissipated within an hour, which complicated immediate testing. A resident who kept an unsanitized jar of the sample said it remained blue‑green a week later when stored in a shop, suggesting material persistence in at least one sample.

The group agreed to develop a rapid‑response protocol: keep a small inventory of clean mason jars, collect parallel samples (one frozen, one refrigerated, one left at ambient), and coordinate with local tester Nick for instructions and sample turnaround. The Chair said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has a community monitoring training the board will consider. "I left it in the shop and a week later it was still blue green," one member reported about a collected sample. The group will prepare a succinct public message (website/newsletter) and report back at the next meeting.