Joe's Pond Association Special Notices
News that all members need to know!

January 2026

Donations for Fireworks at Joe's Pond - Do not send to the Joe's Pond Association.  Instead - send check to the Town of Danville, PO Box 183, Danville, Vt.  05828.  Write Joe's Pond Fireworks in the memo area.  

Other Information:  Please consult your tax advisor for consultation and personalize guidance
Some members have asked whether donations to the Joe’s Pond Association are tax-deductible. Donations made directly to the JPA are NOT tax-deductible because the JPA is a 501(c)(7) tax-exempt social club, not a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

If you itemize deductions and wish to make a tax-deductible donation to support milfoil management or fireworks at Joe’s Pond, you may send a check to the Town of Danville and specify in the memo line or in an accompanying letter that your donation is for “Joe’s Pond Milfoil or "Joe's Pond Fireworks”.  The Town of Danville’s mailing address is P.O. Box 183, Danville, VT 05828.  Donations made to a town for the public benefit are tax-deductible for taxpayers who itemize deductions. The Town of Danville will track all donations designated for each of those public benefit items separately, and will use those funds exclusively for those items by either paying costs directly or reimbursing the JPA for costs incurred.

If you have a Donor Advised Fund, you can direct the administrator to send a check to the Town of Danville and specify that the check is for “Joe’s Pond milfoil” or "Joe's Pond Fireworks".

Qualified charitable distributions from tax-deferred accounts and new deduction for contributions by non-itemizers starting in 2026 only apply to 501(c)(3) organizations.  Since the Town of Danville is a government entity and the JPA is a social club and neither are 501(c)(3) organizations, donations to either organization do not qualify for qualified charitable distributions or for the new deduction by non-itemizers.

​Those who do not need a tax benefit and who want to help our fight with milfoil can contribute directly to the JPA.  Those who want to donate towards the fireworks should send a check to the Town of Danville with a notation that it is for "Joe's Pond Fireworks".

October 7, 2025

2026  Firewords Cancelled
​
As many of you will recall, a discussion and subsequent vote regarding the July fireworks was held at our fall meeting on August 30th. At that time the cost of the display for 2026 was unknown. The result of the vote was to proceed with the fireworks with the added stipulation that our expenditure not exceed  $15,000.  A question was posed that if the cost exceeded $15,000 could private donations be used for the difference. This concept had been proposed in 2024 for a potentially larger show.  At that time, the board of directors unanimously agreed that all donations be used to offset and not supplement any expenses. The board's recommendation was then presented at the following meeting and accepted by the members. This position was reiterated prior to the vote at the August fall meeting.
     
Last week we learned that the cost for 2026 fireworks would increase from $13,000 to $20,000 which is essentially $1,000 per minute. The board of directors discussed the situation and felt that it is absolutely imperative to honor the vote of the members. Doing otherwise is not an option. Consequently we have notified the vendor of our intention to cancel the fireworks.

Parting with tradition is always difficult,  but it is essential we adapt to the current environmental and financial times. Moving forward perhaps we can collectively find another way to celebrate our nation's birthday.

Joe Hebert
President  JPA​​