The Surface Water Quality Committee voted 3-0 Sept. 16 to approve payment under a $9,900 seasonal contract for hand-harvesting invasive water chestnut at Heard Pond, while questioning whether some of the work occurred too late to prevent the plants from dropping seeds.
Member Thomas J. Largy said harvesting is most effective before seeds begin dropping in August and questioned whether work performed later in the month fulfilled the purpose of the contract. Chair Thomas Klem said he would seek confirmation of the contractor’s work dates.
At Dudley Pond, member Steve Garone reported that mechanical harvesting had removed more than 200,000 pounds of invasive vegetation during six weeks of work, roughly twice the amount removed during the comparable period the previous year.
The committee is also working with the Healthy Dudley Pond Committee on a MassDEP grant application to help fund a nutrient-source study. Aquatic Restoration Consulting estimated the study would cost approximately $55,000 to $70,000.
