There was a review of the donation process for the conveyor used with the weed harvester to unload the tape grass cuttings into a shipping container for removal for mulching. The conveyor, acquired by the Dudley Pond Association in the spring of 2024 for assisting in clearing the nuisance weeds, was a donation to the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW).
Chair Tom Klem noted that the equipment had only informal approval from the Select Board.
“The new gift procedure wasn’t fully established when the DPW took possession” he explained, therefore the gift bypassed the Town Manager’s new gift-donation process.
The nature of future ownership, maintenance, and storage of equipment for use on Dudley Pond by the Town and DPA was discussed by the committee.
Planning for herbicide use in Heard Pond: The committee discussed the need for herbicide application to control invasive species at Heard Pond. The hand-pulling of water chestnuts from boats has been ongoing, however the situation has reached a point where chemical treatment may be necessary with BASF Clearcast (Imazamox, an amino acid inhibitor), especially in the south cove area, reported committee member Tom Largy.
The committee agreed that it will need to obtain a new Notice of Intent permit from the Conservation Commission, as well as coordinating with state authorities that have jurisdiction over Massachusetts’ great ponds.
Keith Gazaille of SOLitude Lake Management, a long-time contractor for Heard Pond, has been engaged to file the Notice of Intent.
Funding challenges and budget limitations: Due to the need to remove any one season’s aquatic weed growth, the committee addressed budget timing and funding constraints that could affect planned herbicide applications, particularly given the estimated $25,000 cost for treating 13 acres in Heard Pond.
With a total budget of $30,000, finding additional funding for next season’s herbicide treatments poses a challenge given that the amount must be approved in an annual Town Meeting.
The most recent water quality tests on Dudley Pond did not indicate any significant changes. The update suggested persistence of a stable and positive condition. However, Plumb raised concerns about the need to monitor the proposed development at 195 Main St., over concerns of contaminated stormwater, given the parcel’s history as a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Tier 1 site.
Coordination on future meetings and finalizing year-end activities: The final meeting of 2024 will be held on Nov. 19 to wrap up any outstanding issues.
