On Aug. 11, the Surface Water Quality Committee approved $9,323 in invoices and eyed state grants for Dudley Pond study. The committee approved $5,550 for the first ClearCast herbicide treatment at Heard Pond, $3,600 for three days of water chestnut hand-pulling at $1,200 per day, and a $173.32 Alpha Boats invoice for harvester blade parts. Member Steve Garone questioned why harvester expenses reached the committee rather than DPW, warning a future $10,000 part would consume a third of the total $30,000 budget.
After conferring with the state, Garone reported on 604(b) and 319 grants, due in mid-October, could fund an Aquatic Restoration Consulting nutrient study that Chair Tom Klem estimated at “probably $50K, likely more.” Member Tom Largy called 3,500 water chestnut plants pulled at Heard Pond “dismaying” after prior years drove counts down to the hundreds.
