[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6606232,"mediaKeyId","2973032-f920c5b19aa62468720affaa7f1eeeda","parentId",2973032,"title","Herring Commission to resend letter urging DPW site work, discusses festival and volunteer recruitment","audioSeconds",656,"startMs",844000,"endMs",1500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973032-f920c5b19aa62468720affaa7f1eeeda&start=844&end=1500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973032-f920c5b19aa62468720affaa7f1eeeda/thumbnail_844000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606232/Massachusetts/Herring-Commission-to-resend-letter-urging-DPW-site-work-discusses-festival-and-volunteer-recruitment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606232-ad8b63406a9958abb2d3acb4a699a003/orig.mp4?Expires=1773758291&Signature=Haox4vMrlnevCralijb2FvLK1dwBH1SGLH9CournrQOfgyLymY~CbgS8WWYnKA8LQdqusKFkbhLNyiBeJ6QZj8ADgRQVjD2Lzpz98OHC-RBHj~FTzfiMB~Iye3JPkTbGYw2jzKlvvVpznCjgwoyAHyadr0JwHSQysnzncwN8lTP6eUMgpS1mmbmYtIA4SthY0RI5Lo7HOrlOiksgmXn4nnO54qbuV7UHK~PsGvTugWUFV7wwUAM1-y8iBZrpGLd5iFlV9wlo6XJjzE1jGAxSJtnZTrg~hS1TmkdNXM5Q1Ov3b-ClSYLlQ6hHudU2IqlWd4hMRqB16ejWYobHY1C6XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Lakeville, MA","date","2025-04-12T18:27:22.39Z","article","The Town of Lakeville Herring Fisheries Commission voted unanimously at its April 9 meeting to resend a previously drafted letter to the Select Board urging that a warrant article include removal of Phragmites, renovation of Upper Pond, and construction of a canoe launch as part of DPW-site work.

A commission member offered the motion that the commission resend the letter to keep the request “fresh in their minds.” Tom (commission member) seconded the motion; the chair called for the vote and members answered “Aye,” recording a unanimous result. The commission discussed that a grant for a planned skate park is funding a major portion of the DPW-site project and that the warrant article will be raised at an upcoming town meeting.

Why it matters: the warrant article, as described by commission members, would authorize work that could change shoreline and public-access features at the DPW site, including invasive-plant removal and a canoe launch that would affect how the community and migrating fish use the area.

Commission members asked that the letter explicitly mention renovation of the Upper Pond and the canoe launch and discussed sending the letter from the commission as an entity rather than from individual members to reduce errors in submission. One member said they would circulate a cut-and-paste version of the letter to facilitate action if the commission voted to resend it.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to accept minutes of March 12, 2025: moved by Dave (commission member), seconded by Tom (commission member). Vote: unanimous (ayes recorded). The minutes acceptance occurred at the start of the meeting and was recorded as passed.
- Motion to resend letter to the Select Board urging inclusion of Upper Pond renovation and a canoe launch in the DPW-site warrant article: moved by a commission member (name not specified), seconded by Tom (commission member). Vote: unanimous (ayes recorded).

Other business discussed
- Herring Festival: commission members confirmed plans to staff a table at the festival, noted vendor drop-off hours, and discussed tent and table logistics. The festival time mentioned in the meeting was 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the commission discussed using the kiosk if rain was light and arranging an overnight police detail for site security.
- Storage and equipment: members discussed obtaining a small storage box or shed to hold festival supplies, tools, ladders and a life ring; members cautioned that any equipment the commission installs would carry maintenance responsibilities and possible inspection obligations (for example, fire extinguisher checks) if the equipment were considered part of a facility.
- Volunteer recruitment: members described outreach to recruit wardens/observers and discussed collecting names and contact information at events and via follow-up emails. Alan Harrison, a local high school teacher, brought three students to the river for an observational demonstration; the students used counting clickers and completed paperwork but could not be listed as official observers unless they are adults. Commission members discussed following up with parents and with Alan Harrison for student contact details.
- EPC update and watershed work: an update noted the EPC (regional/partner body) meets quarterly with the next meeting in June; members reported that test holes at Clark Shores are being used to evaluate nitrogen entering local waters and that project teams are experimenting with ground barriers made of straw, sand and rocks to reduce nitrogen flow into Long Pond.

The commission closed by confirming its meeting schedule and asking members to continue recruiting volunteers and observers for river monitoring and festival staffing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Middleboro-Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission, 4-9-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Herring Fisheries Commission voted unanimously April 9 to resend a letter to the Select Board urging the DPW-site warrant article to include Upper Pond renovation and a canoe launch; the commission also discussed the Herring Festival, storage for equipment, and recruiting volunteers and student observers.","taxTitle","Town of Lakeville, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",58187,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606236,"Lakeville herring commission discusses fish-ladder access as pond levels change",800,280000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973032-f920c5b19aa62468720affaa7f1eeeda&start=280&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973032-f920c5b19aa62468720affaa7f1eeeda/thumbnail_280000.jpg","/articles/6606236/Massachusetts/Lakeville-herring-commission-discusses-fish-ladder-access-as-pond-levels-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606236-473f3b9c353a1625dd9e915f25c6878f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773758292&Signature=ZzTLfmgch02SHb-Pu0Tl5AiYCegqLvOv2mXzgDgqyZau-6mN7l8NgAn1IkSPMJCgr3e5HB2x-RTfXZgrD7l5ExvUosNl8bl38a7UvS0rG5iv0EFzlPxXeqor2y3fTBaWVQQqLXM-uBX89PvCl9z6HyUSGd0F7AilElHD~Rq~knFUVdLSBZC9bRZvzKoglOPGMfZ0tJWXu1IwESd95Lw7Vj0CFatmGfBhBBN~ZiomnuI0-9DJlzO~VermtmnrImS~hPMakczgr0lsD52IPwJ4cpPKKGa5SmG1XTNR4xy148ATkhRsyBrupnasRnS238oa5p7yGdoNCQqiyVgLF6aG-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Lakeville Herring Fisheries Commission discussed changes to pond levels and fish-ladder access at its April 9 meeting, reporting that Totten Water Department staff removed a board from the fish ladder and may adjust additional boards if rain increases water levels.

Commission members described a continued low-water condition in the watershed but said pond levels have risen slightly in the past week. One commission member reported measuring about 10 feet from their wall to the waterline and said local rain gauges showed the lakeside reading at about 2.6 and the riverside near 1.0. The member said the Commission will monitor the situation alongside Totten staff as spring rain arrives.

Why it matters: the herring run depends on sufficient flow and ladder opening for fish to migrate from the pond to upstream spawning areas. Commissioners said reduced flow and some boards placed in the ladder for water conservation have narrowed the passage and could impede fish movement.

Commission members said they spoke with Jody at the Taunton Water Department, who had removed one of the ladder boards on Bay 1 to balance water conservation and fish access. Commission members and Totten staff later discussed whether to remove additional boards if forecast rain raises pond levels.

Nick, Totten Water Department staff, told the commission that when he removed the first board “there was so much flow going into it that it was disturbing the water, it was kicking up rocks and whatever, and he figured it would keep the herring from accessing the herring run.” The commission then discussed alternatives for which ladder bays to open; one suggestion was to open bays 3 or 4 to allow fish access while still conserving water elsewhere.

Commission members reported variable herring counts at different monitoring points. One member said counts at the counting board and under the bridge were “thick with fish” in some stretches but that other spots appeared thin, possibly because of recent cold nights and fluctuating temperatures. The commission expects short-term changes depending on rain over the coming days.

Commission members also noted maintenance needs along the run, including tree and rock clearing near the Wareham Street ladder and the condition of the installed ladder boards. They advised coordinating any hands-on work with the town Department of Public Works (DPW) and with Totten/ Taunton water staff because some structures and canal control boards are managed by town water authorities.

The commission did not take a formal vote on ladder changes during the meeting; members described ongoing coordination with Totten Water Department staff and said they would reassess after the weekend’s weather.

The commission scheduled continued field observations as part of routine monitoring and asked staff and volunteers to report counts and any changes in ladder configuration so the group can follow up at future meetings.","At its April 9 meeting the Town of Lakeville Herring Fisheries Commission discussed recent changes to water levels and to fish-ladder boards that have affected herring access; Totten Water Department staff removed a board and said they may adjust additional boards depending on rain.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Herring Commission to resend letter urging DPW site work, discusses festival and volunteer recruitment

Lakeville herring commission discusses fish-ladder access as pond levels change