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Commission approves administrative amendment to allow phased invasive removal at Ken’s property
Summary
The commission granted an administrative amendment to the Ken’s Foods site to allow targeted phragmites and invasive species control, conditioned on a treatment plan, dominance mapping and a post‑treatment monitoring report.
The Southborough Conservation Commission on Sept. 11 approved an administrative amendment to allow invasive‑plant control at the Ken’s Foods property along a roadside drainage, conditioned on a pre‑work map and a monitoring plan.
A project consultant described phragmites as the dominant invasive in the ditch and adjacent wetland stands and proposed a staged approach: cut in late season now to allow re‑sprouting next spring, followed by fall herbicide treatments using dilute solutions where appropriate; in mixed stands, the team will use stem‑cut and targeted spot applications to avoid collateral damage to desirable plants. The conservation agent recommended hand removal in some wetland zones rather than heavy mechanical mowing.
The commission required Ken’s contractor to deliver a simple scaled map showing the locations and relative dominance of invasive stands, an applicator/contractor contact and a schedule; the agent will review that material before work begins. The approval also conditions follow‑up monitoring and a one‑year invasive‑control report to be submitted after the 2026 growing season to track efficacy.
Commissioners noted the adjacent off‑site wetland is more heavily infested and that long‑term success will require continued monitoring and periodic follow‑up treatments. The amendment passed on a roll call vote.
