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Selectmen say town will apply for beaver permit after Wolcott Pond flooding concerns
Summary
After flooding near Wolcott Pond and the rail trail, the highway superintendent and volunteers cleared culverts and the board said North Brookfield will apply for its own beaver permit; board members said East Brookfield is also engaging property owners.
The Board of Selectmen discussed flooding near Wolcott Pond on Brickyard Road May 20 and heard that town staff are pursuing a beaver permit to address the problem.
The board chair (name not specified in the transcript) reported the highway superintendent evaluated the flooding and coordinated with John Tripp to locate culverts; crews cleaned culverts and volunteers have been clearing debris. The chair said the town has been communicating with East Brookfield officials, who are reaching out to property owners adjoining the pond, and that East Brookfield is trying to get owners to address beaver dams. “We are in the process of applying for our own beaver permit to address the issue from the Wolcott Pond waterfront property,” the chair said.
Board members emphasized the process is longer and more complicated than anticipated and that continued coordination with neighboring East Brookfield and volunteer efforts will be required. No formal vote was recorded; the board reported the permit application process is underway and town crews will continue maintenance to reduce flooding risks pending permit approval.
Residents and highway staff will be kept informed of the permit timeline and any needed downstream work; no timeline was provided in the meeting.
