Residents and DPW report stormwater mitigation work and access-signage plans at Upper Dam Pond

Speakers at the Coventry Town Council meeting described recent stormwater mitigation work at Upper Dam Pond and urged the town to improve public-access signage and safety near pond access points.

Tom Pendergast, vice president of the Upper Dam Pond Conservation Association, told the council DPW recently installed a storm-sceptor at an outfall on Jervis Street that staff estimated removes most of the sediment from that one outfall, which the association had identified as responsible for roughly one-third of the sediment load into the pond. The association has a state grant to install filters that would remove phosphorus from stormwater before it enters the lake, Pendergast said.

Resident Britney Boyer raised safety concerns about pedestrian access near the pond — she said people were walking across a dam/bridge with no fencing and parking in locations that force pedestrians to cross an active bike path. Boyer said she had offered to donate signage to mark public-access points and that she had difficulty locating certain access points because of confusing markings and outdated “no trespassing” signs.

DPW staff responded that fence work to block unsafe access over the bridge was scheduled to be finished this week, and that the department, in coordination with the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and consultants (GZA), has identified three locations for public-access signage. Staff said signage installation and improved parking directions will be implemented to reduce safety risks and clarify legal access.

The council did not take formal action at the meeting but heard staff and resident updates and asked DPW to proceed with signage and safety improvements.