Lakeville commission approves eco-harvester weed removal, accepts $35,000 donation

The Assawamset Pond Commission in the Town of Lakeville voted unanimously on July 9 to authorize a new eco‑harvester aquatic weed‑removal project beginning at William Street and to accept a $35,000 private donation to pay the contractor.

Commissioners said they will aim to operate the eco‑harvester from William Street upstream, expand the cleared reach beyond last year’s work, and use the donated funds to pay the daily rate for the contractor. The donation was offered through a contact at The Nature Conservancy, the commission reported.

The vote follows discussion about previous seasons’ work, access and permitting, and larger unresolved problems in the river system. Commission members said last year’s $35,000 funded five days of work; the group agreed the same donor amount would again cover contractor costs for a limited number of days. Commissioners emphasized this is a continuing, maintenance‑style approach…