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Northborough Conservation Commission discusses Bartlett Pond treatment contract and Edmond Hill forest plan
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a year‑three invoice for Bartlett Pond management, discussed timing and funding (possible CPC support) and scheduled follow-up with contractors; they also advanced early outreach and internal review steps for an Edmond Hill forest-management CSIP application.
At its May meeting the Conservation Commission reviewed programmatic items including Bartlett Pond aquatic treatment and initial steps for a forest-management plan at Edmond Hill.
Staff said the pond-treatment vendor submitted a $750 invoiced DEP permit item and that the three‑year treatment contract amounts to about $41,000; commissioners asked whether pausing treatment for a year would be sensible versus maintaining continuous management. Members asked the contractor to provide guidance about the consequences of a pause and whether costs or permit steps would change; commissioners agreed to invite the vendor to a future meeting (suggested July) to answer those procurement and operational questions. Several commissioners noted potential Community Preservation Committee funding would need to be requested in the November cycle if they intend to continue funding treatment through CPC.
On forestry, staff reported conversations with the forester about preparing a CSIP application for Edmond Hill and recommended a phased outreach approach: an internal presentation to the conservation commission draft materials, an expanded stakeholder briefing that includes the select board designee and planning/trails/open-space stakeholders, and then a public meeting. Commissioners discussed seasonality for cutting (winter when ground is frozen), invasive-species removal, and reimbursement mechanics for CSIP grants (town pays costs up-front and is later reimbursed). The commission asked staff to have the forester submit a draft presentation in time for the June 8 meeting and to plan stakeholder outreach in advance of any public event.
What happens next: staff will ask vendors to appear at a future meeting to explain treatment continuity options; forester will provide draft outreach materials and a CSIP plan for review by the commission prior to public outreach.
