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Residents press town to address invasive phragmites in North Weymouth salt marshes
Summary
Residents raised concerns about phragmites overrunning local salt marshes, eroding banks and reducing wildlife; officials pointed to recent culvert and slide-gate projects and asked conservation staff to review potential mitigation measures, including dam removals already underway in other parts of town.
Several residents urged the town to take action on invasive phragmites in salt marshes that they said are eroding banks, reducing wildlife and increasing flooding at edges of neighborhoods.
A resident (speaker 16) told the meeting that phragmites growth on Norton Street, Great Esker and other marsh edges has reduced tidal flow and harmed fish and bird life, and asked whether the town would study treatments that could include nonchemical approaches such as grazing. "If we don't do something about this, we're gonna really have a very bad impact going forward," the resident said.
Mayor Hedlund and DPW staff pointed to prior projects where culvert improvements, slide gates and dam removals were used to reintroduce saltwater tidal flow and restore marsh habitat; Hedlund cited an ongoing dam-removal effort and encouraged residents to consult WETC archives for project details. DPW said a slide-gate at Great Esker and other culvert projects have shown positive results.
Officials agreed to ask the conservation office to follow up with residents on local marsh conditions and mitigation options. The mayor emphasized coordination with state fisheries and conservation partners on feasibility and funding.
What comes next: conservation staff will be asked to re-evaluate the marsh sites called out at the meeting and report back on potential restoration options, funding needs and timelines.
