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Wildwood homeowners press Tolland to address silt entering Otter Pond; board agrees to respond
Summary
Wildwood Property Owners Association leaders told the Town of Tolland Board of Selectmen that recent ditching and culvert clearing may be sending silt into Otter Pond. The board agreed to send a written response and directed DPW to install erosion control measures.
Teresa Urbinati, president of the Wildwood Property Owners Association, told the Town of Tolland Board of Selectmen on March 30 that runoff patterns have changed over the past year and that ditching and culvert clearing on Hartland Road may be sending sediment into Otter Pond. Anthony Moura, speaking for the association, said the group’s priority is to stop silt and sediment from entering the pond.
Selectman Steven DellaGiustina acknowledged the association’s concern but said routine road maintenance is permitted under Massachusetts General Laws and noted there is a possibility that clearing on an adjacent private lot contributed to the recent runoff. DPW Superintendent Kate Donovan agreed to install erosion-control measures along the ditches near the pond.
After hearing the association’s concerns, Selectman DellaGiustina moved that the board sign a written response to the Wildwood Property Owners Association regarding the notice of discharge and sediment entering Otter Pond; Patrick Barrett seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The board did not adopt a formal enforcement action at the meeting; rather, the town committed to a written reply and on-the-ground erosion control work by DPW.
Why it matters: Otter Pond is a local water body used by residents and managed in part through neighborhood drainage and private easement arrangements. The board’s response and DPW’s installation of erosion-control measures are intended to reduce further sedimentation while the source of the change in runoff is clarified.
Next steps: The town will send a written response to the WPOA and DPW will install erosion-control protections. The board left open further investigation of nearby private clearing as a possible contributing source.
