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Commission reviews Ledge Trail clearing contract, hears Friends of Post Pond milfoil update
Summary
The commission supported a privately funded $850 contract to clear the Ledge Trail view with attention to wildlife-friendly practices, and heard a Friends of Post Pond report that volunteers harvested about 5,000 milfoil plants in 2025 and identified equipment storage needs for future seasons.
The commission discussed several land-management and stewardship items Nov. 10, including a privately funded tree removal contract to restore a key view on the Town Forest’s Ledge Trail and a summary of the 2025 milfoil removal effort at Post Pond.
Jill Niles and Peter McGowan described plans to maintain the scenic view on the Ledge Trail. Peter offered to fund the work and reported that arborist Eric Bragg of GreenShield Arborculture agreed to remove about a dozen trees for $850; Peter told the commission he would pay up to $1,000 toward the work. Commissioners asked for a quick review of the contractor’s contract and discussed leaving some material to preserve wildlife habitat. Chair Blake Allison said he will follow up with Dina Cutting about how reimbursement or payment should be handled because the work occurs on Town property.
On invasive-species work, Sue MacKenzie presented the Friends of Post Pond (FoPP) 2025 milfoil campaign summary. The group completed four dives with volunteers in July and August, harvested an estimated 5,000 plants, and recorded volunteer work across roles including divers, tenders, boat support and spotters. FoPP reported a continuing need for a central, accessible storage location for donated equipment; the Horse Sheds were suggested. FoPP plans to reconvene in April 2026 to plan next season’s work.
Other trail items mentioned included a proposal from Russ Hirschler to replace wooden trail truncheons in the CWS with more durable materials; commissioners agreed to investigate alternatives and timing.
What’s next: Review of the GreenShield contract by commissioners willing to do so, Blake Allison to follow up on payment logistics, and FoPP to meet in April 2026 to prepare for summer milfoil work.
