Residents, golf‑course reps press Edinburgh council for alternatives to filling Timbergate pond

Edinburgh — Council members and residents discussed options July 13 for addressing weed growth and poor water quality at Pond No. 1 in the Timbergate area, with presenters describing trade‑offs between treatment costs, aesthetic concerns and long‑term infrastructure work.

A golf‑course representative said chemical treatment capable of addressing the hardy weeds would be expensive — “95,000 would be the cost of an income,” the presenter said — and that because the ponds are connected any treatment tends to move downstream and affect irrigation water. Options discussed included relocating the well to Pond No. 5 to isolate treatment, refilling Pond No. 1, or replumbing so Pond No. 1 is less critical for irrigation. The presenter noted the course’s well is about 28 years old and that flow has decreased recently, which factors into long‑term solutions.

Resident reaction: Ryan Mitchell, who said he has development experience, urged the council to seek alternatives to filling the pond. Mitchell recalled that fountains once kept water moving and limited weed growth but were removed because muskrats damaged infrastructure; he warned that filling the pond would eliminate an amenity and suggested other engineering fixes used by other golf courses.

Why it matters: Several council members flagged the issue as part of capital planning — replacing the well or investing in more aggressive treatment carries a cost and may affect irrigation and downstream water uses. Staff and the presenter emphasized there is no guaranteed solution: moving a well or installing new pumps may help but will not guarantee complete elimination of weeds.

What’s next: Council members requested additional information on cost comparisons and long‑term capital timing as part of the town’s capital improvement planning; no short‑term funding decision was made at the meeting.