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Water bodies working group reports pond treatments and fishing-line removal efforts
Summary
The commission heard updates on Spy Pond and Hills Pond — recent algae treatment, reduced water chestnut in the reservoir, ongoing fishing-line removal efforts, and a volunteer-driven education approach rather than bans; staff sought funding approval for signage to mark revegetation areas.
David White, reporting for the water bodies working group, told the commission that Spy Pond was recently treated and that the reservoir’s water chestnut levels are down, with curly pondweed taking its place as a future management consideration. He described continuing volunteer efforts to retrieve fishing line from shorelines and thanked interjurisdictional partners including a volunteer in Lexington who has assisted.
David Morgan asked the commission to approve up to $300 from the water bodies fund to buy revegetation-area and 'pink plants' signage used by the conservation land stewards program; Morgan said a prior order cost $197 and that a tracker shows $57,097 currently in the water bodies account. Commissioners supported moving forward, asked which specific account would be charged, and asked staff to provide periodic accounting updates.
The group also summarized a recent fishing-line working-group meeting: no temporary bans were recommended; the focus was education, potential designated fishing areas, signage and online training, and coordination among volunteers and agencies to reduce inline debris.
