2022-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion Made by Selectman Weeden are currently infested with milfoil. Funding will be needed to pay a qualified contractor to conduct a full I move that the Town vote to approve Article 21 as pond-wide survey and subsequent treatment of milfoil printed in the Warrant, with the exception of the based on survey results. Using the costs of milfoil phrase"or take any other action relating thereto." surveying, permitting and eradication on Johns Pond as a reference, funding in the amount of $28,500 is Motion passes unanimously at 8:00 PM requested to cover all estimated costs for eradication of invasive milfoil (including permitting, surveying, Article 22 treatment(s) and contingency costs) To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and The Board of Selectmen recommends approval of transfer the sum of$35,000 from revenue available for Article 22 by a vote of 5-0 appropriation for the planning, permitting, treatment and eradication of invasive milfoil on Johns Pond and The Finance Committee recommends approval of Santuit Pond,or take any other action relating thereto. Article 22 by a vote of 7-0 Submitted by the Conservation Commission Motion Made by Selectman Gottlieb: Explanation: Johns Pond- Milfoil is a well- I move that the Town vote to approve Article 22 as documented invasive aquatic weed that can spread printed in the Warrant, with the exception of the rapidly and out-compete native species, resulting in phrase"or take any other action relating thereto." loss of native aquatic habitat and adversely impacting recreational opportunities. In the summer of 2021, Motion passes unanimously at 8:01 PM invasive milfoil was detected by residents on Johns Pond and reported to the Conservation Department Special Town Meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM and Department of Natural Resources. Subsequent to this, the town appropriated emergency funding to THIS CONCLUDES THE BUSINESS OF THE engage a contractor and secured wetland permits to SPECIAL TOWN MEETING conduct a pond-wide survey and treatment of milfoil using a state approved aquatic herbicide. A total And you are hereby directed to serve this Warrant by of 8 acres of Johns Pond was identified for milfoil posting up attested copies thereof,one at the Town Hall, infestation and subsequently treated. A summary one at the Post Office, and one each on the bulletin report and post treatment survey on the pond revealed boards,thirty days at least before said meeting. that most,if not all of the milfoil has been successfully eradicated; however, as is the case when dealing with Hereof fail not and make return of this Warrant with invasive species, a follow up survey for the next your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and growing season is recommended to ensure complete place of said meeting. eradication.The contractor hired to conduct this work (Water and Wetlands LLC) recommends budgeting Given under our hands this 21st day of March in the approximately $5,500 to cover the costs of a follow year two thousand and twenty two. up pond-wide survey in the late spring/early summer of 2022 to check for any remaining areas of milfoil Per Order of, infestation. This estimate also includes potential Board of Selectmen treatment of any detected areas. I recommend an additional $1,000 for any contingencies, bringing the Carol A. Sherman,Chair total amount of requested funding to $6,500. Ideally, David W.Weeden,Vice Chair no detections will be found and funding for treatment Andrew R.Gottlieb,Clerk will not be needed; however, until a follow up survey John J. Cotton is conducted, this is an unknown. Santuit Pond: In Thomas F.O'Hara the late fall of 2021, The Department of Natural Resources discovered invasive milfoil infestation in Santuit Pond. Preliminary observations using GPS tracking indicate roughly 6+ acres of pond area that 55