Page 324 - BOXFORD

• Attendance at Project NOI hearings before the Conservation Commission

• Review and preparation of a response to DEP’s comments, addressing ten topics relative
to this Project.

Crooked Pond Brook Culvert – As a consequence of a major rain event in December 2014,
materials inside of this culvert were washed downstream. A labor team including members of
TU Nor’East were mobilized in January 2015 to shore up the streambed by adding larger
boulders at the invert and restoring streambed materials inside of the culvert.

Four Mile Pond – At the request of the Cons Com, our Committee met with abutters of Four
Mile Pond on October 20, 2015 to review a Pond and Dam Management Program which our
Committee had prepared. The Program addressed issues raised by abutters concerning the
removal of boards at the Pond dam and lowering of water levels without the consent of abutters.
In addition, the Program provides a foundation for managing other issues at the Pond including
water quality, water monitoring, and invasive species. We attended a meeting of the Cons Com
to explain the Program and our Committee’s recommendations. We continue to monitor the
situation.

Holmes Pond – On November 17, 2015, our Committee met with abutters and other interested
parties concerning Holmes Pond. Specific issues included basement, lawn and street flooding
during major storm events, deterioration of general Pond conditions and invasive species. With
input from the DPW, we prepared specifications for a Pond Study and have submitted the
proposed Study to an engineering firm for a quote. We also attended a meeting of the CPC to
discuss the prospects of using CPC funding for pay for the Study.

Larkin Dam Removal –Greg Murrer, through TU Nor’East, together with the DER, IRWA,
Parker River Clean Water Association and MA Marine Fisheries met with the Town of Newbury
in September to discuss actions to remove the Larkin Dam on the Parker River. The funding and
permitting process for this project is underway. Because the Parker River finds its headwater at
Sperry Pond in Boxford, there is a waterways/watershed connection to this project between the
two towns.

Earth Day – The Committee again decided to place more of an emphasis on fieldwork for Earth
Day 2015. Committee members engaged in cleanup activities at Baldpate Pond, Four Mile Pond,
Stevens Pond, Spofford Pond and Stiles Pond. At the same time, Karen Melanson manned the
LP&SC booth in the Town Hall so that the public education aspect of our efforts could continue.

Connecting to Other Agencies and Associations – The Committee continued to work with
individuals and organizations that assist and complement the Committee in realizing its charge.
These individuals and organizations include the Town’s DPW and Cons Com; MA DER (Beth
Lambert), MA Marine Fisheries (Ben Gahagan) TU Nor’East (Fred Jenkins, Chett Walsh, Jim
MacDougall), TU National (Katy Dunlop), MA Mosquito Control (Emily Sullivan), the Ipswich
River Watershed Association (Ryan O’Donnell, Brian Kelder), NOAA (Eric Hutchins), and
MEMA. Committee members have participated in events and projects outside of Boxford in

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