Page 192 - Microsoft Word - Annual Report 2016

LAKES, PONDS, AND STREAMS COMMITTEE

The Lakes Ponds and Streams Committee is an ad-hoc committee whose seven volunteer
members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen to staggered two-year terms. The Lakes
Ponds and Streams Committee has no independent regulatory or spending authority; its main
purpose is to assist the Conservation Commission and the Selectmen in the management of
Boxford’s lakes, ponds and streams. The Committee is charged with identifying lake, pond and
stream management issues for public discussion and study, such as: lake and pond drawdown,
minimum discharge stream flow, management of invasive species, nutrient inputs, regulations
relating to the use of lakes ponds and/or streams, beaver control, beach management, and public
access. Other committee objectives include: the coordination of public outreach and education
regarding lake, pond and stream issues, and to report to the Conservation Commission and Board
of Selectmen with its findings and recommendations regarding such issues.

The Committee holds public meetings on the second Tuesday of each month or otherwise
announced. Meetings normally begin at 7:30 p.m. The Committee works out of the Conservation
Commission office, which is located at Town Hall, 7A Spofford Road, Boxford, MA 01921, and
the telephone number is (978) 887-6000, extension 182.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES IN 2016

Several continuing matters were addressed by the Committee during 2016 as well as new matters
that touched various aspects of the Committee’s charge. On a topical basis, these matters and
associated actions included the following:

Middleton Road Culvert Replacement – Committee members continued to work throughout
the year assisting and coordinating activities in support of the replacement of the Middleton
Road Culvert with a three or four-sided, embedded concrete culvert. The objective of this
exercise is to improve wildlife passage while addressing a severe erosion problem caused by the
repeated failure of this culvert during significant rain events.

Holmes Pond – With input from the DPW and pond abutters, the Committee prepared an
specifications for a Pond Study and applied to the Community Preservation Committee for
funding.

Earth Day – Committee members engaged in cleanup activities at Baldpate Pond, Four Mile
Pond, Stevens Pond, Spofford Pond and Stiles Pond.

Ponds of Boxford Booklet – The Committee completed its work on a booklet describing the 15
major ponds in Boxford, and published 30 copies for distribution. It is intended that the booklet
be available for public use (and perhaps purchase) with a copies placed in the Town’s historical
records.