The Rochester Conservation Commission met on Tuesday night with the founder of a group dedicated to protecting mother nature in ways that go far beyond what Wetlands Act regulations can do.
Michelle Kirby introduced herself as president of the Snows Pond Association, which is dedicated to slowing the aging and deterioration of Snows Pond and the town’s other natural “kettle” ponds.
Kirby said in the past 20-30 years the pond has changed “and it’s concerning.” Ponds naturally lower their water level, fill with sediment and become wet marshes, she admitted. But weeds, some invasive and some native, algae growth and nutrient pollution are speeding up the natural aging of the pond that she’s spent her entire life living around.
She said her group, which includes 13 of the 15 homeowners on the pond, has invested in efforts to research how fast Snows Pond is aging and what is causing it. The biggest culprit aging it faster than normal is nutrient pollution, something that human behavior can help slow down the progress of, she said.
Snows Pond, she pointed out, covers 57 acres and has the highest water level of all ponds in Rochester. She asked the commission to help the association with its mission to preserve it.
“We need more stewardship and education,” she said.
“The pond does have a lot of nutrient pollution from a lot of sources,” commissioner Ben Bailey responded. “But it’s not something you can change. Can’t eliminate it. Eliminating it means draining, dredging the pond to make it like it was in the past. It will be an uphill battle to get some things done.”
Kirby reiterated that slowing the pond’s aging process through public awareness is her most important goal.
“Everyone here on this board agrees with you,” Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior told her. “Something needs to be done.”
Gerrior said the commission will find ways to help Kirby, perhaps tapping into town funding sources to that end.
In other business, the commission approved issuing the Certificates of Compliance for a new home construction at 179 Burgess Way filed by Angela DeMelo and a garage construction at 7 Ginny’s Way filed by John and Michelle Vinagre.
Also, the commission agreed to send an amended enforcement order for Wetlands Act violations to 89 Box Turtle Drive to include a $100 per day fine until the panel hears from the landowner or a restoration plan is met. Board members complained of not hearing from the landowner since the first enforcement order had been issued.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission will be held on Tuesday, June 21, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco