SELECTMEN’S SITE WALK MINUTES
March 26, 2006
The Newton Board of Selectmen performed a site walk on Sunday, March 26, 2006 at approximately 9:00 AM to discuss and review parking along Country Pond Road, the boat ramp usage by non-residents and water quality issues related to Country Pond.
In attendance were Chairman Gary Nelson, Selectman John Ulcickas, Selectman Bob Donovan, Jr., Conservation Commission Chairperson Trisha McCarthy, Fire Chief Bill Ingalls and Jamie Gibbs, Assistant to the Road Agent and several members of the Wilders Grove Owners Association including Jason Hubbard and David Poulson who represented the association.
The residents are concerned about the safety of boat trailers lined up along Country Pond Road creating a road hazard, littering and illegal parking in posted No Parking areas. Pictures were taken of the ramp and parking areas. The residents are concerned about the parking along Country Pond Road as this presents a safety issue, especially near a very winding corner towards a stand of Birch Trees. The residents are also concerned about the poor water quality which has progressed over the years, the increased boat traffic on the pond, non-residents whom sometimes illegally park along the shoulder and litter problems at the ramp and along Country Pond Road.
The group looked at some town owned land in the area that may be of use for parking for residents only in the future. Jason Hubbard informed the Board that the Town of Kingston addressed similar problems at their ramp by enforcing parking and limiting access only for the residents of Kingston. It was agreed by all that ownership of the ramp must first be determined and that parking signs detailing location and for RESIDENTS ONLY should be posted as well as looking into creating a small parking lot in the future.
The residents are very concerned about the water quality in the mid to late summer which is related to Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae Blooms). Chairman Nelson informed the group that there has been some interest in creating a committee to discuss and study the water quality issues at Country Pond and what might be the root causes of these “blooms” of Cyanobacteria and whether increased boat traffic is a factor with this increasing problem. All agreed that this first meeting was a good start and the ramp ownership question needs to be addressed FIRST and to install the No Parking Signs. Trisha McCarthy stated that she would talk to the Conservation Commission about getting involved from a conservation standpoint.
The site walk ended at approximately 10:00 AM
Respectfully Submitted,
Gary F. Nelson, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
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