Lake group raises
funds to fight weeds
Monday, January 27, 2003
By James F.
Russell
Worcester Telegram
BROOKFIELD-- With nearly two feet of ice covering
North and South ponds in Brookfield, talk of weed control at the
popular recreation spot might appear, well, “wacky.”
Unless you are the Quacumquasit and Quaboag Lake Association,
who make it their business to manage what has become a serious
problem for boaters plying the lakes' tranquil waters on a
pristine August afternoon, according to association President
Donna M. Grehl.
“The proliferation of weeds in recent years, due to increased
phosphorus levels in the two ponds, means someone has to take
action. Weeds have made recreational boating in the later summer,
when water levels tend to be lower, an unpleasant recreational
experience,” she said.
“QQLA is here to maintain and monitor the lake. It is an
important natural resource both for residents and vacationers from
afar,” she said.
“If we don't do something about the lakes, who is going to?”
added association member and retired Worcester County District
Court Judge Milton Raphaelson, who lives on the shores of Lake
Quacumquasit, commonly called South Pond.
“We want to make the lakes nicer,” he said.
Don't expect to see volunteers wading through the ponds in
hip boots brandishing weed whackers.
The association has been selling $10 raffle calendars since
November to raise funds to help offset the cost of chemically
treating the water to attenuate weed growth, according to
Association Vice President Beverly A. Lund, who is also chairman
of the Board of Selectmen.
The raffle will occur once a day in February.
“We have tried weed eating weevils and hydroraking, which
were unsuccessful. Chemical weed treating is the only thing that
works, but that is expensive,” said Mrs. Lund, who noted $8,000
has been raised to date. The goal is $12,000.
“The state should be doing more to preserve its natural
resources. This is a state waterway; unfortunately, it has huge
problems of its own at present,” said Mr. Raphaelson, adding that
state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, and state Reps. Reed V.
Hillman, R-Sturbridge, and Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, “have done all
they can; we have to do our share, too.”
According to Mrs. Lund, the Conservation Commission has
jurisdiction over chemical treatment, which it approved last year.
The association expects to file a notice of intent with the
commission soon, if it raises enough money. Treatments would begin
in May or June, depending on the water temperature.
Calendars may be purchased until Friday by contacting Mrs.
Lund at (508) 867-6323. |
