In an age of political divisiveness—a corrosive trend capable of affecting Harvard, too—the Press wants to recognize the cooperation between the two committees that together must manage Bare Hill Pond, a body of water treasured by residents but increasingly plagued by weeds: the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Bare Hill Pond Watershed Management Committee.
So when, on behalf of the Parks and Rec Commission, the Parks and Rec director and the harbormaster met with the pond committee this week, tensions were high in anticipation of a proposal raised at a Conservation Commission meeting last week to use herbicides for the first time in more than 40 years.
Like most residents, we value the pond for its natural beauty and its role in nurturing wildlife such as bald eagles, herons, turtles, and all manner of amphibians as well as for its recreational opportunities, swimming, boating, and fishing. Anything that could harm the pond’s health, endanger swimmers, or for that matter create dissension between boards and citizens should be avoided.
What we saw at this week’s meeting of the two boards was a calmly negotiated, nontoxic solution for clearing weeds from the swimming and boat mooring areas. That is to be commended, as was Parks and Rec’s ability—for this year only—to fund the suction vacuuming of the affected areas.
What remains to be seen is how the town will budget for yearly control of the invasive weeds; this will take the dedicated involvement of town officials to help budget for the expense and assist in the hiring of professionals to extract the offending plants, by their roots, from the bottom of the pond.
This year, Parks and Rec has found the money to pay for that work, but now is the time to plan for the ongoing maintenance needed to keep the beach area and moorings weed free for the children who attend the town’s popular summer swim classes, as well as the swimmers and waders who treasure its cooling waters during the leisurely months of summer.
