Compiled by the Bedford Citizen
Dateline January 12
Following a presentation by Conservation Administrator Elizabeth Bagdonas and Town Engineer Adrienne St. John, the Selectmen approved creation of a seven-member Ad-hoc Fawn Lake committee, to be composed of representatives from the Conservation Commission, the Selectmen, the Historic Preservation Commission and four at-large members. The Selectmen then tasked the Volunteer Coordinating Committee with recruiting members to serve on the committee, presumably citizens who are interested in or have familiarity with Fawn Lake. (Click here to learn more or apply on the Volunteer Coordinating Committee’s web page)
Bagdonas and St. John appeared before the Selectmen to present “the charge” for establishing the new committee. St. John outlined the work performed in recent months by CEI Consultants, Inc. CEI has reviewed all previous Fawn Lake studies (going back nearly a decade); they have gone out on the lake in a boat to survey the water depth, have analyzed sediment from the lake bottom for heavy metals, and have held two public meetings to present their preliminary findings.
St. John said the next step is for CEI to present a proposed matrix of a variety of methods to address aquatic vegetation (the most obvious problem at the lake), with the goal of finding a long term solution. Possibilities might be to do nothing (allow the lake to revert over time to a wet marsh); perform hydroraking or apply herbicidal treatment; do full or partial dredging, or a combination of these methods. CEI will deliver the matrix within a few weeks and will again hold a public meeting to present their findings.
St. John said, “At this point we feel it would be prudent for the town to establish a committee to guide the decision that will ultimately be made by the Conservation Commission, the Selectmen, and the Town Meeting. We would like to branch out and seek input from folks other than staff.” The Selectmen agreed that getting buy-in from the public is important.
Bagdonas and St. John will serve as staff members on the Ad-hoc committee, without voting privileges.
Editor’s note: The Bedford Citizen has published a number of articles about Fawn Lake in past months. To find them, locate the SEARCH box in the right-hand column at bedfordcitizen.wpengine.com and type Fawn Lake in the box.
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