Sandra Pond Tree Removal Comes to an End

The tree removal at the Sandra Pond reservoir is nearly complete, Conservation Officer Derek Saari told the Board of Selectmen this week.

“The timber harvesting cutting activities have completed. We finished everything up [Monday] and the chipper’s gone, so that should be good news to the neighborhood,” he said.

Saari said that he has received a number of calls about Stand 8, which is part of the project that involves removing trees around the area that abuts the upper and lower reservoirs. He reminded the board that the purpose of tree removal in that area is threefold:

1. to maintain forest health
2. to meet maintenance needs of Viola Water, the town’s independent water contractor
3. to prepare the dam for a scheduled 2013 inspection

Andrew Koenigsberg, chairperson of the Conservation Commission said that it is important to now manage how the area around the reservoir is being used by the public. Specifically, he expressed concern about dog waste that is not being cleaned by dog owners.

Saari and Koenigsberg said that signs will be posted on the trails to remind dog owners to clean up after the animals.

Saari said that the trails and recreation areas around the reservoir will officially open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 18.

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