By John Swinconeck, Contributing Writer
Westborough ??” Residents in Westborough depend on Sandra Pond for clean and safe drinking water. The pond depends on the surrounding land to remain healthy. However, the forests surrounding the reservoir are in bad shape, according to Westborough Assistant Town Planner and Conservation Officer Derek Saari
“Right now, there's a mess on my hands,” Saari told about a dozen residents whom he led recently on a tour of three acres of white pine forest.
Walking trails on that parcel have become choked with fallen trees, many of which have been uprooted due to soil erosion. Those on Saari's tour had to scramble over several deadfalls.
“The goal is to take down poorly formed white pine, all the dead ones, and create spacing for regeneration,” Saari said.
Sandra Pond is contained by stone barriers and earthen dams. It is surrounded on several sides by forested areas. It's the health of those forested areas that has Saari concerned.
“The pine forest is in severe decline,” Saari said.
Saari has been working on ways to improve the watershed – an area of land that separates water flowing into a basin – since 2002. As part of an improvement plan, residents at the Oct. 21 Town Meeting approved a $52,000 transfer for watershed maintenance, including timber harvesting, improving trail and tributary access, and clearing out deadfalls.
Saari said he would like to see the construction of a trail loop that surrounds the edge of the reservoir. “That trail used to be open,” he said. “It's always a mess in there, now you can's even navigate through there.”
Saari said the project goes beyond just making trails accessible, because the work impacts the health of Westborough's drinking water supply.? Trees have fallen into a stream that runs through the white pine forest, which is also polluted with tires, trash, and other litter. That stream, which flows into the pond from the south, crosses beneath the Mass Pike.? Saari said he is worried about accessing catch basins used in the event of a fuel spill or other accident.
A previous timber harvest on 90 acres nearby and dam repair were “extremely successful,” Saari said, and the project has been used by a model for the state. Three other parcels now have Saari's immediate attention, including the pine forest that was the site of his tour.
Two other parcels include 13 acres of forest near Upton and Bowdon streets that needs to be thinned, and an 8-10 acre parcel filled with invasive honeysuckle.
The project will also provide permanent access to the main tributary that feeds the pond. Saari said he is also looking to add about 150 feet to the stone barrier that surrounds the pond.
Saari said he would like to see a contractor work on all three parcels over the winter.
Most residents appear to be in favor of Saari's plans, according to Board of Selectmen Chair Ian Johnson.
“The residents understand the importance of the reservoir watershed as the primary water source for the Town,” Johnson said in an email. “They are also appreciative of the attention that was given to make the project cost effective for the Town.”
Johnson said that Saari's work has been transparent, and properly permitted through all the requisite authorities.
“On a personal level, I believe that it is definitely a worthwhile endeavor and fully trust the analysis and process outlined by Derek,” Johnson said. “Derek is and has always been extremely diligent and thorough in the projects he has undertaken in his position and, in my opinion, fully transparent in his description of these projects.? Having seen firsthand the areas involved in this project and after fully discussing the details several times with Derek, I believe this work to be important and necessary in order to protect and preserve the watershed today and into the future.”
Volunteers will clear out brush from the area Monday, Nov. 18 as part of the United Way's Day of Caring, according to Saari.