Invasive Species a Problem for Norton's Water Bodies

Brian Brady, of the Norton Water Bodies Committee, said Norton’s lakes and ponds are in trouble.

He said invasive plants are disturbing the habitats in Norton, and if they are not removed quickly, it could be a serious problem.

“The who is everybody and everybody needs to be concerned,” he said. “Dense matts of invasive species are negatively affecting wildlife, as well as the predator-prey relationship in the fish. It changes the spawning habits of the fish and affects almost everything in the water.”

Brady said the invasive species could also endanger skiers, swimmers and boaters alike. It would also affect real estate value and the tax base of the town.

“It negatively affects real estate value because of the increase in the possibility of flooding,” he said. “We have a flood zone in these areas already, and a highly infested waterway is going to enlarge that whole area in terms of flooding out homes.”

Brady said there are many ways to deal with the situation, including herbicide, sonar and sheets. He said each method is for different species of plant.

“Most of the cost comes out of the state’s handbooks,” he said. “Our recommendations come from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation. Their plan of attack has methods for each particular type of plant.”

According to the Water Bodies Committees, the added value of houses on the four water bodies in Norton, Lake Winnecunnet, The Reservior, Chartley Pond and Barrowsville Pond, add an additional $5.6 million in the tax base that wouldn’t be there without the waterfront property.

The Norton Board of Selectmen agreed that action had to be taken.

“The longer we wait to do this the higher the cost is going to be,” said selectman Robert Salvo. “We need to move on it, get these guys in the right direction and vote on how we want them to handle it.”

Selectmen agreed to discuss the options and come to a decision at a later date.