Council panel presses Parks on pond weeds

Select Board · Meeting of April 21, 2026

SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield City Council subcommittee pressed Parks officials to price out a full cleanup of invasive weeds choking Watershop Pond. Executive Director of Parks Tom Ashe told the joint General Government and Maintenance and Development committees that a small hydro-raking project near Springfield College already cost $155,000, while clearing the entire pond could run "several million dollars." Natural Resource Manager Adam Anulevich said further work would require a Notice of Intent filing under the state Wetlands Protection Act. Garvey Drive resident Merrill, who has lived on the pond 63 years, said the shoreline behind her home now looks "like a swamp." Councilors Davila and Santanello also reviewed the city's $308,000 terrace mowing budget covering roughly 190 locations.

No vote was taken; Parks was asked to return with full pricing.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• [00:17:39] — Tom Ashe, Executive Director of Springfield Parks
• [00:20:57] — Adam Anulevich, Natural Resource Manager for the City of Springfield
• [00:32:49] — Merrill, Garvey Drive resident
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• The complete report: 664 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of April 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.