[Daily News file photo] HOPEDALE – Town officials have set the wheels in motion for addressing longstanding fecal contamination issues at Hopedale Pond after forming a subcommittee Monday that will piece together and analyze studies conducted over the past decade.
But what’s not clear is if the contamination is diluted human wastewater or animal waste, or both, and where exactly it is coming from.
Spearheaded by Don Howes, chairman of the Parks Commission, a subcommittee is forming to culminate years of lengthy studies conducted on the pond that could ultimately point officials toward those answers.
Howes, in a letter provided to selectmen Monday night, said he is confident that with different town boards and committees working together, the subcommittee can figure out how to move forward.
In the 2014 report, researchers said that high levels of E. coli and varying levels of ammonia near the culvert.
Howes said the subcommittee would bring together members of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, the Water and Sewer Commissioners and Highway Department.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Tom Wesley, calling the pond a central amenity to the community, said the issue is very important to the board.
“There’s no sense in doing studies if you don’t take upon the recommendations and take them up for action,” he said.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at 508 634-7582 or cgavin@wickedlocal.com.
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