Peabody councilors frustrated over slow pace of pond cleanup processes

PEABODY – The clean up of Crystal Lake and Elginwood Pond is moving along, but not quite quickly enough, according to city councilors.”It seems like this is a never-ending project,” said Councilor Dave Gravel after hearing the latest update.Assistant Director of Community Development Blair Haney went over each dredging option, detailing the costs and benefits of each one. He went over studies revealing the pros and cons of each process and approximately how long it would take to complete. What he didn’t say, much to the dismay of many councilors, is specifically when the task would start and when it would end.”These are fine ideas,” said Gravel. “But there’s no definitive end to it?Please come up with some definitive timeline.”Since 2006, the city has been researching and experimenting with ways to remove the excessive plant life that has taken over the pond, making it too dangerous for swimming and a dead zone for fish.They first tried biodredging, a process that uses bacteria to eat away the organic material. Lower sediment levels were seen, but not large enough to deem the process worthwhile.With $25,000 in local aid and two $400,000 grants from the state, Haney has been in search of the most cost effective approach as the project is estimated to cost $2.5 million and will only get more expensive the longer the city waits.”I understand the frustration,” Haney told the councilors. “I’ve been working on this for three years myself?It’s the same issue today as it was 8-10 years ago – having the funds to do it.”Councilor Ted Bettencourt, Jr. said he would much rather see the city purchase their own dredger, dredge the pond themselves, and get it done and over with before they run out of money. He fears that the grant money the city was lucky enough to receive could dry out from studies and hiring consultants before any work is actually done.”We’ll only have a Band-Aid to put on a big wound,” he said. “We’re missing the opportunity to really hit the issue right on the button.””We’re at a snail’s pace here,” said Councilor Mike Garabedian. “We can’t just keep getting studies.”Councilor Dave Gamache, however, defended Community Development for their preventative measures saying that any money that’s been spent has been spent on fixing the area so that the same problem doesn’t come up again in the near future.”I’m in favor of cleaning Crystal Lake and have been since 1990,” he said.The councilors gave Haney four to six weeks to come back before the Committee with a timeline and a plan.