MAPC issues preliminary report for Reservoir Pond

By Mike Berger

The long-awaited report from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) concerning the use of the 255-acre Reservoir Pond arrived at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night, and although preliminary in nature, it provided a roadmap for selectmen to draw on in the near future.

The MAPC report was due to be posted on the town’s website on March 23. A final report is due before selectmen in three weeks.

Selectmen Chairman John Connolly said there will be at least one public hearing to gain resident input and the board will decide the final recommendations based on the report prepared by MAPC. No resident input was heard Tuesday night as selectmen asked questions for about an hour following the presentation. It is unclear whether the final recommendations will be presented at the May town meeting, although Sam Cleaves, principal regional planner for MAPC, said any new town bylaw would require town meeting approval.

Cleaves presented his report based on feedback received from a January “listening session” that drew approximately 75 residents as well as a survey that drew 452 respondents.

Cleaves called on the town to develop the access road leading to the Earl Newhouse waterfront area and to create parking for 16 vehicles at an estimated cost of $125,000 to $150,000. He also recommended that selectmen develop regulations for boat speed, permitted boat uses, and hours for boating and water skiing, but he urged a prohibition on jet skiing. Cleaves also said that if selectmen adopt the regulations, even the 44 private abutters to the pond would have to abide by the new rules. Cleaves suggested limiting motorized watercraft to 60 horsepower for existing uses and suggested speed limits of 25 miles per hour for waterskiing, 15 mph for motorized boats on the general pond, and 6 mph within 150 feet of swimmers.

Cleaves also suggested that selectmen look into negotiating with the Mass. Hospital School for a boat launch on the MHS property and to work with the Reservoir Pond Preservation Association on vegetation management and public education.

Currently, the state classifies Reservoir Pond as a Great Pond, which means that Canton is eligible for state funds. If selectmen or town meeting voters wish to delist the reservoir as a Great Pond, then the town could then limit access to residents but it would have to finance future …

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