Town River Stewards Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2004
Location: West Bridgewater Public Library
Meeting called to order by Dale Higgins , 6 members and liaison from NRTB
Old Business-- Review of the Draft Recommendations for Action. These were reviewed A through G. Each was discussed as to types of action to prioritize and types of information needed in order to take action.
New Business A. Short term action raised by Kent Kreutler was trying to get a web site for the committee. It could link to NRTB and Taunton River sites.
B., C., E. Short term action theme of river cleanup and bridge area cleanups. This was discussed each time it came up in these sections. It seems to be the starting point for the committee. Use Earth Day (closest weekend) as a focal point and try to recruit scouts, ? high school students. Hope Kitty will know the scout leaders in Bridgewater and can make contact; we will try to contact someone in W Bridgewater scouts. Clean up can be done along the bridges this early for two reasons. We would not disturb the herring run in the stream and we would avoid the quite cold water of April.
We will need to scout the bridges along the river to assess debris quantity and type of debris, contact the DPW of both towns to see about disposing of the debris and be prepared to make follow up clean up programs if trash is continually discarded along bridge sites.
C., E. Short and long term water quality monitoring was mentioned in both these sections. We believe Kevin Curry is the point person here.
The promotion of the river as a fishery was noted. Would the Samoset Rod and Gun Club be interested in helping?
D. Heritage information and signage to promote the significance of the river, Hockomock Swamp, early riverside industries, agriculture etc. The Old Bridgewater Historical Society would be a good starting point here.
Each of these above new business discussions has an information need. The most important of these to be done before next meeting is the B., C., E. package because we hope to tackle an early clean up along bridge site(s) in April about 2 1/2 months from now.
Next meeting at Bridgewater Library at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 1.
- Submitted by Jim Howell, Monday, February 2
List of Meeting Minutes - Go >