Attention Residents:

FYI- Information regarding the upcoming vegetation removal around the East Stratford pond.

Over the last three years, the Town has been evaluating different ways to meet its Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction targets. One potential option the Town has been investigating is enhancing neighboring Stratford Lake to enable the lake to better treat stormwater runoff.

While still in the very early stages of investigating how feasible this work would be, Town staff discovered several easement areas where it has vegetation management responsibility. 

To proceed with our evaluation, we first need to undertake brush hogging and mowing of the areas within the Town’s easements. It does not look as if the Town has ever completed any work of this kind out there: the area is inundated with aquatic and invasive weeds, constant pooling of water (which may contribute to mosquitos in the immediate area), and due to the thick growth of all this material, has made it to where the stormwater infrastructure in the area is not functioning as it was designed.

The work would be completed in stages, starting as early as later this week with heavy mowing and clearing of cattails and other weeds. Once this initial work is completed, ponded water has had the opportunity to drain, those areas previously clogged with standing water would dry out and then a second round of mowing, weather dependent, would take place. No landscaped trees will be touch, harmed, or removed. The intent is to work with the Town urban forester to identify any dying or dead trees on the approved landscaping plan and notify you of issues. Other heavy wooded vegetation in these areas not part of the approved landscaping plan may be removed.

Please reach out to Shannon Cook if you have any further questions.

Thank you.