Easton Conservation Commission Approves Dual-Method Invasive Treatment Permit for New Pond

EASTON -- June 29, 2026, Easton Conservation Commission unanimously permits dual invasive-treatment options for New Pond, sending the final choice to town meeting. The commission voted 4-0 at its June 29 remote meeting to approve an order of conditions for 581 Foundry Street authorizing both herbicide application, estimated at roughly $16,275, and diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH), estimated at roughly $81,000 by New England Aquatic Services, LLC. Pond-area residents testified to exponential growth of invasive vegetation appearing unusually early in the season, with Denise Higgins of New Pond Way warning the board that "the changes are exponential, it's not like a small change from week to week." Commissioner Michael Goodman initially opposed offering voters a menu of treatment options, citing the risk of a drawn-out town meeting, but ultimately accepted the dual-permit structure. Commission Chair Ben Albro noted that evaluations of Long Water Pond and Shovel Shop Pond, funded through the same grant, are planned for later this summer, framing New Pond as the first in a broader town-wide invasive management effort.