Island Grove Pond will be closed to boating, swimming, and fishing on Friday while a company treats the popular water body with a herbicide designed to kill an invasive weed choking out the pond.
The pond has become infested by fernwort, a long stringy weed that has made the pond unfriendly to boaters, fishermen, and wildlife.
The Conservation Commission in March gave Water and Wetland permission to use fluridone, a herbicide sold under the brand name Sonar Genesis, to kill the seeds.
Joe Oranato, of Water and Wetland, told the commission the treatment process can take “anywhere from 45-60 days” to complete. In three weeks the company will go back, do another survey, and apply another dose of the chemicals, according to Oranato.
The most notable sign that the plants are dying and that the chemicals are working is that the fernwort will turn a bright pink. Residents will notice that change in about six weeks, he said.
The pond will reopen for recreational use on Saturday, however, residents should not use pond water for irrigation for at least 60 days.
Signs will be posted around the pond with additional information.
ABINGTON ATHLETES STANDOUT AT STATE TRACK MEET
Multiple Green Wave athletes had a big day at last week’s State Coaches Invitational Meet. Ava Fisher took first place in the javelin with a throw of 119′. The throw also set a new school record.
Jeff Buckley placed fifth in the shot put with a toss of 46′ 10.5″, and finished eighth in the discus with a throw of 128′ 1″.
Nazir Paulding, an 8th grader, competed in the Freshman 100-Meter Dash, qualified for the finals, and took sixth place overall.
Nathan Calcano De Silva, also an 8th grader, finished 18th in the varsity 400-Meter Dash Varsity, with a time of 52.99. However, his time was the fastest of his age group.
Evangeline McCleary, another 8th grade standout, took 17th in the varsity 2-Mile run, and also logged the top overall time for her age group.
In addition, Selena Wood ran the 1-Mile Varsity, clocking a personal best of 5:42.19, good for 20th place.
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS INCLUDE LAIDLER DEDICATION, MT. VERNON CEREMONY
The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 29, at 9 a.m., at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. The ceremony will be led by the Veterans’ Organizations in Abington.
This year, the cemetery will be cleaned ahead of time by Cullivan Landscape, according to Town Veterans Agent Adam Gunn.
“I met Josh Cullivan, and he said he would take care of the work at no cost to the town and even pay for the mulch as he would be honored to support the cause and our community,” said Gunn.
Traditionally, volunteers have banded together to clean up the veterans section of the cemetery.
The public is invited to join Eagle Scout Michael O’Leary, of Troop 41, and Abington Veterans’ Services, on May 21 as the flagpole honoring SP4 Ernest H. Laidler is rededicated. The ceremony starts at 2 p.m., at Laidler Field on Chestnut Street.
On May 27, Chris Schultz, the Troop 41 Scoutmaster, will lead a group of volunteers from the American Legion to Mt. Vernon Cemetery to place more than 900+ flags on veteran graves. That effort will begin at 9 a.m.
SELECTMEN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TOWN BOARDS
Volunteers are wanted for boards, committees, commissions, panels, and advisories. The Board of Selectmen will take up applications for appointments at its June 12th meeting.
Positions up for appointment include two seats on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee, three seats on the Cultural Council, two seats on the Abington Summer Concert Committee, two seats on the Commission on Disabilities, two seats on the Community Preservation Committee, three seats on the Conservation Commission, two seats on the Council on Aging, one seat on the Griffin Dairy Committee, one seat on the Historical Commission, one seat on the Parks & Recreation Commission, one seat on the Registrar of Voters, one seat on the Strawberry Valley Golf Course Committee, two seats on the Veterans Memorial Trustees, and one seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In addition, there are openings on the Cable Advisory Committee, Charter Review Commission, Open Space Committee, and Veterans’ Advisory Committee.
Also, the Board of Water Commissioners and Board of Sewer Commissioners are accepting applications for openings on those boards.
ABINGTON CELEBRATES FOUNDERS DAY WEEKEND SCHEDULE OUT
We’re two weeks out from Abington Celebrates Founders Day Weekend. A full listing of events is now available.
The fun starts Friday night with the Kick Off Cook Off at the United Church of Christ in Abington, peaks with the annual fireworks display Saturday night at Memorial Field, and winds down Sunday night with the Founders Day Concert. Plus lots of other events in between.
GREEN WAVE TEAMS READYING FOR TOURNAMENT TIME
The regular season is wrapping up for Green Wave sports and it appears multiple teams will be moving on to postseason play.
The MIAA has released its updated Division 4 power rankings and baseball is ranked #5, boys lacrosse is #7, softball is #8 and assured a spot in their upcoming respective tournaments.
The top 32 teams for power rating qualify for the state tournament as well as any team that goes at least .500, according to Athletic Director Peter Serino. The 28th ranked tennis team, which is 8-5, also appears likely to make the state tourney. Girls lacrosse, which is 5-9, and ranked #45, will need to move up in the standings to make the postseason.
(UPDATE: After this article was published, the tennis team won their Thursday match 4-1 and cinched a tournament berth.)
State tournament information will start to come out May 27 with the tennis bracket and games starting after Memorial Day.
Ultimate Frisbee is not an MIAA sport but will compete in the USA Ultimate statewide open tournament next weekend.
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