A citizen petition to fund the ongoing battle against invasive plants in the Billington Sea was approved unanimously by Town Meeting. Article 36 authorizes the expenditure of $28,492.32 to treat the 269-acre pond for fanwort, an invasive weed that threatens the health of the waterway.

Petitioner Christy Young explained that the treatment is necessary every six to seven years to prevent the pond from becoming a marsh. Because the town owns 45% of the property surrounding the Billington Sea, it is responsible for a proportionate share of the maintenance costs. Young noted that the pond serves as the headwater for Town Brook, making its health vital to the town's broader ecosystem.

Billington Sea is a fully recreational public access pond, Young said. We need to treat before we see negative impacts. The appropriation will allow for the application of Sonar, a specialized herbicide, to control the weed growth and preserve the pond's recreational use.

Motion: To appropriate $28,492.32 for Billington Sea treatment.

Vote: Passed 145-0-0