Local environmental group thanks A.D. Makepeace

After 10 years of partnership, Cleanup Agawam Mill Pond, Inc. presented A.D. Makepeace with an award recognizing the company and its employees for its commitment and dedication to the improvement of the pond’s water quality and natural habitat.

Cleanup Agawam Mill Pond is a not-for-profit association aimed at annually restoring the state-owned pond. The association has members from approximately 75 families. Most members own property abutting Agawam Mill Pond in East Wareham, or live close by and enjoy the pond for recreational activities.

Ten years ago, due to its shallow waters, invasive weeds increasingly infested Agawam Pond. The pond was essentially choked out by mid-summer, threatening its ecology and bringing it close to a swamp classification.

Mike Lenihan, president of the pond association, said this is when Cleanup met with Makepeace to discuss the problem.

“Makepeace was supportive of our efforts from the start,” Lenihan said. “They had their whole bog operations team meet with us and we worked together to develop a plan that allows us to treat these invasive weeds once a year without impact to cranberry operations.”

Annually, a Makepeace team, headed by long-time employee Glen Reid, lowers the pond and diverts the incoming water for one week for the water to be treated over the course of a day in mid-June.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Wareham Conservation Commission and the state Division of Marine Fishers oversee the water treatment and ensure that herring, which come up annually from the salt waters of Buzzards Bay through the Agawam River system to spawn, are not affected. 

According to Lenihan, it is an expensive undertaking to manage the invasive weeds that occur in more than two-thirds of the lakes and ponds in Massachusetts. 

For the past four years, Makepeace has provided the cleanup association with a $3,000 challenge grant that funds weed cleanup in the pond and matches up to 25% of funds raised from the association’s membership dues.

The association also receives small sponsorships from East Wareham businesses.

“Funding has been a challenge at times,” Lenihan said, “but thankfully we have a great bunch of members and sponsors that understand the benefits of clean water. Our combined efforts have resulted in more and bigger fish in the pond, a much healthier aquatic habitat and enhanced recreational opportunities for the entire community to enjoy.”  

According to Lenihan the group also conducts other fund raising activities. This year the cleanup association has partnered with the local Wareham-New Bedford Elks Lodge and to host a classic car show Sunday, July 30.

The association’s Treasurer Tom Leonard said much of the success in restoring the pond “can be credited to the good working relationship we have with [Makepeace].”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Makepeace Jim Kane said, “We’re happy to be a part of it.”