The selectmen spoke favorably on Feb. 9 about proposed upgrades to Besse Park that would reduce pollution from stormwater runoff that is channeled into the Agawam River.

Besse Park, the strip of land at the end of Main Street that features picnic tables and a fishing pier, is also home to two storm drains that discharge directly into the river.

Those drains significantly pollute the river, making the site a good candidate for upgrades. The park was identified by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program. That program is funding the design and permitting for the project through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The stormwater management proposal was discussed at the Feb. 3 Conservation Commission Meeting.

Joe Costa of the Estuary Program said that his team has been collaborating with Wareham’s Municipal Maintenance staff and Mass Maritime cadets to monitor water quality since 2016.

Costa added that his team will work with the town to secure state and other funds for the project.

To treat the stormwater, the group would install several bioretention beds, which are specially designed garden beds of native plants. The beds serve to slow the flow of water and clean it as it filters through the soil and is taken up by plants.

One would be a hard-edged bed in front of the parking lot, which would necessitate moving the parking lot back slightly. 

The other two proposed bioretention areas are in the park itself, one between the parking lot and the street and one to the right of the parking lot when facing the water.

“I think it’ll give the park some character,” said Selectman Patrick Tropeano.

Selectman Alan Slavin said that the town would likely be forced to come up with a treatment solution eventually due to state limits on pollution.

“We have the opportunity for someone else to pay for this. Either that, or we pay for it somewhere down the line and we end up with the same project,” Slavin said.

Selectman Judith Whiteside asked about maintenance, and was told by Michelle West, who worked on the project’s design, that the beds just need to be weeded regularly.

“Yes, it changes the appearance of the park, but it changes it for the better, in my opinion,” Judith said. “It could be a very attractive place and one that serves a function.”