Lake Quinsigamond Commission Approves $17,000 Lotus Removal Contract, Tree Clearance, and Two Fall Regattas

Other Committee · Meeting of July 29, 2026

Shrewsbury's Lake Quinsigamond Commission approved more than $20,000 in lake treatments and cleared two fall rowing events at its July 29 meeting. The commission voted unanimously to award a $17,000 hydro-breaking contract to Solitude for mechanical removal of sacred lotus roots and separately approved a $3,000 crane removal of a fallen tree blocking navigation in Flint Pond, following a second herbicide treatment of the same lotus colony. Two Quinsigamond Rowing Association regattas — the Snake Regatta on October 3 and the Wormtown Chase Regatta — were approved with standard environmental police and insurance conditions.

Katie Liming of Worcester's Lakes and Ponds program reported that more than 50 volunteers removed roughly 3,000 pounds of water chestnut across two pulls this season, but warned that EPA grant funding through NuiPIC ends this year, threatening the program's capacity to provide boats for future events. The commission also voted to begin the permit and bidding process for invasive weed treatment at Newton Pond for the 2027 season, and opened applications for a vacant commissioner seat left by Peter Collins after 17 years of service.

In the full story:

• Opening Business and Commissioner Reports
• Sacred Lotus Herbicide Treatment
• Sacred Lotus Hydro-Breaking Contract
• Fallen Tree Removal in Flint Pond
• Commissioner Vacancy — Peter Collins Seat
• Wake-Boat Legislation — Senate Bill 3099
• The complete report — 2,910 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.