Controlling Phosphorus Runoff Into Lake Whitehall

Dear Editor,

I write to thank those who voted in support of Article 13, specifically Item 29, of the 2026 ATM. This article authorizes $587,500, provided by all the Taxpayers of Hopkinton, to install a system to control phosphorus currently entering Lake Whitehall.

This has been an issue of longstanding, and I must credit Kerry Reed, our DPW Director, and Kim Ciaramicoli, who at the time was our Conservation Agent, for the research that led to a method to control phosphorus. They worked hard to scrape together funds from their budgets to do a proof-of-concept study, which led to Item 29 on the ATM Warrant.

I am very disappointed to report that DCR was unwilling to even discuss, let alone assist with, funding for this project. In my opinion, DCR and its predecessor agency, the Department of Environmental Management, bear some responsibility for the weed infestation on the western side of Lake Whitehall.

They agreed to allow the drainage from a subdivision into the lake in the first place and have turned their backs on Lake Whitehall ever since.

Sincerely,
Edwin E. Harrow
Hopkinton