By Michael Dempsey
Special to The Town Common
Recycling
New 96-gallon recycling carts were approved in the 2026 budget by the Annual Town Meeting. The wheeled carts will make it easier to get recycled materials to the curb each week, keep the materials dry and contained, and encourage more recycling. The Trash and Recycling Committee emphasized that the more we recycle the more we save on our trash disposal. The Town Administrator, Rebecca Oldham, announced at a recent Select Board meeting that she expected distribution of the containers to every household in town to begin in September.
Dam at Salem Street
The dam and culvert that runs under Salem Street near the Washington Street and Salem Street intersection is failing. It has been considered a hazard for over 15 years by the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety, however no funds have been available to address it. Unfortunately, over the past year the culvert under the roadway has appeared to crack allowing water to weaken the headwalls of the outlet. The Groveland Highway Department has been monitoring the dam and culvert on a weekly basis to assure drivers that it remains safe to use the road. Over the past month our Town Administrator, Rebecca Oldham, obtained funding combined with our share of Chapter 90 funds to repair the leaking culvert. Repairs include placing a sleeve in the existing culvert and reinforcing the walls of the outlet to prevent further degradation. Then the roadway will be repaved. The work requires review and a permit from the Conservation Commission along with comments from the state Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program since Meadow Pond behind the dam is protected habitat. This repair will provide continued safe passage over the road for at least five years until funding can be obtained to completely rebuild the passageway for Johnsons Creek as it flows under Salem Street. The repairs are expected to begin in July.
Adopt-A-Space
The Groveland Conservation Commission approved its Adopt-A-Space policy at its May meeting. The program will enhance the town’s aesthetics through community involvement in maintaining public spaces, particularly those spaces under the care, custody, and control of the Commission. Individuals, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations can participate. Examples of donations could include plantings or maintenance on trails, enhancements at trail entrances, installation of park benches or picnic tables, or garden spots along property roadways. The Commission has already signed donations for two locations at Veasey Park by Lovely Earth Gardening, a local landscaping company. Interested parties should contact the Commission at 978-556-7205 or check the town website at grovelandma.com/conservation-commission.
