Public comes out to save Heater's Pond

OGDENSBURG — From Veterans, children, to a former Ogdensburg mayor, almost 200 people attended the Ogdensburg Special meeting July 27 to urge the Council to keep, and improve, Heater's Pond.

The meeting was called in response to the state Department of Environmental Protection requiring the Heater's Pond Dam to be armored or removed. The DEP did not send a representative, although the council invited one. DEP officials said they would be available for a future public meeting.

Almost all of the 25 residents who spoke for more than 2½ hours were in favor of keeping the pond.

Mayor Steve Ciasullo said the option to save Heater's Pond would cost an estimated $530,000, and the option to remove the dam would cost $270,000. On top of that, DEP could return in the future and require the spillway be replaced at an estimated cost $500,000 to $800,000.

New residents to families who have lived in Ogdensburg for generations voiced their desire for the pond to be saved. Many remembered learning to swim, or teaching their children, in the pond.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Representative George Lott asked for the pond to be retained in honor of those who served and are commemorated in the Ogdensburg Memorial Park that overlook it.

Young essays were read, and residents said removal of the dam would affect house values negatively.

Concerns also were expressed about wetlands and Highlands restraints if the dam is removed, and how future recreation might be prevented by the state and federal government.

Paul Anderson challenged the assignment of Heater's Pond Dam as a Class I High Hazard Dam, asking if the southern drainage, and whether larger boulders may be present in the "earthen dam" have been included in the model.

Petition organizer Michelle Nardini reported that 104 people have signed the paper petition to keep the pond, along with 345 online signers of: “Save Heaters Pond” on Facebook. Nardini encouraged residents to go to the pond and see their feet in the water; the water quality has improved after the council recently placed four new aerators in the pond.

Former Mayor Jim Sekelsky reminded the Council to use the $450,000 grant and part of the $725,000 surplus to keep the pond. He reminded them that the grant was designated by a previous council for Heater's Pond.

Some residents encouraged the council to also use a little of the fund balance, so that taxes will not be raised $30 per year, for 20 years.