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Petition is circulating to improve pond By KAREN SMITH The Champion * he Mill Pond is a "disgust- ing" mess, say citizens and downtown merchants who are urging the Town to start a major clean up. Laden with excessive weeds and algae, the historic Martin Street pond needs immediate attention, according to members of a Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area sub-com- mittee. "I'd hate to sec a gem in the middle of town destroyed," said Pat Duignan, chair of the recently-formed Milton Mill Pond Committee and operator of the downtown family business Fitzgerald Insurance. "The Mill Pond is losing its aesthetic appeai and last summer a noxious smell was coming from it." And nearby Kingsleigh Court resi- dent Keith Timbers, who says the pond has been steadily deteriorating since the mid- 1980s, has started a petition to put pressure on the Town to act quickly. "It's a beautiful part of history," he said. "There's no way the Town should have let it get to the state it is now. "Over the past 10to 15 years it's just become so disgusting. It turns your stomach." Man on a mission Ms Duignan's brother John Duignan has been on a mission to clean the pond up for years. "There's no water flow through the pond and there're too many weeds," he said. "It's been a very frustrating expe- rience." The siblings, who grew up in the area, have asked the Town to annually control the weeds, possibly by using an environmentally-safe water additive. They said they have a commitment for some corporate sponsorship if money is an issue.ohn Duig Mr. Timbers said physical improve- ments such as a walkway and benches around the pond have made a differ- L O ence, but they're ail for naught if the water quality is bad. "What's the sense if you can't stand the smeilof the water?" he asked. se E Halton Regional Conservation Authority biologist David Featherstone said the amount of weeds has gradually increased naturally with the build-up of soil-rich sediment on the bottom of the six-foot pond, and it could get worse. ByBRADR "If nothing is done is could become The Champi like a wetland over the years," he said. Town ofic He said annually harvesting some of Vanous con the vegetation and diverting a small Pond, memi flow of water from the Sixteen Mile Monday nigii Creek could improve the situation with- Each time out affecting fish habitat. up more coi Wants 10,000 names Rints Mr. Timbers, who has left the peti- the growth o tion at downtown businesses and plans A report on t to be at the Farmers' Market Saturday, latior in the said he's hoping to get at least 10,000 However, signatures in support of the cause. with the Hai "If I walk in with 10,000 signatures, authonzed a there's no way the Town can ignore it." ing from ove Acting public works director Jennifer The P.L. R Reynolds said she agrees steps to monitorng p improve the pond can be taken, but been receive with fish habitat, plant life and a range "The resid of options to consider, they won't hap- and would pen overnight. Melanson. "What they (steps) are, we have to According consuJt with the experts." circulation Photo by GRAHAM PAINE nan hoists some of the vegetation that he and 'hrives in the stagnant Mill Pond waters. s of groups m to want ut on water EAUME ion ials seem content with muddy waters. nsultations are underway regarding the state of the Mill bers of the community services committee heard 't. another group or agency is consulted it seems to dredge mplications and push a solution ever further away, Mayor Gord Krantz. of the area are concerned about water in the Mill Pond, f plants and algae and the stench from the fetid water. he issue suggested residents feel improved water circu- pond would solve the problem. Town officiais are involved in extensive consultations ton Region Conservation Authority (HRCA) and have staff level investigation of potential contaminants com- rflow ponds on P.L. Robertson property. Robertson ponds were decommissioned recently and a plan put in place. However, no monitoring report has d at Town Hall. lents' pond committee is looking for immediate action like to see this speeded up," said Councillor Art to Jennifer Reynolds, acting director of public works, a • see WATERS on page 8 -9»M ô (Plif-1 1 lut PLII.I)550 Ontario St. S. 875-2889_