Saugerties Town Board discusses Esopus weed removal

The recently-purchased harvester that will be used to clear weeds from the Esopus Creek has been placed in the water. Training for its operators has begun, Supervisor Fred Costello said last week. The harvester, paid for by the village, the town and local contractor John Mullen, will be operated by the village for weed removal from public and residents’ property. Mullen’s employees will operate it on the section of the creek abutting his land.

Councilman John Schoonmaker asked about training for volunteers or part-time employees who want to help out. Supervisor Fred Costello suggested that he should talk to village trustee Donald Hackett, who is handling issues related to the harvester. Schoonmaker said he would tell the resident who asked him about a position that while the village is not seeking volunteers, she could ask about part time work.

“The mayor has told me that their main priority will be the beach and areas that impact swimmers and people that kayak,” Costello said. That work could be followed by clearing further up the channel. 

Rose White, who lives on Esopus Creek Road, said the weeds on the upper creek are much worse than those in the beach area. “I can’t even get my boat out safely,” she said. “When you get a schedule [for the weed cutter] in place, maybe start at the upper creek and work your way down the channel, I would appreciate your consideration, because our whole block is really bad.”

Costello said the village was in charge of working out the schedule for the cutter. He expects the town to be copied on the schedule when it is worked out. Village trustee Donald Hackett is in charge of scheduling and assignment of the cutter. He would be the person to contact.

One of the potential benefits of clearing the weeds along the Esopus shoreline would be the return of native plant and fish species that have been squeezed out by the weeds, which have also choked out the food sources and habitat of native species, Costello said.