Upton looks to clear culvert clogged by debris, beavers
Water began collecting around the intersection of Southboro and Westboro roads after Tropical Storm Irene passed through in late August. The culvert, which is under the intersection, became backed up with debris after the storm. “Prior to (Tropical Storm Irene) we had the area cleaned out,” Conservation Commission member Marcella Stasa said. “But all the water rushed into the culvert and brought debris.” Beavers contributed to the problem by building on top of the sticks and leaves that collected in the culvert, Stasa said.
Okay. So the beavers in Upton capitalized on TS Irene and knew a good thing when they saw it. They finished plugging up those pesky little culverts and made a swimming hole out of an intersection. Now the health department’s been called so that an exception can be made to the live trapping rule and they’ve given their full consent of course. Along with this little jewel
Al Holman, the Board of Health’s chairman, said beavers have been a problem before. “We’ve trapped them before, but they keep coming back. It’s an ongoing problem,” Holman said.
Hmmm someone give that man a cigar! Bingo! You keep trying to solve the problem with the wrong tool and it keeps not being solved! Amazing how that works. But what’s the right tool?
Well, sure there are some bizarrely skilled folks that can use this tool in New York or Vermont, but we’re local people. What could possibly help us in all the way out here in Upton Massachusetts?
Alright, Upton to Southampton 70 miles. So what? What’s in Southampton that can fix our culverts? We need this problem solved yesterday and all these beavers won’t kill themselves you know.
Oh.
Look, lots of folks have an excuse for not doing this right. They don’t know any better, there’s no one nearby who can help, the problem is rare and unfixable. But you, Upton, YOU have options. You could do this ONCE and do it RIGHT and save your taxpayers and drivers seasonal inconvenience for years to come. Okay, I’ve said my piece. Except… There was just one part of the article that rankled me….let’s see if I can find it.
Beavers contributed to the problem by building on top of the sticks and leaves that collected in the culvert, Stasa said.
“The poor things are just doing what they do,” she said.
That’s it! Something about that lament sounds familiar. Why is that? Hmm….Let me think…
“I weep for you,” the Walrus said:
“I deeply sympathize.”
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.
Ohhh right, that’s where I’ve seen that particular brand of noncompassion before.
Do the right thing, Upton. It will save you money and time. I wrote the paper and the major players and now the ball’s in your court.
