Background 

White Pond is an approximately 40-acre Great Pond on the southerly border of Concord near the Sudbury town line. The Town of Concord owns 34% of the frontage on the pond; the Commonwealth of Mass. holds fishing rights via a driveway adjacent to the town beach; the rest is privately owned. The town owned land is used for recreation (town beach) and open space (Sachem’s Cove). The town beach is open year-round. Swimming at the beach is restricted to members only. Many of the homes built on the pond predate regulations regarding adequate wastewater and stormwater management. The White Pond Advisory Committee (WPAC) was established in April 1973 to preserve and protect the watershed; the charge was amended in January 2018. 

Recent changes to the White Pond watershed necessitate a change to the work of the WPAC.  These changes include: 

• The town’s acquisition of the town beach and its active management by the town’s Recreation Department.
•  The town’s capital investment in the restoration of the woodland behind the beach and construction of ADA compliant pathways.
•  The town’s capital investment in the construction of a stormwater management system at the boat launch adjacent to the beach. The continuation of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) from Powder Mill Rd. into Sudbury. Work is scheduled to begin in fall 2022 with completion within two years.
• The construction of 274 housing units at Cold Brook Crossing across the Sudbury line and development of 48Y Fitchburg Turnpike in Concord.
• Climate Change 

Task Force Purpose

Recent, substantial changes to the White Pond watershed call for a focused, short-term, practical approach toward the protection of the watershed. The purpose of the task force is: 

• To recommend a prioritized list of activities to undertake to protect the pond and the watershed 
• To determine roles and responsibilities of interested parties relative to these priorities, and 
• To recommend the future role of the White Pond Advisory Committee. 

Members

Elissa Brown

John Colman

Jen Keegan

Beth Kelly

Karl Liebich

Jennifer Parker

Evan Ricker

Task Force Charge

White Pond Task Force Charge