Chamber Has a Plan for Tuxis Pond

The Chamber of Commerce and Madison Hose Co. #1 have submitted plans to the Inland Wetlands Agency seeking permission to install a new floating fountain in the center of Tuxis Pond. The new fountain would replace the existing one and become one part of a plan to upgrade and beautify the pond and surrounding area.

The Chamber and its Image Committee are asking for a regulated activity permit that would allow for the installation of a memorial illuminated floating fountain to be known as the Eileen Johnson Memorial Fountain at Tuxis Pond. Johnson was an active Chamber member who held several volunteer positions over the years. Most recently she co-chaired the Image Committee and, according to the application, it was her wish that the fountain be replaced. She presented the idea to the Chamber last fall, however, shortly after she became too ill to pursue the project. Her husband, Gunnar, and the Chamber have chosen to move forward with the idea.

There is more to the plan than the fountain. The Chamber envisions a cleanup and renewal of the area around the pond, including the clearing away of small trees and brush. Other plans could include projects to rebuild the walkway or add benches or a floating dock. The Chamber has investigated the possibility of setting up a fund through the Madison Foundation that could collect donations to establish a separate maintenance fund for the fountain and surrounding area.

The Chamber is not the only body in town interested in the health and future of Tuxis Pond. Both the Inland Wetlands Agency and the Conservation Commission have been discussing the state of the pond for some time. The subject of Tuxis Pond is a regular agenda item at their meetings.

The Planning & Zoning Commission's Plan of Conservation and Development recommends the town "seek ways to open up Tuxis Pond as an amenity for Madison Center." More than a decade ago there was considerable discussion of upgrading the pond and the boardwalk to encourage pedestrian traffic from the railroad station and parking areas at Bradley Road into the town business and commercial area.

The pond and surrounding wetlands are located south of Bradley Road, north of the Boston Post Road behind the Hose Company firehouse, to the east of Route 79, and to the west of the parking lot behind the Post Office.

At a Board of Selectmen meeting in August and again at budget workshops last month, the Madison Hose Company has requested the town consider installing a stand pipe in the pond, which sits behind the firehouse, to serve as a water supply when needed to fight fires downtown.

Fire Chief Robert Kyttle told the selectmen, "That pond has saved a lot more of downtown than a hydrant."

In the fire this summer that destroyed the building housing the Madison Wine Shop and Village Pizza, the water pumped from the pond was critical, he said. The hydrants in the town center were not sufficient.

"We also used the pond in 1985 in that fire. This summer was the second time that pond has saved downtown," Kyttle explained.

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Chamber Has a Plan for Tuxis Pond