Did you get a soothing email from a village official or maybe read the Letter to the Editor from the Deputy Mayor repeating vendor talking points? Worried about misinformation in Village Communications?
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Here's what's happening: The Village of Croton is planning to install a commercial compressor motor that will run 24 hours a day at Kaplan's Pond—a peaceful park and fishing pond nestled at the top of Lounsbury Rd. The motor will cost taxpayers $4,000 upfront plus $9,100 every year, and run 24 hours a day, forever.
Here's what we know: Three years ago, a single resident mentioned concerns about water quality at Kaplan’s Pond. Without collecting any data or exploring alternative approaches during that 3 year period, the Village has just moved ahead with a plan to install a motorized system in this peaceful parkland.
The public still hasn’t been told what specific problem this is meant to solve—how severe the issue is, what risks it poses—and no evidence has been shared that other, less disruptive solutions were even considered.
The Village Manager indicates it was one neighbor who asked for information:
"I started having dialogue with ... a neighbor in the area."
—Bryan Healy, Village Manager ↗ View in transcript
The consultant states they have no data to support their recommendation:
"I don't have several years worth of hard data to say yes, aeration is the right tool for this pond."
—John Tucci, Owner, Lake Savers, LLC (an Aeration Company) ↗ View in transcript
And no water quality testing has been done:
"We can gather data and water quality data and sediment data on the pond. We've not done that."
—John Tucci, Owner, Lake Savers, LLC (an Aeration Company) ↗ View in transcript
No resident in Croton asked for this motor. Many neighbors have expressed concern about potential noise and changes to the park’s character. While the proposed aeration system could offer ecological benefits, we’re asking: Could quieter, non‑industrial solutions deliver similar results at lower cost and with less disruption?
The consultant even acknowledged "I don't have several years worth of hard data to say yes, aeration is the right tool for this pond."
This is a permanent decision that will affect our community for decades. With no data collected to inform the decision.
Our community deserves a clear explanation of what problem this motor is supposed to solve. Before we can evaluate any solution, we need to understand: is there actually a problem that requires intervention?
If it turns out that algae reduction is a high-priority project, then we should start with the basics: excessive algae growth starts with source nutrients, let's look at that first.
Additionally, there are proven, beautiful, non-motorized alternatives worth exploring: natural aeration through multi-step waterfalls, or eco-friendly algae suppression using barley straw floats. These approaches could enhance our pond rather than industrialize it.
Let's reset this process and start with the fundamental questions our village leadership should have asked from the beginning:
What exactly is the problem? What are the options for addressing this problem? And what solution would work best for our entire community?
Join us in demanding a transparent, community-centered approach to caring for our pond.
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Kaplan's Pond's brilliant fall colors reflected in the calm water - a natural sanctuary that deserves protection.
Recent email and printed messaging from the Village about the Kaplan's Pond aeration plan repeat vendor talking points as if they were settled facts.
Neighbors deserve to know what's been measured, what's merely claimed, and what remains to be studied. Four examples from the bullet points shared in official Village communications:
1.
"The pond does not have adequate levels of dissolved oxygen during the spring and summer seasons."
This is false. Show us the measurements. What, you say... there are no measurements that prove this claim about dissolved oxygen? That is correct. There was no data collection at all (see the transcript). No dissolved-oxygen testing was conducted, and the aeration consultant acknowledged that no testing of any kind was done. This is not due diligence; far from it. We deserve better information from Village officials. This public statement should be officially retracted.
2.
"All wildlife in and around the pond will benefit from aeration because of the increased oxygen."
Just plain wrong. Ecology isn't a fortune cookie. Species have different needs and tradeoffs. Without site-specific data, you can't promise benefits "for all." Let's start with a baseline measurement.
3.
"The system would operate 24/7 between the months of April and October. It would not operate between November and March."
Translation: this may be true but it's a marring of the truth: the constant hum runs precisely when the community uses the pond most. Being "off in winter" is like offering shade at midnight.
4.
"The motor would be located in a weatherproof sound-reducing enclosure. The system would be about as loud as a dishwasher at a range of 10–15 feet; it would be quieter than a home central air conditioning unit."
A dishwasher that never stops is still a noise machine; a grinding dirge during the day, at midnight, continuing through 4am, 7am, 9am, and on and on, forever. The consultant suggested extra insulation "if people complain" after installation. Noise that needs retrofits isn't "minimal"; it's a known nuisance and ongoing risk to wildlife that we shouldn't take.
What "quiet parkland" sounds like with a commercial compressor running.
This is an actual recording of the Compressor Motor at Duck Pond.
A compressor motor running 24 hours a day at Kaplan's Pond!?
What is happening to stop this?
Kaplan's Pond in fall - a peaceful spot with calm water, trees, and grass where families come to enjoy the quiet. This is where the Village plans to put the giant, motorized aeration system components.
Consultant says the motorized aerator will be as loud as an old dishwasher.
Any motorized system would add unacceptable noise levels 24 hours a day in what is (right now, still) a peaceful setting where people come to enjoy the sounds of nature. ↗ View in transcript
So how much will this cost taxpayers?
Initial cost
$4,000
once
Aeration system
$6,400
yearly
Electric usage for 24/7 motors
$2,700
yearly
Not adjusted for inflation or contract changes or other issues that might arise
Your neighbors need to hear from YOU! Village officials listen when residents speak up.
Choose any message below that resonates with you—just click to copy it, then paste into a new email to the village manager and board. It takes 2 minutes and makes a real difference.
Read an Actual Email about this topic
Actual Email sent to the Board July 18, 2025
Read the email
Dear Village Manager and Board of Trustees,
I live adjacent to Kaplan's Pond and respectfully request that the Village halt construction of the new aeration system until nearby residents can review the plan and explore alternatives.
Key concerns
Visual impact on parkland
The already-installed 5 × 10 ft mounting tower, electrical panel, and planned compressor housing block one of the park's few open vistas and encroach on public green space. Please visit the park and see the current construction to understand the visual impact (with the planned vegetation coverage the view will be blocked even more).
Noise impact on the neighborhood
The design requires 12 aerators driven by a compressor four times larger than the 24/7 unit at Duck Pond park, which already measures about 70 dB (the sound level where you feel like you want to move away from the sound to have a conversation) and is audible 150 ft away—even over highway noise.
A larger, continuously operating compressor would erode the pond's tranquility and depress surrounding property values.
Requested actions
Issue an immediate work stoppage to allow for public input.
Share the engineering and environmental analyses that informed the current design.
Evaluate quieter, less obtrusive algae-control methods—such as targeted pond-weed treatment—together with residents and local experts.
A brief pause now will safeguard the park's character and the neighborhood's quality of life while still meeting algae-suppression goals.
Please contact me at this email or on my cell phone below.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Daniel Cummings
Kaplan's Pond Neighbor
What about Duck Pond? There is an aerator at Duck Pond park and it works well, right?
Actually, no. The Duck Pond aerator system is currently not working to clear algae from the pond.
Duck Pond Aerator System Is Not Working
A walking survey conducted on July 21, 2025 revealed that the existing aerator system at Duck Pond is not controlling algae growth. Despite three active aerators (aka bubblers) running continuously, approximately 1/2 acre of algae coverage was observed on the 2-acre pond—with large algae blooms sitting directly next to all three aerators.
Even with aerators at Duck Pond Park - large algae blooms persist right next to the bubblers.
This shows that aerator systems may not be an effective solution. Installing an even larger, noisier system at Kaplan's Pond risks creating the same results while compromising the area's tranquility.
Fortunately, there are proven alternatives that work without industrial noise:
Physical Control of Algae (No Noisy 24-Hour Motor Required)
Harvesting - Cutting, mowing, raking, hand-pulling, or skimming unwanted plants from the pond. Skimmers could gather the algae near the waterfall. Then the force of water could carry it over the falls into a catchment and collect it.
Drawdown - Partial draining of pond to expose shallow bottom to freezing temperatures during winter.
Dredging - Removing accumulated sediment and organic debris to restore pond's original deeper condition.
Ultrasonic algae control submerged transducer emits high-frequency waves that rupture algal cells, clearing blooms without chemicals or audible sound. https://www.lgsonic.com/ultrasonic-algae-control/
Come up for a visit! It is a beautiful park at 400 feet above sea level with a thriving ecosystem that includes:
Aquatic Life: Wide mouth bass (some are 12 inches), sunfish, spring peepers, bullfrogs
Reptiles: Box turtles, painted turtles, snapping turtles (as big as a car's spare wheel)
Birds: Great blue heron, the occasional bald eagle, osprey (sometimes carrying fish they have just caught), hummingbirds, barred owl, screech owl, mallard ducks, wood ducks, Canada goose, cormorant, Carolina wren, cardinal, catbird, tufted titmouse, wild turkey
Insects & Others: Tree frog, fireflies, dragonflies, butterflies, bumblebees, carpenter bees, honey bees, and more.
All of these creatures depend on this forest-aquatic natural environment for hunting, mating, raising young, and survival.
A large largemouth bass caught at Kaplan's Pond in July 2025, demonstrating one part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Jacob Merrill Kaplan
Jacob Merrill Kaplan (1891-1987)
Kaplan's Pond is named after Jacob Merrill Kaplan, a noted NYC businessman and philanthropist who was a benefactor of the Hessian Hills School (now Temple Israel) in Croton. The pond was named in his honor in recognition of his contributions to the local community.
As head of Welch's Grape Juice company, he was credited with reviving the industry by founding the National Grape Cooperative worker's collective. He sold the company to the worker's collective in 1956 and Welch's is still collectively owned by 670 family-farmers.
He started the J.M. Kaplan Fund in 1945, which supports efforts ranging from civil liberties to historic preservation to environmental causes. A longtime board chair of the New School, he helped save Carnegie Hall from the wrecker's ball and backed progressive education.
According to his obituary (linked above), Kaplan's life exemplified a moral compass rooted in equity, access, and the power of collective action. He lived by a credo of quiet, strategic generosity that helped the overlooked, protected the beautiful, and empowered the creative.
Share your Experiences of Kaplan's Pond
"In all seasons, it is peaceful during the day when people jog past it, fish there or take their dogs on walks and peaceful at night when they do the same thing. The only sounds are the occasional plane flying overhead, the various birds singing, the turtles scampering off their sunbathing logs, yard work being done, young lovers and neighbors chatting and an occasional car driving by. At night, heard only are the croaks of the bullfrogs and the hoots of owls. As in the past, day or night 24/7 people go there to unwind and enjoy the peace of it. Its tranquility."
— Seth L., Kaplan's Pond Neighbor for 54 years
Evening Soundscape at Kaplan's Pond - ASMR
Experience the natural silence of Kaplan's Pond broken only by some enthusiastic bullfrogs. This peaceful soundscape captures the sounds of nature on a cool summer evening in July.
You may have to turn the volume up to hear all the nighttime sounds.
Reflections on Seymour Waldman - a dedication plaque near the community bench and waterfall at Kaplan's Pond.
Next Steps
Update: The Village board met on July 23rd and will be scheduling a follow-up meeting where the public will be able to contribute.
Make your voice heard! Stay tuned for the announcement of the public meeting where residents can participate in the discussion about Kaplan's Pond.
Mockup showing what 4 aerator compressor motor housings would look like at Kaplan's Pond - transforming the peaceful, natural landscape. The Kaplan's Pond system will be 4x larger in aerator count (12 aerators are planned) because Kaplan's Pond is 2x larger than Duck Pond. Extra aerators means a larger/more motors to drive the compressor which means a louder sound.
References
Original Budget line for the initial Kaplan's Pond work:
