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Selectmen want pond rules and regulations, management plan

-Results of citizen survey reported

by Robert Curtin

LYNNFIELD — Janice Solomon of the Pillings Pond Study Committee on Monday presented a summary of the results of a survey of town residents on the current and potential uses for Pillings Pond.

In response to the report, the Board of Selectmen charged the committee with coming up with recommendations for two long-term projects long discussed by town officials: a pond management plan and an updated set of rules and regulations.

Town Administrator William Gustus said the survey was undertaken to get an idea of how residents are using the pond and what they would like to see for improvements. This would help town officials update the rules and regulations and help assist with a pond management plan, which would address issues such as prevention of nutrient loading and pollution, and treatment of algae and invasive plant species.

The last issue has been a controversial topic as of late. Some in town have voiced concern about the long-term effect of herbicides and algaecides on the pond’s ecosystem, while many pond area residents say these are the only proven method of controlling weed infestation and the foul-smelling algae blooms that plague the pond.

Gustus said that the management plan would include issues such as water levels in the pond as well.

Solomon agreed that the current rules and regulations, which date from 1956, are badly in need of updating. Efforts over the years to update the pond have fallen by the wayside for various reasons, including the hot-button issue of limitation or banning of motorized craft.

The survey was sent out with tax bills, and 865 residents responded. Although a section for comments was not included, “we got quite a few, and that was great,” Solomon said.

Solomon said the committee, which includes Evelyn Noto, Barbara Cohen and Darlene Drutman, has not met since the survey results, and was seeking direction from the Board of Selectmen.

Solomon outlined several issues she reviewed with Conservation Administrator Betty Adelson and Conservation Commission Chairman Denise Young.

The first was the prevention of shoreline erosion by placement of buoys or markers indicating where boats could maintain only headway speed.

The second was the possibility of hiring a consultant to test water quality three to four times a year, looking at pollutants, nutrient loading and other issues.

Selectman Robert Mac-Kendrick said that private water testing has been done in the last year, and that the results indicated the pond is “well within swimmable levels” in its coliform count. “The clarity wasn’t there,” he said of the water’s turbidity.

The stenciling of storm drains around the pond to alert residents that matter dumped into the drains flows directly into the pond was noted. The Department of Public Works and the Pillings Pond Association are working together on this project.

Solomon said a key to stopping runoff from fertilizers and other chemicals from damaging the pond is educating not only pond abutters but also residents of nearby properties about the issue.

Solomon also said plantings along the shoreline will discourage geese (they will fear predators are hiding there) and will help filter pollutants.

Solomon said state boating regulations could be adopted to resolve issues such as no-wake zones and safety concerns.

MacKendrick said that many residents are unaware of existing boating laws that are in force at the pond, including the speed limit of 45 for motorized craft and the banning of jet skis outside of daylight hours.

“I find by and large, 99.9 percent of people operate reasonably and responsibly,” said MacKendrick, a pond abutter. He allowed that he has witnessed a few people behaving in an unsafe manner.

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Arthur Bourque commented, “A lot of people are unhappy about the jet skis.”

MacKendrick said the jet-ski users “don’t particularly bother me.” He said he would prefer that educational efforts be used rather than a ban on specific types of craft. He estimated there are about eight jet skis being used on the pond.

But he agreed the rules and regulations, which date back over 50 years, must be replaced, and not just because of changes that have taken place over the years.

“Having boated all my life…I have to say they were written by someone who had no clue what a boat was.”

One point made evident by the survey is that despite its central location and visual prominence along Summer Street. many newer residents were unaware what is allowed at the pond. Solomon suggested that a handout be developed outlining issues such as public access and allowed uses.

Gustus said that several residents of Highland Avenue had asked that the town look at alternate points of public entry at the pond. The Highland Avenue boat ramp is the main point of public access for boats; a dock at Rotary Park along Summer Street allows for launching of canoes, rafts, kayaks and other small craft.

While there are 17 public access points on the pond, many of them at the end of roads ending in the “-wood” suffix along Summer Street, some are impractical for boat access because they are at very shallow points in the pond. In other cases, abutters have encroached on the public access, and “neighbors have blocked public use” by erecting fences are blurring the boundaries between their properties and the public access. In some cases, Gustus said, this occurred due to an abutter wanting to keep the area maintained and presentable.

The most promising alternate access points include those at the end on Lakewood and Maywood roads, Gustus said. But almost all are narrow and offer limited access and parking.

The board agreed to have the Department of Public Works and town engineer look at identifying public access points and ensuring they are not encroached upon.

Selectman Al Merritt suggested the town look at ways of better ordering traffic from trucks and trailers on Highland Avenue so that the use of the boat ramp won’t interfere with neighbors.

MacKendrick suggested “minimal signage” there could help with this effort.

Gustus said rules and regulations when finalized could be adopted by the board or approved at town meeting as a bylaw. If fines are to be imposed for violations, the latter course would be preferable, he said.

Asked whether the committee would need the assistance of a consultant to draft pond rules and regulations, Gustus said that he expected that the committee could draft a proposed set with the assistance of Town Engineer Charles Richter, Conservation Administrator Betty Adelson, local police and the state Environmental police.

Next week: Results and remarks from the pond survey