Resident Letters
These letters were written in 2015 and are still relevant
White Pond is crying out for help.
Kate Blair: Concord Journal July 16, 2015
White Pond is crying out for help. After years of warnings by committees and organizations such as the White Pond Advisory Committee and the Friends of White Pond that mismanagement of Concord’s reservation and conservation lands on White Pond could lead to accelerated eutrophication, the pond is in the midst of a severe blue-green algal bloom.
Although the supporters of the pond are grateful that the town is implementing the new White Pond Land Management Plan, and recently closed the conservation and reservation lands to allow the shore to regenerate, the damage had been done. Years of nutrient loading caused by bank erosion and waste from overeager visitors and dogs fed a large, noxious bloom that, ironically, could adversely affect those very same users. Dr. William Walker, a water quality expert who has been monitoring the pond for decades, insisted that the Board of Health and the Department of Natural Resources sample the algae, which tested positive for cyanobacteria, potentially toxic to humans and dogs. If not for Dr. Walker’s expertise and perseverance, the town would not have taken protective action for its citizens by closing the entire pond to swimming, recreation, and dogs.
The pond is a delicate ecosystem dating back to the ice age. The Department of Natural Resources has demanded maintenance of erosion control and nutrient loading of land held privately within the watershed, but has largely ignored those issues on town conservation and reservation land. The Select Board has only recently responded to citizens’ pleas for regulation of the town lands. This algal bloom is an indication that more attention from the town is needed if the pond is to remain a beautiful, natural asset for the many Concord citizens who enjoy it every year.
White Pond is crying out for help. After years of warnings by committees and organizations such as the White Pond Advisory Committee and the Friends of White Pond that mismanagement of Concord’s reservation and conservation lands on White Pond could lead to accelerated eutrophication, the pond is in the midst of a severe blue-green algal bloom.
Although the supporters of the pond are grateful that the town is implementing the new White Pond Land Management Plan, and recently closed the conservation and reservation lands to allow the shore to regenerate, the damage had been done. Years of nutrient loading caused by bank erosion and waste from overeager visitors and dogs fed a large, noxious bloom that, ironically, could adversely affect those very same users. Dr. William Walker, a water quality expert who has been monitoring the pond for decades, insisted that the Board of Health and the Department of Natural Resources sample the algae, which tested positive for cyanobacteria, potentially toxic to humans and dogs. If not for Dr. Walker’s expertise and perseverance, the town would not have taken protective action for its citizens by closing the entire pond to swimming, recreation, and dogs.
The pond is a delicate ecosystem dating back to the ice age. The Department of Natural Resources has demanded maintenance of erosion control and nutrient loading of land held privately within the watershed, but has largely ignored those issues on town conservation and reservation land. The Select Board has only recently responded to citizens’ pleas for regulation of the town lands. This algal bloom is an indication that more attention from the town is needed if the pond is to remain a beautiful, natural asset for the many Concord citizens who enjoy it every year.
We need a plan to protect this sanctuary
I grew up in Concord and started visiting the pond regularly as a teenager. While its tranquil beauty drew me in I was also often saddened when walking along the pond as I quickly found that many of the pond’s visitors did not feel a responsibility to care for the woods they were enjoying as did I. I started carrying trash bags with me each time I came to the pond in order to help clean up the mess being left behind by fisherman and swimmers (the worst area was always near the cove along the western end of the pond)..
On more than one occasion I had to untangle a dog (mine and others) from fishing lines strewn along the shoreline and in the bushes. Over the years I have cleaned up everything from worm containers to picnic bags to dirty diapers carelessly tossed aside. Even more disturbing than any of this is the amount of broken glass that to this day I continue to find all along the shore and banks of the pond. This sad state of affairs has only worsened as the number of visitors have increased over the years.
13 years ago my husband and I bought a house in the White Pond neighborhood so that we could live closer to the woods we have both come to love. I am now so thrilled to hare this beautiful pace with my little boys. We were lucky enough to find a house on a dead end street off of another dead end and hoped that this would be a safe and quiet place for my boys to play and learn to ride their bikes. However, we have been dismayed to find that our road is nowhere near as safe and quiet as we had hoped due to the cars that travel at high speeds impatiently looking for pond access so they may swim off the conservation land in spite of signs
prohibiting this - when they realize our road is a dead end that doesn't lead to the pond they turn around (usually in our driveway) and race back out at unacceptable speeds ignoring the 20 mph signs.
While we would be happy to share this beautiful spot with others we are sad that it is happening at a high cost to the pond and woods themselves, not to mention our little neighborhood. It is difficult for us to understand that if people enjoy the pond
that they would simultaneously abuse it, but that is clearly the trend. Our neighbors make a great effort to offset the damage done by out-of-town visitors but it never seems to be enough. It is our fervent hope that the town of Concord can develop a formal plan to protect this sanctuary (which, long before it was our home, has been the home to countless plants and animals including owls, pileated woodpeckers, hawks, herons, deer, coyotes, and even eagles).
We are prepared to support the town in any way needed in this endeavor and feel confident there is a way to allow folks to enjoy the pond while also protecting it from the abuse it has been enduring for years. Water quality, concerns about erosion and pollution, not to mention both car and foot traffic need to be seriously considered as we determine best next steps. We feel that members of the Dover Street Property Association are in a terrific position to share information with town planners.
Frederique Begin (and family)
On more than one occasion I had to untangle a dog (mine and others) from fishing lines strewn along the shoreline and in the bushes. Over the years I have cleaned up everything from worm containers to picnic bags to dirty diapers carelessly tossed aside. Even more disturbing than any of this is the amount of broken glass that to this day I continue to find all along the shore and banks of the pond. This sad state of affairs has only worsened as the number of visitors have increased over the years.
13 years ago my husband and I bought a house in the White Pond neighborhood so that we could live closer to the woods we have both come to love. I am now so thrilled to hare this beautiful pace with my little boys. We were lucky enough to find a house on a dead end street off of another dead end and hoped that this would be a safe and quiet place for my boys to play and learn to ride their bikes. However, we have been dismayed to find that our road is nowhere near as safe and quiet as we had hoped due to the cars that travel at high speeds impatiently looking for pond access so they may swim off the conservation land in spite of signs
prohibiting this - when they realize our road is a dead end that doesn't lead to the pond they turn around (usually in our driveway) and race back out at unacceptable speeds ignoring the 20 mph signs.
While we would be happy to share this beautiful spot with others we are sad that it is happening at a high cost to the pond and woods themselves, not to mention our little neighborhood. It is difficult for us to understand that if people enjoy the pond
that they would simultaneously abuse it, but that is clearly the trend. Our neighbors make a great effort to offset the damage done by out-of-town visitors but it never seems to be enough. It is our fervent hope that the town of Concord can develop a formal plan to protect this sanctuary (which, long before it was our home, has been the home to countless plants and animals including owls, pileated woodpeckers, hawks, herons, deer, coyotes, and even eagles).
We are prepared to support the town in any way needed in this endeavor and feel confident there is a way to allow folks to enjoy the pond while also protecting it from the abuse it has been enduring for years. Water quality, concerns about erosion and pollution, not to mention both car and foot traffic need to be seriously considered as we determine best next steps. We feel that members of the Dover Street Property Association are in a terrific position to share information with town planners.
Frederique Begin (and family)
Manage White Pond Reservation For the Purpose of Natural Resource Protection
April 1, 2015
RE: White Pond Reservation
Dear Chris and Marcia,
It has come to my attention that the Town may be considering changes in the management of the White Pond Reservation. I saw the article in the Concord Journal and am concerned enough to write you directly.
My interest in the White Pond area stems from my service on the White Pond Advisory Committee and the White Pond Reservation Task Force in the early 1990’s, and from being a resident of Plainfield Road from 1986 to 1992.
It was during this period that I became aware of the unique environmental and management challenges presented by the White Pond area, one of Concord’s most precious places. In 1992, I participated in the preparation of the First Preliminary Report of the White Pond Reservation Task Force, a copy of which is enclosed.
The Report recognized that the primary objectives of the Town’s acquisition of the Reservation were to protect adjacent town water resources and to enable passive recreation. Purchasing the property, which includes nearly a third of the shoreline of White Pond, also enabled the town to protect the area from activities long tolerated but clearly inappropriate, like ORVs, fires, drinking, and swimming. Ultimately, the Report suggested that the Board of Selectman undertake a long-term management plan for the Reservation, which was never done.
Now, twenty-three years later, many of the same issues confronting the Task Force in 1992 are still evident, including problems of over-use, parking, swimming, and traffic. Were I still sitting on the Task Force, I would encourage the Town to be mindful of the fragile natural and water resources in the area, including a Town Well and the beautiful but delicate Sachem’s Cove. I hope that the Town carefully weighs any change in the management of the Reservation that could encourage greater usage, traffic or swimming, especially in light of the potential impacts to the area of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Even though the 1992 purchase authorized any municipal purpose for the land, the overriding public purpose of the acquisition was for conservation.
For these reasons, I trust that the Town will honor that original intent, manage the Reservation primarily for purposes of natural resource protection, and specifically avoid endorsing changes that would increase greater pressure on those resources, such as a large parking area or a swimming beach.
Sincerely,
Craig MacDonnell
cc: Natural Resources Commission
PreserveWhitePond.org
RE: White Pond Reservation
Dear Chris and Marcia,
It has come to my attention that the Town may be considering changes in the management of the White Pond Reservation. I saw the article in the Concord Journal and am concerned enough to write you directly.
My interest in the White Pond area stems from my service on the White Pond Advisory Committee and the White Pond Reservation Task Force in the early 1990’s, and from being a resident of Plainfield Road from 1986 to 1992.
It was during this period that I became aware of the unique environmental and management challenges presented by the White Pond area, one of Concord’s most precious places. In 1992, I participated in the preparation of the First Preliminary Report of the White Pond Reservation Task Force, a copy of which is enclosed.
The Report recognized that the primary objectives of the Town’s acquisition of the Reservation were to protect adjacent town water resources and to enable passive recreation. Purchasing the property, which includes nearly a third of the shoreline of White Pond, also enabled the town to protect the area from activities long tolerated but clearly inappropriate, like ORVs, fires, drinking, and swimming. Ultimately, the Report suggested that the Board of Selectman undertake a long-term management plan for the Reservation, which was never done.
Now, twenty-three years later, many of the same issues confronting the Task Force in 1992 are still evident, including problems of over-use, parking, swimming, and traffic. Were I still sitting on the Task Force, I would encourage the Town to be mindful of the fragile natural and water resources in the area, including a Town Well and the beautiful but delicate Sachem’s Cove. I hope that the Town carefully weighs any change in the management of the Reservation that could encourage greater usage, traffic or swimming, especially in light of the potential impacts to the area of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Even though the 1992 purchase authorized any municipal purpose for the land, the overriding public purpose of the acquisition was for conservation.
For these reasons, I trust that the Town will honor that original intent, manage the Reservation primarily for purposes of natural resource protection, and specifically avoid endorsing changes that would increase greater pressure on those resources, such as a large parking area or a swimming beach.
Sincerely,
Craig MacDonnell
cc: Natural Resources Commission
PreserveWhitePond.org
What Visitors Leave Behind
Dear Town Officials,
As a resident of White Avenue, I am happy to live near White Pond and to be a member of our tiny neighborhood.
At any given day during the summer, especially Friday through Monday, I take a walk on the railroad bed behind my property and walk through the woods to Sachem’s Cove, walk along the pond, and back through the conservation area to the Shore Drive parking lot.
I never leave my house without two plastic shopping bags and a pair of gloves, as along my route I am sure to pick up several beer and water bottles, broken glass, plastic and paper coffee cups, sanitary napkin pads, soiled diapers, cigarette butts, and bags of dog crap—yes bagged, but left behind. Sometimes I find bathing suits, underwear, towels, fishing line, and electrical cable.
In the spring, winter and fall, I find similar items … mostly litter and bagged dog crap… always enough to fill at least one plastic grocery bag.
I never find money, watches, jewelry or anything of value. People are quick to remember their prized possessions. Everything left behind is trash, and mostly because there are no garbage pails in the off season, and if there is a garbage can during the summer months, it is located at the Shore Drive parking lot and overflowing.
However, I am not alone in policing the pond and the surrounding woods. At least three of my immediate neighbors report picking up trash on a regular basis, trash left behind by visitors in every season. One neighbor had collected enough beer bottles on a morning’s walk around the pond to fill his recycling bin. That is how I found out about his trash patrol.
I am sure that the same quiet stewardship takes place on the other side of the pond.
I write to inform you of the many hours of trash pickup performed by the residents of the White Pond community for your consideration as you develop a management plan for the pond.
Turning a blind eye to the trash problem at White Pond is not a solution. The public continues to litter. Not putting out barrels year-round or emptying the bins on a regular basis is not an answer to this problem.
If the layers of uncollected trash left behind were to have found its way into the pond, there is no speculating what this would have done to this natural resource. And, that is the motivating factor for most of us who pick up the trash.
All the best,
Margaret Carroll-Bergman
As a resident of White Avenue, I am happy to live near White Pond and to be a member of our tiny neighborhood.
At any given day during the summer, especially Friday through Monday, I take a walk on the railroad bed behind my property and walk through the woods to Sachem’s Cove, walk along the pond, and back through the conservation area to the Shore Drive parking lot.
I never leave my house without two plastic shopping bags and a pair of gloves, as along my route I am sure to pick up several beer and water bottles, broken glass, plastic and paper coffee cups, sanitary napkin pads, soiled diapers, cigarette butts, and bags of dog crap—yes bagged, but left behind. Sometimes I find bathing suits, underwear, towels, fishing line, and electrical cable.
In the spring, winter and fall, I find similar items … mostly litter and bagged dog crap… always enough to fill at least one plastic grocery bag.
I never find money, watches, jewelry or anything of value. People are quick to remember their prized possessions. Everything left behind is trash, and mostly because there are no garbage pails in the off season, and if there is a garbage can during the summer months, it is located at the Shore Drive parking lot and overflowing.
However, I am not alone in policing the pond and the surrounding woods. At least three of my immediate neighbors report picking up trash on a regular basis, trash left behind by visitors in every season. One neighbor had collected enough beer bottles on a morning’s walk around the pond to fill his recycling bin. That is how I found out about his trash patrol.
I am sure that the same quiet stewardship takes place on the other side of the pond.
I write to inform you of the many hours of trash pickup performed by the residents of the White Pond community for your consideration as you develop a management plan for the pond.
Turning a blind eye to the trash problem at White Pond is not a solution. The public continues to litter. Not putting out barrels year-round or emptying the bins on a regular basis is not an answer to this problem.
If the layers of uncollected trash left behind were to have found its way into the pond, there is no speculating what this would have done to this natural resource. And, that is the motivating factor for most of us who pick up the trash.
All the best,
Margaret Carroll-Bergman
Consider The Pond, Our Children and Our Neighborhood
Dear Town Officials,
I am writing to you again today with regards to White Pond. I have small children and am thus not able to make tonight’s meeting. I understand that White Pond is on the agenda and that the town is seriously considering allowing swimming at the cove. I want to voice my heartfelt objection to such an allowance at White Pond.
Please consider the fragility of this beautiful Pond. Please consider this jewel in our wonderful town and in our backyard. This past weekend marked the beginning of the summer onslaught of throngs of people trekking down our street to the pond. They park and come in packs. They often speed down our quiet, essentially dead-end street to drop off passengers. They bring large rafts, loud music, food, and often times, alcohol. They can be rowdy, especially in the evening.
Consider that they trample the fragile environment on their way to the pond. Consider that they leave litter, not to mention dog and human waste. Consider that there are no lifeguards at the cove. Consider that we, the residents of Concord, must pay to swim at the life-guarded part of the pond. These folks, who most often are not residents of Concord and surely not neighbors, do not pay to use the pond. How ironic that I, who live close to the Pond, must pay to swim legally, while these people who trample through our quiet neighborhood do so illegally. Why would the town want to make this legal? For whom and for what? I wonder what the huge repercussions would be should there be, God forbid, an accidental drowning at the cove.
Consider, most, please, our young children, who live on these quite, dead-end streets that abut White Pond. With the warm weather we have strangers parking their cars in front of our house and we have to constantly call the police to inform them. We have strangers walking in large numbers down our street, to and fro, all spring, summer and fall. We do not know them. Our children are not safe to simply ride their bikes in the neighborhood, or for that matter, play in the yard. We know our neighbors, we do not know the people roaming our streets to use the pond all day long. We certainly hope there isn’t ill intent, but with so many, many people, can we truly trust that our children are safe to play in their own yard?
I urge you all to come and see the throngs. To really consider the fate of this jewel for Concord. I think that the idea of allowing day passes at the public swimming area is a wonderful idea. I think that street parking should not be allowed on Alden and the other nearby streets. I think the cove should be monitored and should never become a public swimming hole. I think White Pond should be well cared for and respected for its fragile nature by the town of Concord so that it may be of use and pleasure for future generations. Please consider all the beautiful wildlife and fauna that make up the area.
Please know that although I can’t make the meeting tonight, I hope the voices of all who care about the pond and understand the negative repercussions of allowing public access to the cove, will be heard loud and clear. Please count my voice as one urging a solid, well-thought out plan for the future of White Pond.
Sincerely,
Nina Nickles-First
I am writing to you again today with regards to White Pond. I have small children and am thus not able to make tonight’s meeting. I understand that White Pond is on the agenda and that the town is seriously considering allowing swimming at the cove. I want to voice my heartfelt objection to such an allowance at White Pond.
Please consider the fragility of this beautiful Pond. Please consider this jewel in our wonderful town and in our backyard. This past weekend marked the beginning of the summer onslaught of throngs of people trekking down our street to the pond. They park and come in packs. They often speed down our quiet, essentially dead-end street to drop off passengers. They bring large rafts, loud music, food, and often times, alcohol. They can be rowdy, especially in the evening.
Consider that they trample the fragile environment on their way to the pond. Consider that they leave litter, not to mention dog and human waste. Consider that there are no lifeguards at the cove. Consider that we, the residents of Concord, must pay to swim at the life-guarded part of the pond. These folks, who most often are not residents of Concord and surely not neighbors, do not pay to use the pond. How ironic that I, who live close to the Pond, must pay to swim legally, while these people who trample through our quiet neighborhood do so illegally. Why would the town want to make this legal? For whom and for what? I wonder what the huge repercussions would be should there be, God forbid, an accidental drowning at the cove.
Consider, most, please, our young children, who live on these quite, dead-end streets that abut White Pond. With the warm weather we have strangers parking their cars in front of our house and we have to constantly call the police to inform them. We have strangers walking in large numbers down our street, to and fro, all spring, summer and fall. We do not know them. Our children are not safe to simply ride their bikes in the neighborhood, or for that matter, play in the yard. We know our neighbors, we do not know the people roaming our streets to use the pond all day long. We certainly hope there isn’t ill intent, but with so many, many people, can we truly trust that our children are safe to play in their own yard?
I urge you all to come and see the throngs. To really consider the fate of this jewel for Concord. I think that the idea of allowing day passes at the public swimming area is a wonderful idea. I think that street parking should not be allowed on Alden and the other nearby streets. I think the cove should be monitored and should never become a public swimming hole. I think White Pond should be well cared for and respected for its fragile nature by the town of Concord so that it may be of use and pleasure for future generations. Please consider all the beautiful wildlife and fauna that make up the area.
Please know that although I can’t make the meeting tonight, I hope the voices of all who care about the pond and understand the negative repercussions of allowing public access to the cove, will be heard loud and clear. Please count my voice as one urging a solid, well-thought out plan for the future of White Pond.
Sincerely,
Nina Nickles-First
Support for the White Pond Advisory Committee's Vision
Dear Town Officials,
I am writing to show my support for the White Pond Advisory Committee's vision of White Pond. I have lived near the pond since 1996 and have been concerned with the misuse of town land and the increase in traffic in my neighborhood over the years. Speeding and littering in the neighborhood and around the pond has become a significant issue.
I support the recommendations of this committee to prohibit swimming at the cove and to restrict parking in the White Pond area as a way to preserve the pond. I am in favor of converting the reservation land to conservation land so that there are clear regulations for town owned property.
Please do everything in your power to protect one of our town's greatest natural assets. Please be sure that White Pond is on the Board of Selectmen's agenda at the earliest possible date to ensure that the pond, the watershed and the neighborhoods are protected from continued misuse, especially since many of these people are coming from other communities miles away and do nothing to benefit our town.This past year, I have even seen, on several occasions, dog sitting vans from out of town, with their business names emblazoned on the side, full of dogs being unloaded, to walk and swim at the pond!
Thank you.
Kevin Mangiaracine
I am writing to show my support for the White Pond Advisory Committee's vision of White Pond. I have lived near the pond since 1996 and have been concerned with the misuse of town land and the increase in traffic in my neighborhood over the years. Speeding and littering in the neighborhood and around the pond has become a significant issue.
I support the recommendations of this committee to prohibit swimming at the cove and to restrict parking in the White Pond area as a way to preserve the pond. I am in favor of converting the reservation land to conservation land so that there are clear regulations for town owned property.
Please do everything in your power to protect one of our town's greatest natural assets. Please be sure that White Pond is on the Board of Selectmen's agenda at the earliest possible date to ensure that the pond, the watershed and the neighborhoods are protected from continued misuse, especially since many of these people are coming from other communities miles away and do nothing to benefit our town.This past year, I have even seen, on several occasions, dog sitting vans from out of town, with their business names emblazoned on the side, full of dogs being unloaded, to walk and swim at the pond!
Thank you.
Kevin Mangiaracine
A History of parking in the White Pond neighborhood
IMPACT OF PARKING CONTROLS ON WHITE POND AND ITS NEIGHBORHOODS
30 November 2014
By: Jim Ricker
Shore Drive
Having swum in White Pond since 1950, I knew the pond would contain clear waters on top of a sandy bottom when we moved to its shore in 1975. However, I did not anticipate the negative impact on both the pond and the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods caused by hundreds of non-resident users. On most summer days in the Dover Street neighborhood, we were often subjected to cars parked on both sides of the street (preventing the passage of wide-bodied public safety vehicles if needed) whose occupants were seeking access to the pond to swim. That access was often achieved by using residents’ backyard stairs to the pond. Most of the trespassers (many underage) carried large quantities of beer – leaving empty bottles, broken glass, cans, and other debris around the pond. As they left later in the day, we would often have young men urinating in front of our homes.
Some neighbors moved to avoid these obnoxious summer behaviors while others of us decided to find a solution. The town had adopted a hands-off approach since our roads are private. For instance, the police would only ticket if a fire hydrant was blocked. The misuses of the pond’s shores were ignored. Frustrated, I called the Town Manager, Paul Flynn, and convinced him that our issues should be given a spot on the Selectmen’s meeting agenda. Outlining the above conditions at a subsequent Selectmen’s meeting, we captured the attention of Selectman, Gordon Shaw, and Assistant Town Manager, Anita Tekle.
One of Gordon’s first acts was to bring the Police Chief on a tour of the conservation land on a hot Sunday afternoon. Up to that time, the Chief had considered the activities at White Pond a minor nuisance. After having a beer bottle thrown at him, the Chief instantly became a believer.
Over the next two years (1976-!978), as private way owners, we sought and received many approvals involving the Attorney General, Town Meeting, a minimum of 80% of each street’s residents, and the approval of each resident for the installation of Permit Parking Only signs on their property. The outstanding guidance and support from Gordon and Anita was instrumental in helping our neighborhood reach an effective solution. The Police then immediately implemented an aggressive enforcement plan by ticketing and towing illegally parked cars. As word of mouth spread about the costs of paying tickets and towing bills and the resulting necessity to park some distance from the pond, we gained control of our neighborhood -- transforming it into a highly desired place in which to raise a family. Once again our neighborhood is threatened by an increase in non-resident users who park directly outside our neighborhood on Alden Road after speeding down Dover Street to drop off their passengers. The time has come for the town and the residents of White Pond to work together to further limiting parking in the public streets near the pond.
PARKING CONTROLS WERE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, THE ONLY EFFECTIVE SOLUTION.
By: Jim Ricker
Shore Drive
Having swum in White Pond since 1950, I knew the pond would contain clear waters on top of a sandy bottom when we moved to its shore in 1975. However, I did not anticipate the negative impact on both the pond and the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods caused by hundreds of non-resident users. On most summer days in the Dover Street neighborhood, we were often subjected to cars parked on both sides of the street (preventing the passage of wide-bodied public safety vehicles if needed) whose occupants were seeking access to the pond to swim. That access was often achieved by using residents’ backyard stairs to the pond. Most of the trespassers (many underage) carried large quantities of beer – leaving empty bottles, broken glass, cans, and other debris around the pond. As they left later in the day, we would often have young men urinating in front of our homes.
Some neighbors moved to avoid these obnoxious summer behaviors while others of us decided to find a solution. The town had adopted a hands-off approach since our roads are private. For instance, the police would only ticket if a fire hydrant was blocked. The misuses of the pond’s shores were ignored. Frustrated, I called the Town Manager, Paul Flynn, and convinced him that our issues should be given a spot on the Selectmen’s meeting agenda. Outlining the above conditions at a subsequent Selectmen’s meeting, we captured the attention of Selectman, Gordon Shaw, and Assistant Town Manager, Anita Tekle.
One of Gordon’s first acts was to bring the Police Chief on a tour of the conservation land on a hot Sunday afternoon. Up to that time, the Chief had considered the activities at White Pond a minor nuisance. After having a beer bottle thrown at him, the Chief instantly became a believer.
Over the next two years (1976-!978), as private way owners, we sought and received many approvals involving the Attorney General, Town Meeting, a minimum of 80% of each street’s residents, and the approval of each resident for the installation of Permit Parking Only signs on their property. The outstanding guidance and support from Gordon and Anita was instrumental in helping our neighborhood reach an effective solution. The Police then immediately implemented an aggressive enforcement plan by ticketing and towing illegally parked cars. As word of mouth spread about the costs of paying tickets and towing bills and the resulting necessity to park some distance from the pond, we gained control of our neighborhood -- transforming it into a highly desired place in which to raise a family. Once again our neighborhood is threatened by an increase in non-resident users who park directly outside our neighborhood on Alden Road after speeding down Dover Street to drop off their passengers. The time has come for the town and the residents of White Pond to work together to further limiting parking in the public streets near the pond.
PARKING CONTROLS WERE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, THE ONLY EFFECTIVE SOLUTION.
Speeding and Traffic In Our Neighborhood
To Whom It May Concern:
by Robert and Amy Costello
Dover Street
As residents of the White Pond neighborhood who live on Dover Street, we want to voice our concerns about various issues that are impacting the quality of our family’s lives. From the time we moved into our home in 2003 to the present, we have witnessed a steady and continuous increase in traffic that adversely impacts our private roads. We think it is time for the town of Concord to heed the residents’ concerns and quantify the excess traffic with analysis. Any analysis should span multiple seasons so we can compare traffic in the winter to the summer when the issues arise.
The issues we feel impact our family are:
Speeding: The length of Dover Street which is a private, narrow road in a densely populated neighborhood is approximately ¼ mile,, with no sidewalks, no stop signs and a posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Sad to say, drivers have an extremely hard time maintaining a speed under 20 mph. There are rarely any cars parked on Dover Street so it’s a long straight shot with no obstacles except for pedestrians. Our speed assessment could be verified with town sponsored analysis.
Excess Traffic: Several months ago, we attended a Board of Selectmen’s meeting and we voiced our concerns about public safety in the Dover Street neighborhood. There was only one voice of dissension from a Concord resident who did not live in our neighborhood. She explained that not only did she want to keep the status quo when it came to parking, she wanted to expand the three existing parking spaces on Varick St. to allow easier access to the conservation land. Her opinion highlights our next concerns. While we do not want to prevent Concord residents and non-residents from accessing the conservation land for legitimate uses like walking, bird watching, fishing or simply enjoying being in nature, the only way both residents of Concord and non-residents can get there is to drive down Dover St to Varick St. in hopes of getting a spot. If one doesn’t exist, they have to turn around and head back down Dover St to park on Alden Rd. or Anson Rd. In addition, many cars drop their passengers off on Varick St. before they turn around to park elsewhere. This traffic pattern, created by both prime parking on Varick St. and “backup” parking on Anson and Alden Roads creates a public safety issue for all residents.
We would like to offer some possible solutions to these issues:
Speeding:
a. Speed traps – The town of Concord could financially benefit from handing out citations to speeding vehicles while contributing to safer roads for its residents.
b. Speed bumps – This seems like the easiest and most viable solution to the speeding problem. Permanent speed bumps would disrupt traffic to the point it would actually be safe for people to walk down the side of the road. Temporary bumps is also a great option (Not as good as permanent). Installing them during the non-snowy months would impede speeders leading to safer roads.
Excess Traffic:
a. Seasonal Anson\Alden parking ( May 15- Sept. 15). This seems like a no brainer as a solution. It would essentially eliminate most of the traffic on our private roads and choke the flow of people attempting to go to the pond for swimming. While there may be 3 spots on Varick St. drivers would be discouraged because access to these spots is limited.
b. Limit Varick St. parking to Concord residents only
c. Permanent Anson\Alden parking ban.
d. Make Anson\Alden Rds resident only parking.
e. Open the White Pond Associates’ parking lot to the public, similar to Walden Pond where there is a charge to park. This option would be in conjunction with bullet points a., b., or c.
The town of Concord owns the land around the pond and needs to take steps to protect both the land and the rights of the residents who live in the neighborhood used to access this land. Implementing these cost effective solutions would not only have a dramatic positive impact on the quality of life in our neighborhood but also a positive environmental impact on the land around White Pond, as well as the quality of the water. Preventing contamination to White Pond is THE logical option versus spending time and money cleaning up the land and the pond after the fact which is what happened at Walden Pond.
by Robert and Amy Costello
Dover Street
As residents of the White Pond neighborhood who live on Dover Street, we want to voice our concerns about various issues that are impacting the quality of our family’s lives. From the time we moved into our home in 2003 to the present, we have witnessed a steady and continuous increase in traffic that adversely impacts our private roads. We think it is time for the town of Concord to heed the residents’ concerns and quantify the excess traffic with analysis. Any analysis should span multiple seasons so we can compare traffic in the winter to the summer when the issues arise.
The issues we feel impact our family are:
Speeding: The length of Dover Street which is a private, narrow road in a densely populated neighborhood is approximately ¼ mile,, with no sidewalks, no stop signs and a posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Sad to say, drivers have an extremely hard time maintaining a speed under 20 mph. There are rarely any cars parked on Dover Street so it’s a long straight shot with no obstacles except for pedestrians. Our speed assessment could be verified with town sponsored analysis.
Excess Traffic: Several months ago, we attended a Board of Selectmen’s meeting and we voiced our concerns about public safety in the Dover Street neighborhood. There was only one voice of dissension from a Concord resident who did not live in our neighborhood. She explained that not only did she want to keep the status quo when it came to parking, she wanted to expand the three existing parking spaces on Varick St. to allow easier access to the conservation land. Her opinion highlights our next concerns. While we do not want to prevent Concord residents and non-residents from accessing the conservation land for legitimate uses like walking, bird watching, fishing or simply enjoying being in nature, the only way both residents of Concord and non-residents can get there is to drive down Dover St to Varick St. in hopes of getting a spot. If one doesn’t exist, they have to turn around and head back down Dover St to park on Alden Rd. or Anson Rd. In addition, many cars drop their passengers off on Varick St. before they turn around to park elsewhere. This traffic pattern, created by both prime parking on Varick St. and “backup” parking on Anson and Alden Roads creates a public safety issue for all residents.
We would like to offer some possible solutions to these issues:
Speeding:
a. Speed traps – The town of Concord could financially benefit from handing out citations to speeding vehicles while contributing to safer roads for its residents.
b. Speed bumps – This seems like the easiest and most viable solution to the speeding problem. Permanent speed bumps would disrupt traffic to the point it would actually be safe for people to walk down the side of the road. Temporary bumps is also a great option (Not as good as permanent). Installing them during the non-snowy months would impede speeders leading to safer roads.
Excess Traffic:
a. Seasonal Anson\Alden parking ( May 15- Sept. 15). This seems like a no brainer as a solution. It would essentially eliminate most of the traffic on our private roads and choke the flow of people attempting to go to the pond for swimming. While there may be 3 spots on Varick St. drivers would be discouraged because access to these spots is limited.
b. Limit Varick St. parking to Concord residents only
c. Permanent Anson\Alden parking ban.
d. Make Anson\Alden Rds resident only parking.
e. Open the White Pond Associates’ parking lot to the public, similar to Walden Pond where there is a charge to park. This option would be in conjunction with bullet points a., b., or c.
The town of Concord owns the land around the pond and needs to take steps to protect both the land and the rights of the residents who live in the neighborhood used to access this land. Implementing these cost effective solutions would not only have a dramatic positive impact on the quality of life in our neighborhood but also a positive environmental impact on the land around White Pond, as well as the quality of the water. Preventing contamination to White Pond is THE logical option versus spending time and money cleaning up the land and the pond after the fact which is what happened at Walden Pond.
Restrict Parking
My name is Kathleen Sills and I live in the White Pond neighborhood. I have lived in the neighborhood since 1991 and have lived on Dover Street for 13 years. Over the past ten years, I have noticed a slow but steady increase in the amount of traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) in our neighborhood during pond season from May through October. There has been a significant spike in the past four years, which I believe is due to our prominence as one of the best 'undiscovered' Metro-west swimming holes found on the internet.
During the summer, what I experience is a continuous stream of cars and people going past my house. Cars speed down Dover Street not knowing where they are going and find themselves driving down into the conservation parking area on Varick Street, only to find no spaces available, turning around and driving down Dover Street again. These streets are short and narrow and not designed for the kind of traffic or speed that we experience from cars racing in and around the neighborhood in the summer. I regularly find multiple cars parked (despite the permit parking only signs) in front of and beside my house from people using the pond. In addition to the constant onslaught of cars, there is the 'parade' of people who park on Alden Street and walk down Dover Street to access the cove area via the conservation land. These range from large to small groups--many with dogs, carrying picnic, fishing, boating, and swimming gear. Twice, I have had pond-goers actually knock on my door seeking a glass of water. I have trash regularly dumped in my yard as people come and go from the pond during the day and night.
When I walk in the conservation land area near the cove in the summer, I regularly find additional trash such as dirty diapers, picnic debris, cans and bottles simply left by the side of the paths or nestled amongst the trees. I am particularly dismayed to find that many of the pond-goers do not clean up after their dogs, thus further degrading the shoreline and the water quality.
To sum up, Dover Street in the summer, is not safe for children, the elderly, pets or any of us due to the influx of cars and people. I would very much like to see this situation addressed and I believe restricting parking on all the streets in the White Pond area would make a significant positive impact on our neighborhood and its residents neighborhood and its residents as well as the health and well-being of the pond.
During the summer, what I experience is a continuous stream of cars and people going past my house. Cars speed down Dover Street not knowing where they are going and find themselves driving down into the conservation parking area on Varick Street, only to find no spaces available, turning around and driving down Dover Street again. These streets are short and narrow and not designed for the kind of traffic or speed that we experience from cars racing in and around the neighborhood in the summer. I regularly find multiple cars parked (despite the permit parking only signs) in front of and beside my house from people using the pond. In addition to the constant onslaught of cars, there is the 'parade' of people who park on Alden Street and walk down Dover Street to access the cove area via the conservation land. These range from large to small groups--many with dogs, carrying picnic, fishing, boating, and swimming gear. Twice, I have had pond-goers actually knock on my door seeking a glass of water. I have trash regularly dumped in my yard as people come and go from the pond during the day and night.
When I walk in the conservation land area near the cove in the summer, I regularly find additional trash such as dirty diapers, picnic debris, cans and bottles simply left by the side of the paths or nestled amongst the trees. I am particularly dismayed to find that many of the pond-goers do not clean up after their dogs, thus further degrading the shoreline and the water quality.
To sum up, Dover Street in the summer, is not safe for children, the elderly, pets or any of us due to the influx of cars and people. I would very much like to see this situation addressed and I believe restricting parking on all the streets in the White Pond area would make a significant positive impact on our neighborhood and its residents neighborhood and its residents as well as the health and well-being of the pond.
White Pond Parking Concerns
by Heather and Aubrey Bout, Alden Road August 7, 2014
We'd like to share some concerns about traffic safety on Alden and Anson Roads, near the White Pond neighborhood. As the Journal articles referenced the past two weeks, there is a significant and increasing amount of vehicle traffic on Alden Road, where people have been parking to illegally swim in the restricted areas of White Pond.
There are several ramifications of this trend. In addition to the harmful effects to the pond of the swimmers and left-behind garbage that have reached peak levels in recent years, it has also brought a high volume of traffic to a small neighborhood that is not designed for, or equipped to handle, high-volume traffic. Aside from the increasing litter found scattered through the streets and in residents' yards, the increase in traffic is dangerous to the many young children who play outside in this neighborhood. As residents, we moved to Concord seeking a safe community in which to raise a family. The influx of out-of-town traffic seeking out White Pond as a swimming destination has created an almost constant flow of out-of-town vehicle and foot traffic through a previously 'quiet' residential neighborhood -- and only a stone's throw from Willard Elementary School. Although the activity is highest in summer, there is still a regular flow through the neighborhood in the spring and early fall, when school is in session.
The significant increase in illegal White Pond traffic in recent years is due to the availability of information via the internet. Thanks to numerous blogs and online lists, White Pond is now known as one of the top "secret swimming holes" in Central Massachusetts. The difference in our situation to that of Walden Pond is that Walden has a traffic management system. They have official parking with a volume limit, and they have Park Rangers monitoring the area. If we can't restrict the parking around White Pond, then maybe we need to find a way to manage the flow of crowds.
The residents of Alden and Anson Roads have submitted a petition to the Board of Selectmen to install "Resident Parking Only" signs on these streets. This is the system already used throughout the Dover Street neighborhood (adjacent to White Pond) and on Raymond Road (parallel to Alden Road). With the restrictions already in place on Plainfield Road, this would create restricted parking coverage in a much more comprehensive area surrounding White Pond.
The petition is currently in the process of being reviewed by the Board of Selectmen and various agencies in town who have input. As Concord residents within a neighborhood that does not ask much but is currently facing a challenge of growing concern, we strongly urge the Board of Selectmen to act as quickly as possible on this initiative.
We'd like to share some concerns about traffic safety on Alden and Anson Roads, near the White Pond neighborhood. As the Journal articles referenced the past two weeks, there is a significant and increasing amount of vehicle traffic on Alden Road, where people have been parking to illegally swim in the restricted areas of White Pond.
There are several ramifications of this trend. In addition to the harmful effects to the pond of the swimmers and left-behind garbage that have reached peak levels in recent years, it has also brought a high volume of traffic to a small neighborhood that is not designed for, or equipped to handle, high-volume traffic. Aside from the increasing litter found scattered through the streets and in residents' yards, the increase in traffic is dangerous to the many young children who play outside in this neighborhood. As residents, we moved to Concord seeking a safe community in which to raise a family. The influx of out-of-town traffic seeking out White Pond as a swimming destination has created an almost constant flow of out-of-town vehicle and foot traffic through a previously 'quiet' residential neighborhood -- and only a stone's throw from Willard Elementary School. Although the activity is highest in summer, there is still a regular flow through the neighborhood in the spring and early fall, when school is in session.
The significant increase in illegal White Pond traffic in recent years is due to the availability of information via the internet. Thanks to numerous blogs and online lists, White Pond is now known as one of the top "secret swimming holes" in Central Massachusetts. The difference in our situation to that of Walden Pond is that Walden has a traffic management system. They have official parking with a volume limit, and they have Park Rangers monitoring the area. If we can't restrict the parking around White Pond, then maybe we need to find a way to manage the flow of crowds.
The residents of Alden and Anson Roads have submitted a petition to the Board of Selectmen to install "Resident Parking Only" signs on these streets. This is the system already used throughout the Dover Street neighborhood (adjacent to White Pond) and on Raymond Road (parallel to Alden Road). With the restrictions already in place on Plainfield Road, this would create restricted parking coverage in a much more comprehensive area surrounding White Pond.
The petition is currently in the process of being reviewed by the Board of Selectmen and various agencies in town who have input. As Concord residents within a neighborhood that does not ask much but is currently facing a challenge of growing concern, we strongly urge the Board of Selectmen to act as quickly as possible on this initiative.
Speeding Cars and Other Problems Cause Safety Concerns
by James Whalen, Dover Street
With and active summer season in progress, one would anticipate long days of fun in the sun, leisurely strolls through the neighborhood, and care-free days down at White Pond. Unfortunately, those residents living on and around White Pond have to contend with the throngs of out-of-towners that turn our streets into junkyards, dog parks, and race tracks. It is a shame that those individuals who are from our town and beyond would on a daily basis discard their trash, including beer and liquor bottles, along the pristine shores of the pond, and even more infuriating on the lawns of those who live in the White Pond neighborhood.
As a father of a toddler, I remember the day I was in my front yard and an unleashed pit-bull ran into my yard and up to my son, its owner carelessly walking up Dover Street to the pond for an illegal swim, only to have the same frightening scenario occur one year later with the same unleashed dog. Finally, the most concerning aspect of life around White Pond are the multitude of out-of-town cars that speed in excess of forty miles an hour up and down Dover Street looking for parking at the conservation land parking lot or one of two streets in the area that still allow non-permit street parking. The Town will argue that this is simply a signage issue, however, it is also an enforcement of the law issue, the failure of which has resulted in the degradation of White Pond and the safety and tranquility of the surrounding neighborhoods.
With and active summer season in progress, one would anticipate long days of fun in the sun, leisurely strolls through the neighborhood, and care-free days down at White Pond. Unfortunately, those residents living on and around White Pond have to contend with the throngs of out-of-towners that turn our streets into junkyards, dog parks, and race tracks. It is a shame that those individuals who are from our town and beyond would on a daily basis discard their trash, including beer and liquor bottles, along the pristine shores of the pond, and even more infuriating on the lawns of those who live in the White Pond neighborhood.
As a father of a toddler, I remember the day I was in my front yard and an unleashed pit-bull ran into my yard and up to my son, its owner carelessly walking up Dover Street to the pond for an illegal swim, only to have the same frightening scenario occur one year later with the same unleashed dog. Finally, the most concerning aspect of life around White Pond are the multitude of out-of-town cars that speed in excess of forty miles an hour up and down Dover Street looking for parking at the conservation land parking lot or one of two streets in the area that still allow non-permit street parking. The Town will argue that this is simply a signage issue, however, it is also an enforcement of the law issue, the failure of which has resulted in the degradation of White Pond and the safety and tranquility of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Ban Parking on Alden and Anson Roads
18 January 2015
Marcia:
We are out of town and are unfortunately unable to attend the White Pond Public Forum on Wednesday, January 21.
My wife Peggy Miner and I live at the end of Dover Street, at 169 Plainfield Road. In the fifteen years we have lived here, we have seen a steady increase in the numbers of people parking on Alden Road and walking down Dover Street. More and more, these people are in groups of many, and they are carrying or wheeling coolers, as they head to the Sachem’s Cove area of White Pond.
Yes, it is legal for people to park on Alden Road and to walk down Dover Street, but these groups walk past and ignore a No Swimming sign and proceed to do just that. They leave trash behind, often in great quantities, and they contribute to the already stressed foliage and to the erosion on the banks of the Pond. Also, despite what the ESS Report and its strangely scheduled tests says, they affect the water quality of the Cove.
White Pond is the major reason for our move to this area of Concord. We love it here, and we swim almost daily during the summer, out into the middle of the Pond, from the White Pond Association Beach. We enjoy walks on the trails and along the rail line at the far end of the Pond, but only in the spring and the fall. That area is unusable and not welcoming during the summer to those of us who live near it, and it is not pleasant to see the damage that is done to it daily by visitors who can do whatever they want to the Pond and the areas around it without regulation of any kind.
We have to believe that the quality of that land in Sachem’s Cove, of the water in White Pond, and the quality of life for those of us who live near it is important to the Town of Concord. If this is truly the case, the Town of Concord must use a parking ban on Alden Road and other areas near the Pond, effective enforcement of that ban, and effective and appropriate signage at and near the Pond to make it as inconvenient and unpleasant as possible for people to continue to ruin this lovely and valuable resource.
Andrew Inglis
Peggy Miner
169 Plainfield Road
Marcia:
We are out of town and are unfortunately unable to attend the White Pond Public Forum on Wednesday, January 21.
My wife Peggy Miner and I live at the end of Dover Street, at 169 Plainfield Road. In the fifteen years we have lived here, we have seen a steady increase in the numbers of people parking on Alden Road and walking down Dover Street. More and more, these people are in groups of many, and they are carrying or wheeling coolers, as they head to the Sachem’s Cove area of White Pond.
Yes, it is legal for people to park on Alden Road and to walk down Dover Street, but these groups walk past and ignore a No Swimming sign and proceed to do just that. They leave trash behind, often in great quantities, and they contribute to the already stressed foliage and to the erosion on the banks of the Pond. Also, despite what the ESS Report and its strangely scheduled tests says, they affect the water quality of the Cove.
White Pond is the major reason for our move to this area of Concord. We love it here, and we swim almost daily during the summer, out into the middle of the Pond, from the White Pond Association Beach. We enjoy walks on the trails and along the rail line at the far end of the Pond, but only in the spring and the fall. That area is unusable and not welcoming during the summer to those of us who live near it, and it is not pleasant to see the damage that is done to it daily by visitors who can do whatever they want to the Pond and the areas around it without regulation of any kind.
We have to believe that the quality of that land in Sachem’s Cove, of the water in White Pond, and the quality of life for those of us who live near it is important to the Town of Concord. If this is truly the case, the Town of Concord must use a parking ban on Alden Road and other areas near the Pond, effective enforcement of that ban, and effective and appropriate signage at and near the Pond to make it as inconvenient and unpleasant as possible for people to continue to ruin this lovely and valuable resource.
Andrew Inglis
Peggy Miner
169 Plainfield Road
A Public Beach at the Cove?
Dear Marcia,
I attended the forum on White Pond and understood that any further comments or questions could be directed to you.
While there, I heard that one idea was to turn the cove into a public beach. I was saddened that such an exquisite and small area might be converted and degraded into recreational beach land, and wondered how and where trash and toilet facilities would be located and maintained.
To my surprise, I heard from two different sources that it was suggested that a portable potty be situated near the informational kiosk at the beginning of the trail, which is right in front of my home.
If a porta potty would be placed there, I wonder how many people would actually leave the shore of the pond and walk all the way back to use the facilities? Would parents let their kids go alone? Would they have to pick up the whole family for a toilet trek?
Just in case, I need to take this suggestion seriously, please note that the portable toilet placed at the kiosk would be visible from my kitchen, pantry, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, front door and yard, side door and side decking, where we frequently enjoy breakfast and lunch on nice days. An odiferous mix of chemicals, feces and urine would waft to my property, adding a second sensory insult. In addition the truck, which empties bodily waste, would be a regular, noisy presence.
I could go on and on about how that would affect the quality of my life and the value of my property. But the bottom line is that a public toilet in front of the home I love and cherish would be very disrespectful. Can you imagine having a public toilet in front of your home? Is there any home in Concord with a toilet in front?
It is possible to imagine a scenario, where for the benefit of many others, I might have to sacrifice something precious to me and my family, but an outhouse on that trail does not seem justifiable. What kind of precedent would that set for the Town of Concord?
I need to firmly state, “Not in my front yard. Not in anyone’s front yard.”
I also want to express concerns about where parking for this public beach would be located. I happily support a few more spots down near the existing three, but the thought of a public parking lot would also be disturbing and devaluing.
In addition, people from other towns have been coming to White Pond for generations. I would hate to think that this area would be converted to Concord resident use only. We already have a wonderful facility on the other side of the pond for Concord residents.
Respectfully yours,
Alice J. Rosen
Hemlock Street
I attended the forum on White Pond and understood that any further comments or questions could be directed to you.
While there, I heard that one idea was to turn the cove into a public beach. I was saddened that such an exquisite and small area might be converted and degraded into recreational beach land, and wondered how and where trash and toilet facilities would be located and maintained.
To my surprise, I heard from two different sources that it was suggested that a portable potty be situated near the informational kiosk at the beginning of the trail, which is right in front of my home.
If a porta potty would be placed there, I wonder how many people would actually leave the shore of the pond and walk all the way back to use the facilities? Would parents let their kids go alone? Would they have to pick up the whole family for a toilet trek?
Just in case, I need to take this suggestion seriously, please note that the portable toilet placed at the kiosk would be visible from my kitchen, pantry, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, front door and yard, side door and side decking, where we frequently enjoy breakfast and lunch on nice days. An odiferous mix of chemicals, feces and urine would waft to my property, adding a second sensory insult. In addition the truck, which empties bodily waste, would be a regular, noisy presence.
I could go on and on about how that would affect the quality of my life and the value of my property. But the bottom line is that a public toilet in front of the home I love and cherish would be very disrespectful. Can you imagine having a public toilet in front of your home? Is there any home in Concord with a toilet in front?
It is possible to imagine a scenario, where for the benefit of many others, I might have to sacrifice something precious to me and my family, but an outhouse on that trail does not seem justifiable. What kind of precedent would that set for the Town of Concord?
I need to firmly state, “Not in my front yard. Not in anyone’s front yard.”
I also want to express concerns about where parking for this public beach would be located. I happily support a few more spots down near the existing three, but the thought of a public parking lot would also be disturbing and devaluing.
In addition, people from other towns have been coming to White Pond for generations. I would hate to think that this area would be converted to Concord resident use only. We already have a wonderful facility on the other side of the pond for Concord residents.
Respectfully yours,
Alice J. Rosen
Hemlock Street
Simple Solution to Control Traffic
Dear Chris, Marcia and Board of Selectmen,
We would like to offer a simple cost effective way to control the traffic in the White Pond neighborhood. The only reason there is a parking problem to begin with is because out of town visitors park in order to swim from the town-owned land known as Sachem's Cove. This causes a real public safety issue in the Dover Street neighborhood since our streets are all private, sub-standard, dead-end, narrow, sidewalk-less streets with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Hundreds of cars speed up and down our roads from May to September to drop their passengers off at the entrance to the conservation land, the only access to the Cove in Concord. Suggesting that cars park at Willard School, as mentioned at the Board of Selectmen's March 9 meeting will do nothing to solve this problem.
Prohibiting swimming from town owned land combined with installing parking signs regulating who can park on streets within walking distance to the pond is the most expedient way to use tax payers money. Limiting parking to Concord residents and their guests from May to September will solve our neighborhood's safety issue and has the added benefit of dramatically reducing the number of out of town swimmer to an area which is not an appropriate place to swim. The water level in the cove is only ten feet deep and is cut off from the rest of the pond by a sandbar which means elevated temperature and bacteria levels leading to decreased water quality of the pond.
Regulating parking is a method used by many towns, including Concord, to control the flow of traffic to ponds and beaches. The needs of our neighborhood, as taxpayers and residents take precedence over the needs of out of town swimmers.
We trust that the Board of Selectmen and the Town will resolve this issue before the start of another swimming season in May.
Thank you.
Hank and Susan Devlin
We would like to offer a simple cost effective way to control the traffic in the White Pond neighborhood. The only reason there is a parking problem to begin with is because out of town visitors park in order to swim from the town-owned land known as Sachem's Cove. This causes a real public safety issue in the Dover Street neighborhood since our streets are all private, sub-standard, dead-end, narrow, sidewalk-less streets with a speed limit of 20 miles per hour. Hundreds of cars speed up and down our roads from May to September to drop their passengers off at the entrance to the conservation land, the only access to the Cove in Concord. Suggesting that cars park at Willard School, as mentioned at the Board of Selectmen's March 9 meeting will do nothing to solve this problem.
Prohibiting swimming from town owned land combined with installing parking signs regulating who can park on streets within walking distance to the pond is the most expedient way to use tax payers money. Limiting parking to Concord residents and their guests from May to September will solve our neighborhood's safety issue and has the added benefit of dramatically reducing the number of out of town swimmer to an area which is not an appropriate place to swim. The water level in the cove is only ten feet deep and is cut off from the rest of the pond by a sandbar which means elevated temperature and bacteria levels leading to decreased water quality of the pond.
Regulating parking is a method used by many towns, including Concord, to control the flow of traffic to ponds and beaches. The needs of our neighborhood, as taxpayers and residents take precedence over the needs of out of town swimmers.
We trust that the Board of Selectmen and the Town will resolve this issue before the start of another swimming season in May.
Thank you.
Hank and Susan Devlin