Let Residents Boat on Lake Cochichewick

By TOM DUGGAN
PAYING ATTENTION

Scott Lindquist appeared before the Board of Selectmen two weeks ago to ask a very interesting question. Why does the town issue boating permits for Lake Cochichewick at the same time the town has closed off all access to the lake? Lindquist has been fishing on the lake with his sons since he moved to North Andover in 1985. He purchased a boat when he moved here for the specific purpose of fishing on the lake. When the town changed the bylaws prohibiting gas powered motors on Lake Cochichewick, Lindquist spent additional money to purchase an electric motor.

Unfortunately for Lindquist and every other fishing and boating enthusiast, the town has systematically closed off every public boat launching areas available. At first it seemed that the ramps were closed off for a variety of reasons and boat access had simply fallen through the cracks of town government.

As the issue played out this week, however, it became perfectly clear that the restricted boat access was not an oversight by town officials but a conscious decision by DPW Director William Hmurciak to stop boating and fishing on the lake entirely.

In his letter to the Town Manager, Hmurciak stated “Given the either or choice between recreational and watershed protection we would certainly choose to make or recommend decisions which first and foremost provide for the protection of the water supply.” As an environmentalist, I certainly understand his feelings about protecting the town’s drinking water, but isn’t that a decision for the Board of Selectmen to make? Despite the fact that the board has never taken a vote to officially restrict boat access the DPW Director has taken it upon himself to put his feelings and opinions above those of the tax payers and elected officials.

If the board of selectmen want to stop boating on the lake, they should be the final arbiters after holding a public hearing and getting input from the residents of the town. But that didn’t happen here. Scott Lindquist is a resident and taxpayer who wants to take his sons fishing on a lake the town legally grants access to by selling him a boat permit. He should have a say in the decisions made about Lake Cochichewick as should every other town resident. Hmurciak is thwarting the will of the town and the board of selectmen must take a stand.

The quality of the drinking water is obviously a concern for everyone in North Andover. If the DPW Director feels the town should restrict boat access because of some impending danger to the environment he should appear before the board and make his case. I suspect, however, that he will not have much support. Gas powered motors have already been prohibited on the lake to prevent contamination of the water so that boaters may still enjoy use of the lake .

Hmurciak says in his letter to Mark Rees that Scott Lindquist was the only person who has complained about boat access, but Selectman Xenakis disputed Hmurciak’s claim saying he has had numerous complaints and “this is an ongoing problem.” The Board of Selectmen have an obligation to Scott Lindquist and every other taxpayer in the town to identify boat launching locations and open them for public use.

The people of North Andover pay plenty of taxes to the town. When residents like Scott Lindquist pay their taxes and comply with the bylaws to use the lake in an environmentally friendly manner, he ought to have his rights protected by the board. If the DPW Director has any evidence that an electric motor and a fishing lure is harmful to the drinking water he should come forward with his evidence and let the elected officials make that final decision.

Until he can do that, Scott Lindquist has every right to boat and fish on Lake Cochichewick with his sons. Hmurciak has suggested that the town refund his permit and restrict boating access on the lake entirely. I just wonder if Bill Hmurciak is willing to pay Scott Lindquist for a boat he cannot use and the electric motor the town made him buy. Lake Cochichewick belongs to the tax payers of North Andover. The tax payers of North Andover are the only ones who should have a say in how it is used.e next board of selectmen meeting.

Tom Duggan hosts the Paying Attention! radio program on WCCM every Saturday, noon to 2 p.m., and the Paying Attention! television program on Channel 8 cable access in Andover, North Andover, Lawrence and Methuen.

Watch MetroWest Daily News managing editor Joe Dwinell's live report on WB-56 every Thursday and Friday at 7:45 a.m.

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