Conditions at Willett Pond discussed last week by the Improvement Association’s Advisory Committee came in for another thorough going over before the Norwood selectmen on Tuesday night when representatives of the committee and later George F. Willett appeared to talk over the problem. One suggestion came out of the conferences which will be immediately acted upon, namely the posting of the property against use after 9 p. m. which will enable local police to evict trespassers. Suggested by Chairman Charles E. Houghton, the matter was readily agreed to by Mr. Willett, representing the Civic trustees who hold the property.
Complaints as to conditions at the pond are made not because the water is polluted but because of misuse of the beach, parking by noisy parties late at night, the tossing out of bottles and refuse, and nuisances committed. The local board of health late last week issued a statement and cited the undesirable conditions because of lack of toilet facilities adding, “We do not encourage bathing there,” and mentioning the improvement of conditions at the Hawes Pool since toilet facilities were installed. The statement concludes: “Every year the doctors treat many bathers for ear conditions, impetigo, etc It is believed that while it .s true that these conditions are treated as a result of bathing, the contamination usually originates from contaminated shore-land and crowded bathing conditions, rather than from the water itself. Insect bites which arc scratched also play a part. These may not be noticed at the time or quickly forgotten.”
State Department Gives O. K.
It was reported at the selectmen’s meeting that the state department of health who recently took testings of the water at the pond had reported that it was suitable for general bathing. Edson Eckhardt speaking for the Improvement Associations suggested having someone in authority there during the day to exert a measure of control and added that a badge for the lifeguard might help matters. The lifeguard was reported to clean the beach before the public gets there in the morning, but as Frederick Howard of the committee pointed out, conditions were more than he could be expected to contend with. The selectmen brought up the matter of town control of private property, and Mr. Howard answered that measures had been taken to protect children bathing there and he felt the town should also take measures for the protection of health conditions. The Chairman’s suggestion for posting the land was accepted’ as helpful.
Submits Street Plan
In the discussion with Mr. Willett later in the evening, he told the board that he had been dealing with the question of tax abatement on the property for the past five, years. He pointed out that Walpole and Westwood both exempted the property from taxes without question and also cited the exemption of Bird Park in Walpole and Cunningham Park in Milton. He maintained that a lawyer representing him had recently submitted a revised deed to the Town Counsel and had been informed that it couldn’t be dealt with. Deeds now, he continued, were in the hands of an attorney and he hoped the matter could be straightened out. Mr. Willett said that the property was held for the benefit of the town and with cooperation from the town could be set up so as to prove of real value to it. He agreed to Mr. Houghton’s proposal for posting the property.
Mr. Willett also submitted to the Board a sketch of a proposed road in the Westover section and asked that steps be taken so that its acceptance could be included in the next town meeting warrant. Further, he asked the board the status of their advisory committee on town development and said that Sidney Shurcliff and Harry Korslund were anxious to consult with the committee on problems connected with the Westover development but had been informed that the committee was disbanded. Mr. Willett asked that its status be determined and if it was disbanded asked the Board if they would request the committee to meet to consider these problems.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)