An estimated 6,000 pounds of old abandoned docks, plastic barrels and even a fiberglass boat, center, were collected by volunteers and Southwick Lake Management officials in an effort to maintain a clean and safe lake. Officials said homeowners around Congamond Lake would leave their submerged docks and other debris in the water making it unsafe for recreational skiers, swimmers, and boaters. The debris was removed by the Southwick Department of Public Works. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Spending time on the Congamond Lakes just got a little more enjoyable – and safer – after 6,000 pounds of debris was pulled from Middle Pond last week.
Lake Management member Steve Legault and his friend and fellow lake dweller Steve Jakobowski spent two days dragging abandoned docks, 55-gallon drums, and even an old row boat from the water.
Lake Management Committee Chairman Richard Granells said the committee joins forces regularly with the Southwick Conservation Commission to clean up the lakes.
“It’s a safety issue,” said Grannells.
Legault agreed.
“It’s a hazard, period,” he said. “A few years ago we had three people drown on the lakes and that can’t happen again. This is about safety.”
Legault said his concern is that someone on a boat may hit a hidden floating dock and there could be a person on water skis or in a tube tethered to that boat and they could be seriously injured or drown.
“This floating debris is an accident waiting to happen,” he said.
All of the 10 docks pulled from the water last week were unregistered. Legault said the docks are abandoned by owners who let the broken and water logged docks float away. They often become stuck in the water or lodged on shore.
‘Over the past 10 years we cleaned up South Pond and North Pond, and 90-percent of this debris was from Middle Pond,” Legault sad.
Now, the state requires all docks to be registered. Legault said it costs $20 for one year and the forms can be downloaded from the town’s website. Docks can also be registered at Town Hall through the Conservation Commission.
Since the requirement became a law, Legault said there have been fewer problems with dock debris. However, there are still some property owners who have not registered their docks and therefore, the floating debris cannot be traced back to any individual to be fined.
“You can’t push your trash onto the street, and that’s basically what they’re doing in the lakes,” Legault said.
In Connecticut, there is no law requiring dock registration. Legault said that because the water in the Congamond Lakes is considered Massachusetts water, the town of Suffield has agreed to request property owners along the lakes volunteer to register their docks.
“Many of them have,” said Legault, “because they want the police presence.”
Proceeds from dock registrations go directly to the Southwick Police Department to fund police patrols on the lakes.
Legault extended his thanks to residents abiding by the laws and asked that anyone who has not registered their dock to please do so. He also thanked the Southwick Department of Public Works for removing the pile of debris, which Grannells said filled a 40-yard dumpster.
