ATHOL – Three months ago, the Athol Lions Club went before the Selectboard to pitch the idea of allowing the use of canoes and kayaks on Silver Lake.

Club member Tom Henry told the board at that time that allowing watercraft on the lake could potentially reduce the number of geese fouling the water and shoreline, adding that the idea had the backing of Athol Public Works Director Dick Kilhart.

However, those arguments were not enough to convince the board to approve the idea at the time. The issue was placed on the May 16 agenda by member Kala Fisher who said that, since the proposal was first raised, she has received information that introducing canoes and kayaks to the lake could be problematic.

David Small, a member of Athol’s Open Space and Recreation Committee and president of the Athol Bird and Nature Club, told the board, “Any time we introduce watercraft that go from one pond to another we automatically could assume at some point that invasive weeds are going to follow along. It’s been the practice of most people who are concerned with water bodies to minimize that transfer of plant material or other things from one lake to another. So, that’s a very good reason not to try to introduce canoeing and kayaking on Silver Lake at this time.”

Small added that, beyond minimizing the introduction of invasive aquatic weeds, there are other reasons not to approve the proposal at this time. He said there is a plan for the lake and the Department of Public Works (DPW) is doing what it can in-house, while grants are pursued for the larger projects.

“So, I don’t think we should allow any new activities there at this time,” he said. “I think we’re pretty much under control and I think that would pretty much be the way for us to proceed.”

Small added that a kayak launch is being established at Lake Ellis, which is a better area to explore with a canoe or kayak.

“I mean, at Silver Lake, you do three paddles and you’re across the pond,” he said. “I just don’t think it’s something we should introduce at this time.”

Fisher said she spoke with Ben King, who oversees the town’s public beaches, and was told that there are no policies in Athol prohibiting watercraft on Silver Lake.

“He said there’s no enforcement; that if someone was to go (a watercraft) in that it was unenforceable to have them remove it,” Fisher said.

Board member Brian Dodge said he believed the Selectboard voted in the 1970s to ban kayaks, canoes, and motorboats from the lake. The lake, he said, was closed down at that time due to septic system problems.

“I don’t see a problem with allowing canoers or kayaks,” said Dodge. “I don’t think we’re going to see a big influx of people suddenly going down to Silver Lake. But, for somebody who has a canoe or kayak and doesn’t want to travel to the Connecticut River to do it, or to Winchendon or somewhere else, this could be a great place for them.”

Small suggested the town should form a small group to codify the rules and add them to the town’s bylaws. He said a number of park rules and regulations have been suggested in the past, but not committed to paper.

Town Manager Shaun Suhoski noted that the lake is under the jurisdiction of the Selectboard, adding they could – for now – allow or prohibit watercraft while, in the interim, a committee is put together to create a set of rules for the park. Suhoski suggested a panel could be make up of a representative from the Selectboard, Open Space Committee, DPW, or anyone else deemed appropriate.

Board member Rebecca Bialecki introduced a motion to ban canoes and kayaks from the lake until a committee can be formed to promulgate a set of rules and regulations and report back with recommendations. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-1, with Dodge dissenting.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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