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148 Min Street
North.Woven
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184i
September 5, 2016
Board of Selectmen
120 Main Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Ladies&Gentlemen:
A few days ago I was spending a quiet afternoon at the Stevens Public Library and by chance I happened upon a
box marked Historical. As a former teacher I have an interest in history, particularly of the town I am living in.
Among the various books, articles,term papers etc in the box, I came across a short four page article entitled
"Recollections of Sutton's Pond". "Wow" I said to myself, "That's where I live, Sutton Pond Condo". The article
was written by a lady by the name of Mary Armitage,who relates her experiences when she moved to North
Andover in the mid "50s. She tells of the occasions when the town-fathers had an "annual fishing derby",
particularly for the children,when the Sutton Pond was stocked with fish to ensure a fish for everyone with
many prizes for the biggest fish,for the smallest fish,for the fattest fish,for the slimmest fish etc. In the winter
the pond came to life in a different way. The little kids learned to skate and the hockey players practiced their
game. And as she relates, "Often on a crisp, cold, dark night we would hear laughter and shouts and the swish
of skates and we would know,with a touch of envy,that the dating crowd had discovered-the magic of a
moonlit night"
Unfortunately over time the fishing derbies ended and the skaters went elsewhere. However, I then learned
that the Sutton Pond was located on Johnson Street and by some was called "Skaters Pond or Pooka Pond and
to others Sut's. This is not the same Sutton Pond I know which is off of Main Street. After reading the article I
attempted to locate the old Sutton Pond with no success, possibly because Mary Armitage said that"In recent
years the small ponds have been called 'Charley's Swamp'. No one knows why."
I think I know why. I look out at the present day Sutton Pond off of Main Street and what do I see? A pond with
a dam that is supplied by a stream from Lake Cochichewick slowly being strangled and filled in by invasive water
plants, such as purple strife and bulrushes. The pond legally belongs to the condo association, in some places
just up to the water's edge where the businesses and homes abut the pond. However the town in the early
1900's seized the water rights,for what reason I don't know and the Conservation Department in practice if not
in fact have all the rights of ownership a hundred yards in from the shore. We at Sutton Pond jokingly say "All
we own is the view" and regrettably,that is slowly being taken away. Two homes particularly effected, originally
had a water view right on the pond and now they have no view of the pond-at all. Are there any means by
which the town of North Andover can prevent Sutton Pond from becoming another"Charley's Swamp"? I would
dislike telling people that I now live at Sutton Swamp. To paraphrase Mary Armitage, I would not like future
residents to have to say about todays Sutton Pond, "But for awhile the pond was there in a special way and
usage was as natural as being. It made a contribution to the essence and character of.North Andover. Of such is
the stuff of memory and nostalgia."
I would like to share your response with the Board of Trustees and with the other residents of our 188 units.
Thanking you for your consideration, I am
Yours truly,
Trustee,Sutton Pond Condominium