Al French Inspires Island Clean-Up
"Fact-Finding Mission" to the Island in 2003 Jump-Starts Proposed Effort
FPC President Steve Cotton and Foster’s Pond Road resident Dave Adilman have taken Alan French on a tour of the Island to assess the practicality of French’s proposal to use volunteers to clean up the pile of debris left behind when the Town demolished an abandoned house last winter.
The Island is owned by the Town. Responding to neighborhood concerns that the abandoned house was a fire hazard, the Town hired a contractor last winter to knock it down, but left the debris to decompose. In an article in the Andover Townsman, nearby residents suggested that the unsightly debris pile remained a safety hazard, and Town officials indicated that they would look into getting rid of the pile.
At its September 9 meeting, the Foster’s Pond Corporation voted to authorize Cotton to press the Town to get the debris cleaned up. Two days later, a second article appeared in the Townsman, featuring French’s suggestion that volunteers, rather than the Town, undertake the clean-up. When Cotton spoke to Town Conservation Agent Jim Greer the day the article appeared, Greer was enthusiastic about giving French the opportunity to organize a volunteer effort, avoiding the need for the Town to spend money. The Island is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, the staff of which is headed by Greer.
Cotton invited French to come out to the island to look at the debris and discuss the feasibility of an all-volunteer effort. French indicated that he had not visited the Island prior to suggesting the use of volunteers.
On Saturday, September 27, French and two colleagues toured the Island with Cotton and Adilman, whose property was traversed when the Town’s original contractor demolished the house.
French and his colleagues have extensive experience organizing volunteer clean-ups on the Shawsheen River and elsewhere.
The main debris pile sits on the top of the hill on the Island. As reported in the Townsman, the pile is about 25' by 40', and up to 5' tall. There are a scattering of smaller debris piles, as well.
French characterized his visit as a “fact-finding mission,” saying he would discuss with others the practicality of using volunteers and get back to Cotton with his views. During the inspection, French remained upbeat about his idea, noting that volunteer efforts not only save money but help build a sense of community. His colleagues sounded somewhat less enthusiastic, taking note of the quantity of material to be moved, and the logistical difficulties of multiple transfers of the material - from hill to shore, shore to boat, then boat to dumpster on the opposite shore.
No deadline was set for French to communicate his assessment, but Cotton urged him to do so expeditiously.
Island Clean-Up, November 22-23, 2003 The first massive effort to remove the rubble of the old house
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