Spot Pond changes hands
Published on July 7th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - After a month of wet-hot sunshine the skies fell ominous over Spot Pond as the MDC Band swung and the politicians circled waiting for the flags to fly symbolizing the July 1 transfer of the 500-acre reservation from the MWRA to the MDC.
Fishing rods poked up from the crowd of Stoneham faithful camped out on the Botume House lawn, hot-pink Spadafora slush standing out from the gray background of clouds travelling down 93 South.
"This is just the beginning," said Steve Born, a member of the Spot Pond Committee. "Spot Pond is officially open for our enjoyment, but it is going to take time for all the amenities to shape up."
Boats for rent and picnic benches are on the way, and more trail landscaping is needed, but a few old canoes were queued at the shoreline, under the ready eyes of a bevy of rangers.
Among a long line of dignified speakers, State Senator Richard Tisei (R - Third Middlesex) recognized the efforts of Stoneham citizens.
"There has been a great local effort on the part of the selectmen, town administrator and, of course, the Spot Pond Committee," Tisei said.
Spot Pond Committee leaders Steve Sylvester and Tony Kennedy thanked MDC Commissioner David Balfour for his efforts, and Balfour in turn thanked MWRA Director Doug MacDonald.
The early evening event climaxed as three flags — American, Massachusetts, and MDC — were raised into a drizzly sky.
Apart from the ceremony two young girls were ripping yellow perch from the pond at a break-neck pace.
'The girls got 12 or 13 fish," said Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Dave Peters.
But Peters was pleased that the girls caught and released the slippery near-victims.
"Enjoy, fish, and relax," Peters said.
Tell that to the 2,500 fish stocked in the pond.
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