Wilmington Residents Weigh In On Non-Resident Use of Silver Lake

On Tuesday, reader Scott B posted on the Wilmington Patch boards outlining an unpleasant experience his family had with some non-Wilmington residents at Silver Lake this summer.

Other readers chimed in with comments on the boards and on the Wilmington Patch facebook page on whether or not non-residents should be allowed at Silver Lake. Below are some of the responses we've gotten:

"I was thinking the same thing Paul. I was actually there with my granddaughter and it was so crowded with non-residents running around and swearing there was even a man on the beach smoking. I was so upset with the behavior that I have not been back since," reader Michelle Lynch.

"If anyone behaves that way at our beach, resident or not, they should be booted. This should be a safe, fun activity and the actions of some should not be allowed to ruin it for the rest of us," reader Suzanne Pooler.

"Raise the fee And also make sure it is collected,have police patrols come thru and monitor the crowds," reader Rick Walsh.

"I, for one, am not a Wilmington resident but I use that beach quite often, and have since I was a child. I have an argument. I do not agree non residents should not be allowed to use the beach. As I said, I have used that beach for quite a while, and I have never caused any issues, nor have the children I've attended the beach with. I do agree there are some "troublesome" people there, and it does get very frustrating, but I don't think it's fair that us that do "behave" should have to suffer for others actions. Although I don't agree with the actions of other people, its a little discriminatory the way these people are referred to. All in all, anyone should be allowed to use the beach, no one should have to suffer for the actions of others. Make tighter rules, enforce them, and don't make people suffer for the actions of others," reader Trisha Sweeney.

"I think $100 is a little steep but I do think that non-residents should be charged an amount to utilize our town beach and the parking. As residents we should be given a beach parking sticker & chips as "proof" of our residency. For anyone outside it would be fair to charge $25 to park plus then a charge to get in," reader Melissa.

"I live in Wilmington too. I really like this town, but please -- we have plenty of ne'er do wells of our own. I don't think increasing the existing nominal fee for non-residents is necessary. The rules need to be enforced better. If someone is behaving that badly they need to be told to leave. If they refuse, the police need to be called. That's all. Frankly, the "article" has an overwhelmingly racist tone to it. That is far worse than any of the behavior the writer describes," reader Maxine.

"Dennis B, I agree with that point, I think a big problem is a large group, any group..this sometimes causes more noise and crowding, etc. and can be overwhelming. I don't go to this lake for my own germophobe reasons but I wanted to add few comments: 1) There are lakes in Ma where you need a residency requirement, no outsiders allowed, if that's what town votes. 2) Why don't we ask the lifeguards their thoughts? They are there every day, they are observing much more keenly then some residents....the board should ask them," reader webmom.

"Recently, we had to call the police because there were squatters living on the grassy area by dog groomers!! They had actually pitched a tent and were sleeping there for several nights. Yikes," reader NP.

"I must say this; Andover closed Pomps Pond to non-residents due to overcrowding and the Lifeguards not being able to control those crowds. Because of the overcrowding of Pomps Pond it is now Closed due to high bateria levels. When was Silver Lake last tested? I think we need the results shown here," reader Stacie.

What do you think? Should non-residents be allowed at Silver Lake? Should there be a higher fee?