Selectmen Could Move to Fill Quarry

Trying to prevent people from swimming in a high-risk area, the selectmen may consider filling the Shadowbrook Quarry in the near future.

Monday night, the board voted to allow the police department to place “no trespassing” signs at the entrance of the quarry. The quarry, which is town property, leaves Milford at risk for liability if someone is injured or killed.

Taking the issue a step further, Chairman Brian Murray brought up a memo from October 2013 from state Rep. John Fernandes, highlighting the efforts by Quincy and Tewksbury to fill quarries in their communities.

“What I would like to see is either our town planner or engineer look into this and give us a memo on whether or not this is feasible to do in Milford,” he said, noting that the a construction project near Route 495 could be a source of material to fill the quarry.

Town Administrator Richard A. Villani said he has already had discussions with the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection about filling the quarries and hopes to have representatives from the department at a future selectmen meeting.

A popular, yet dangerous place to swim, the quarries of Milford have not been free of tragedy. Last year, an 18-year-old died after jumping into the Fletcher Quarry and police regularly find large groups of youths at the quarries.

Prior to the discussion, resident Jamie Wheelock expressed his support for the quarries to become swim at your own risk, telling the board that while the area has had tragedy in the past, so have other roads and portions of town.

While not agreeing with swim at your own risk, Selectman William Buckley asked town counsel to look into the liabilities involved with the practice.