Northampton officials renew push for courtesy at Mill River swimming spot

NORTHAMPTON — City officials are renewing their plea for visitors to the Mill River swimming hole near the Orange Dam to reduce noise, pack out trash and respect parking rules as summer recreation at the popular spot continues to generate complaints from nearby residents.

The privately owned dam, located in the Leeds section of Northampton, has served as a free swimming destination for families for decades. On Friday, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, Police Chief John Cartledge, Fire Chief Andrew Pelis and other department heads issued a joint statement outlining how the city is managing persistent problems including noise complaints and litter.

Permanent parking restrictions are now in effect on sections of Grove Avenue and Front, Florence and Main streets, with ticketing and towing as enforcement methods. The dam's owner, art and office supply company Chartpak, has contracted with a towing company to monitor its lots during non-operating hours.

Police Capt. Corey Robinson said dispatch receives "a fair number of calls" about littering and excessive noise at the recreational area, though no formal log is kept since the dam is privately owned. The city statement noted that Chartpak has made its dumpster available for trash removal and has committed to hiring police details to monitor the area on Saturdays and Sundays when officers are available.

Chartpak has also "entered into a contractual agreement with a towing company to monitor their lots," the officials wrote, and this approach "appears to be working."

Christina Sekaer, who has lived near the dam for about eight years, said instances of loud bass-centered music have decreased over the last six years, though motorcycles continue to use the nearby bike path and trash remains a problem. She noted that noise has been less severe so far this summer and that people are swimming without as much loud music. "If they're having fun, no problem," Sekaer said. "With the loud bass music, if we're in our house and close the doors, you can feel the vibration in your body. That is very frustrating, but there has been less of that so far this summer."

Sekaer added that motorists speeding on the bike path have concerned some neighbors enough that they no longer let their children walk there. She praised Chartpak's decision to place a dumpster in the area but said supervision or sanitation improvements would greatly help.

City Council President Rachel Maiore said she has received roughly three or four calls from residents complaining primarily of litter on the hottest days this summer, though complaints about loud music and littering have largely subsided since peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maiore noted that Chartpak has previously indicated its long-term intention to dismantle the dam, though the process is challenging and costly.

Maiore said an ideal short-term solution would be a river steward or non-police supervision to maintain safety and distribute trash bags. She argued that the Orange Dam's popularity as a free swimming spot reflects a broader problem of inequity in public facilities. "We do have to find a way so that people can use our lands while still preserving our waterways and protecting the peace of our neighbors," she said.

The city is exploring federal or state funding to create municipally owned and managed swimming and picnic areas on the Mill River or its tributaries. The Leeds Civic Association, a neighborhood organization, has also volunteered to monitor the area and speak with visitors about courtesy and cleanup.