Chemical use in lake rejected

The Natick Board of Health voted last week to oppose the use of chemicals to treat the invasive weed milfoil that is growing in Lake Cochituate.

After reviewing a report prepared by an independent consultant, the board advised against going forward with the state's plan to use chemicals in the lake.

The report by Dr. Warren Lyman, who specializes in the transport of chemicals in the environment, stated that residue from the chemicals would seep into the wells that feed from the lake. Based on that information, members said they could not support the state's plan, said Roger Wade, Natick's health director.

''You'd be deliberately introducing a contaminant into the water supply that has no place to be there," Wade said. ''We agree the weeds are a problem but the public health has to take precedence."

JENNIFER FENN LEFFERTS