HomeMy WebLinkAboutSiasconset Bluff Walk Public Access Site Visit Notes - June 1, 2010_201402041425428858
TOWN AND COUNTY OF NANTUCKET ‘SCONSET BLUFF WALK PUBLIC
ACCESS SUBCOMMITTEE TO THE ROADS AND RIGHTS OF WAY
COMMITTEE
DRAFT MEETING NOTES/SITE VISIT
June 1, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Harvey Young called the meeting to order at 4:15 on Tuesday, June 1 at
Nosegay Lane, ‘Sconset. In addition to Mr. Young, the following Subcommittee
members were in attendance: Rob Benchley, Bob Felch, Jeri Hicks, Frank
Holdgate and Joan Porter. D. Anne Atherton and Bert Ryder were not able to
attend. (Bert was moving a large home off the bluff.) Members of the public
included: Lucy Dillon, Linda Holland, Allen Reinhard and Lee Saperstein
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
The purpose of the meeting was to have a look see at the Bluff Walk and the east
west lateral ways from Nosegay lane to the north.
DISCUSSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
As our group of 10 headed north on the footpath we had informal conversations
in individual small groups and at times a majority of the procession would
gather at a way, a staircase or a yard where space allowed. Harvey Young
carried a crude map of the area to use as a guide. Rob Benchley and Jeri Hicks
took photos of the ways, the path and stairs and staircases to the beach. This
walkabout was very informative and lead to a number of questions.
The Path (Bluff Walk): How wide should it be? Who mows and or maintains it?
What about the vegetation? Some parts are across open lawns, others are
through magical, mini-coastal forest, some spots are tightly landscaped with
thorny rosa rugosa, others are left natural with a blend of potentially tick-
infested brush and grasses, poison ivy and colorful wildflowers. The surface of
the path is worn, rutted and susceptible to mud and puddling in some spots.
What of the stairs? There are a number of stairs to the beach. Some old, some
new, some wooden, some stone. Should we inventory the stairs and their deed
restrictions, if any? Some are accessible—open and welcoming, others are locked,
and some are posted “private”. Some are on Town land and others are on lots
that extend to the beach.
Walkabout/Site Visit/Meeting Notes 2
The ways in question are each unique and many have a variety of
encroachments. They range from clear and open to completely blocked and
obscure. Near the north end it was unclear where it is currently safe to pass and
where the path ends.
We adjourned near 6 o’clock.
Respectfully submitted,
Harvey Young
Secretary Pro Tem