HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-28
Beach Management Advisory Committee
Land Bank Conference Room
28 September 2006
4:00 pm
Members present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Edie Ray, Colin Leddy, John Johnson; Beach
Manager Jeff Carlson; Selectman Brian Chadwick; Guest Tom Quigley
The meeting convened at 4:05 pm, and the Minutes of21 September 2006 were
approved.
The Beach Manager reported that there is no one on the beach, that the summer beach
along the south shore is already changing, and that he is taking photos to be used in the
new edition of the Beach Driving brochure.
Mrs. Beck reported on the discussion ofthe 'Sconset Beaeh Nutrition Project at the 27
September meeting of the BOS. Except for the number of islanders who showed up to
protest the project, the discussion was deemed senseless because the project has yet to
apply for permits and a hearing by the Conservation Commission.
Mrs. Ray reported that plover signs are still posted on Low Beach. She asked if Mr.
Carlson could provide the number and the location of wedding and party permits he
receives. He agreed to do so. She will present a draft of the Party map for next year once
she receives this information.
A further discussion of the Beach Driving map ensued. The issue of unleashed dogs on
the beaches continues to be a difficult one. Leashing is a by-law and should be enforced
at all times of the year. Drivers do not always read such information on the back ofthe
map. Mr. Carlson suggested a notice on the map side directing drivers to read what is
printed on the back so that they cannot claim ignorance ofthe laws. Mrs. Ray asks that
the leash law be put in red on the map and that BMAC request the BOS to consider re-
defining the law for clearer enforcement. The discussion became so lengthy that Mrs.
Beck asked to table this issue until the final discussion on October 26 since agreement on
the issue could not be reached.
Mr. Chadwick opened the discussion of possible commercial usage of private property to
which the Town has been granted easements. Should the Town expect to use the
property for events or gatherings beyond the customary public access, i.e., walking,
fishing, fowling, and sitting? The BMAC Plan specifies that any public usage must have
the owner's permission, that it is different from property owned by the Town. Mr.
Quigley is composing an amendment to the BMAC Plan which will make clear that there
is a distinction between the two kinds of property and that the owner's permission is
required for all requests. The owner himself, however, needs no permission to do what
he wants on his own property.
Mrs. Ray referred to the conservation entities that do not allow commercial usage on their
lands, only public access. While the Town is trying to negotiate a one-size-fits-all
easement for private properties, it will not thereby acquire ownership, which remains
with the owner. There is no such language in the Plan now permitting or restricting
commercial use; therefore, something needs to be added. Mrs. Ray hopes that BMAC
will recommend to the BOS a Public Hearing and a vote to amend the Plan with a clear
statement about the usage, which Town Counsel should approve.
Mrs. Beek thanked Mr. Chadwick and the Committee for their lengthy discussion of the
issue and welcomed a motion to adjourn at 5:30 pm.
The Committee will take up the issues of the brochure and the BOS request again at the
next meeting. Because of absences for hospitalizations and family commitments, which
would not allow a quorum, the Committee will not meet again until October 26.
R.. e~~~tfullY submitt~~with notes from John Johnson,
.. /~~&eA-_
Maureen Beck, Chair.