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Home My WebLink About2006-08-03 Beach Management Advisory Committee Land Bank Conference Room 3 August 2006 4:00 pm Members Present: Torn Dickson, acting Chair while Maureen Beck is hospitalized; Edie Ray, Colin Leddy, John Johnson Guests attending: Jeff Allen, Andy Parada, Jamie Parada, Jim Manchester, Torn Quigley, Mary Adams, Brian Chadwick, Torn Jekanowski, Richard Ray, Allen Reinhard The Committee welcomed new member John Johnson. Mr. Dickson introduced the topic of discussion for the meeting: whether there should be eommercial use at Miacoment Pond as well as at other island ponds and their beaches or at their access points. Andrew Parada, 39 West Miacomet, spoke about other areas where kayaking is permissible now. Jim Manchester listed areas that are commercial now: Jetties Beach, the snack bar and Nantucket Community Sailing; Cisco, the surfing school; Access #2, another surfing school behind Bartlett's farm called Surfari; another surfing proposal which came into his office last week. Mr. Manchester does not believe that there should be more community activities like these. It's hard enough to control what we have now. The Town requires insurance for these ventures. Dave Fronzuto oversees kayak rentals now, and the Town requires that there be a chase boat for safety. We should do no more on the existing beaches nor create more to supervise. Jeff Allen sees more garbage on the beaches than ever. There are 52 possible locations on the South Shore, and he believes that commercialization would create more garbage/ people, etc. He echoes Mr. Manchester in saying that we need to take care of what we have now. We need to cherish our beaches. Mr. Dickson reiterated that we are here to talk about beaches as well as ponds. Jamie Parada said that the beaches and ponds on Nantucket are unique. He mentioned the Land Bank area at Miacomet Pond where parking at peak times is now encroaching on the plants. He wonders what impact commercialization would have. He said that the neighbors were environmentally conscious and that West Miacomet is a fragile area. Opening the door to commercial interests could lead to other business, such as hot dog stands, etc. Mr. Manchester, speaking as a private citizen, said there should be no more commereial ventures until we fix what we have now. He suggested that Kate Fee bid the next time the Francis Street Concession is available and that surfing school spots should be ~ out to bid also. -'1 c 1- :f'; V? rrt -0 I OJ (-' r" r- ;::3 a . , - Mr. Quigley said that, as President ofthe Surfside Association, he does not want any more commercialization of beaches. He also mentioned the need for a more rapid response to Nobadeer surfreseues. Mr. Manchester replied that he is looking at the use of jet skis for the lifeguards there. Torn Jekanowski, 64 Miacomet Avenue, said that he and his grandchildren use Miacomet Pond. In his eleven years on island he has seen many changes and is concerned that allowing commercialization would lead to opening Pandora's box; it could cause more than kayak rentals there. Mr. Quigley asked ifwe could discuss weddings and other events on the beach. Mr. Dickson replied that this was out of the discussion today. Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Reinhard to speak about Land Bank and Conservation Foundation opinions. He replied that both groups are strongly against any commercial use of their properties, and he is afraid that heavy use of ponds is foreign to the idea of open space. He wonders what benefit there is to such practices. Dollars for the Town in the form of permit fees but what little if any good for the public? Mary Adams identified herself as a kayaker and fisherman on all the ponds. She feels that large numbers of kayaks and people may not be compatible with the delieate balance of the nature of the ponds. She mentioned that she has observed skidoos in Clark's Cove Pond. The nature of ponds is not conducive to volume use, but people can rent them and take them to the pond of their choice. In the most recent Anglers Club pond cleanup a staggering amount of beer cans and other debris were collected. While she doesn't want to quash a new business, she thinks we need to protect our ponds. Richard Ray, 60 Miacomet Avenue, worried about environmental issues that could be associated with the eommercialization of ponds. Beach Manager Jeff Carlson stated his feelings are similar to Messrs. Manchester and Allen. We need to pull back and manage the beaches we have now before opening up any more places. Richard Ray reminded everyone that any programs we allow will grow, possibly including food stands. He expressed worry about the safety of inexperienced kayakers and did not see any positive factors for these renters. Mr. Manchester stated that ''Nantucket's already been sold. We don't have to sell it." Mr. Quigley praised the uniqueness of Nantucket as good; it should not try to become like other vacation places. Mr. Johnson, West Miacomet, noted that the BOS gave BMAC the task of presenting both sides of the question. But no one is here to speak in favor ofthis project. He heard a ' '" at first that people thought it was a good idea, but then when they thought more about the concerns, they changed their minds. Richard Ray also noted that because no one was present to speak in favor of the proposal, that fact spoke reams about the public's opinion. The meeting was well advertised, and supporters could have been present. Mr. Manchester remembered that at the BOS meeting Kate Fee had stated that if she was turned down on this proposal, then she would want to be involved as a bidder on any such project in the future. Edie Ray asked Selectman Chadwick what the next step of the BOS was in the light of BMAC's findings. Mr. Chadwick replied that once they get the findings they would make a ruling in about one week. Mr. Reinhard thinks it was a good idea that the BOS brought up the question, that it is important to be clear about public access to ponds, that the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is due out this fall and that BMAC may contact them with suggestions for the Plan, especially, with expanding the scope of its report on eornrnercialization to all ponds on island. Mr. Leddy concurred with all the points made regarding the issue. Mr. Quigley noted that the Town should oversee all the ponds as proprietor of these properties. These ponds are called the Great Ponds; that is unique, remarked Mr. Johnson. Mr. Parada agreed, cautioning that any changes may start small but always grow big; Nantucket is pastoral, not pre-fab, open space. Mr. Quigley wanted to know iflifeguards could use extra ATV's to get from Surfside to Nobadeer for rescues. Mr. Manchester answered that lifeguards are working with the ~VJJ4 ATV officers to the best oftheir ability. 'Mr.-hedrly askedjftbe P. TV' <I. ~ trl'ln~pert, , l1b.i lii-gJJards. No, Mr. Manchester replied, they can take no passengers. Mrs. Ray ~l ~.I. Jt. believes that swimmers expect to be rescued on any beach, not just the gUflfded ones. ~-...,,--~ Mr. Manchester cited a recent incident when a swimmer just rescued wanted to know ~ ~ when he could go back in. The public needs to be educated as to the riptides and currents.,.eA/ ~ ( _ and emergency signs at the water's edge. On heavy surf days the lifeguards walk the &~~ beaches to alert swimmers about dangerous conditions. Mr. Dickson thanked everyone for coming. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm. Next meeting: Thursday, August 10. Respeetfully submitted, with notes from Edie Ray, / .,' /fJ.. _ iJ_ i/ /tr~ aureen Beck, Chair