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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-31 ~ -4 -::. o Beach Management Advisory Committee Land Bank Conference Room ;~€ 31 May 20OY' 4:00 p.rn. t ~ Z N -J Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Edie Ray, Colin Leddy, John Johnson Special Guest: Former Committee Member Ken Kassen :::::> ',,0 ~ Mrs. Beck convened the meeting at 4:10 p.m. The members approved unanimously the Minutes of24 May 2007. The Beach Manager, delayed at another meeting, sent a written report. There are three plover pairs at Jetties. The first two pairs are scheduled to hatch next week. The Esther Island fence has been installed. Phase 2 will follow over the next two weeks as I coordinate the work with the Land Bank crew, who begin vehicle fencing and parking lot openings next week. The shore bird cooperators group has begun its regular meetings again. The Town's bird monitors will begin their watch next week as well. There have been complaints about driving in the 40th Pole area. There are a number oftire tracks there, but nothing out of the ordinary. The fencing, once installed, may help. Two eighth graders have been with me as part of the school's job shadowing program. They got to see a morning in the life of the Town of Nantucket Beach Manager. I apologize for my recent absences from BMAC meetings. It can be tough to coordinate the number of meetings and events to start up the season and not have them overlap other regular meetings. There have not been any major problems in the last few weeks, but regular business at the end of May to the beginning of June is always a little crazy. Mrs. Beck referred to the Town Manager's reply hoping for an August meeting when she has returned from a course at Harvard. The stir about keeping dogs off the beaches has continued to draw angry responses. Both the Chief of Police and the Beach Manager are annoyed at the sudden announcement by the Director of Parks & Recreation and are concerned about a possible backlash. There is no enforcement in the By-Law as written. The Town Manager has asked that any signs simply request no dogs on beaches. A number ofletters to the Parks & Recreation and Beach Management agencies regret that the poor behavior of a few dog owners with their pets ruins the privilege for all. Discussion of ways to inform the public of such issues followed; suggestions included a regular news bulletin from certain Town Departments alerting islanders to developing issues, like illegal ATV's, dogs, beach closings, etc. , The members then discussed what issues needed more outreach to the public. The Beach Manager gives talks to the students at the schools to educate them about beach concerns. BMAC regularly has a public hearing at least once a year to air issues. Last year's hearing in August brought forward considerable interest in opposing commercial activity on pond beaches. The Committee agreed to try another hearing this August, perhaps regarding dogs. Summer people can participate in these issues at that time also. Other observations by members were: Because ofthe erosion ofthe beach at Miacomet East members requested that signs be posted at Point of Breakers to discourage drivers from going further westward. Debris from the Sconset bluff is still washing up on the shores. The development of the subdivision at Eel Point West next to the access to 40th Pole may cause some friction for the public usage. Mrs. Ray spoke about the constant trouble being caused by boats and vehicles ignoring the fenced-offbird nesting areas, especially in her station at Coatue, where there are four pairs of plovers as opposed to only one last year. She is getting some volunteer help from the Big Brother/Sister group. Intruders are also coming on to the beach at Quidnet and heading for Great Point near the nesting areas. The Transportation Planner at the Planning Board commented that the Board was building all the easy bike paths first. The members worried about this decision, stating that the Hummock Pond path, admittedly more difficult, was the one needed most at present for access to Cisco beaches. Mrs. Beck requested that for next week's meeting the members bring lists ofthe accomplishments ofthe Committee for this past year in order to prepare for the Annual Report. It is also important to make lists of where money should be allocated to improve the beach operations. The next meeting will be June 7 at the usual time. Respectfully submitted, with notes from John Johnson, Maureen Beck, Chair.