HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-09
Beach Management Advisory Committee
Land Bank Conference Room
9 August 2007
4: 00 pm
Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Tom Dickson, Edie Ray, Colin Leddy, John
Johnson; Beach Manager Jeff Carlson
Guests: Alesia Hamideh
Sarah Gillespie
Darcey D. Fisher
Ginger Ivey
Jeanne Hicks
T om Quigley
William Pittman
16D Amelia Drive
28A Killdeer Lane
15 Western Avenue
26 Fair Street
40 Liberty Street
35 Nobadeer
20 South Water Street
508-332-9766
508-228-2742
508-228-5421
508-228-8145
508-228-4862
508-228-1617
508-228-1212
Mrs. Beck convened the meeting at 4:00 pm. She announced that this was a public
meeting in which the Committee welcomed comments from those present pertaining to
dog issues on the beach, that during the winter and spring months of this year numerous
complaints had come to the Town about dogs on the beaches without leashes, soiling the
beaches, and unlicensed. At the request of the BOS the Committee was asking for input
from the public to send to the BOS. She provided the guests with a copy of the dog
ordinance as specified in the Beach Management Plan.
The Minutes of 26 July 2007 were unanimously approved. Mrs. Beck then opened the
public comment part of the meeting.
Police Chief William Pittman verified that many complaints about dogs littering,
unleashed, and behaving in an aggressive manner, had been sent to the Town offices.
Ms. Fisher believed that such behavior occurred mostly on weekends. People regardeq.
time spent on the beaches with their dogs as important. She was representing a num~
of friends who agreed with her but could not be present. She believed that "most dog >-,
owners were trying to be responsible with their pets' behavior. She was a lover of pe~
not disdainful of them. ::J
Ms. Gillespie noted that people were even getting tickets in less populated areas and were
told more than once to use a leash. Do dogs require leashes in November? ChiefPitt~
stated that the law is year-round. While it is not strictly pursued unless complaint driv~,
the police will follow up on a complaint and always look for a leash or an assurance that
the dog is under control.
Ms. Ivey was confused about the law. She had heard that no dogs could be on the
lifeguarded beaches at all. That is true; that law has always existed. The occasions of
concern often happen early in the season. What you heard this spring was a hurried
attempt by the Director of Parks and Recreation, who announced that no dogs could be on
the beaches at all. When he understood that there was no law enforcing this statement, he
simply erected signs advising people to keep their dogs off beaches.
Chief Pittman stated that the present law had been passed by the BOS at a time when the
population on the beaches was increasing and loose dogs were causing problems.
Ms. Ivey asked what was wrong with a well-trained dog walking at heel unleashed by his
master's side. The Chief replied that they still need a leash. What about tossing a ball or
a toy to a dog to fetch on the beach. If the owner is in control of the dog's behavior and
brings the dog to heel, that indicates responsibility. Ms. Hicks reminded the meeting that
Nantucket is supposed to be a dog-friendly island. She is responsible about her dog's
behavior. Can't the bad behavior be policed without putting the restrictions on the
responsible owners?
In response to a complaint about the suddenness and poor timing of the meeting, Mrs.
Beck responded that the meeting had been advertised each week in the paper for a month
and that people who were unable to come could send a message with friends, as some had
done with the guests present, or send a comment in writing to the Committee. This time
is the regular weekly meeting for the Committee.
Mrs. Ray observed that the time of this meeting is its regular weekly schedule, that the
Committee welcomes such inquiries so that it can advise the public of regulations they
may not know. If the public feels the law needs to be changed, there are ways to enter a
Warrant Article at Town Meeting for changing the law. BMAC does not make the
decisions. The BOS recommendations and the Town Meeting votes pass the laws.
BMAC merely takes the information from these open hearings and submits it to the BOS
for its consideration. Should the BOS think the law should be changed, there is the
opportunity for further comment at another public hearing before the proposed changes
are submitted for the vote at Town Meeting.
Self-policing is very important, Chief Pittman noted. Perhaps a phrase should be added to
the law so that the police could make the judgment of the dog and the owner's behavior
without necessarily having the dog leashed. However, a dog in the dunes or sequestered
spaces is a big problem and cannot be excused even if leashed.
The Committee noted that the very large increase in population on island of people and
pets calls for some controls to protect the environment. Having the animals under control
IS necessary.
Guests asked who are the people who complain? Summer residents? Tourists? There are
many complaints, coming in at all times of the year. People who drive on the beaches in
any season often let their dogs run at will behind their vehicle.
Mr. Quigley asked about a property owner playing with his dog on his own beach. As
long as the pet is kept on his territory, that is permitted.
Is there going to be another meeting scheduled for off-season? There would no doubt be
hundreds of people who would attend then. Only summer people are here today. Mrs.
Beck said that BMAC would submit its report to the BOS and see what they say.
Probably an off-season meeting would be useful. Perhaps there would be some interest
in changing the phrasing of the law, which, of course, would oblige the owner to be more
responsible.
Mrs. Ray recommended that the guests visit Geronimo's and get a copy of Mrs. Jaeger's
Op-Ed column in the I&M about dog restrictions; it was clear and in favor of the
restrictions to protect the health and safety of both pets and beachgoers.
Mr. Dickson thanked the Chieffbr coming and offering helpful advice. The Chief replied
that this was perhaps one time when the rules should be loosened in order to help the
police make a call on the behavior. The decision to amend will be made by year-round
residents, who are the voters. Mrs. Ray recalled that she may have been involved some
time ago in changing the regulation from "under control of the owner" to "on a leash"
when dogs were bothering beachgoers.
Mrs. Beck thanked the guests for coming and thought that a fall meeting might be another
opportunity for public comment. Me Leddy supported this remark
Mrs. Beck will put together a draft of a report of this meeting for the BOS and bring it for
discussion at next Thursday's meeting, 16 August. The meeting was adjourned at 5: 15.
Respectfully submitted, with notes from John Johnson,
Maureen Beck, Chair