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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-09 - corrected SEP 24 '07 10:49 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, Johnson; Beach Manager Jeff Carlson Guests: Alesia Hamideh Sarah Gillespie Darcey D. Fisher Ginger Ivey Jeanne Hicks Tom 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 asked 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 William Pittman verified that 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 regarded time spent on the beaches with their dogs as important. She was representing a number 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 pets, not disdainful of them. 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? Chief Pittman stated that the law is year-round. While it is not strictly pursued unless complaint driven, 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. The occasions of concern often happen early in the season. Mrs. Beck explained that what Ms. Ivey probably heard this spring was that the Director of Parks & Recreation announced that no dogs could be on any public beaches. When he understood that there was no law enforcing his statement, he simply erected signs advising people to keep their dogs off beaches. Chief Pittman stated that the present law requiring a leash at all times 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 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. Beck observed 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 recommends and the Town Meeting votes to 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 ifleashed. Some members of 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 beaches in any season often let their dogs run at will behind their vehicles. 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 of-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 Chief for coming and offering helpful advice. The Chief replied that this was perhaps a time when the language should be loosened in order to help the police make a call on the behavior. The Chief also reminded the meeting that the decision to amend will be made by year -round residents, who are the voters. Mrs. Ray recalled that she had been involved some time ago in changing the regulation from "under control of the owner" to "on a leash" when dogs were bothering people anywhere on the island. Mrs. Beck thanked the guests for coming and thought that a fall meeting might be another opportunity for public comment. Mr. 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 ~ (. /: / ) ~ u /- /I", '-, ;./ ~.t-e-_.- ~ :...(.c' I' I / 'vi I rt /:. /' I v'../[/(. t.-(/'\.X- .J L 1--- - '-/\fc .. I LA.A.ZCf (J 7