HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-17
Beach Management Advisory Committee
land Bank Conference Room
17 September 2009
4:00 pm
Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Tom Dickson, Tom Quigley, Kathleen Van lieu;
Beach Manager Jeff Carlson
Guest: Dr. Sarah Oktay, Executive Director, UMass Field Station, Polpis
Mrs. Beck convened the meeting at 4:00 pm and welcomed Dr. Oktay. Mrs. Beck gave her a copy of
BMAC's goals and Mission Statement and asked for her suggestions for the Committee. Mr. Carlson
noted that the Harbormaster's Department and Dr. Oktay had a good relationship.
Mrs. Beck reviewed briefly the history of the Committee, and Mr. Carlson pointed out that its original
goal was to develop and write a Beach Management Plan for the island.
Dr. Oktay first urged BMAC to extend its web site listing to locations beyond the Marine Department, to
the Civic league, the Town, and any others where information about the Committee would be
pertinent. She advised further that the website needs to be updated frequently, with Minutes, changes
in schedules and policies. A link for comments would also be useful as would an e-mail address and the
dates and times of meetings. Equally important would be a link to the Beach Driving Map and its text.
This winter, she thought, would be a good time to move that project forward with the Mission
Statement.
Dr. Oktay commended the efforts of the Committee in spurring on Clean Team volunteers all over the
island. The beaches are much cleaner this year because of their steady activity. Mr. Carlson says he is
getting more complaints about trash barrels overflowing than about random litter everywhere. Mrs.
Beck mentioned the reorganization of the 4th of July clean-ups at Nobadeer Beach to event status
requiring more vigilance this year and in the future. Dr. Oktay is also searching for small containers to
collect monofilament fishline and nets which litter the beaches and waters.
Both Dr. Oktay and Mr. Carlson expressed opposition to raking beaches as part of the clean-up program.
The practice removes habitat, is costly, endangers the plovers, and churns up sand which eliminates
compaction of the beach and prevents dune grass from growing. Mrs. Van lieu asked how much money
could be saved if the practice was discontinued. Mr. Quigley stated that the raking did pick up glass and
plastic bottles from the beaches. Mr. Carlson stated that the raking should be more selective as to the
sites and the time of the work. Mr. Dickson suggested the Clean Teams rake. Mr. Carlson and Dr. Oktay
stated that permits are required for beach raking. They doubt if the Town or Mr. Powers has a permit
at all.
Dr. Oktay spoke about the ponds. There is growing concern that opening them is not beneficial. BMAC
has only an interest in what happens to pond beaches. She is interested in testing the water quality of
the ponds, each of which has a different composition. Because the Town owns the ponds, the State DEP
cannot intervene or oversee problems. But the Town, Mr. Carlson noted, does not have a good plan and
no State help for oversight. Dr. Oktay suspects that pond fish have a high degree of mercury.
Dr. Oktay asked for signage on the beaches and at beach accesses which provide more careful
information regarding stranded mammals, beach driving, and dune protection. How about a kiosk to
provide such information at each beach? asked Mr. Quigley. One item Dr. Oktay would like to see on
beach signs is the elimination of all glass on beaches. Most public beaches insist upon this practice. She
would also like more riptide information even though Mr. Carlson pointed out that it is already posted.
The Committee thanked Dr. Oktay for coming and moved on to the Beach Manager's Report.
Mr. Carlson noted that the lifeguards were gone, that this summer there were no fatalities at the
beaches, that there were twenty-eight rescues in a span of seventy more beach days than last year.
During the stormy summer weather beach equipment, especially lifeguard stands, were badly damaged.
The Polaris rescue ATV has not performed well and may be swapped for another model. He has set up
an on-line survey for the lifeguards to evaluate the summer operation. He also reported that he has
entered an agreement with the High School wood-working classes to build ten new lifeguard stands for
next summer's use.
Mr. Carlson further noted that the endangered species counts were down this summer as were the sales
of beach stickers. He anticipates that an October meeting of Town agencies involved with beach
operations will take place.
Mrs. Beck circulated a letter from the Town Administrator reviewing BMAC's submission of goals for
2009-2010. She asked that the next meeting study the letter and develop a response to it. Mr. Carlson
remarked that it is also time to review the Beach Driving Brochure. The members voted to meet next on
October 15 at the same time and place to discuss these items.
Mrs. Beck asked for approval of the Minutes of 3 September 2009, which Mr. Dickson moved, Mr.
Quigley seconded, and all approved.
Mr. Quigley motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Van lieu, at 5:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted, with notes from Tom Quigley,
Maureen Beck, Chair