HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-07
Beach Management Advisory Committee
land Bank Conference Room
7 January 2010
3:00 PM
Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Tom Quigley, Kathleen Van Lieu, Chris Mag88j:z
off-island: Tom Dickson, Vice Chair, Beach Manager Jeff carlsi~ ;::R
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Guests Present: Town Manager Libby Gibson, Selectmen Michael Kopko, Chair, Patty 139~eveenJwice-
Chair, and Allen Reinhard, Harbormaster Dave Fronzuto, land Bank Director Eric Savetskv, Inde~dent
reporter Peter Brace . =:
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Mrs. Beck and Mr. Kopko convened the meeting of both Committees at 3 PM. Chairman Kopko
announced that BMAC was the logical next step to continue discussions about sharing the management
of some Town beaches with the land Bank. Selectman Reinhard, also a Land Bank Commissioner, saw
the possibility of better maintenance of certain Town beaches by the land Bank when beach properties
of both entities were in the same area.
Mr. Kopko foresaw that in the future the land Bank would probably be managing its properties more
than acquiring new ones as land became scarce. Mr. Savetsky noted that there were many questions as
to different beaches. A list of all the beaches needs to be compiled as well as a cost estimate for
maintenance, which would in some cases, like Point of Breakers and Smooth Hummocks, require more
staff. The question of ownership would also need to be addressed. Mr. Reinhard mentioned Muskeget
as a case in point. land Bank properties are very hard to divest.
Mrs. Gibson stated that Town funds for beach improvements are limited and depend on the income
from fees. Perhaps the Beach Management and land Bank staffs could meet to review the maintenance
issues for certain beaches. Mrs. Beck noted the multiple needs of the three Parks & Recreation beaches
which operate concessions with very limited maintenance personnel.
Mrs. Beck noted that BMAC had found eighteen agencies involved in some parts of beach management.
Parking and access are big items, stated Mr. Reinhard. Mr. Fronzuto stated that there is more to
managing beaches than picking up trash; there is beach driving, beach cleaning, now done by the
Marine Department, lifeguards, ATV police enforcement, and the question of division of management
among the different beaches.
Mrs. Beck asked how such a joint management affects the Beach Management Plan. Mr. Carlson replied
that there would be no real change. Mr. Fronzuto noted that 40th Pole Beach is divided into three
different management plans and it works. Mr. Magee asked what benefit is there to the Town to give
the beaches to t he land Bank. Mr. Fronzuto replied that the new ATV patrols will be sworn officers.
Mr. Kopko remarked that land Bank assistance could free up other resources for the Town.
Mrs. Beck asked if the next step in the discussions should be a meeting of the agencies now involved in
beach management. Mr. Carlson thought a meeting of them could occur in March perhaps. Mrs.
Gibson added that the Town has beach agreements with other private parties. Mr. Fronzuto suggested
that Mr. Carlson and Mr. Savetsky as the principals for their agencies look at the list of beaches and their
needs. Mrs. Gibson stated that the system as it stands does a good job.
Mr. Kopko agreed that there is no problem right now but perhaps we could improve the system. BMAC
should continue the study; the Beach Manager and the land Bank Director could use the GIS map and
make suggestions as to what actions could benefit both sides. Mrs. Beck noted that taking care of the
beaches is an important public image. The long term operation is important to me, stated Mrs.
Roggeveen.
At 4:00 PM Mrs. Beck thanked the Selectmen and guests for the combined meeting and convened a
separate meeting of BMAC members at that time.
Mr. Quigley moved approval of the Minutes of 10 December 2009 with Mr. Magee seconding and the
vote unanimous.
Mr. Carlson reported that the Harbor Plan has been passed and that Nantucket is now providing input
into the Ocean Management Plan. The Harbormaster is working on erosion of the banks, water quality,
especially in the ponds, and marine species for the Coastal Management Plan. Each of these three plans
operates within specific shoreline and offshore limitations.
Mr. Carlson does not believe the Florida case regarding beach accretion will affect Nantucket beach
ownership issues. He mentioned the new plan for sworn officers on ATV patrols, the steady revenue
from beach driving permits, and a draft of the new beach driving map scheduled for the next meeting on
February 4 at 3:00 PM.
Mrs. Beck asked for approval of the BMAC Mission Statement as the statement of the2009-2010 goals
plus Mr. Dickson's proposal to seek I&M coverage of summer beach schedules as a separate goal.
Mr. Quigley moved to adjourn with Mr. Magee seconding, and a unanimous vote at 4:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted, with notes by Tom Quigley,
Maureen Beck, Chair