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Home My WebLink About2010-07-08 . - o ::u rn Beach Management Advisory Committee land Bank Conference Room 8 July 2010 3:00 PM --1z O~> -..;; ...... .....j.:.~ ~-~ ---r"" ..-,;;,~ c:.... c:::: r- N W ~-- r~ r :::::" "'-:~i a o Members Present: Tom Dickson, Vice-chair, Tom Quigley, Kathleen Van lieu, and acting chair ~reen Beck; absent, Chris Magee ~,. r-; ....;', Guests: Chief of Police William Pittman and lieutenant Angus MacVicar Mrs. Beck convened the meeting at 3 PM. Since the primary issue to be discussed was the handling of the July 4th beach operations, she invited the officers to report their experience with the restricted traffic at Nobadeer and the attendance of beachgoers elsewhere on the island. Chief Pittman remarked that he was disappointed with the news coverage of the beaches in the I&M newspaper, most of which dealt with hearsay and misinformation rather than facts. His staff was pleased with the success of their traffic arrangements and oversight; however, he did point out that in order to accomplish their plan, the Police Department expended $15,000+ for 319 hours of staff overtime to cover the surveillance. He regretted that the restaurant at Madaket overreacted to the police coverage at that beach, claiming that they lost customers because the beach was closed. The Police did not close that beach but did try to limit crowd and vehicle traffic. He also believed that some Selectmen at the 80S meeting July 7 made critical remarks about the surveillance without having visited any of the locations. He appreciated the dumpsters and porta-potties provided by the Airport and hopes next year to have dumpsters for trash at all major beaches. Mrs. Van lieu motioned that BMAC write a letter to the 80S and the newspapers supporting the Police and other agencies that contributed to elements of the plan. Mrs. Beck and Mr. Quigley agreed that Madaket and the Surfside Association should also write in support. Mr. Quigley reported that Clean Team efforts both at Nobadeer and Madaket went smoothly and that the dumpsters and porta-potties supplied by the airport were greatly appreciated. The Chief added that fewer arrests were made this year than last. The Beach Manager, arriving late, also remarked that the holiday weekend went well thanks to the preparations ahead of time. Both he and the Chief agreed that the next step is to consider the crowd capacity each beach can carry at a given time. Besides Madaket and Smith's Point, Point of Breakers drew many vehicles on the 4, th which caused traffic jams on that beach at its narrow access point. Mr. Carlson reported that 40th Pole drew a number of families and that some vehicles had to be removed from parking in the No Driving Zone The Chief also announced that he was pleased with the new program for the summer specials, who serve as traffic and tourist guides throughout the island. He credited Officer Dan Mack for a fine job ottraining them. The Chief was surprised to hear the number of complaints about the tan color of their uniforms. Mrs. Beck thanked the Police officers for their report and assured them of BMAC's support for their work. In his report as Beach Manager Mr. Carlson stated that he thought the week-end operations went very well and that people were aware of the new beach regulations. He mentioned the tough current caused by riptides along the Surfside beaches which are treacherous for pulling some swimmers being out to sea. He also noted that Ms. laurinda leCain's letter asking for protection of her property abutting the Madaket Public Beach could not be helped because it was private property. Mrs. Van lieu recommended that Mrs. LeCain join the Madaket Conservation Association and seek help there. The Committee agreed to meet again on July 22 to compose the Annual Report and re-consider the schedule and function of BMAC meetings for the future. Mrs. Beck will speak to the Town manager for her advice on these issues. Mr. Quigley motioned to approve, with Mrs. Van lieu seconding, the Minutes of 17 June 2010. Mr. Quigley then motioned for adjournment, again seconded by Mrs. Van lieu, at 4:14 PM Respectfully submitted, with notes from Tom Dickson and Tom Quigley, Maureen Beck From Beach Management Advisory Committee Maureen Beck, Chair Tom Dickson Tom Quigley Kathleen Van Lieu Chris Magee July 9, 2010 -i::z: ~}> .-.;;:z ;;?~ ---I ,-., 1..::- . - o ':0 .~ 1" c:.... c:::: r- N w ~-~..; '::,':~, To: Board of Selectmen ~ o N o This letter is to connnend the Nantucket Police, the Town, AI Peterson and the Airport Connnission, the many volunteers of the ACK Clean Team and the Surfside Association for their work over this past 4th of July Weekend. Their cOmbined efforts mitigated the seriously detrimental effects from the increasing mayhem at Nobadeer over the last several years. Perhaps because of all these joint efforts to .raise awareness, most beach- goers did a good job of leaving only footprints. This Connnittee held public meetings with concerned local citizens, volunteer groups and Town departments during the year jointly working on a solution to the problems of gridlock on the beach and access roads, overwhelming crowds, parking issues, emergency accessibility and property destruction. With any group of that size, emergencies of various kinds inevitably happen for both the revelers and the residents. Local residents also have the need and right to access their homes and for their' property to remain unmolested. Our minutes clearly state who was present from several Town Boards and Departments discussing and agreeinj to the plans that were successfully and smoothly carried out over the weekend of the 4 by the Police Department. Contrary to some reports, no public beach was ever actually closed on the 4th <>f July weekend. Reaching capacity was the only limiting factor. At various times and places there was simply no room for more vehicles ~o park on the beach or the streets and roads in the vicinity. Nor was it deemed safe to allow vehicles to squeeze through a crowd of overlOOO party-goers to get to Smith's Point. The plan was to let the same number of people in as those who left and space became available. No one received special privileges. Police radio communications that speak of an area being "closed" were hearing a short-hand tenn used by police for managing traffic. We were disappointed that some members of the BOS capitulated to a few complaints that had not taken the entire situation into account. In addition, there are all the "opinion" rumors, like those on various blogs and internet sites, from people who may not have been at the beaches in question, nor seen last year's destruction and congestion. The Police Department executed perfectly the plan agreed to and authorized by the Board of Selectmen. It also continues to surprise this Coinmittee that so many locals and visitors still seem to think that Nantucket's beaches either are or "should be" open to the public for any use at any time. Most of Nantucket's beaches are privately owned, down to low mean tide. There was unfortunately one area near 40th Pole where illegal beach parking was blatantly flaunted on private property. Disrespectful behavior only runs the risk of limiting more beach access for everyone. In return for being allowed onto private beaches, the Town and all its citizens, visitors and sunnner residents have a responsibility to uphold our end of the bargain. Sincerely, Beach Management Advisory Connnittee