HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-7-14Beach Management Advisory Committee 14 July 2011
BOS Conference Room, Town Building 3:00 PM
Members Present: Maureen Beck, Chair, Tom Quigley, Kathleen Van Lieu, Chris Magee, Diane Lang;
Natural Resources Coordinator Jeff Carlson; Ex Officio: Tom Dickson
Guests: Chief of Police Pittman, Police Lt. MacVicar
Mrs. Beck convened the meeting at 3:01 PM and welcomed new member Diane Lang and Kathy Van
Lieu, entering a second term. She then welcomed Chief Pittman and Lt. MacVicar and asked for heir
observations on the July 4`h holiday weekend events. ~
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Both officers reported most of the beaches enjoyed amiable visitors. A washover at Smith's Point
stranded some vehicles temporarily. Nobadeer Beach challenged the officers and neighbors with
enormous crowds, alcohol abuse, and litter despite its narrow shoreline. The Police were able to
contain the beachgoers, most of them of legal age, and carded others for underage possession of
alcohol. They were also able to stop vehicles well back on the roads in order to limit parking near the
beach and prevented alcohol from being carried onto the site. They were able to confiscate a
considerable amount of alcohol from reaching the beach. They were also able to limit the number of
vehicles which tried to get on the beach (only 30) because of the large crowds occupying the area. Chief
Pittman plans to allow no cars on that beach next year. Broken glass, not allowed on the beach, loud
stereos, and some vehicle damage added to the problems. The final clean-up on July 4 took ninety
minutes with 20 volunteers and Town personnel assisting.
The Chief observed that social networking among the crowds instigates the large crowds seeking
unfettered partying. He referred to one merchant, Jack Wills in England, who throughout the year
publicizes the island for such events in his blog, "What's Up, Tucket?". He and Mr. Carlson discussed
with Wills by phone the troubling effects of his encouragement of the partygoers here. Mr. Wills
promised to get this issue under control in the future. The Chief and the Committee deplored the
admission of 78 people to the hospital, some with alcohol poisoning, and the strain on the entire
hospital staff to accommodate them.
The Chief declared that there was no way to prevent the exorbitant use of alcohol on the island, that
there was little support for tight restrictions on its consumption. However, the polite but firm behavior
of the police in carding underage people and confiscating alcohol going onto the beach deterred the
beachgoers from going elsewhere; they felt safe on the beach within the limited restraints imposed on
them. To try to crackdown any further requires money and accommodations and buses and cabs and
extra off-island police which we cannot afford. Provincetown has a similar problem.
Perhaps concentration on a calm demeanor and trash pick-up as each beachgoer leaves will help the
problems. Mr. Carlson suggested that souvenir tee-shirts and bus passes to Town be offered to those
who help with the trash pick-up. Chief Pittman would like trash pick-up at the end of each day of a
holiday event.
The Chief does intend to confront the several package stores on island with their responsibility in this
issue. The best way to end the huge gatherings is to ignore them except that nearby residents need
protection. Perhaps holding a Public Hearing would provide input and pinpoint the concerns, keeping in
mind that we want people to enjoy the beaches, not harm them.
Mrs. Beck thanked the officers for their thoughtful remarks. She then called attention to the August 11
meeting which will deal with the Annual Report for 2010-2011 due on September 30. She will also ask
the BQS to join that meeting for discussion of next year's holiday events.
Ms. Lang asked for opinions of the members regarding a sponsored rather than an open public event so
that the responsibilities could be deflected to an organization rather than to the Town. While different
opinions were raised, the question was not resolved.
Members Beck, Dickson, and Van Lieu approved the Minutes of 9 June 2011 with two abstentions,
Quigley and Magee. The meeting was adjourned at 4:25, with Tom Quigley's motion, seconded by Chris
Magee.
Respectfully submitted, with notes from Kathleen Van Lieu,
Maureen Beck, Chair
Beach Management Advisory Committee Agenda, 14 July 2011
BOS Conference Room, Town Building 3:00 PM
Welcome to Diane Lang {new member) and Kathleen Van Lieu (second term)
Approval of Minutes June 9, 2011
Lt. MacVicar re: July 4`h week-end review
Jeff Carlson, Natural Resources Coordinator, re: beach management and wildlife issues
Old Business
New Business
Annual Report 2010-2011 due September 30
Next Meeting: August 11, BOS Conference Room
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