Minutes
Critical Planning Committee
Bay/Pond Beaches Sub-committee
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Present:
CPC members, Joan Sullivan, Bob Smith; Volunteers, Ed Sedloch, Russ French
Ed Sedloch brought us up to date on the Thumpertown stairs. They are built but have needed several revisions. Thumpertown residents’ complaints were very effective in making necessary corrections. At this time the railing on the lower level still needs additional rails.
Bob Smith reported that Hyannis has declared all of its beaches non-smoking. Regulations will be self-enforcing as this time.
The group then discussed the current status of the Bay/Pond Committee. The Board of Selectmen has questioned non-CPC members serving on the committee and is considering appointing a Beach Advisory Committee or including beach management in a current committee.
It was the consensus of the group that our beaches are the most valuable resource of the town and that their oversight should be a major priority of the town. Beach management has become an important concern in the state of Massachusetts as officials realize how important they are to the economic life of the state. The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency have both issued guidelines for beach management. It is essential that the Bay/Beach Committee in some form continue in the future for the good of the town. It may be the right time to form a Beach Advisory Committee.
The next meeting of the Bay/Pond Committee will be Thursday, May 21st at 10 AM in the town hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Sullivan
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