Chatham Park and Recreation Commission
October 13, 2009
Chatham Community Center, 702 Main St., Chatham, MA
Members present: Michael Seidewand, Chairman; Joyce Reynolds, Vice Chair; Commissioners: Robert Dow and Meredith Fry.
Town Officials: Dan Tobin, Director of Parks & Recreation
Open meeting: Michael Seidewand called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Summer 2009 Lighthouse Beach report and recommendations: Commission discussed the Harbormaster’s report and recommendations. Joyce Reynolds asked Dan if he had input on the report. Dan told Commission it was compiled by the Town Manager, Fire Chief, Harbormaster and himself. Mike Seidewand asked who developed the report. Dan stated Stuart Smith wrote report and then reviewed by the Town group.
Joyce Reynolds motioned no wading beyond parked ATV which will be parked at the access to the point, no admittance, no one in water beyond ATV. Meredith Fry second. Commission approved 4-0.
Robert Dow motioned no entry, no wading in swim zone. Joyce Reynolds second. Commission approved 3-1.
Commission reviewed and voted on the following recommendations:
a. Increase the minimum manning requirement for the Lighthouse Beach Patrol crew from 4 to 6 persons. This will allow for the continued practice on lunch reliefs while maintaining a minimum of 3 patrol members on the beach and 2 patrol members in the Patrol Boat at all times. A second patrol member is needed on the Patrol Boat at all times elevate the overall readiness of the boat crew to safely and effectively retrieve persons in distress from the water and provide immediate medical care on scene, such as first aid and/or CPR. Outside of lunch reliefs, there will be 4 patrol members on the beach which not only further improve the overall coverage of the beach, but will also provide a second per son to help launch and operate the jet ski when needed. Commission discussed needing more personnel.
Robert Dow motioned for a half time person to cover breaks. Joyce Reynolds second.
Commission approved 4-0
b. Employ a third ATV as part of the Lighthouse Beach Patrol package. The ATV shall be equipped with the required rescue and first aid equipment as outlined in the Operation Plan.
Joyce Reynolds motioned to reject a third ATV. Robert Dow second the motion.
Commission approved 4-0
c. Mandate in the Operation Plan the use of orange cones at the south tip of Lighthouse Beach to provide a visible boundary for the public during periods of incoming tides.
Robert Dow motioned to accept. Joyce Reynolds second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
d. Prohibit the use of all inflatable devices at Lighthouse Beach and post clear signage indicating the same. Change the Parks and Recreation Department Beach regs to reflect the same.
Robert Dow motioned to prohibit inflatables at the entire Lighthouse Beach. Joyce Reynolds second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
e. Prohibit skim boarding in the no swim area at the south tip of Lighthouse Beach. Change the Park & Recreation Dept Beach regs to reflect the same.
Joyce Reynolds motioned to amend Park & Rec rules and regs to prohibit skim boarding in the no swim area. Robert Dow second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
f. Obtain a public safety exemption from the Cape Cod National Seashore regulations that prohibit the operation of a Personal Water Craft in the waters off Lighthouse Beach. Approval for the Beach Patrol crew to train and operate a Personal Water Craft legally in the waters off Lighthouse Beach is needed.
Commission supported to obtain a public safety exemption for CC National Seashore to allow operation of PWC at LHB.
g. Add a foam sponson collar system produced by Wing Manufacture to the jet ski to improve overall stability of the craft when operating in the surf. In addition the sponson collar system will make it much easier to retrieve a person in the water.
Commission tabled for discussion adding foam sponson collar system.
i. Replace the H-16 patrol Boat with a more suitable Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat whose configuration is better equipped to operate in surf conditions. Major deficiencies with the H-16 Boston Whaler are the lack of a dive door to retrieve persons in the water, flat boat hull design and excess age of boat (40 plus years).
Joyce Reynolds motioned not to support RHI. Commission had discussion. Robert Dow motioned to support and require a boat has no position on what type of boats this is Harbormaster’s decision. Joyce Reynolds second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
j. Obtain signage from National Marine Fisheries Service to educate and warn the public to not approach seals closer than 150 feet.
Commission supports 3-1.
k. Continue the production of educational brochures on the regulations and risks of Lighthoue Beach. Include in the brochure information on Lighthouse Beach parking regs and availability; Beach Patrol members inundated with questions regarding parking.
Joyce Reynolds motioned to support brochures with Dan Tobin checking with Cape Cod Tech for prices and getting financial support from CBI and Wequassett Inn.
l. Set regulatory spar swim buoys to mark the outer limit of where swimmers are allowed from the shoreline. With the Chatham harbor entrance channel proceeding parallel to the shoreline of Lighthouse Beach, keeping swimmers well clear of the channel and keeping boats well clear of swimmers is needed. A minimum of 8 buoys should be used to clearly mark the outer limit of where swimmers can safely proceed.
Robert Dow motioned to have spar swim buoys set boating buoys to mark the limit of boating channel for boaters. Mike Seidewand second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
m. The Porta Potties that were placed near the parking lot of Lighthouse Beach were not maintained properly and were often found n an unsanitary condition. Patrons of Lighthouse Beach often complained to the Beach Patrol crew about the deplorable condition of the Porta potties. Mid-way through the season the Beach Patarol crew was tasked with checking the condition of the toilets on a daily basis. While the crew complied, this clearly should not be the responsibility of the Beach Patrol crew and some other mechanism needs to be employed to monitor and improve the condition of the portable toilets. At a minimum it is recommended that from Memorial Day to Columbus Day each year there is 4 Porta Potties available at Lighthouse Beach that are pumped at least once daily and cleaned 2-3 times per day. From
Columbus Day to Thanksgiving there should be 2 Porta Potties at Lighthouse Beach that are pumped daily and cleaned at least twice daily.
Meredith Fry motioned for portable restrooms at LHB from Memorial Day to Columbus Day contingent on Dan Tobin’s report of trailer restrooms.
5. While the above recommendations will further improve the public safety posture of LHB, ther are similar water safety issues associated with the new North Beach Cut that require beach patrol resources. The water at the mouth of the new North Beach Cut can be treacherous, with inconsistent and unpredictable surf conditions and extremely strong currents. The North Beach Island, particularly the north end, remains a very popular location for boaters to anchor off or beach up to. In addition, hundreds of people are shuttled to North Beach on a daily basis by Chatham Bars Inn, Wequassett Inn, and the Beachcomber.
It is recommended that a patrolling ATV equipped with the required rescue and first aid equipment as outlined in the Operation Plan and operated by a two person Beach Patrol detail be positioned on North Beach during the same operatonal season and daily period as is required of the LHB Patarol.
Joyce Reynolds motioned not to support ATV personnel at North Beach cut. Meredith Fry second the motion. Commission approved 4-0.
Mike Seidewand motioned to allow Lighthouse Beach patrol boat via intervals every hour to visit North Beach inlet to enforce no swimming approximate time away from LHB is 15 minutes every hour. Meredith Fry second. Commission approved 4-0.
Joyce Reynolds would like to see increase and improvement in communications between Harbormaster and Park and Recreation Commission. Joyce would like to see information in writing.
Joyce Reynolds motioned for advice from Bill Hinchey how to improve interdepartmental/board communications between Harbormaster and Park and Recreation Commission. Mike Seidewand second. Commission approved 3-0.
Meredith Fry motioned for red or orange shirts for Lighthouse Beach patrol. Joyce Reynolds second. Commission approved 3-0.
Other Business: Dan Tobin discussed Valerie Twomey’s permission to use for yoga at Lighthouse Beach for the summer of 2010.
Joyce Reynolds motioned to allow Valerie Twomey’s yoga class at LHB with the fee of $1000.00 with the condition of absolutely no merchandise sales at the beach. Meredith Fry second the motion. Commission approved 3-0.
FY11 budget: Dan Tobin told Commission we are going forward with FY11 budget there is no addition to personnel and budget items.
Volunteer Park: Mike Seidewand asked Dan if it will be possible to build a walking track around Volunteer Park possibly 6 ft. wide and paved. Dan will work on a ball park figure for the next meeting.
The date for the next meeting is October 20, 2009
Meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helene Borges
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