Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission
June 22, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Town Hall, Chatham
Members Present: Michael Seidewand, Chair; Joyce Reynolds, Vice Chair; Meredith Fry,
and Ira Seldin
Members Absent: Mike Ryder
Staff: Dan Tobin
Others: Members of the Board of Health, Tim Wood, Stuart Smith and members of his staff; Bob Hamblet; Florence Seldin, David Whitcomb
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mike Siedewand
Item 1: Lighthouse Beach
A. Brochures
There was discussion about the distribution of educational brochures regarding safety and swimming on Lighthouse Beach. 10,000 brochures have been printed. The brochures were not received in time for Memorial Day Weekend distribution so Stuart Smith had a small supply of brochures printed locally. Dan Tobin reported that the brochures have now been distributed to lodging establishments and tour boat captains who take passengers to North Beach Island. There are sufficient brochures remaining to re-stock businesses and tour operators during the summer.
Meredith Fry asked about who is responsible for continuing distribution efforts. Dan Tobin indicated that businesses call him if they need additional brochures.
MOTION: Meredith Fry made the following motion, seconded by Ira Seldin: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission requests that staff conduct a mid-season check by August 1, 2010 to determine if all businesses and tour boat operators have sufficient supplies of the brochure.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0
Other brochure recipients were suggested:
• Chatham Beach Chairs which rents kayaks and paddle boards. Dan Tobin agreed to deliver brochures to that business.
• Outermost Harbor Marine
MOTION: Meredith Fry made the following motion, seconded by Ira Seldin: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission requests that brochures be delivered to Outermost Harbor Marine.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0.
Mike Seidewand suggested that the brochure preparation, editing, and review by all boards (Parks & Recreation Commission and the Board of Health) be completed by May 1, 2011 in order to avoid printing delays as occurred this year. Bill Broman of the Board of Health suggested that the brochures should be dated each year.
B. Signage on North Beach Island and Lighthouse Beach
Mike Seidewand asked if the current level of signing is sufficient on North Beach Island. Stuart Smith indicated that it is a large area so more signs could be used, however, the Town has recently spent $1,500 on signs for this summer. There are four large signs near the new cut at the north end of North Beach Island and eight smaller “no lifeguard” signs placed around the island.
MOTION: Meredith Fry made the following motion, seconded by Ira Seldin: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission receive bi-weekly reports on incidents occurring in the area of the new cut with copies also sent to the Board of Health.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0.
C. Tour Boat Operators
Ira Seldin read a portion of a memorandum from the Town Manager to the Parks & Recreation Commission which addressed issues about a breakdown in communications between the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Harbormaster. He also read a portion of the Parks & Recreation Commission minutes from the February 23, 2010 meeting where Stuart Smith had agreed to change the Town Landing Regulations to require a sign-off from ferry operators using town landings and a motion was made to request that Stuart Smith require all ferry operators to sign off on an educational requirement regarding beach safety. Stuart Smith was not at the February 23 meeting and the information/request was not properly communicated to him.
Dan Tobin stated that much of the blame for the communication breakdown was his. In continuing discussion it was agreed that all Commission motions should be related by the Chair to the Town Manager so that he is aware of requests being made. It was also noted that many of the motions being made and passed have an impact on other departments and on departmental budgets so they need to be funneled through the Town Manager.
Ira Seldin asked about the follow-up/communication with tour boat operators. Stuart Smith indicated that safety education had been discussed at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting and tour boat operators have been provided with information on the same basis as last year. Each boat operator has a laminated copy of the brochure and a supply of brochures to provide to passengers.
Stuart Smith indicated that the tour boat operators have very willingly complied with requests to educate their customers and to land their boats in areas deemed safe by the Harbormaster. He added that a requirement to have the boat operators “sign off” on an agreement to provide information to their passengers would need to be part of the Parks and Recreation Regulations.
There was additional discussion about where boats could land on North Beach Island and whether boats coming from the Wequassett Inn in Harwich would fall under the purview of Parks & Recreation Regulations. Enforcement of a designated landing requirement was also discussed. Stuart Smith indicated that he could enforce a Parks & Recreation Regulation if given the authority to do so, but he questioned the need for a formal regulation as boat operators were complying voluntarily to requests to land in certain areas and to educate their passengers.
Joyce Reynolds said she was primarily concerned about where passengers could be dropped off. Stuart Smith said they operators have responded to requests to avoid the north part of North Beach Island. A specific area or areas could be designated if needed.
MOTION: Joyce Reynolds made the following motion, seconded by Meredith Fry: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission officially designate a drop-off spot, to be determined by the Harbormaster, for tour boat operators to drop their clientele and officially close the cut as a drop-off location.
Discussion:
Bob Hamblet, who captains a boat for the Beachcomber Tours, indicated that there are some problems a low water and suggested that several areas could be identified for use during varying conditions. Stuart Smith agreed that two or three locations could be designated as drop-off spots to avoid problems related to tide changes.
Bob Hamblet added that designation of specific drop-off points could help avoid congestion from other recreational boaters if they would avoid anchoring in the drop-off zones.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0.
MOTION: Joyce Reynolds made the following motion, seconded by Meredith Fry: That the Parks & Recreation Commission authorize the Harbormaster to communicate the closing of the cut for landing purposes to tour boat operators.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0.
Joyce Reynolds requested that Mike Siedewand, Chair, communicate CP&RC directives in writing to the Town Manager.
Florence Seldin encouraged the Commission to communicate these requests to the Town Manager so that he is aware of Commission requests.
C. Lighthouse Beach Operational Plan and Communication
Stuart Smith had provided copies of the Lighthouse Beach Operational Plan dated June 9, 2010. He indicated that changes have been highlighted for easy identification.
Ira Seldin questioned the recent report in the Cape Cod Chronicle citing a “readiness gap” regarding North Beach Island. There was brief discussion regarding the need for staff to support recommendations made by the Parks & Recreation Commission and to avoid negative publicity about beach safety and operations.
Stuart Smith stated that the newspaper had contacted him for information and that it is important for the Commission and the public to be aware that there is a readiness gap. Meredith Fry questioned whether the beach or the water should be guarded; Stuart Smith indicated that funding is not available for additional boats but that some presence and life-saving equipment on the beach is better than having none.
Ira Seldin indicated that common sense must be used due to the vast areas included in Chatham’s beachfronts. The plan needs to be supported by staff.
Bill Broman of the Board of Health added that Town Council has advised that the more you do to protect, the more liability you incur. Signs identifying “no swimming” areas are adequate.
There was review of the Operational Plan which included the following information:
• Page 2 #3 – adds information about additional equipment and staff provided in 2009. There were no changes requested.
• Page 3 #5 – Information was added about one fatality on the beach as a result of a heart attack. There was discussion about whether to include this and other references to fatalities and/or whether more information should be included citing the success of the 2009 summer season. In discussion, Stuart Smith indicated that there is a “post report” which provides information about the success of 2009 season. He added that the Operational Plan is for internal use only and is not intended to be a public relations resource. Stuart Smith agreed to re-send the “post report” to the Parks & Recreation Commission members.
• Page 3 #8 – Information about shark activity has been added – no changes were requested.
• Page 5 #6 – A sentence has been added indicating that a letter has been sent to the National Seashore Superintendent seeking an exemption from the jet ski prohibition for patrol and life-saving purposes.
• Page 5 #7 – A patrol boat will be manned by two people rather than one as was the plan last year; a rigid hull inflatable boat has been funded in the FY 11 budget.
• Page 4 #8 – A sentence is added allowing the Beach Supervisor to reassign staff to the patrol boat during lunch relief periods if conditions warrant.
• Page 6 #9e – A sentence has been added to the “red flag system” relative to the sighting of sharks in or around the waters of Lighthouse Beach.
• Page 6 #10 – A sentence has been added about the southern end of Lighthouse Beach: Beach goers will be allowed in the area for recreation on the beach but will not be allowed to enter the water at any depth. There was discussion of the intent of this prohibition to entering the water. Meredith Fry indicated that the primary concern relates to people being on the sand bar at rising tide. Michael Seidewand suggested that common sense should prevail and staff should allow wading except on the sand bar during incoming tides. Stuart Smith will revise this statement for additional review and discussion by the Commission.
Stuart Smith stated that we are trying to serve a diverse community and have developed a good plan for good operation of the beach.
The meeting was temporarily suspended and continued in Conference Room A on the main floor of Town Hall in order to accommodate another meeting which was scheduled to be televised.
• Page 6 #11 - No inflatable/floatation devises, with the exception of wake boards, will be allowed in waters open to swimming at Lighthouse Beach. It was suggested that “wake boards” be changed to “skim boards.”
• Page 6 #12 – Swim buoys will be added to mark the outer limit of where swimmers are allowed. There was no change requested.
• Page 7 #16 – Pubic Education – brochures will be provided in rack on the beach. There was no change requested.
• Page 7 – 18 – The Board of Health was added to the distribution list for written reports about Lighthouse Beach operations. There was brief discussion about reporting and it was generally agreed that the system used last year worked well. Information about North Beach Island is to be added to the report. Mike Seidewand suggested that the Commission be informed of any “incidents” immediately rather than waiting for a bi-weekly report.
Stuart Smith invited any members of the Commission and Board of Health to take a tour of the harbor in the patrol boat. He added that beach personnel are now training for the summer and the beaches will be officially open on Friday, June 25. He agreed to make suggested revisions to the Operational Plan in the next few days for review of the Parks & Recreation Commission.
MOTION: Mike Seidewand made the following motion, seconded by Meredith Fry: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission recognize that the Operational Plan is in effect as of June 25 with changes forthcoming from the Harbormaster in the next few days.
Vote: the motion passed by a vote of 4 – 0.
Bill Broman suggested that the Board of Health and the Parks & Recreation Commission continue to communicate regarding beach safety issues to avoid surprises in the future. It was suggested that Parks & Recreation Commission meeting minutes be sent to the Board of Health.
Item 3: Cooperative Body for Profit Update
This application for use of the Community Center has been withdrawn.
Item 4: Farmers Market
Dan Tobin indicated that approval is needed from Parks & Recreation as well as the Board of Health. The request is for the use of the front lawn at the Community Center on Saturday mornings until November.
Ira Seldin asked if a letter of endorsement had been received from Ellen Ford. He also expressed concern about having three farmers markets in Chatham.
It was generally agreed that more information is needed, i.e., proof of insurance.
Item 5: Seaside Links
Mike Seidewand reported that Mike Ryder had attended the recent meeting of the Golf Advisory Committee and Sports Management. This will be discussed at a later meeting.
Item 6: Beach Rake
Dan Tobin reported that the beach rake will be working this week, although it cannot be used at Ridgevale Beach because of nesting plovers.
Item 7: Flotation Devices
Skim boards will be allowed on beaches.
Item 8: Employee Applicants
Dan Tobin reported that all applicants will be receiving letters from the Parks & Recreation Department.
Mike Seidewand asked if the department is fully staffed for the summer. Dan Tobin indicated that it is and that enrollment in summer programs is ongoing.
There was brief discussion of access to summer programs by families of school choice students. Preference is given to Chatham residents with others being wait-listed if necessary.
Item 9: Park Benches
Dan Tobin reported that there are no funds to purchase additional benches; he indicated that picnic tables with benches have been placed in the playground area and on Community Center grounds.
Item 10: Board of Selectmen Update
Dan Tobin said that the report to the Board of Selectmen has been tentatively rescheduled for July 13. Dan Tobin will report to the Selectmen; Joyce Reynolds agreed to attend the meeting.
Item 11: Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the April 27, 2010 meeting were approved with the following changes:
• Change “Williams” to Reynolds” on page 1.
• Add “Chatham Lightfoots” to clarify request by Melissa Marshall – page 3.
• Change “contracts” to “contractors on page 3
• Indicate that a letter “will be sent” to retiring Leon Long – page 5
Minutes of the May 11, 2010 meeting were approved without changes.
Minutes of the June 1, 2010 meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting.
Item 12: Permission to Use
• Farmers Market – to be considered at the next meeting as no representative was available to respond to questions.
• Barnstable County Baseball – three fall baseball leagues
• Memorial soccer Tournament for Kenny Owens – On hold: Labor Day date posed conflict. Seeking alternative location.
• Classes of 1984, 1985, and 1986 – Use of Harding’s Beach on July 3. Ira Seldin questioned need for assurance that someone is responsible; no use of alcohol and sufficient clean-up added to conditions statement.
• Chatham Merchants Fall Festival at Chatham Bandstand
• Karate Class – this is a fee for use program
• First Night Chatham – this will be discussed at the next meeting
• Use of meeting room for skin care class – Kim Anderson, Osterville – fee for use program
Joyce Reynolds questioned charges for use of the large meeting room by several non-profit groups. Dan Tobin indicated that non-profits are charged for use; only government agencies/committees do not pay for room use.
Item 13: Other Business
Plants in Chase Park – Dan Tobin and Joyce Reynolds met and determined that plantings done by Friends of Trees should be moved. Dan Tobin will have the plants moved by a Parks & Recreation crew.
Porta-Potties at the Lighthouse – Meredith Fry expressed concern regarding the appearance of the porta-potties. Dan Tobin indicated that the end unit will be turned sideways so that it will not be as visible from the parking area.
Item 14: Next Meeting - The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Item 15: Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Notes by Marie Williams
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