Welcome uh to the February 17th, 2026 meeting of the Landing Commission of Westport. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat] >> Thanks everybody for being here. We've got a fairly full agenda and two quick
additional items to consider, so we'll try to move through this quickly. Item two, head wall repair. Wendy is not here, so we will [clears throat] move along to number three. >> Okay. uh in meeting with the new town
administrator and the harbor master and Sean Leech from the beach committee uh about an increase in the fines for overnight parking and potentially whatever fines.
It was brought to my attention that the uh in the bylaws of the town, there's a different interpretation of the responsibilities of this commission than we've than I've
been aware of or even though I know this has been told to me in the past, the past chairperson for decades felt like the responsibility of this commission was only for landings. which had been deed to the landing
commission. The bylaws appear to say otherwise. I don't think we can necessarily decide this today, but I just want people to be thinking about it. And if you've had a chance to think about it already, get your impressions. I mean, this
suggests that we are responsible for all town landings, uh, whether they were deed to us or not. Um, and I know from past legal experience 30 years ago that [clears throat] potentially might even include
historic landings which people don't consider as landings. Like the way Howland Road, for example, ends up in the ocean. The state of Massachusetts at one point considered that a landing. That any
right of way that ends in the water is a place where people can land. They're all over town. >> They are all over the town >> along the ponds and the river. >> And it has been of concern to me in the past and I've pursued this in certain
cases where particularly in parts of town where they are not regularly used and the residents don't know that that's a public landing that there has been uh trees planted in the middle of them
whatever. I mean it can become a gnarly issue but on the other hand it is a public resource that is getting lost and as real estate jumps further in value in this town I expect that will potentially continue. So I think it's it's worth
it's an issue the town I feel like should [clears throat] deal with. I've prompted people in the past to deal with it and be aware of it. Not much has happened. Thankfully, when the highway department has been doing their work and they occasionally see work happening
in a road that ends in a pond or in the ocean, they typically call me and say, Jeff, what about that? I said, well, my understanding is that's public and they can't do that. And he has typically on his own gone and sort of said, you know,
move that shed back or whatever it is. you can't do that. But uh and I know in the past we've had lengthy and expensive legal battles which we have won uh when there's been um incursion onto landings
which we have managed. So this is not a small task. Um but it would be nice if somebody was at least charged with the responsibility for it and that it's not necessarily the landing commission. Uh, I mean, we might
all quit, you know, [laughter] may not want to do this. >> I was gonna say, actually, I want to say probably 10 years ago or so, there was the landing commission at that time was doing some research into some of these
and all these other land landings, >> where they were and so forth and whatever happened to that research. That was like I say probably >> we have that research. >> You do? Okay. Because I was going to say I want to say it was 10 15 years ago that that I know there was some work
being done on it. >> Right. And a lot of the landings people think are public landings because actually the landing commission when I came on it charged me with dealing with a problem up on one of the ponds. And [snorts] as I looked into it, that was
actually, even though it is a road that ends up in the pond, it's not a public road. >> So there's a lot of landings in town and that are shared amongst a group of neighbors. Uh >> I where I live happens to be one of
those. I mean, it's not actually a landing, but I guess it is. uh but where a a piece of land has been developed into four to 30 house lots and historically within that piece when it
used to be a 40 acre parcel there was a road into the water and so typically if it happened when those lots were sold access to that road was part of people's deeds. So, there are a number of those.
Uh, there's one actually on Cadman's neck that was thought to be a landing commission landing and in fact is not. Uh, it just belongs to the neighborhood. Uh, and there's another another one on Cadman's neck that was thought to be a landing commission landing and again it
is not. It actually just belongs to the two of Butters and that's been heavily researched. So, this is not a small task if someone chooses to take it on. Although, I don't think it's enormous. I don't think there's that many. Uh, but there may be
more than I know. >> It's a lot. >> Yeah. Well, you just sort of look at all the roads that end in the water. >> But those are like public roads, not necessarily private. So, so I think it's something we need to think about. um and
you know how that would occur, what our budget would be. Uh the one that immediately pops to mind is what I'll call Hicksbridge East. Uh which is the typical Hicksbridge landing where the
boat ramp is where we have pitched in just to help the select board because my previous response understanding was that that was a select board landing. uh and according to this it is not but there may be other things
that I don't understand because there was a whole thing and I think Sean Leech was talking about it but he was talking in language that I did not understand uh about when there was money received from the state to fix the bridge somehow some
responsibility transferred to the select board. Um, the reason I bring that up is that one of the items on our agenda is to [snorts] be and for item three is to be increasing some of the fines and the
expenses. Uh, and I think this is something we can just make a recommendation to the select board and something that the town administrator is researching because the state of Massachusetts only allows you to
increase fines so much. It turns out >> uh although so anyhow the so I think if we approve a motion today would be probably in the language of up to a certain boundary. Um, if you know, if we're shooting for
$200, it would be up to $200, even though it might be that four tickets would be written for $50 each or something if the vehicle was there all day or whatever. So, lots to consider there.
Um my my sense is that there hasn't been clear hasn't been a lot to do about the Hicksbridge landing in the past. So that it hasn't been an active issue. I mean you can maybe give us some input about
that. Uh your time in the select board, how often does that come up as something the select boards dealt with? >> Seldom. Well, that's why we did one of your meetings we said we got to start to >> right >> educate the select board and their
responsibilities and brought that up one >> and it may be something that they won't have the time to do or it may be that this becomes part of what the marine services director does although he was in this meeting and he wasn't excited
about that he's got a pretty full plate and he's already taking on a lot so um and in some ways I think So, and even if it was that person, I think it's wise to have a citizen commission that advises that person,
whether it be the select board or this group or something else. >> What I do know on Hicksbridge is the select no. Yes, the select board, I guess, was issuing the permits,
uh, parking permits, and they are ticketed there during the daytime. I don't know about nighttime, but the police do go through there when they're going to the beaches. They also swing by Hicks Bridge and ticket there. >> I don't believe, like you just
indicated, they might get a $50 ticket for within one day. They don't ticket it. To my knowledge, if they pull through the parking lot at 8:00 in the morning, somebody's parked there without a beach
uh parking permit. Um they don't pull back through in 3 hours and say, "Oh, they're still here." And give them a second ticket. They've got a ticket for the day. Um so I don't know how they would ever go about issuing um anything
more than one per day. um >> that is being discussed >> and >> apparently is a way. >> Okay. >> And there's and the town is even looking into permitting based on your license plate. >> Yes.
>> There's a great technology where the police can just scan your license plate and it'll, you know, beep once if you've got a beach permit and beep five times if you don't and then that automatically prints the ticket. >> Yes. So he doesn't have to get out of
the car. >> Well, they do. They have to get out of the car and put the ticket on the window. >> There's that. [laughter] >> And >> there's that. Yeah. >> But they don't have to. It saves a lot of time for them uh doing that. That is something I've worked on that with um
the various departments on this also. And um it's a far more efficient way. It also goes right into a system where they can immediately pay online. It's as soon as they get back, if they want to go online and they get their ticket, they
can punch in their information and get it paid right away or it also um gets followed through >> with a company to uh pursue what needs to be pursued if they don't pay. >> Right. So I don't know how much we want
to talk about this whole issue today u which is item or whatever number 109 of the bylaws something to be thought about um and certainly something that would end up being discussed at a select board
meeting >> also is just who's going to do this and who has the budget to do this too. Um, I mean, currently I'm not clear where the parking fines from the beach
or the landing or Hicks bridge, where does that money go? Does that revert to the beach? >> No, it go parking fines are a separate general fund account. The parking permits themselves that they issue go to
the beach fund. Mhm. >> Um, handicap parking is designated. If somebody parks in a handicap spot, that's a $300 fine and that goes to a separate >> that goes to the land that goes to the disability commission. >> That goes to the Yes.
>> Yeah. So, uh, lots to think about there. Um, I know the beach, we had voted at our last meeting to increase the fine, our fines from what I thought were $5, but this apparently says $20 to $50 to match
what the beach committee had as their fine for non-permitted parking so that it could be just one little item on the police ticket for that. I have since that meeting discovered that the beach committee is now asking for $20 or $250
as a fine that $50 is not enough. That the they are having an issue with uh campers because I guess it's 40 bucks to camp at the state grounds and sharing web is nicer. [snorts] So $50 is sort of
nothing to people and he can't get them out at night because they're there overnight. >> So they're asking for up to 200 to 250. The town admin I know in the past when they tried to do that a past
uh chief of police felt unwilling to write tickets that big for some reason which I don't understand. Well, I just don't have information about. Uh maybe that he thought people would be unwilling to write those tickets, but times seem to be changing. >> Yeah, >> I was going to say $50 is
>> that's your job. You just do it. >> But $50 isn't a deterrent anyway. Um it's amazing how many people will say, "Okay, take a car full of people, go to the beach, and they even write on their check in the little memo line, "Thank you for the day at the beach." Right?
>> You know, things like that. Um it's not a deter. $50 is not a deterrent if they want to go spend the day at the beach. >> Yeah, >> certainly not. >> I know I did I was clear about my feeling at again this meeting with folks last week that if it did jump to 200 or
250 that I felt there really ought to be signage that tells people that so that it's clear [snorts] uh because I think otherwise there certainly could be vandalism and signs could disappear or whatever. So I think signage would be important but we have the ability to
print signs. So So hearing that um and I I think it would be a good idea to consider the this issue separate from all these other
infractions that we have. I would make a motion to that we allow to to increase our fees consistent with what the beach committee
um proposes for a fee. Um I believe it has to be done at town meeting anyway or is it done through the >> not the select board just >> the fees are through the select board so consistent with what so in other words if you're parking at the landing
whatever the beach committee finds is a legal fee that they're going to use it should be consistent for the landing um parking also >> would you like to say something like I'm sorry that's a motion so we before we
discuss that. So, is there a second? >> Oh, I second. I'll second that. >> Okay. So, your thought is to make it just consistent with theirs, whether that be 200 or 250 or whatever. >> Yes. Being that if it's consistent, it's
consistent everywhere. And if doesn't tie us into any particular number, it doesn't limit us to 200. if they go to 250 and legally if they find they can only go to 100 this year it's 100. >> Okay. >> Right. And so this would be again for
Hicksbridge West >> or Hicksbridge East >> East. Yeah. Hicksbridge. That's the only one that has parking ticketed parking. >> Right. >> Permitted ticketed parking >> the moment. Right. >> What are we going to do about the point parking then? >> That's another item on the agenda. >> Okay.
>> Um and I have one other question. Would the water the state waterways commission have information on what's town property and town landings as opposed to private being as [snorts]
being as um when you when [clears throat] you do anything to a property you have to you have you know the waterways you have to give notice to the waterways commission at the state level you know the I would say that that's a separate issue
that that but just answer that quickly. My understanding is that >> a large number of properties in Westport never went to the state waterways commission for chapter 91 license. True they did. So that >> they would not be a good source of
information. I think it's it's pretty easy. You look at a map or you know or aerial photograph and like okay there's a road into the water. there's a you know that that becomes clear and you can determine whether it's a public road or not. So, but we can that's all to be figured
out as this larger issue. >> Is there any further discussion on the motion? >> Just clarification. The motion is relative to Hicksbridge east only. Is that east and west? East and west. Okay. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. I have a comment if I may
even though I'm not a voting member here. Uh are there any issues here with uh disabled people on this increasing of the of the fines? I know they're sensitive to that. >> Uh I am not exactly clear about
if a and I I ought to be but I'm not at the moment. I know that uh if if somebody from out of town without a beach permit >> parks who has a disabled plate >> Mhm.
>> parks at the disabled space >> at Sherry and Web. I'm not clear what the deal is there. >> I think they have the right to do that. >> I I don't >> I I'm uncertain. I believe if they don't
the fee currently is $50 for non-permitted and 300 for parking in the disabled without >> a plate >> a plate a dis uh handicap placard. So if
somebody's parked in the handicap spot, they do not have a handicap placard and they do not have a sticker, they write them two tickets, one for 3000 for parking and handicap and one for 50 for parking without a sticker. And if they
are handicapped, have a placard, don't have a beach sticker, >> I uncertain whether they give them a they I believe they get a >> $50 >> $50 currently $50 um no beach pass.
>> Yeah, I don't I don't actually know the answer, but this was discussed at the last meeting, the Commission on Disabilities, >> and it was stated clearly that if they don't have a a Westport sticker. It's irrelevant if
they if they're a handicap person with the uh you know properly designated >> if they supersedes if they were in a handicap spot. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And actually I am meeting potentially tomorrow morning at 10:00 with the chief of police, the town
administrator about a lot of these issues. So >> Okay. So if you can cover that with him, >> he would know the answer. >> Yep. There's a peripheral issue too where the handicapped spots are either just filled with other handicapped people or people who are do not have a handicap plate
then that the handicapped person whether they're from here or elsewhere has to park someplace else. That's an issue and there the solution there would simply be an appeal process that could take that yeah >> to consideration. I just raised that as my guess from a practical standpoint of
view that probably doesn't happen too often because chairing web is so inaccessible to hand to most >> handicaps because you have to climb the mountain to get there. [clears throat] >> And uh so we'll just have to find out about that. And there currently isn't
even at Hicksbridge West there isn't even designated handicap parking. >> There is no signage. Remember that a lot of handicap people are very east mobile. It it could be other issues. >> Yep. Right. Yep. I'm I'm aware of that. So, anyhow, all in favor of the motion
to increase the fine to match the increase of the beach committee fine for overnight or parking without a permit. >> I I >> I unanimous. Thank you very much.
Uh, okay. All these other fines that are in here that have never been enforced in the time I've been on the commission, but apparently back in 1848, there was a reason to have them here. And if it seems like that some of
these things could be interpreted and certainly could come up again, do we want to just I my sense is at $20 a ticket won't be written because there's no place for the police to write the ticket.
So, it occurs to me administratively uh that to raise this all of these to the same amount and because the the town administrator was concerned about what
about all these other ones? >> Oh, what other ones would that be? >> Everything underlined in red. >> Oh, okay. All of them. >> Other ones in the bio? Yeah. >> Yes. >> I wouldn't necessarily say they're all should be the same. They're there for
very significantly very I mean at the time they went with $20 straight across the board, but I don't know as if everything should be the same um as the 20, you know,
whatever the 200 or whatever the figure ends up being for the parking. Um I think they should be reviewed individually and looked at whether it's something that I mean if any person
shall carry any soil sods or stones from said landings. Um I believe the beach committee has one pertaining to that >> right. >> Yep. About Yeah. because people were taking truckloads of rocks from >> rocks and rockweed and this and that and
all kinds of things. So I think we need to kind of research this spend some time with it and research them similar to other things in town, >> right? Cuz like 108 is basically littering,
>> right? >> Although it's littering with you can leaving a truck there even or rubbish. So, but I think actually the fine for littering these days is pretty high, too. But, >> all right. So, we should just table the
rest of these for the moment. >> Fine with me. Uh the other thing that I think it would be wise to advise the select board and this is probably not our decision but we could would be and it may be too late
for this year is what should be I I know the beach committee is considering raising the amount for a beach sticker. So, there's an issue of potentially raising the amount for a Hicksbridge sticker.
I believe it's $30 currently and that there's no discount for being elderly. >> Oh, for the Hicks bridge. >> Correct. Uh, so it and I I know the the fee for town
residents at uh the state boat ramp is jumping dramatically from like 40 bucks to 75 or something. >> Yeah. So I think it would be my sense is it's it's better to keep raising it a little
bit every year or something every year rather than wait and then be behind and suddenly have to be a big jump. M. >> So, it seems to me that it could either I don't know if it
should really match the beach or but it could certainly go to 40, I would think, but I can't make that motion because I'm the chair >> for Hicksbridge. >> Yeah. I I know when it was looked at what the
total revenue was and then by a past harbor master and looked at kind of what the related expenses were of fixing the pilings which is going to be a big deal with the ice pulling them out this year. >> Yeah. it was nowhere close to covering the
cost of maintaining that landing if you actually but basically nobody's ever really delineated those costs for the landing. Uh I think you're right. We should increase it. It's just a sign of the times
anyway. So if we were to increase it, it's 30 now. increase it to 40 for this year and revisit it again next year if we need to. >> Yeah. And >> make that as a motion. >> Okay. And is there a second? >> I second. >> And I'm not clear if people have already
bought permits at 30. >> We don't go back after them. But I I don't know if that works that you can increase it mid permit. I would think so. >> Aren't they beach permits need are needed year round? are aren't I believe
hicks bridges year needed year round? >> I think they're needed but they're typically not enforced. >> Corw [laughter] gotten uh ticketed off season. >> Um so they aren't as as enforced as they
are in the summertime. So I mean it doesn't whereas they are a year round permit that's required. It I don't think it really matters when you go up. It's uh when the fee is increased if you got the got it ahead of time. Well, >> so it has been moved. Was it seconded?
>> I seconded something. >> Is there any further discussion? >> Anything she says I second. >> So we are going to what? Recommend to the board of selectmen that that permit fee be raised to $40. >> Correct. >> All in favor? I
>> I >> Great. That's item four. That's to 40. Uh, and we've done number five, the overnight parking fine at Emitrip Adamsville and the headlanding. Uh, number six is about the float
bumpers. Just getting an update from Wendy Henderson. She's not here. Is there anybody else with further information about float bumpers? Okay. >> No. Number seven, just wanted to remind the town's people that spring elections for
town officials are coming up and hope you get out there and vote and learn about the candidates. There actually, I think, is going to be a candidate for the landing commission. >> Sean, [laughter]
item eight. Uh, I don't have anything for people to provide you, but I will probably be emailing you the history of what the rents have been or the various properties that we rent so that at our
next meeting we can consider a rent increase and sign some leases to that effect so we don't get behind as we've as I've oftenimes been. So can be think you can expect to see that in your email.
>> Sounds good. >> Mr. Chair, how many properties do you rent or do you own that you can rent? Uh we rent uh to the watershed the property underneath the watershed building
>> uh which we actually have pretty much no control over because the select board didn't like our recommendation because this that's an unusual lease. Most of our leases are restricted by law to five years. Uh but there was for them
to spend that much money fixing that building, they needed a longer lease in order to get financing and we had a difference of opinion about the value of the property than the select board does. So that's going to that's just sits at the amount it's at um for
another 20 years or 15 years [snorts] or so and then it'll be up to who's ever in charge at that point to reconsider what that amount should be. So we have that there is that one. Uh and then the uh typically called the kayak shop which is
next to the select board. We rent that. And then >> the property that abuts Hicksbridge West there's a home and a garage on that property. Uh and we own that land.
>> Not the building. >> Not the building. >> Right. Just the land. So they are a tenant. >> In all three cases, we own the land, not the buildings. The individuals are responsible for the buildings.
>> So you'll be seeing that in your emails sometime soon. I was unclear. Our next item is past minutes approval. I was unclear which of these we've actually approved
at various meetings because that wasn't delineated. Uh so if you could look at these last three that I've provided. Do you need to look at them again? >> We I only had two. >> Uh [snorts] oh. You don't have the most recent one.
>> Okay. >> I thought we'd approve. Say I want to say when was September, November, and >> January. >> That one I didn't have. >> Ah, January. [laughter] >> Jesus.
>> Thanks. >> Wheels are going [laughter] >> dangerous. But home. That was fun, huh? >> Be careful. Got to be careful around here. >> Nice trip. [laughter] You have the the January ones? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I thought we >> No, we haven't approved these.
>> Huh. Oh, the January ones we did not because we didn't have them last. >> Right. And it's unclear whether we've done them. So, I'd just like to have people look at them quickly and if anything needs to be changed for any of them, sing out and if not, if we could
just approve them as a group, that would be great. >> Approving them. good at this. >> I'm good at this. >> Let's see. Can we do them all at once or do we have to do them each individually?
>> We're not correcting anything. We can just do them all at once. >> Approve them. >> And you know, >> it's no way to challenge, right? >> [sighs] >> I make a motion we accept the three sets
of meetings uh minutes from the meetings in September, November, and January. >> I second that. >> Any discussion? All in favor of the motion? I
>> I business not anticipated at the time of posting. Mud season is rapidly approaching. Uh, we only have one sample. Throw it back. Nice. So, we need to put a chain across
the entrance to uh Hicksbridge West during mud season with a sign that says closed for mud season so that people won't drive in there now and kind of destroy it. Uh so, we can either use
yellow plastic chain or we can use much heavier, much more expensive metal chain. that's yellow coated. Uh my sense is that there probably won't actually be a lock on it. It'll be just
a little thing that's not easy to undo. Uh because locks seem to disappear. Um I believe that it's just lightweight ch plastic chain that's been used to uh
chain off the entrance to the Bakers Beach Club for over a year when they're not there. I'm going to be checking with him about whether plastic has worked out. It seems to me that >> plastic might be adequate uh and if anything has less value. So assuming
that someone's not looking for chain to take home, they're less likely to take the plastic. Um and if does disappear, we could just go get another one. But I'm open to hearing about metal also.
Certainly it's more imposing. I think I would recommend using the plastic and if it doesn't work out, we can always switch over to the metal. >> Any other thoughts? >> I like the fact that it's bright yellow,
so hopefully people will see it. >> Yep. >> Well, and the other the metal would be yellow also, although it's not quite as bright as that. >> So, do we need a motion for yellow chain? I make a motion that we try the yellow
chain, the plastic chain and see what happens. And then >> up to amount of $50, >> up to an amount of $50 for what? 20 ft of chain. >> It's more than that, but whatever. Whatever it is, it'll be less than that. >> Second.
>> I'll second. I'll go ahead. >> I'll second that one, too. >> Any further discussion hearing? None. um yellow yellow plastic chain. It'll be
uh the last item that has suddenly come up is about parking at the point again. >> Oh. >> Oh boy. >> Oh boy. Uh it has been proposed and I believe uh
again to just kind of go back for a moment to the issue of overnight parking that we had recommending at $200. We may need to amend that motion because that was not to include the point that was [clears throat] only
for Emma trip Hicksbridge both Hicks Bridges and uh Adamsville looked turns out people are camping at Adamsville landing surprisingly.
Um but that that motion and [clears throat] again maybe do we need to review this was that fine would not include overnight parking at the point because the point has is primarily that parking was deed
originally for commercial fishermen who go out for two to three days at a time. And while they have some parking on the main wararf next to where their boat is mored, the historical expectation has been that they can park in the lot also.
>> Could they get a special permit for that? The individuals there aren't many nowadays that >> Yeah, that hasn't that. >> Yeah, that's changed significantly from what it was. There used to be a lot of offshore boats with four or five guys on the boat. >> There's still two or three apparently.
But yes, >> so anyhow that motion about that I think we might need to amend just to be clear that because there was great resistance when I raised the issue about how do we determine who's
who's a fisherman, who's not a fisherman, etc. So I think it'll be difficult for the select board to go ahead with that kind of fine if we included the point and the point is
going to be somehow dealt with on this next item that's coming up. >> I think that it's going to be hard. It was granted partially the my understanding is the grant of the or when where they did the
landing was partially for the commercial fishermen that it's hard to take that away from them. We'd have to figure out something if we were to exclude them, whether they get a permit, you know, whether it's something the hover master can designate who's on
the, you know, would get a list from each [snorts] person who's on these overnight boats and, you know, they could get a overnight permit or something. I don't know what, but I think we'd need to review that, find a way around that first before increasing
that fine, >> right? or implementing [clears throat] it. >> So, we do need to kind of get that previous motion clear so that we can get something on the town warrant. Right. >> My sense is to omit the point from this for now. I mean, I had suggested that
each fishing boat >> would get three parking permits and they would just >> Well, they hardly need that, but >> depending who's working. The ar problem is there aren't many votes that >> that go out overnight anymore. >> Mhm. >> But they probably [clears throat]
have different individuals, you know, it's not always the same person that's going out in that boat, >> but it would be a piece of card stock that could be moved from truck to truck. >> Exactly. And I think that's a simple >> working out that detail at this point, I think, is beyond the administrative
capabilities of this town. I know that sounds simple, but believe me, >> meanwhile, we do have a lot of people that park their cars overnight there for a variety of reasons. >> So, there's a lot there was push back about that. >> So, uh I think that that could come up
as a separate item. Um and there'll be more news in a moment about that, but do we need to go back and correct that motion? I thought we when you said it that you did not mention the point on the overnight. I thought you just said
Emma trip head Adamsville and um >> Is that reflected in the minutes? >> And could you reflect that in the minutes? >> Yeah, I just I just um I had Hicksbridge east and west and I just noted Adamsville and Emma Trip. >> Thank you.
>> So that might take care of that. >> Yeah. didn't include the head >> and and the head >> and the head. >> Yeah. >> So, it did not include the point anyway. So, >> Yep. And it's unclear what's tricky about this is that
certainly if someone was parked behind the watershed building, that would be overnight parking. If someone's parked along Drift Road, it's not clear that's overnight parking. even though someone regularly did that all last summer and for a while had a tent in the middle
during the evening hours. So, >> well, there's a lot of van campers now. >> Well, yeah. I mean, there's they park in the in on the point. Yep. >> Overnight. There's a guy that comes out every weekend. >> Yep. So, great. So anyhow, this last
item is that it's been proposed that somewhere in town, and I won't know until tomorrow, but I think they're talking about the point that uh that the town has already entered into an agreement with an automated
system for collecting revenue uh regarding moorings and that it would be easy for people with their phones to purchase parking for an hour or half hour or whatever by scanning one of
those squiggly squares at the point. And uh and I think that's what's being talked about tomorrow at 10, I think. But maybe they're thinking about using it elsewhere in town, too. That's at the beginning stages. Um
>> it's may or may not be that company, put it that way. [laughter] >> Right. So that technology does exist. I know the town of Tiverton uses it uh for day parking at their beaches. If you
don't have a beach sticker, um seems to work for them. Uh you know, a lot of people in cities use it all over the place. Um, so it's really at this meeting only appropriate and we don't absolutely need to decide tonight, but what do we think
about potentially using it for the tri just the triangle that we're responsible for, which basically is the is the property that runs parallel to the Pacqu and the property that runs north south, the parking places that uh run north
south. um that about the Hannes property >> if we can find a system that will work uh effectively for down they're looking at it for the state boat ramp. Um and I think it would be a good idea uh
potentially to put something down there. Um I don't know. I think we also need to look into what the that landing was designated for certain purposes. Again, it's kind of crazy
because we talked about the overnight parking and what about somebody who's going fishing commercial, you know, fishing for the day. It's there for fishing purposes. So, somebody goes down and parks their car there because they want
to go fishing. and we're charging them for parking. Is that something that we can do or was it or did we get into a violation against what we the >> landing was originally created for? It was for public commercial fishing.
>> Well, it was specifically written in the Elmy. >> Yeah. I you know, like I say, I'd want to make sure it's only commercial fishing. There are a lot of And what does that extend to? How exact does that? I mean, because there are a lot of
people out there who you can buy a uh shellfish permit and it can be a f commercial license. You don't have to be on a huge boat to get a commercial fish uh shellfish permit. >> Right. So, does it include somebody
who's selling a bucket of clams? >> Exactly. >> So, and I know that's part of the discussion. I would be stunned and certainly wouldn't approve anything tomorrow without coming back to this commission
that the details of this are going to be something to be figured out because there's also the issue of somebody who lives further up the road that has a bunch of house guests [snorts] and needs parking and somebody wants to park there
overnight. you know, what hours would it would it when it would be, you know, would it be seasonal? But I've looked as I've been looking into this at other landings and other beaches, most towns only approve beach permits,
for example, for like uh April through October, even on the Cape. and and so it's anybody can go sort of in the winter months. So, uh
there would be a lot of details to figure out about this pay by hour or whatever it is either at the landing or anywhere else. Um >> and >> would have to be sort of thought through be I mean and you live there. You've been there. >> Yeah, I can tell you
>> this is it's got and you know and I have a business and I still think that that it should be monitored. I don't you know I mean if I'm required and I am to have parking spaces for all my guests >> um at least in the summertime you know. Yeah.
>> Yeah. I mean it's complicated. So >> but it should happen you know my guest should stay on my property. I mean but other people's the same. It goes for everyone not just me. >> So as someone who actually lives I'm actually not even clear how you could vote on this even though you have
disclosed your >> Yep. that you have a vested interest in this, but you've also disclosed that and that's clear because people do that's part of representative democracy. Um, but your experience there, you think it
would be helpful to be charging people per hour or per day or whatever to be in the details to be figured out. >> Well, we can't meter it, can we? >> Oh, yeah. Well, maybe we should think of something like that.
>> Yeah. Oh, yeah. You can meter it. I mean, that it does mean that, and again, I think it's pretty automated that, you know, you go and you scan the thing and you enter your plate and it's however long you're going to be there, whether it's for an hour or whatever,
and then whoever enforces it somehow looks at his computer screen and it says, "Nope, you know, he's out of time. Ticket." Uh, and I would certainly, it's hard to imagine that would be a $200
fine, but I don't know. I can't imagine that would be, but so there's a lot of details, but in general, you think some it bears investigation, would you say? >> I absolutely think so. Well, we've got a parking we've got a nightmare parking issue right now. >> Okay.
It's something I think that deserves, you know, we need to check into. I don't think um there's a lot of different factors than what they're looking at for the boat ramp. The boat ramp, they're looking at it 24/7 cuz that like Bill said at one of the meetings that I was
in with him, he said, you know, somebody will go down there at 3 4:00 in the morning to head out cuz they want to be ready to fish, you know, back at dawn and so forth. And so they're looking at a different type of scenario than what
we are actually looking at for down on the landing. So it's going to take a bit of I think a little more investigation. And so >> that's absolutely true. Boats leave at 4. >> Yeah. >> The boats leave at 4.
>> Oh, yes. I know. >> Yes, you do. [laughter] >> I remember from years ago. >> Worth looking into. I think it's worth looking into. I mean, definitely worth looking into. >> Um, I don't know how quickly we can um come up with
>> all the details because of the unusual circumstances of commercial fishing being allowed without, you know, probably shouldn't be charging them. And it's goes beyond just those few overnight boats that are parked down
there at the dock and things of that nature. So, how do we um look at we've like I say there's a lot more details to this one. Um but yeah, if we were to figure out something then
yeah, definitely something that needs to be explored. [clears throat] >> Do we need a motion at that extent? >> I think doing the research doesn't really take a motion. It's when we go to implement. In general, I can report that this commission cares and thinks that
it's worth looking into. >> Mhm. >> Good. That's all I have. >> Date for next meeting. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. That one. [laughter] >> That's it. Round them up. [sighs and gasps]
>> Number 11. Mhm. So today is the [snorts] So how about March 17th? I think we should try to meet in a month just because we got these leases coming up. >> Mhm. >> Does that work for people? >> Yeah, I think it's good.
Yep. Oops. What do I get that day? Nothing. >> And I am >> Jeff, when you are talking about recommendations relative to the point parking, who who are you talking about recommending to?
>> Town administrator. >> Okay. It's something that's going to take Yeah. some effort. I mean, I'm involved with this parking thing up to my eyeballs, unfortunately. I don't
as treasurer. >> Yeah. But the reason I was included in those emails, I thought, was because he potentially wanted to extend that to >> Yeah, I assume that's to Hicksbridge. I mean, there or you know, the parking
tickets. There's we're looking at a couple of different things. Been exploring a couple of different options. >> Okay. Well, >> as far as the ticketing goes and as far as this other option of daily parking, >> right? >> We don't even have delineated parking
spaces in most of these. I we do on the on the landing itself, but up main road there's no delineated parking spaces. People just park. >> Yep. >> All right. Well, thank you all. They park in the street. [snorts]
>> Uh just a reminder, tonight is Marty GR night, right? >> It's Tuesday. That's right. Okay. >> A good time out there in land. >> People are fasting early because they have to. [laughter] >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved.
>> I second. >> All in favor? I I not