1987-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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i said"Memorandum"will be signed and steps will then be ing and current"Park"use and activities. This recommen- promptly initiated to obtain Town meeting approval to the dation is again probational and will be reviewed and con- various land exchanges referred to in said"Memorandum" sidered each year as the "Park" develops. as contemplated in June 19, 1981 Agreement between The"Committee"has requested"DEM"for an in-depth .<. Town and "DEM". study and report as to"Park"capacity.This is a vital issue Under the provisions of the 1981 "Agreement","DEM" to the"Committee"which desires to restrict any excessive agreed to reserve a suitable site consisting of ten(10)acres use of this fragile area. It is anticipated that a report by on Great River,Waquoit Bay,for future use and develop- "DEM" will be presented in the near future. ment by the Town of a Boat Launch and Pier Facility. Thomas Abbott, Falmouth representative of the"Com- µ; There has developed some interest that the stated use of mittee" and appointed in 1986 by Chairman, Morris the site possibly be expanded to include the building of a Kirsner as the"Committee's"representative to the Coastal "^ t' Field Station by Boston University to conduct Marine Zone Management Advisory Committee,presented a ver- research in the Waquoit Bay area and to be funded in part bal and written report on the activities of the Waquoit Bay by a charitable endowment from the Sea Farm Founda- National Estuarine Reserve. It was an excellent and com- tion,Incorporated. On October 27, 1987 the"Committee" plete report and the "Committee" expresses its gratitude received a request from the Board of Selectmen to review and thanks to Mr. Abbott for his thorough and infor- the proposal, conduct a public hearing and to make recom- mative summary. mendations to the Board. The "Committee" has already In October 1987 Steven Bliven, Assistant Director of initiated these hearings which are ongoing. Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, advised of his In 1987 the"Committee" again considered whether or inability to attend future meetings of the"Committee"due not hunting should be permitted within the"Park"during to time constraints. Accordingly, Mark Robinson is now the 1987-1988 Season.Hunting is not a permitted use under the new representative of Massachusetts Coastal Zone the terms of the June 19, 1981 "Agreement", but Town Management. The"Committee"expresses its gratitude to bylaws do not prohibit such activity.Again,as in the past Mr. Bliven for his contributions to the"Committee"dur- four (4) years, the "Committee" considered the sensitive ing his years of membership. issue as to whether or not hunting was compatible and con- Barbara Gannon has been the Secretary to the "Com- sistent with the current use of the "Park" in its present mittee" for the past year. She has quickly adapted to her undeveloped state. An annual report was presented by responsibilities and her interest and performance in behalf ! ; John Peterson in beahlf of "DEM" that during the of the "Committee" have been outstanding. 1986-1987 hunting season there had not been any problems Regular meetings of the"Committee"have,since August or incidents except that of the accidental killing by a hunter of 1987 been scheduled and are now held on the last Mon- �! of a Labrador dog at the opening of the pheasant season. day of each month at the Town Hall. As in the past, the Mr.Peterson further reported that the number of hunters public is urged to attend and express its opinions and views had not increased over the prior year; that the pheasant as to all phases of the overall development and manage- season was the major interest; that the "Park"was being ment of the "Park". well supervised,not only by the"Park"staff,but by addi- 1, in behalf of the "Committee" take this opportunity tional area patrols made on a daily basis by the newly- to thank both Senator Paul T. Doane and Representative formed "State Division of Environmental Law Enforce- Thomas Cahir, for their overall efforts and cooperation. ment";that hunter"Safety Zone"signs were again placed Representative Cahir has been particularly active and his in prominent areas to protect the public;that no new devel- efforts and contributions have been invaluable,particularly .. opment was contemplated within the 1987-1988 Hunting with reference to the contemplated improvement of Great Season and that the situation basically was unchanged from Oak Road.The"Committee"also expresses its thanks and the prior year.Officer Peter Hanlon,District Environmen- gratitude to the Selectmen, the Executive Secretary, Town tal Police Officer,presented his report and stated that over Officers and Personnel and Town Counsel for their coop- R the last year,there were three incidents that he investigated; eration and assistance and to the many public-spirited L' two were for littering and the third related to the acciden- citizens who have been of invaluable assistance to the tal shooting of a black Labrador dog. The hunter respon- "Committee". I also take this opportunity to thank John sible was fined Fifty ($50) Dollars Court Costs, lost his Gutensohnn Commissioner of"DEM"for his efforts and hunting license for one year and made restitution to owner cooperation, the ex-officio, non-voting members, Steve for loss of the dog in the amount of One Thousand($1,000) Bliven and John Fiske, as well as other"DEM"and state Dollars.None of the public present opposed nor were there representatives. any written objections to hunting being permitted for the Again, as in the past, I cannot say enough for the 1987-1988 Season. The "Committee" by a majority vote members of the"Committee"present and past, who have recommended that hunting be permitted on the same con- unselfishly and devotedly given their time and considera- ditions and with the same precautions as in prior years. It tion to the South Cape Beach matter. It is truly a reward- a was the consensus of the majority of the members that the ing experience to me to be associated with these people who "Park"is not as yet developed to a point where the"Com- are deeply and sincerely attuned to the best interest of the mittee"could foresee any conflict between regulated hunt- Town and its people. - 109 - JL V