1997-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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signs would continue to be placed in prominent places Report of the to protect the public and that patrols would be made by South Cape Beach State Park "DEM" personnel as time and staffing would allow. Advisory Committee There were statements by the hunters and a repre- sentative of the Sportsmen's Club in favor of contin- ued hunting. Also statements by persons who opposed hunting. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen And the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee Although there is clearly a growing concern by the "Committee" and others as to whether hunting should The South Cape Beach State Park Advisory be allowed it was the consensus of a majority of the Committee ("Committee") at its meetings during the members that the current use of the "Park" was not year 1997 considered and made various recommenda- such that the "Committee" could foresee any conflict tions relative to the use and development of the South between regulated hunting and current "Park" use. Cape Beach State Park("Park") and its amenities. This recommendation to permit hunting is again pro- bational and will be reviewed and considered each GREAT OAK ROAD year or as the situation may change within the year. As stated in my Annual Report for the year 1996 GATE AT WILLS WORK ROAD "DEM" did in accordance with the provisions of para- graph No. 17 of the "Agreement" complete the This gate provides access for shell fishermen, sail improvement of Great Oak Road from Red Brook boarders and others. In the past it has been closed by Road to the entry of the "Park". They also upgraded "DEM" due to vandalism, small fires and the area the gravel portion of Great Oak Road which lies with- being littered with beer cans and trash. Homeowners in the "Park" and paved it down to the Town parking in the vicinity have expressed their concern about fires lot. It is the responsibility of"DEM" to maintain this and their safety. Various efforts have been made by portion of Great Oak Road. both"DEM"and the homeowners to resolve this prob- lem without any marked success. However, although Gregory Taylor, Director of Public Works, has on several occasions mentioned to In 1996 it appeared that the matter was resolved at "DEM" the need to cut back overgrowth along the a "Committee" meeting at which Christine Gault, roadway, it has not as yet been done. manager of"WEBNER" set forth the official policy as supported by the Director of Forest and Parks to the HUNTING effect"that the gates would be open by the South Cape Beach Staff during the summer at 7:30 A.M. It had Hunting is not a permitted use of the "Park" under been closed by the staff at 6:00 P.M.but that beginning the terms of the "Agreement", but Town By Laws do with July first when"DEM"had a larger staff, the gate not prohibit such activity and thus the matter is sub- would remain open until 8:00 P.M." mitted to the "Committee" for its consideration each year. It however appears that some problems have devel- oped and Ben Lofchie, a member of the "Committee" Accordingly, the "Committee" in 1997 again con- has been invited to meet with the "Park" supervisor sidered whether or not hunting should be Permitted and others hopefully to resolve the matter. Otherwise within the "Park" during the 1997-1998 hunting sea- the matter will again be placed on the agenda of the son. The major issue to be determined was whether or "Committee". not hunting at this time was compatible and consistent with the current use of the "Park" in its present unde- TEN ACRE SITE ON GREAT RIVER. veloped state or whether to continue to allow this WAQUOIT BAY activity would endanger the lives or safety of the pub- lie using the "Park". Paragraph 17 of the "Agreement" obligates "DEM" to reserve and provide to the Town a suitable site on The new Park Supervisor, Charles A. Doane stated Great River, Waquoit Bay for the construction of a that there had not been any reports of any incidents boat launch facility. The area is to be no less than ten during the past season nor injuries to persons or prop- acres with access to and from Wills Work Road. erty and that there was little or no environmental "DEM" is further obligated to construct an improved impact. Other reports corroborated his statement. He access road to said facility and to seek for the benefit further stated that if the "Committee" were to recom- of the Town, funds that are available for municipal mend hunting for the coming season that"safety zone" boat launching facilities". The "Committee" has 155 zw