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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Tuesday, September 5, 2017 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Edwards noted the Park Commission decided to remove docks at City -owned beaches in 2014 as a safety <br />precaution because of the mixture of swimmers and boats in the same area. <br />Meyers stated he will open the meeting up for public comment but noted that the Parks Commission is <br />just an advisory board and that a final decision will not be made this evening. Meyers noted the person <br />who made the request is not present this evening but that he has submitted a letter and that the Parks <br />Commission is interested in hearing both sides of the story. <br />Brendan Ohlcheske, 3580 Frederick Street, stated he and his family moved to their property about five <br />years ago and that the dock was a big draw for him and his son. Ocheske stated while it may not seem <br />like the dock has gotten a lot of use, it has, but that the neighbors have been very conscientious of the <br />neighbor and make it a point to be quiet. Ohlcheske stated the dock is a focal point of the neighborhood <br />and that it gives the nearby residents the ability to go boating and kayaking. The neighbors understand <br />there is no overnight docking. <br />Ohlcheske expressed concern that there have never been any guidelines for use of the dock or property <br />markings of what is public versus private or the hours of use posted. Ohlcheske stated in his view a <br />discussion among the neighbors would help resolve some of the complaints and that he personally has not <br />received any documentation of the complaints. <br />Ohlcheske stated the dock is a very important feature to the neighborhood because it allows them to <br />launch water craft, which is not the easiest to do currently due to the rip -rap that has been placed there. <br />Ohlcheske stated he believes the rip -rap is a continuation of the neighbor's shoreline. There is also a <br />picnic table and parking near the access. Ohlcheske stated he can understand why the City does not want <br />everybody in the community down there, but that some marking of what is private versus public would be <br />very helpful and that he would like to see the dock remain. <br />Janet Roberts, 2454 Casco Point Road, stated the dock was one of the reasons they purchased their house <br />24 years ago and that they have used the dock the entire time they have lived there. Roberts noted the <br />riprap was not there originally and that the beach used to be sandy. People also could not drive all the <br />way down but they could drive in a short ways. Roberts stated they do not ask for much except for a dock <br />to be able to enjoy the lake. <br />Jeremy Stewart stated he and his family have lived in this area about a year and a half, and that when they <br />purchased the property, one of the listed selling features for the property was the dock. Stewart stated the <br />access point was one of the things they considered when purchasing the property but that they have not <br />used it all that much because they are not familiar with the rules and it is unclear where the neighbor's <br />property starts and stops. <br />Stewart stated in regard to the letter that was submitted, he can clear up the issue about the dog. Stewart <br />indicated the previous day he had spent the entire night at an emergency vet hospital and that it was his <br />birthday the next day. Stewart stated he and his family were out on a pontoon that day and that he <br />became worried about his dog so he ran into the house to check on her. Stewart stated he knew from the <br />neighbors that the adjacent property owner did not want boats parked there so he hurried back with his <br />dogs. Stewart stated because he was in a hurry, he did not put one of his dogs on the leash and that the <br />neighbor's dog came over and his dog yipped at him. Stewart indicated he did apologize to the neighbor <br />Page 3 of 14 <br />