09-05-2017 Park Commission Minutes

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