Gilford Selectboard to seek public input on winter beach rules

GILFORD — The selectboard has discussed proposed town beach regulations for winter operations at two previous meetings, and on June 24, will hold a public hearing to gather input on a draft ordinance.

A notice about the hearing states the intent of the proposed new rules is to allow for continued public access to Lake Winnipesaukee for winter recreation, and prohibit vehicles, trailers, bob houses and other vehicles and structures from being on the beach.

This comes in response to a request by the Gilford Recreation Commission and Recreation Department on May 27, asking the selectboard to close the gate during the winter. Commission Chair Rick Nelson and Parks & Rec Director Matt Mansur told town leaders this was due to damage to trees, impact on the sand, and other unfavorable environmental impacts due to spills. Notably, a resident used the beach this spring to attempt to retrieve a truck that went through the ice.

The matter was also discussed at the June 10 meeting, where members of the public spoke about their feelings on a closure. Since then, an updated draft was created by Town Administrator Scott Dunn, with an emphasis on protecting natural resources and regulating activity on the town beach property during the winter. The proposed rules have been posted on the town website.

There are 13 parts to the town beach regulations, and the draft states town staff may open the gate to the beach to allow public access to the lake subject to those conditions.

Parking of any vehicles will not be allowed on the beach, and is only allowed on the frozen lake or in the designated parking lots between Dec. 1 and March 31. The regulations also include that bob houses, campers, RVs, and other portable dwellings cannot be on the beach at any time. They can be stored in designated parking lots or on the frozen lake.

The regulations also say there will be a carry-in, carry-out policy in the winter months, and there is no disposal of trash on the beach property.

The use of trees, picnic tables, buildings, utility poles or any vegetation for chains, locks, fasteners, and tie downs is prohibited under the regulations. Camping or sleeping overnight anywhere on the property is also prohibited, including in parking lots. Alcohol is prohibited, as well as fires or open flames.

The town will provide designated passage areas for vehicles, and makes no claim regarding the safety of the lake or thickness of the ice. No portion of town beach property is allowed to be used to remove a vehicle from the lake, as well.

People using the beach for winter recreation need to comply with all laws, and the selectboard has the right to decide if the beach gate will be open. They also have the right to revoke public access at any time. Fines and penalties can be imposed, and the town also reserves the tight to have a vehicle or portable dwelling unit removed from beach property at the owner’s expense if the rules are violated.

The selectboard will also hold public hearings, on Wednesday, regarding the sewer rate fee schedule and the acceptance of $23,225 in unanticipated funds through Primex.

The selectboard will receive an update on the public works building project, as well as a sewer abatement for Varney Point, a memorandum of understanding with BankNH Pavilion, and the acceptance of unanticipated revenue for cameras at the beach.

There are eight items of new business, notably a cruiser replacement, a Gilford Fire-Rescue portable ventilator purchase, the annual agreement with Lakes Region Public Access, a discussion about Central Baptist Church’s tax exemption status, a tree services contract with the department of public works, and a beach pass request from a non-resident.

The Gilford Solid Waste Center is also requesting to change hours of operations, as well as update the fee schedule and propose a public hearing.

To view the agenda, as well as the proposed winter beach rules, visit gilfordnh.gov/agenda/Public-Hearings-3712.

The selectboard meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, at Town Hall.