Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

GoFish · 06-18-2010, 01:00 PM

Just got an update on the Town Council meeting Wednesday night. (I was working and couldn't be there.) Not good.

By way of background:

In 1987 CRMC deeded a 15' wide public right of way to ensure public access to the water at the end of Cooneymus Road. In past years the access was sufficient for a truck to drive to the beach.

Several years ago Jimmy Lee (CEO of JPMorgan/Chase and one of the 100 wealthiest men in the US) bought and renovated the lifesaving station abutting the right of way. Before the renovations were complete there was a suspicious fire. The renovations were then completed.

The Lees have since "landscaped away" all of the parking at the end of Cooneymus. They have now planted privet in the right of way further blocking access to the water, and preventing an abutting homeowner from accessing a portion of their property from the road. These are the folks that brought the issue to the Town Council. There is still public access to the water but it's shrinking rapidly.

In April the Council heard the case and ruled unanimously that the encroachments must be removed from the right of way. The Lee's lawyered up and asked for and were granted another hearing Wednesday night. (Mr. Lee actually couldn't make it because his helicopter wasn't able to get in.) Their lawyer claimed that the privet hedge was necessary to ensure the Lee's privacy. They offered no legal justification for placing it in a right of way, but promised a continuing legal fight if they didn't get their way. They refused to move the privet back out of the right of way. To my great disappointment all but one member of the Council, #^&#^&#^&#^& Martin, voted to allow the plantings to remain.

My understanding is that Kevin Cute at CRMC is in the loop, and CRMC is the only entity with the legal standing to preserve what's left of or restore the public access. I believe they are reviewing the specifics and considering their options. Anyone who feels strongly about this should probably address their concerns to Kevin. Pursuing the Town is apparently pointless.

Sorry for the bad news, but any help getting CRMC to defend the access would be appreciated.

06-18-2010, 01:00 PM	#10
GoFish Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Block Island Posts: 94	The Town Council Rolled Just got an update on the Town Council meeting Wednesday night. (I was working and couldn't be there.) Not good. By way of background: In 1987 CRMC deeded a 15' wide public right of way to ensure public access to the water at the end of Cooneymus Road. In past years the access was sufficient for a truck to drive to the beach. Several years ago Jimmy Lee (CEO of JPMorgan/Chase and one of the 100 wealthiest men in the US) bought and renovated the lifesaving station abutting the right of way. Before the renovations were complete there was a suspicious fire. The renovations were then completed. The Lees have since "landscaped away" all of the parking at the end of Cooneymus. They have now planted privet in the right of way further blocking access to the water, and preventing an abutting homeowner from accessing a portion of their property from the road. These are the folks that brought the issue to the Town Council. There is still public access to the water but it's shrinking rapidly. In April the Council heard the case and ruled unanimously that the encroachments must be removed from the right of way. The Lee's lawyered up and asked for and were granted another hearing Wednesday night. (Mr. Lee actually couldn't make it because his helicopter wasn't able to get in.) Their lawyer claimed that the privet hedge was necessary to ensure the Lee's privacy. They offered no legal justification for placing it in a right of way, but promised a continuing legal fight if they didn't get their way. They refused to move the privet back out of the right of way. To my great disappointment all but one member of the Council, #^&#^&#^&#^& Martin, voted to allow the plantings to remain. My understanding is that Kevin Cute at CRMC is in the loop, and CRMC is the only entity with the legal standing to preserve what's left of or restore the public access. I believe they are reviewing the specifics and considering their options. Anyone who feels strongly about this should probably address their concerns to Kevin. Pursuing the Town is apparently pointless. Sorry for the bad news, but any help getting CRMC to defend the access would be appreciated.