Very Important - for shore based casters

[ThrowingTimber]

The town of Barrington is having a meeting tonight. The focus of this meeting is the restriction or the possible imposing of a curfew on a public Right of Way.


*** take from another board ***
There is a Barrington Town Council Meeting on Monday, March 3th, 2008 at 7:30 PM. One of topics for discussion is the legality of the Nayatt Point ROW.


*** *********

If you're a surfcaster or if you've fished the surf in the past and you can make it please stop in. It may not be where you fish and you may be all set location wise ETC. but losing access is something that affects us all.

****

thanks guys. Sorry if that seems a little preachy

[ThrowingTimber]

The town wants to get crmc to impose a parking curfew of some sort.

This is all due to 1 land owner who calls the police with made up issues. People being loud etc.

This land owner actually had the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, adopt a spot location monitor/care giver removed by the local police. While he was legally parked in one of the 2 parking spots available in this ROW.

The land owner is stating that by imposing this curfew the underage drinking in this town will decrease or cease to exist.

At tonights meeting we had the two women who are the directors of the towns substance abuse programs come forward and state that the issue of the ROW and underage drinking and substance abuse in this town are not directly related.

73% of the calls to the police that have been logged are from 1 residence and its the folks trying to make a land grab for this ROW.


*** background***

This is basically an attempt at a land grab by this land owner who owns the property abutting the Right Of Way / row. The land owner should have had a survey done on the property prior to purchase because it seems they had no idea that the ROW was there when they purchased the land/home. The I think were under the impression that they had a "private beach." This landowner has also rallied neighbors because to their benefit living right up the road they will then also have access to what would become a "private Beach" if this ROW were to be eliminated.

This landowner LOST this case already against CRMC in 1988. She attempted to have this ROW eliminated already. Apparently 20 yrs later the landowner refuses to let the issue go.

With the underage drinking problems in Barrington as of late, this landowner is trying to use the recent tragedies to bolster her argument for the removal or the imposing of a curfew at this right of way.

1. This ROW is monitored/ maintained by RISAA.

2. This ROW is vital for disabled and or senior anglers.

3. This issue being brought before the town council of eliminating the ROW or imposing the curfew under the guise of helping to curb underage drinking is just a public attempt at a land grab by these folks.

4. We had a good turnout at the meeting tonight and they will be continuing the discussion to bring the issue of eliminating the row or establishing a curfew at next months meeting. If you can stop in, if you cant and have the time please just send them a quick email saying you oppose the elimination of the ROW or a curfew being established. The ROW is actually 60 feet long and presently there are only 2 parking spots, I think it would be a good time to request use of the whole row and requesting additional parking spots would be great even if designated handicapped access only.

Below is the contact information for the town council if you cant make the next meeting, if you could send them your thoughts on perserving this Public Right of Way it would go a great distance in helping out with making sure this access is not lost. We all know that once access is lost, its near impossible to get it back.

TownCouncil
401-247-1900 x 301
TownCouncil@barrington.ri.gov


Any and all help is appreciated thanks in advance.

[JohnR]

Thanks Vic - wish we had more advance notice I would have tried to make it... Good work and thanks for the the update

[DZ]

There is a way around the curfew. A "Fishing Vehicle Parking permit". We have one in Newport. You better be ready to give the council an alternative to a curfew or you'll lose parking privilidges.

DZ

[Fishpart]

Vic, Thank you for your work on this one.

Is it possibel for a Town to eliminate a State ROW?

Denis is right, the Curfew has some traction and a Parking Pass is a way for the town to control who is there.

[Redsoxticket]

The town council will reconvene next month regarding this issue. Therefore send your opinion regarding this issue to the emails listed above, time is of the essence. Also make plans in your schedule for next months meeting.

[ThrowingTimber]

Dennis,

If you have any information on how the permit system works in Newport I would love to have it to propose it to the town council if necessary. You know how those meetings are so I'd like to have all my ducks in a row. If we can just get them to see this landowner has tried this before (1998 against crmc and lost) and is now using the underage drinking and any recent tragedies as platform to make another GRAB at this land, if we can get the town council to not take any action to impose a curfew or restrict parking in anyway that would be the way to go (you know leave everything as is).




Eddie,

The town cannot eliminate the row but they can propose it or the curfew to CRMC. If they impose a curfew the abutting landowner gets that done with 70 some odd calls. Once the curfew is in effect she'll make a 140 calls to get the curfew extended then more calls more curfew etc etc.



At the beginng of the meeting the town council basically said here's the issue. Show of hands FOR eliminating the row and Show of hand for leaving the access as is. I think letters, emails (just something quick your name and I do not agree with eliminating this right of way or imposing a curfew) will go a long way with the town council.


If anyone has anymore information on public rights of way in barrington if you could pm me that info I'll bring it up at the next town council meeting. The landowner is stating that this is the only ROW in town where parking is available. I'm trying to gather that info but if you have it already it would save some research time.

Thanks again guys

[eelman]

Hey Vic, First of all I think its admirable that you are trying to stand up for right of way issues and helping fisherman.

Having said that, I can tell you from my experiance in the late 80s and early 90s that it was akin to banging my head against the wall.All the hours and all the planning and all the meetings never went to far.If the town wants something and it is to benefit the rich tax payers who own land in the area and dont want to see people walking around, They usually win every time.Its all about Money.They add hefty sums to the towns coffers and the town likes that

If You ask Jimmy who has faught this stuff all his life he will tell you the same thing, sometimes its best to pick the battles that are winnable. I hope you have luck and can crack the old ways but the truth is if they want it shut down its going to get shut down.

You will also see that sometimes the landowner has a letgitement gripe, I certainly would not want drugs etc...in my backyard or loud people keeping me awake all hours of the night when I pay 15 grand a year in taxes. So you have to be somewhat sympathtic to there argument.If you end up with a chance to speak to the council etc...Just be diplomatic and remember there are always two sides

Anyway, good to see you involved and I hope it all works out

[DZ]

Vic,
I'll PM you info about the permit we use in Newport. If the property owners bring up how much they pay in taxes like Bill mentions - make sure to make the point that each tax payer pays their FAIR share of taxes. Good luck.

DZ

[BassDawg]

Nice Work, Vic!

Email sent.
Not to worry,
i left out the pirate speak.

SERIOUS issue. You should see what
i go thru to get to my Honey Cove in Mass.
TOO MANY places are off limits on the NShore .

i agree with Bill that if the privelege is being abused
it makes our position less tenable; however this beetch
sounds like she has an agenda. Best of luck Sir Timber !

[ThrowingTimber]

Thanks for the help with this guys. And I agree with you on picking the battles etc Bill. I'm just trying to get the word out and eduate myself on the whole deal etc. There we more than a few guys WAAAY more qualifed to speak etc last night than myself, I took notes. I'm just trying to get the word out.

DZ,

Thank you for the permit information. If they decide to bring a request for a ban or curfew to CRMC I'll make sure bring the permit option to light.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Did you contact the CRMC and talk to them to find out what they have to say on the issue....If they beat her before they may have the info to do it again....just a thought

[fishermanjim]

T T where is this ROW in barrington that you are refering to?

[ThrowingTimber]

TDF there was a gentlemen there from CRMC last evening. He made no comments, drew no attention to himself etc.. The council is just trying to decide if they can bring the issue to CRMC. Its not their issue yet, the town is trying to decide amongst themselves what they can and cant ask for(legally).

fishermanjim,
Please see pm.

[kickin'bass ass]

i fish tis spot you are refering to VERY ofteni have never had any problems before that being said i put on my waders get my plug bag and rod and walk away,no noise very quiet.the 3 yrs i have fished this spot i have only seen "youngsters" there once,and they where fishing no berr no pot no cocaine just bait. this lady must be up to something,probably no good.do you know when the must meeting is,i live right up the street from the town hall,ill be there,i really love this spot