RAYMOND — The town is again seeking proposals for managing Raymond Beach during the summer.

The manager would be expected to keep the beach clean, and in exchange would be allowed to use the land for a business such as a hot dog stand.

Earlier this year, the town terminated the five-year lease it began last year with Jeff Pomeroy, who last summer ran a cafe out of a pontoon boat off a dock in Sebago Lake. The boat sank, and Pomeroy didn’t remove it until February, violating shoreland zoning regulations.

Selectmen have said that, for the most part, the agreement with Pomeroy worked well and served its purpose – to keep the beach from getting overrun with waste, which forced the town to close it in 2010.

After high levels of E. coli bacteria were found in the water that summer, the town shut down the beach. It remained closed even after the water quality improved, because town employees had found dirty diapers, hypodermic needles and human feces on the strip of sand off Route 302.

The town may opt to run the beach itself next summer, depending on the response to its request for proposals, which are due at 2 p.m. March 16.

One idea has already sparked the selectmen’s interest.

Dana Desjardins, who is involved with Raymond soccer teams, asked the Board of Selectmen at a meeting Tuesday whether nonprofit organizations, such as recreational sports teams or Boy Scout troops, could submit proposals.

“We’re entertaining all offers,” said board Chairman Joseph Bruno.

Selectman Lonnie Taylor suggested that a few nonprofit groups could manage the beach throughout the summer, designating the responsibility to a different organization every month or so.

“Working together that way would be great,” he said.

The selectmen will consider any proposals received at a meeting April 10.

Also at that meeting, the board is scheduled to decide whether residents will vote on an animal-noise ordinance at the town meeting in June.

A dispute on Ledge Hill Road between neighbors Julie Sutherland, who owns 16 roosters, and Wayne Gelston, who can’t stand their crowing, has turned into a townwide debate.

Residents packed into the selectmen’s chambers Tuesday for a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, which would be an amendment to the town’s existing barking-dog ordinance.

Owners of animals that make continuous noise for at least 10 minutes or intermittent noise for at least 30 minutes would be subject to warnings, then $50 fines. The fines would increase to $100 for second offenses and $200 for third offenses.

Concerns that were raised, including the 10-minute time limit being too short and the difficulty of enforcing the ordinance, prompted selectmen to suggest that the town’s attorney revise the wording before they vote.

 

Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at 791-6364 or at: lbridgers@pressherald.com

 

Copy the Story Link