Commission seeks tougher penalties for motorized vehicles and scooters on park grounds

The Park Commission on Aug. 21 discussed strengthening enforcement language for motorized scooters and other prohibited motorized vehicles on the town park’s grass and beach areas. Commissioners reviewed the current rules, which list "automobile, truck, bus, RV, ATV, motorcycle, mini bike, or other motorized vehicle" as prohibited on park grass or beach areas, and noted a gap concerning mobility support devices and certain scooters. Members said signs alone are insufficient without enforcement authority and proposed adding "teeth" to the rules with graduated penalties: a first violation prompting removal from the park for the day, a second violation a week-long exclusion, and a third violation exclusion for the summer. Commissioners referenced section 210 of the Park Rules and Regulations, which grants the park attendant and parks and recreation director authority to enforce rules and remove persons who will not abide by them. Members emphasized repeated disrespectful behavior toward attendants this season and the need for clearer, enforceable consequences. The commission directed staff to review and propose specific regulatory language and enforcement procedures; no formal vote to change the rules was recorded at the meeting.