Council refers Laurel Park outhaul dispute, public‑access parking concerns to solicitor

The Warren Town Council referred enforcement and legal action on private outhauls installed on town land at the end of Clark Road to the town solicitor after a lengthy discussion that included the Harbor Management Commission and the harbor master.

The harbor commission submitted a written memo urging the town to remove outhauls located on town property and to adopt a registration and fee process for outhauls similar to the town's mooring program. The commission's letter cited Town Ordinance section 10‑58 (authorizing up to two outhauls to contiguous waterfront property owners when consistent with CRMC rules) and said the specific outhauls in question sit on town land and a historic right‑of‑way submitted to the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for approval. The harbor commission recommended removal of outhauls that occupy public property and asked law enforcement to remove private "No Parking" signs blocking public access for shore access points.

Harbor master and harbor commission members told the council the structures appear to have been in place for 20–25 years and include pilings driven deep into the riverbed; removing pilings would be difficult and could require special equipment. Councilors and staff agreed to start with the outhauls that currently obstruct a recognized right‑of‑way, and to ask the solicitor to pursue formal enforcement. The council voted to refer the matter to the solicitor for further action; the referral specifically directs staff to focus first on outhauls that block public access.

During discussion councilors and staff noted these points:

- Town ordinance 10‑58 permits outhauls for private contiguous property owners but also requires conformity with CRMC rules and reserves CRMC authority to revoke conflicting permits. The harbor commission read ordinance grandfathering language as applying only to outhauls on private property, not on town land. - Some outhauls are accompanied by private "No Parking" signs placed on town streets; the harbor commission recommended systematic removal of those signs starting near public rights of way used for water access. - At least two outhauls lie in locations that interfere with established public access; harbor staff recommended removal of the shore‑side poles and cables to restore public passage. Pilings in the water may not be removable without deeper action and consultation with CRMC.

Council action and next steps: the council voted to send the matter to the solicitor and requested the harbor master and harbor commission coordinate to document ownership, usership and exact locations affecting right‑of‑way. The solicitor was asked to consider enforcement options, including municipal‑court citation where an owner claims possession and to coordinate any necessary filings with CRMC for removal or permitting.

The council asked staff to take a pragmatic approach: begin with outhauls that clearly obstruct public access, document ownership and usership, and pursue removal or court action where appropriate rather than undertaking a town‑wide removal program immediately.