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Residents ask Select Board to limit vehicle access at Wilson Pond right-of-way
Summary
Residents reported vehicles, overnight camping and illicit behavior at a narrow right-of-way to Wilson Pond and asked the Select Board to explore measures such as bollards to block motorized access while preserving foot access.
Residents raised concerns about motorized vehicles, overnight camping and public use at a narrow right-of-way leading to Wilson Pond and asked the Select Board to investigate physical measures to prevent driving while preserving pedestrian access.
“People are going out in their parking. And then when they come back out of there, because of the air line, they're just burning out… and just pee on the back,” Speaker 2, a resident, said, describing repeated misuse of the access. The resident said vehicles had been driving, sliding and spending nights at the site and requested that the town consider installing “3 or 4 pieces of pipe just so people could walk through, but they wouldn't be able to drive.”
Board members asked staff to identify the parcel and map/lot number. Speaker 1, a Select Board member, asked staff to “find the map and lot number,” and staff agreed to provide it. Concerns were raised about legal control over the area: one participant recalled being told previously that the access might be a state boat launch or state-controlled right-of-way, which could limit what the town can block.
“If that's an official boat lot launch that we're giving the state the permission to use as a boat launch, it can't be any swimming or fishing within 250 feet,” Speaker 4, a town staff/meeting participant, said, referencing a regulatory buffer related to designated boat launches. The board discussed enforcement challenges and asked Joe (identified only by first name in the transcript) to attend a future meeting to clarify ownership and enforcement.
No formal action to install barriers or to post signs was recorded in the transcript excerpt; board members requested follow-up information including the parcel map/lot and for staff (Joe) to attend a subsequent meeting to advise on whether the access is a state boat launch and what enforcement options exist.
Comments during the same exchange also recalled a prior discussion of placing a “no camping” sign to enable enforcement; the transcript records residents asking whether signage had been posted and one resident saying they were “waiting for that” because of recurring weekend camping at the launch.
The board did not vote on the right-of-way issue in the excerpt; it directed staff to provide mapping information and to coordinate with the person (Joe) who could advise on state vs. town authority over the launch.
