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Block Island committee hears strong public views on beach pavilion, dune access mats and parking; minutes approved
Summary
Public commentators and residents urged the Coastal Resilience Committee to weigh options for the Beach Pavilion (relocation, elevation or modular solutions), debated use of MobiMats for dune paths and raised concerns about parking‑lot infrastructure; committee approved Nov. 4 minutes and noted town manager placed a hold on a parking‑lot design.
The New Shoreham Coastal Resilience Committee heard sustained public comment about the Beach Pavilion, dune protection measures and parking‑lot infrastructure as researchers from URI outlined their work on a new demonstration‑site project.
At the meeting, several residents asked whether the Beach Pavilion should be moved, elevated or made modular to reduce future risk from erosion and storm surge. One audience member asked directly, “What are your thoughts about moving the Beach Pavilion in that area?” Panelists advised retreat and elevation as primary strategies and suggested lower‑cost options such as putting the structure on pilings or making it modular so it can be moved. “So make it sort of modular, movable,” a Coastal Institute presenter said when asked about relocation options.
Residents and committee members discussed dune‑protection approaches for beach access. The town earlier considered and the town council voted down a proposal for roll‑out mats (MobiMats) at a recent meeting, a commenter said. Panelists said MobiMats can improve ADA access and help direct foot traffic, but they cautioned mats are not a geological fix for large‑scale dune erosion; they also recommended planting and clear signage to keep visitors on directed paths. A longtime resident urged policymakers to consider historical patterns and warned against short‑term fixes that could worsen long‑term outcomes.
Committee business included a motion to approve the Nov. 4 meeting minutes; the motion was seconded and approved (ayes called in the transcript). The town manager has placed a hold on the planned parking‑lot work, a committee member said, and the committee flagged the question of how much of the previously allocated design money would remain if the parking lot option is deferred; Judy said that is a follow‑up for the town manager and staff.
The meeting concluded with updates: permission to use a Block Island Power Company pole for an overland water‑level sensor; ongoing ordinance review and a resilience map site under discussion; and plans for community outreach, including a proposed co‑hosted event with Nantucket resilience staff in early 2026. Chair Judy asked for continued committee involvement and thanked the Coastal Institute representatives for their presentation.
