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Committee split on adding seventh member; public raises kayak, liability and dock questions
Summary
The Warner's Pond Committee debated whether to reopen applications for a seventh member or consider two prior applicants; members will relay split feedback to the Natural Resources Department. During public comment, residents raised kayak-rental interest, dock access and liability questions under Massachusetts recreational-use law.
Committee members discussed whether to add a seventh member now and how to recruit that member. The Natural Resources Department asked for the committee’s input; members split between reopening the application process to solicit new candidates and first approaching two people who had applied previously. The chair said the NRD/NRC would make the final selection but asked for the committee’s preference; the meeting record shows a split preference to present to NRD, with some members urging an inclusive call for applicants and others favoring immediate consideration of prior applicants so a new member could begin attending soon.
Members emphasized the kinds of qualifications they value: local knowledge of Warner’s Pond, prior task-force experience and/or technical expertise in pond management, water quality, aquatic ecology or related fields. The committee agreed to report both positions to NRD and to ask staff to include the committee’s stated priorities in a recruitment message.
During the public-comment period a resident asked whether the recreation commission and potential private vendors (examples cited) are aware of proposals to run kayak/paddle rentals at JRO/Drill Park and whether liability would be an issue. Committee members and staff noted prior informal contacts with private rental operators, said the recreation department may pursue dock or access improvements in the future, and cited the Massachusetts recreational-use statute (as discussed in the meeting) that generally limits owner liability for unpaid public recreational use; the committee said it will clarify any contract or insurance implications if a vendor or the town pursues a commercial operation or formal rental program.
The conversation also flagged infrastructure and permitting questions (docks, electricity, ADA access) that could overlap with the adaptive-management plan and later RFP work; the committee suggested raising those points at the stakeholder meeting and in follow-up discussions with the recreation department.
