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Selectmen discuss residents' lost beach rights, planning-board lot merger and Conway Branch rail-trail
Summary
Albany Selectmen reviewed a resident letter about possible loss of beach rights in a neighboring town, discussed whether to send a letter or involve counsel, and received notice of a Planning Board public hearing July 14 on a lot-merger and of early Conway Branch rail-trail planning.
At the July 9 meeting the Chair read correspondence from Albany and Lancet resident David Lawrence describing concern over "beach rights being removed from some residents over in 1 Lancet by the town of Sandwich." The Selectmen discussed options including drafting a letter to the Sandwich Select Board, involving town counsel (referred to as Curtis in the discussion) for a legal assessment, or letting the residents pursue the matter directly.
The Chair said he did not want to jeopardize existing intermunicipal agreements related to the dump and plowing arrangements and worried "it could get 86 to the bottom of the pile" if the Selectmen pressed the issue too hard. Committee members suggested getting Curtis involved to assess risk and determine whether the town should intervene on behalf of long-time residents who use the beach.
Separately, a Committee member announced the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on July 14 for a small subdivision that is effectively a merging of three lots near Aviation Drive (including a 1.48-acre cul-de-sac lot). The member explained that when the same person owns all parcels the planning board chair can often sign off on lot mergers, but this application raises right-of-way access questions that warrant a hearing.
The board also reviewed a public notice from the Conway Branch Rail Trail Advisory Committee about potential conversion of tracks into a trail. The committee discussed possible trail uses—walking, biking, horseback riding or snowmobile use—and observed that portions of the rail corridor may be state-owned or privately owned; the advisory committee is exploring options and has not finalized the trail's design or allowable uses.
The Selectmen did not take a formal vote on the beach access matter during the meeting; they agreed to monitor developments and involve counsel if needed. The Planning Board public hearing on July 14 will provide the formal venue for public comment on the lot-merger application.
