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Neighborhood group seeks temporary kayak rack at Blueberry Lane; abutters press board on policing, erosion
Summary
Residents and a neighborhood organizer asked the Selectmen to allow a volunteer-run, seasonal rack to hold about 6–12 kayaks at the Blueberry Lane access to Hills Pond. Abutters raised questions about an October 2025 agreement, trash, parking and observed erosion; the board said it will review the prior agreement and site conditions before deciding.
A neighborhood volunteer told the Alton Board of Selectmen she and roughly a dozen local residents want a temporary, non-permanent rack where people can store small craft to keep them off the shoreline and preserve the access path.
"We're talking about 6 to 12 maximum kayaks for kayaks or paddle boards for people to put up, so it would not be laying on the shoreline," said Agnata Shekalita, who presented the plan and said the rack would be installed at the start of season, removed by volunteers at season's end, and monitored weekly by neighborhood residents. She said the rack would be financed and maintained by the local volunteers and not intended for large boats or long-term storage.
Neighbors who identified themselves as abutters said the town previously reached an agreement in October 2025 that they thought protected the right-of-way and kept boats off the road. "I thought the town and I had an agreement signed in October 2025," said John Gillius, who said he had spent years getting Blueberry Lane repaired and removing junk from the access.
Other residents asked who would police the access if it attracts non-local users and whether parking would increase. The board said staff will locate and review the prior agreement, inspect the site for erosion and drainage damage reported by abutters, and follow up publicly. The Selectmen did not make a final decision at the meeting; staff said the proposal and the previous town agreement would be reviewed and the board would visit the site.
