I finally connected with the new 1st Selectman for the Town of Morris. You will not believe this string of events. I literally laughed out loud during her explanation of things which pissed her off some.
Anyway, the bottom line is they re-wrote the draft ordinance from last year under the old 1st Selectman, Karen Paradis, which provided for resident and non-residents and took out any reference to non-residents and substituted residents-only. You can go to the Town of Morris website and click on the section having to do with meeting announcements and agendas and then click on the May 31st Town Meeting and scroll down to the Boat Launch Ordinance. Of course it passed the town meeting.
Back to the beginning. I introduced myself, who I was, why I was calling and how I have been involved with the boat launch issue since early in 2009 and could I get an update on where we were with a new ordinance. The new 1st Selectman, Barbara Bongiolatti, immediately went into defensive mode saying that in the transition between last year's administration and her new administration over two years of computer files and other file materials were either deleted or lost somehow and though there was some discussion about non-resident usage of the boat launch since they had no files and no copy of any correspondance, including the AG's letter of August 11, 2009, the Ordinance Committee decided to just go "clean sheet" and start over with a residents-only boat launch, like they always wanted to do. Afterall, the state now has Beverly's so how is this a problem. After I laughed she said there was a meeting she had to attend and couldn't talk any more but I asked for a couple of minutes more and I told her I would help her out by sending her a copy of the AG's letter and my correspondence with the old 1st Selectman and that when she receives it she should immediately call an executive session of the Selectmen's Office and have the Ordinance Committee there and modify the Ordinance to include:
--A provision for non-resident usage.
----From Memorial Day to Labor Day a non-resident pass is required for a seasonal fee of $25 bucks (or thereabouts).
----From Labor Day to Memorial Day no pass is required for anyone.
My rationale which I briefly explained to her was:
--It is illegal to do otherwise, the AG's letter will explain why.
--Town residents use Beverly's tying up parking spots so non-residents should have equal availability at the town launch when Beverly's parking is full.
--It is consistent with other area lakes like East Twin and Lakeville Lake, and many other town lakes around the state, where the town and private launches accomodate all boaters.
--Having a state launch means that most non-residents boaters will use it since it is free and in general, a nicer ramp but the issue at hand is the U.S. Constitution and the Right to Assemble which has nothing to do with state ramp availability so the Beverly's issue is a non-starter and irrelevant. That said, few non-residents will use the town ramp during the summer months when a fee pass is required so it is a "sleeves out of the vest" type issue for the town and the town is ill advised to challenge the state's Attorney General.
Then she had to hangup and go to her meeting.
So this morning I am mailing the documents to her and will send her a follow-up email. But this is precisely the kind of thinking and actions that is so frustrating and is a perfect example of what Dusty and Mycept were saying above and why the DEEP for the most part tries to stay out of these issues.
Anyway, we will start with the carrot and see where it goes. The lady was nice on the phone and obviously aware that this Ordinance issue was going to come back to bite them. I have no clue what they will do. If they do nothing then I will bring it to the AG's office again and copy Senator Blumenthal and some others.
I have always said we are best served as sportsmen/women if we can get involved at the local town level by being on these committees, commissions and lake authorities so that our issues are aired at the grass roots level before they get implemented. As frustrating as that is, if we don't we have no chance.
So this is what I will commit to do, if you have any other ideas, suggestions or action plans please don't hesitate to be vocal about it and put up a post.