November 2014 PITA Sponsored by Plum Island Taxpayers and Associates, Inc. ( PITA ) Bringing Plum Island Together Volume 14, Issue 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE - PITA S CAMPAIGN SCORES VICTORY OF ACCESS - CHRISTMAS FAIR DEC 6TH, CELEBRATES 20TH YEAR - CALLING ALL CRAFTERS! - PITA HEAD NAMED TO STATE COASTAL EROSION COMMISSION - STORM SURGE: AN EVENING AT FIREHOUSE THEATRE, OCTOBER 29 - TOWN CONSIDERS PLUM ISLAND PARKING OPTIONS - PI BEAUTIFICATION MEETINGS 7PM PITA- 1ST TUESDAY Unknown mother and child at Plum Island cottage PITA's campaign scores victory for public beach access PITA has worked for years to make sure PI's historic rights-of-way remain open so that the public has access to our beach. The rights-of-way were laid out nearly a century ago by the Plum Island Beach Company, but over the years, many have fallen into disuse, become buried in sand or been appropriated by the private owners of abutting properties. Several years ago, PITA paid to have nine of the most important and heavily used rights-of-way surveyed and marked. But dozens of other rights-of-way on both the oceanfront and the Basin remain unmarked. Now, Newburyport and Newbury have agreed to have all the oceanfront paths to the beach marked and numbered, starting from the Point and moving south. - PITA PHOTOS AT HALL - Web Site at plumislandtaxpayers.org Rent PITA Hall inexpensively as a Member Find PITA now on FaceBook -- Contribute Christmas Fair celebrates 20th year You can pick out your tree, do some early shopping and have your kids deliver their lists to Santa, all at our 20th annual Plum Island Christmas Fair. The fair is Saturday, Dec. 6, at Plum Island Hall, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Santa returning by fire truck for his annual visit about 2 p.m. Once again, we'll be selling premium trees, with free delivery on the Island. The PI Beautification Society will sell custom decorated wreaths and baked goods. Crafters and artists from Plum Island and vicinity will offer handmade gifts, stocking stuffers and holiday decorations. Rights-of-Way continued on page 2 Christmas Fair continued on page 2 1
2 Rights-of-Way Continued Christmas Fair continued PITA has agreed to pay for markers two for each right-of-way. One marker will be placed on the street side and the other on the ocean side. The latter will come with reflective strips that will serve two purposes. They will make it easier to find the entrance to the right-of-way at night. Even more important, they will help us document any significant loss of sand from the beach, which could make it easier to obtain FEMA aid after a major storm. Remember, you can help us in our work to preserve beach access and stem erosion by joining PITA, donating to the nonprofit, volunteer organization and participating in our annual fundraisers. Also, we welcome the public to come to our regular monthly meetings with any questions or suggestions. The Board of Directors meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Hall. Thank you for your support and we hope you appreciate the efforts of PITA, an all-volunteer nonprofit that works for the betterment of the Island. PITA head named to state Coastal Erosion Commission Longtime PITA President Ron Barrett has been appointed to the Massachusetts Coastal Erosion Commission by Gov. Deval Patrick. The commission was created under the 2014 state budget bill. It is charged with investigating and documenting erosion levels and impacts on the Massachusetts coastline since 1978. It will also assess the financial impact of coastal erosion on property, infrastructure and beaches and dunes and estimate the likely cost of damages over the next 10 years. In addition, the commission is There will also be raffle prizes, refreshments and lunch specials, including hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade haddock chowder and Diane Barrett's famous chili. The event is one of PITA's two major annual fundraisers, with the Taste of Plum Island in May. All proceeds go to help maintain the Hall as a gathering spot for Island residents and support other PITA efforts, including surveying and marking public rights-of-way. So save the date and come celebrate the season with your PI neighbors. Vendors interested in reserving a table, please see Calling all Crafters below. Calling All Crafters! It's that time of year again! The annual PITA Christmas Fair is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th, and PITA is reminding all crafters who have participated at previous PITA fairs to be on the lookout for this year's application form. Forms will be mailed to the address on file during the first two weeks of October. If you have not participated as a vendor at the Fair, and would like to, please send an email to Frank Pierce at fpierce1@comcast.net, or leave us a message with your name and contact information at 978 463-0670. October 29, Storm Surge The Next Storm: Understand the Risks and Be Prepared. An evening at the Firehouse Theatre with Mike Morris and Jack Clark Tickets $10 Tickets available at the Firehouse Center for the Arts! For more information, email: stormsurge9@gmail.com PITA head named... continued on page 3
3 PITA head named to state Coastal Erosion Commission.. Continued tasked with evaluating the laws and regulations governing efforts to combat erosion and with developing strategies to minimize the impact of erosion. Ron's appointment grew out of his work with the Merrimack River Beach Alliance, which has brought together local, state and federal officials to address the issue or erosion on the coast from Cape Ann to Salisbury. Other members of the commission include Newbury Conservation Commission Chairman Doug Packer. Also, Marty Suuberg, the state undersecretary for environment; Bruce Carlisle, director of the Office of Coastal Zone Management; David Cash, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection; Jack Murray, commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; Patricia Hughes, a Brewster selectwoman; Anne Herbst of the Hull Conservation Commission; Jack Clarke of Mass Audubon; and E. Robert Thieler, U.S. Geological Survey. Town considers PI parking options Newbury selectmen are considering a plan to eliminate some of the public parking spaces on Sunset Drive opposite the Plum Island Grille to ease traffic problems at the busy four-way intersection of Sunset Drive, Old Point Road, Plum Island Boulevard and the Plum Island Turnpike. The elimination of the parking spaces was one of the recommendations of a traffic and parking study commissioned by the town and done by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. The study found that there were some backups on Sunset Drive during peak traffic periods due to congestion around Plum Island Grille. The study also said police reported there were more than 30 crashes between 2008 and 2012 on the four roads that form the intersection. The study recommends eliminating five or six of the parking spaces on Sunset Drive nearest the PI parking options.. continued on page 3 "Clarissa J. Greely Winder in Surf, Plum Island" August 16, 1897
4 PITA Membership: renew for 2015 - October is our annual Membership Drive $10 individual membership $20 family membership If you have not already done so, please renew your membership now for 2015 and support PITA. Send dues and donations to PITA at 8 Plum Island Blvd. Newbury, MA 01951 Contact Susan at sailpi@comcast.net PI parking options.. continued from page 3 Grille and also eliminating the "doubleparking" on the Plum Island Boulevard side of the restaurant. The town could make up for the lost spaces and even add to the supply of public parking spaces by opening a lot on town-owned land off Olga Way. That land was once used as an unpaved parking lot, but the lot was eliminated during construction of the watersewer system. Other recommendations include a small traffic island and a stop sign at the north end of Sunset Drive and better guidance to public parking on the Island, including signs and a map or pamphlet. Certified Public Accountants (978)372-8910 info@carrstaplesaccardi.com
Plum Island Beautification meetings, the 1st Tuesday of the month All are welcome to PI Beautification meetings, the 1st Tuesday of the month at PITA hall at 7:00. Any questions or ideas please email Lynne Petty at lynnepisland@gmail.com Rent PITA Hall What PITA has done for you in pictures (see examples from the walls at PITA Hall) MERCY MEALS Please NOTE: free use of the Hall to Island residents for mercy meals, and recognition of your loved one on the PITA sign. Contact Frank at fpierce1@comcast.net or call 978-463-0670 See the Agreement needed to rent the hall: PITA_RentalAgreement_01012013.pdf. Advertise in the PITA Newsletter and free posting on our Web Site PITA Member - $25 /year business card, $50 for expanded size Non-Member - business card $50, for expanded size $75 Contact 5
6 PITA Hall 8 Plum Island Blvd. Newbury, MA 01951