Chilmark beaches will open on schedule this summer, but with new safety precautions including limited parking, the town beach committee decided Monday.
The committee agreed to open Lucy Vincent Beach on June 1 and Squibnocket Beach on June 15. The two south shore beaches are already restricted in the summer months to town residents with stickers.
The committee also agreed to limit parking capacity at all beaches, including Menemsha, starting in June.
“An effort will made to limit the number of people that access the beach, so that we can keep with social distancing as recommended by the state,” said committee member Martina Mastromonaco.
Though the extent of the parking limitations was not finally decided, committee members discussed placing traffic cones in every other parking spot as a means of reducing the amount of beachgoers by about half.
Committee members also discussed additional sanitary efforts, such as supplying extra porta-potties, cleaning supplies and limiting interactions between the public and gatekeeper. They also discussed educational efforts such as signs, to remind beachgoers of necessary safety precautions.
The vote comes on the heels of a decision by the selectmen last week to adopt an immediate budget freeze of all non-essential spending for the remainder of the fiscal year. The freeze prohibits hiring seasonal staff, among other things.
And while the beach committee has been asked to trim its budget, it will be allowed to hire summer staff to keep beaches safe, town administrator Tim Carroll said.
“If the health department says the only way we can safely run the beaches is to [hire seasonal staff] . . . Whatever works to make this operation go, is what it is going to cost,” Mr. Carroll said.
Beach stickers will still be sold, but people are advised to purchase stickers online this year, as the town hall is closed.
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