For decades, the Trustees have sold permits allowing people to drive out to the sandy beaches of Chappaquiddick, a popular destination for swimming, fishing and shellfishing. But the practice has come under fire in recent years.
In a report to the select board Monday, the town’s parks department said it sold 2,079 oversand vehicle stickers for a total of $266,210 in revenue, about the same as the former stewards of the property.
In a letter sent to the board Monday, Trustees attorney Dylan Sanders reiterated the organization’s longstanding position that the Dike Bridge is not under Trustees’ ownership, and therefore it is not responsible for funding any repairs.
The land nonprofit has been the subject of considerable controversy recently as abutters, recreational beachgoers, and conservation officials dispute the Trustees’ management approach.
The Trustees of Reservations is under scrutiny once again after the Edgartown conservation commission found the regional land trust failed to properly demarcate oversand vehicle trails.
The Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association has run a courtesy patrol for more than 30 years on the island’s beaches, lending a hand to beachgoers, fishermen and the Trustees staff.
After releasing an initial draft of the plan last June, the Trustees spent the year gathering public feedback on topics such as oversand vehicle access, shorebird protections and pet regulations.
