Open Up Beach to Non-Residents?

Open up Barrington Beach to non-residents.

A straw poll of the Parks and Recreation Commission Thursday night, Feb. 23, showed unanimous consent for that proposal.

An official vote was not taken. But Mike Seward, chairman of the commission, wanted a show of hands. Every board member pointed skyward.

Opening up the beach to non-residents would generate more revenue for upkeep, maintenance, and more lifeguards and could even lead to federal cash for the same reason, the commission said. Right now, keeping the beach closed to non-residents prevents Barrington from applying for federal grants.

The Town Council rejected a similar proposal several years ago, said John Taylor, recreation director. But the councilors turned it down because of the former bathhouse, which did not have attractive shower and bathroom facilities and no medical room at all. Spiders also were a complaint, he said.

A new bathhouse will open for use this year. It will make the beach a much more desirable place to hang out.

Seward tabled the beach proposal until the March meeting. Members of the commission decided they wanted to think about the idea for another month before taking an official vote.

The commission also discussed raising the current fee for a beach pass, which stands at $20 for the season for residents who are not senior citizens. Members decided first to deal with opening up the beach to non-residents.

The creation of a tennis license for professional teachers also was tossed around. Right now, the pros can use Barrington’s courts for free in the warm-weather months to give lessons.

Tennis teachers are supposed to register with the Recreation Department. But no one ever has, said Taylor.

The police department would enforce the license if it was created by an ordinance approved by the Town Council.

The commission also was asked by Joe Piccerelli, DPW superintendent, to keep the two new playing field at Chianese Park closed until the spring of 2013. This time period should allow the grass to take root properly, especially without watering, he said.

DPW cannot water the fields because they sit on top of closed landfills. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management prohibits this type of maintenance because of the possibility of runoff leaching onto neighboring properties.