Some selectmen argue town should own land; not private owners <\/p>\n
February 22, 2014 2:00 AM <\/p>\n
YORK, Maine Ownership of York's beaches is on the Board of Selectmen agenda for 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in the York Public Library. <\/p>\n
Selectmen chairman Ron Nowell has said that the only way to protect public access is for the town of York to buy its beaches. Most are privately owned, he said. <\/p>\n
The Feb. 4 state Supreme Court decision in the Goose Rocks Beach case favoring private property rights over public access means residents and tourists use York's beaches at the owners' pleasure, he said. <\/p>\n
Assessor Rick Mace said Friday he does not tax anyone for what he called town beaches. <\/p>\n
York has four beaches used by the public: Long Sands Beach, York Harbor Beach, Short Sands Beach and Cape Neddick Beach. The town has a deed to most of Short Sands Beach, but the other beaches are at least partially privately owned, according to Nowell. <\/p>\n
There is currently no impediment to public access. <\/p>\n
Cape Neddick Beach in particular has been subject to questions of ownership. <\/p>\n
In 2011, a Cape Neddick Beach Task Force said there were three owners: two on Shore Road and one on Agamenticus Avenue. The task force recommended the town work cooperatively with the owners for continued public use of the beach. <\/p>\n
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Ownership of York's beaches being reassessed<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some selectmen argue town should own land; not private owners February 22, 2014 2:00 AM YORK, Maine Ownership of York's beaches is on the Board of Selectmen agenda for 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in the York Public Library. Selectmen chairman Ron Nowell has said that the only way to protect public access is for the town of York to buy its beaches Continue reading