By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department The Dudley Town Beach does not officially open until July 1st. This location on Merino Pond is used by many people during the summer months. With school vacation underway soon and warm weather at hand, some people have been using this area. Based upon previous issues, the Board of Selectmen voted previously to adopt some use restrictions. I wanted to provide residents and others with a reminder of this important information. The Town Beach has been a hot topic of discussion for many years. There has been damage, trash, alcohol use, and other problems taking place over time. People from town, as well as many from outside the area, have come to Dudley to use the beach. Due to limited resources, lifeguards and maintenance personnel only spend limited time at this location. A great deal of cleanup and repair must take place. Many non-residents have been using this location. This has caused problems for those who live in the area as well as the beach users. A few years back, the Board of Selectmen voted beach parking (in the lot behind the Mason Rd. School) and pedestrian access, is restricted to Town residents and their guests only. Since local tax dollars and donations fund the beach operation, the hope is for residents to care about its condition. The goal is to encourage users to display responsible behavior. In addition to the resident restriction, there are regular rules that apply to all beach goers. They include no alcohol, open fires, or pets. There are also restrictions on other activities. The beach is closed to the public at dusk and any swimming, outside of established lifeguard hours, requires people to use the facility at their own risk. |
It is important for those from in and outside town to be aware of these rules. We hope to maintain this location as a quality place for citizens of Dudley. We want all patrons to have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Dudley Police Department encourages anyone who experiences problems or concerns at the beach to contact our department or the Selectmen’s office.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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