Jaffrey town officials seek to strengthen its open container ordinance on private property.
Selectmen proposed toughening the open-container ordinance at its meeting last week in order to better cover private property that is open to the public. Police Chief Bill Oswalt said he proposed the changes so that the ordinance would reflect how police currently enforce the open container ordinance.
“This just gives it some teeth,” Oswalt said.
The proposed change must first be presented to residents during a public hearing.
The changes would specify beaches are subject to the ordinance, along with public parks and buildings, which are already specifically named. Jaffrey owns two public beaches, one on Contoocook Lake and the other on Thorndike Pond. It also allows private landowners who allow public access to their properties, either for events or in perpetuity, to sign a memorandum of understanding with the town to allow enforcement of the ordinance on their property.
Currently, the ordinance bans any alcoholic beverage or liquor within the limits of Jaffrey’s public highways, sidewalks, municipal parking lots, municipal parks or buildings. Violators can be fined $100.
Oswalt said one of the areas that prompted the amendment is Sandy Beach on Gilmore Pond, which is privately owned by the New England Forestry Foundation, but is open to the public.
“It’s an area that’s been open to the public for decades, but over recent years, it’s become such a popular spot, perhaps because of social media,” Oswalt said. “And because it’s a remote location, we’ve seen an increase in alcohol and open containers.”
Oswalt said police do issue open container violations on Sandy Beach, but he wants the ordinance to more specifically address public access to private land.
Private property owners that regularly hold public events could also apply to have the ordinance enforced. The annual Festival of Fireworks is an example of that, Oswalt said – like Sandy Beach, the property is already posted against bringing alcohol.
If property owners agree to sign a memorandum of understanding in the town, it would give police authority to enforce the town ordinance on their land in perpetuity, or until one or both sides dissolve the agreement.
The public hearing on the ordinance amendment will be held during the Select Board meeting on Oct. 14 at the town offices.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.