Thats the issue - plain and simple.
 

It would appear - by most accounts - and observations on this thread - that there is no true benefit - to having these dock spaces reserved for H boaters. There is no benefit to the handicapped person as s/he still has to figure out how to get out of the boat and up onto the dock, and then wheel her/himself down the dock, etc... The ONLY real benefit appears to be that s/he gets to dock faster than most who must wait for the docks to open up.

Its certainly an interesting conundrum!:rolleye1:

Do you need a handicaped dock when you get on your boat???
this man is riduculous !!!

wait in line
 

I have not yet had the chance to make the trip over to Wolfeboro this summer, but am I to understand that these dock spaces have in no way been modified???? That makes no sense. If they are no different than the regular spots, how can they be marked "Handicapped"? In a parking lot for automobiles, the spots are wider, and generally close to whatever building they are for. Thus making it easy for a handicapped person to go to and from the car. But if the docks are all the same, this makes no sense. Why should a boater not have to wait in line like everyone else, just because they are handicapped? And we all know that line can be long on weekends.
I think if the wait was over 15/20 minutes, and one of these spots open, I would grab it. Tell me, how would I be affecting a handicapped boater in any way????!!!

My curiosity continues......can you scan & post the ticket?

Based on what M&M posted,You are within your rights to use those spaces if the the rest of the docks are full.

Copy of ticket
 

Sorry for the delay on this. Here is the copy I promised to post. As you can see it is a true ticket from Wolfeboro PD.

Wolfeboro Town Ordinance WC 184-11
 

Great pics!

The ticket specifically denotes that you violated Wolfeboro Town Ordinance WC 184-11. I do not have on-line access to that ordinance, but needless to say it would have to specifically address the reserved town docks in question.

My feeling, after reading comments attributed to the Police Chief, is that the particular ordinance cited only addresses properly signed handicap spaces on streets and parking lots.

The Town does reserve the right to modify or create a new Town ordinance allowing enforcement, but my suspicion is that the parking enforcement officer issuing this ticket has checked off an ordinance that does not yet apply.

Perhaps a Wolfeboro resident could stop by Town Hall and obtain a copy of WC 184-11 for us to peruse? :confused:

Thanks for posting the pictures, it answers a lot of questions while raising a few more! ;)

Actually it's WC 164-11
 

...is the ordinance checked off. Good idea Skip!

Handicap Docking Spaces -- Final Ruling?
 

Hello Fellow Boaters,

Was there ever a final ruling or resolution to the handicap docking spaces at Wolfeboro? Does anyone know if there are any other handicap designated docking spaces across the lake? Have a great summer! :)

Handicap Dock public hearing
 

From today's (5/29) Granite State News, page A4:

"The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 7:05 PM at the Town Hall Meeting Room, 86 South Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH for the purpose of hearing public comment on the proposed amendments to Chap 36, Sec 5, of the Town Code entitled 'Limitations on the use of Town docks, wharves, and ramps' as follows:

Q. No boats, as defined in RSA 279:2, shall be docked in that area of the Town Docks designated as accessible docking, unless such boat displays a windshield placard issued under RSA 261:88 OR displays the international symbol of access.

Docking spaces designated as accessible shall be marked in accordance with the provisions of RSA 265:73-a, by affixing signs to posts, docks, or other areas so as to be clearly visible to anyone approaching the area by boat.

The accessible docking area shall be utilized only if a person with a disability is being transported in or is operating a boat to or from the docking area.

Any person convicted under this section shall be fined not less than $250.00"




Needless to say, any boater who thinks this is idiotic should attend!

That's just plain nuts!
 

There is absolutely no logic to this bill......but I guess we've been all through that last year.

Please Please Please --- Not Again!
 

Not another thread on this issue!!! Everyone needs to go to the hearing - everyone from Wolfeboro that is - to say enough is enough!!

Well
 

everyone that can shoudl show up to oppose this bill, of course it is on a Wednesday night. Only compromise would be for them to build more or longer docks, as this is so foolish, remeber folks one town starts, this the rest will follow. I have no problem with folks who are disabled having spaces on the the street and parking lots, but boating is above and beyond a recreation and all should be equal, if you can get into and out of a boat then it should not matter where you dock period. 50feet is not going to make a difference when walking or strolling or whatever around the town of Wolfboro. Preference should not be given. I would much rather give prefence to war vetrans injured or not because of what they do for us everyday.

Please do not blast me on this, we all need to think about the common sense of this one.

HP dock
 

A docking area for handicapped boaters is a good idea. I see chair vans around but have not seen a chair boat. Is there a picture in photo post?

How about a chair in a boat?

Perhaps Wolfebore is creating a place for showing appreciation to Vets and other wheelchair bound people?

http://wheelchairregatta.homestead.com/

There are more rewarding experiences in life than displaying a flag in a flotilla...

why?
 

Maybe, if they provided some handicap advantage, but all docks are the same and these just give handicap boaters a virtual "jump in the line" to get a dock on busy weekends.

Here we go again....
 

This is exactly how the last "discussion" on this topic began.

I like the suggestion from Second curve at the beginning of this discussion, surrounding the special designanted flag for Handicapped Boaters to go to the front of the line. I think this would address the need at hand. I am a virtual newbie at the big lake, only two years and have to say, normally I err on the side of politeness and caution around the town docks, but the one thing I can say is there is a definate shortage of dockspace at all of the ports on the lake. So i would hate to constatly be waiting for a dock and having one sit open for hours on end.
I know going to the mall or the movies, that there is nothing that burns my ass like having to park a mile away and walking by 50 empty handicapped spaces, so I understand everyones frustration. The same would apply to the docking situation.
That being said, to say that it is unfair though is a bit of a stretch, these individuals (or most of them with the placards) are handicapped and have a need to be closer, etc. so I think the flag would allow them to get to the space in a timely fashion and get the time they need to unload all of the gear and themselves, and still enjoy the lake. Just my personal opinion.
Add to that that I think the same rules should apply, 3 hr maximums at the docks, and I think there should be a parking meter fee for handicapped for what its worth.

I have yet to understand why being handicapped merits getting a dock space FASTER. Closer? Absolutely, of course. But in terms of TIME, I just don't see it. Should cars with handicapped plates be allowed to drive in the breakdown lane when there is a big traffic backup?

The simple solution is to extend the current docks to allow for an increase in capacity, without an increase of shorefrontage usage.

Then, again, that would require some common sense to impliment such a simple solution...

A15.2.3 Boat Slips: Minimum Number. Accessible boat slips are not "reserved" for persons with disabilities in the same manner as accessible vehicle parking spaces. Rather, accessible boat slip use is comparable to accessible hotel rooms. The Department of Justice is responsible for addressing operational issues relating to the use of accessible facilities and elements. The Department of Justice currently advises that hotels should hold accessible rooms for persons with disabilities until all other rooms are filled. At that point, accessible rooms can be open for general use on a first come, first serve basis.


I would like to know how the town of Wolfeboro will address this section of the ADA accessibility code. As far as I know a town ordinance can not over rule a federal law which I believe this code is a part of. I would go to this hearing and ask but I can not make it. If someone else reading this is going maybe they could ask.

As someone who has a severely handicapped relative (confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk at all) I think the only realistic way to make a dock, public or otherwise, truely handicapped accessable is with a piece of equipment like THIS built into the dock designated as handicapped. Constructing more docks won't really help anyone confined to a wheelchair.

Do I think Wolfboro or any other community will do this? Nope, so putting a handicapped sign on a dock or two is only an attempt to try to show compliance to the ADA and avoid future lawsuits or federal compliance orders. IMHO

A modified version of the below lift system would allow for the embarking and disembarking of a wheelchair and its occupant, not just the wheelchair. Think of the vehicle as being the dock and the lift arm possessing the ability to extend.


http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm...discontinued=0

If you search way back in this forum, you should find a thread on the Hoyer lift base at the Gilford public docks. From memory, an islander wanted to bring his disabled family member out to the island. He paid for, or convinced the town to install the base for a Hoyer lift on the Gilford public docks. It is still there. The only thing there is the base bolted to the dock, the user needs to have the lift mechanism. Most people that need one, rent one under their insurance. I remember seeing pictures of a man being lowered into a bowrider and going for a boat ride.

I do recall reading about that and I mentioned but it wasn't an option.

If they installed a base for a hoya lift at the Wolfboro 'handicapped' dock that would fit the bill, but short of that it's just another dock with a sign.

According to a glossy town mailing, there's a Lyman "In the Water Boat Show" at the Wolfeboro Town Docks tomorrow. 9AM-3PM. 569-4554 for information.

It'll be interesting to see how the docks get used then. ;)