Braun Bay Rafting Bill

[robmac]

I was under the impression that you can and should.

[breathe easy]

Here is the link to the bills status:
HB 1466

No hearing date has been scheduled as far as I can tell.

[lawn psycho]

Doing some more background research on rafting areas on Lake Winnipesaukee, here are the NRZs for the lake. I grouped them by Town. It appears those in Moultonborough feel they have exclusive rights to their little areas. That or they want to lead the lake in excluding those nasty boat people.

What I take from this is:
1. Seems like there must be a lot of prime swimming spots I need to check out this summer
2. Many of these are totally non-enforceable as written and would not stand a chance if a violation was written for rafting. Laws have to be precise and there is no “spirit of the law” or “intent of the law” to get a conviction.

Example 1: Buzzell Cove, Green’s Basin, and East Cove are known to whom? There is no officially recognized area of any of these locations nor are they defined. MP could put up markers and it still would not hold up in court. Any of these that use the name of an unofficial bay or cove would get tossed out of court. Said another way, none of the bays or coves are officially recognized by the State of NH.

Example 2: The word “about" which I have bolded would kill this one. It either is or isn’t. Brickyard Cove, encompassing a described area that would run south of an imaginary line running about 2,300 feet from the northern tip of Clay Point to the southern tip of Barndoor Island;
So Officer, did you measure the line? No? Did you locate the precise Northern Tip? No? Where is Brickyard Cove officially recognized by the State of NH? It’s not? Dismissed.

Looks like you better have all the area tax maps available in your boat instead of a map. I don’t think those would hold up either. Imagine if you designated speed limits on city streets based on lots lines rather than signs. Gimme a break.

Saf-C 407.03 Prohibited Areas.

(a) Rafting as defined in RSA 270:42, V, shall be prohibited in the following areas of Lake Winnipesaukee unless covered by one of the exceptions specified in RSA 270:45:

MOULTONBOROUGH (6 areas)
(1) The Kona Mansion, so-called, in Moultonborough, east of an imaginary line running north and south from the red top mark buoy located on the western tip of Avery's Point on the south to the Kona Farm gas docks on the north;
(4) Braun Bay, within 300 feet of both fish and game property lines, to be delineated by marine patrol with orange mooring balls;
(5) Braun Bay, at a distance less than 75 feet from shore, to be delineated by marine patrol with orange mooring balls;
(8) The entire area known as Green’s Basin, in the town of Moultonborough;
(10) The entire area known as Buzzell Cove, in the town of Moultonborough;
(13) The entire area known as East Cove, in the town of Moultonborough;

ALTON (4 areas)
(2) Small's Cove in Alton, southwest of an imaginary line running southeast-northwest from light 75 on the northwestern end to the northernmost point of land marking the entrance to the first cove, south of Small's Cove on the south;
(6) The area known as Cedar Cove, specifically identified as the area opposite Plum Island which borders the town of Alton tax map 18, lot numbers 12 through 20 and 55;
(11) Brickyard Cove, encompassing a described area that would run south of an imaginary line running about 2,300 feet from the northern tip of Clay Point to the southern tip of Barndoor Island;
(15) Roberts Cove, in the town of Alton, encompassing a described area as between the body of water in Roberts Cove, east of a line running north to south from the westerly boundary of lot 41 on tax map 48 to the westerly boundary of lot 1 on tax map 48.

MEREDITH (2 areas)

(12) The entire area known as Black Cove, in the town of Meredith, encompassing an area in Meredith tax map S-7, east from the northern most point of Lot 5-1 to the southeastern most point of Lot 1;
(14) The entire area known as Advent Cove, in the town of Meredith; and

TUFTONBOROUGH (2 areas)
(7) The area of Winter Harbor from the southern boundary of the town of Tuftonboro tax map 63, lot number 14 to the southern boundary of tax map 15, lot number 20.
(9) Orchard Cove, on the east side of Cow Island, in the town of Tuftonboro;

GILFORD (1 area)
(3) Wentworth Cove, southwest of Governor's Island Bridge west of an imaginary north-south line, running from light 43 on the north to the black top buoy, located off Wentworth Cove Estates on the south;

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

1. Seems like there must be a lot of prime swimming spots I need to check out this summer
2. Many of these are totally non-enforceable as written and would not stand a chance if a violation was written for rafting. Laws have to be precise and there is no “spirit of the law” or “intent of the law” to get a conviction.

You tell em psycho, you're going to spend your vacation next summer going from prime swimming spot to prime swimming spot on Lake winni and if anyone says anything to you about it being a restricted area, they had better watch out.

I hope the rest of your family can enjoy what this fantastic Lake has to offer while you are looking for trouble.

Have fun!

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

You tell em psycho, you're going to spend your vacation next summer going from prime swimming spot to prime swimming spot on Lake winni and if anyone says anything to you about it being a restricted area, they had better watch out.

I hope the rest of your family can enjoy what this fantastic Lake has to offer while you are looking for trouble.

Have fun!

You're right Sam, I am going to use those sites as excuse to explore other areas of the lake. That's EXACTLY what I am going to do. They are almost like a an 'X' on a treasure map. Apparently exercising my civil liberities by traveling and swimming on public property is "looking for trouble" to you.

Don't get miffed at me because many of the NRZ locations on the books are poorly written, unenforceable laws. Go speak to your legislator who voted for/against it.

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

You're right Sam, I am going to use those sites as excuse to explore other areas of the lake. That's EXACTLY what I am going to do. They are almost like a an 'X' on a treasure map. Apparently exercising my civil liberities by traveling and swimming on public property is "looking for trouble" to you.

Don't get miffed at me because many of the NRZ locations on the books are poorly written, unenforceable laws. Go speak to your legislator who voted for/against it.

You’re right, my wording was wrong, your civil liberties allow you to swim on public property. I should have said: you will tell them how poorly written, and unenforceable their laws are.

[Resident 2B]

I just hope the casual readers of this forum can see what a small few are attempting to do to pass laws to further restrict the public's use of a public lake. They won round one, a subject that I can not mention because it is closed, and now they are going for another win. They use personal connections to law-makers to spin lies and blow smoke. Very un-American, in my opinion.

YS, sorry I did not put "they" in large font red. Perhaps you can re-size the words and color them in again. Your help is deeply appreciated!

R2B

I can read the headlines now. "ACTIVISTS TRY TO CHANGE RAFTING LAW IN THE DEAD OF WINTER! An activist organization has filed a bill that would limit rafting in Braun Bay without supporting data!..."
There are nuts in every tree who think they are entitled to more than they have earned. Let the people who live on Braun Bay have some peace. Your right to swing your fist ends at their nose. They paid top dollar for their homes and pay a disproportionate amount of tax on it. Their higher than deserved taxes fund your school systems, pay for your police protection, and pave your roads. Don't kill the golden egg laying goose. All they ask is that you don't anchor in front of their houses all day, turn up your radios, pee in their front yard, and leave your trash behind when you go. If one of your neighbors drove up and parked in front of your mobile home, turned up the radio, started opening up Bud's one after the next and peeing on your rhododendrons, then drove away after 8 hours leaving a pile of beer cans behind, you'd be the first to call to the trailer park manager and ask for relief. He might say "but the land in here is all common and the other residents have the same right to use it", but you know that you'd never accept that. So why should they? Treat people with respect and they will return the favor. This rule applies to other things as well (and you know what I mean). If the people of Braun Bay had been treated with respect the way you claim, then this would not have become an issue. Point your blame where it belongs...at the perpetrators, not at the victims. That is the Republican way.

[DEJ]

Here are some facts from people who actually took the time to find out the facts vs. speculation.

From post #7 in this thread
I called and spoke with Ms. Patten. The #1 complaint from residents near Braun Bay is the number of boats.

Not noise, not trash. Boats. The goal of this legislation is to thin out Braun Bay.

From post #9 in this thread
I contacted NHMP. Here are the official complaint numbers from Braun Bay last year.
6 Rafting Violations/Noise Complaints (includes the report of an intoxicated person)
2 reports from boaters
4 complaints from residents. One resident was responsible for three of the calls.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by DEJ

Here are some facts from people who actually took the time to find out the facts vs. speculation.

From post #7 in this thread
I called and spoke with Ms. Patten. The #1 complaint from residents near Braun Bay is the number of boats.

Not noise, not trash. Boats. The goal of this legislation is to thin out Braun Bay.

From post #9 in this thread
I contacted NHMP. Here are the official complaint numbers from Braun Bay last year.
6 Rafting Violations/Noise Complaints (includes the report of an intoxicated person)
2 reports from boaters
4 complaints from residents. One resident was responsible for three of the calls.

Come on DEJ.......... Don't let facts cloud the issue......

I wonder how many of those with opinions for the bill actually visit braun bay?

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

Come on DEJ.......... Don't let facts cloud the issue......

I wonder how many of those with opinions for the bill actually visit braun bay?

So 6 Rafting Violations/Noise Complaints (includes the report of an intoxicated person) and 4 complaints from residents from Braun Bay means nothing to you? These complaints/violations are the ones that are on record, but I’m sure there have been confrontations between land owners and boaters that are not part of this data.

I really think that you are not giving any thought at all as to why this could be a problem to the owners of lake front property in this area.

In your mind, just how many rafting violations and complaints from residents does it take to get something done so that landowners and boaters can coexist?

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

So 6 Rafting Violations/Noise Complaints (includes the report of an intoxicated person) and 4 complaints from residents from Braun Bay means nothing to you? These complaints/violations are the ones that are on record, but I’m sure there have been confrontations between land owners and boaters that are not part of this data.

I really think that you are not giving any thought at all as to why this could be a problem to the owners of lake front property in this area.

In your mind, just how many rafting violations and complaints from residents does it take to get something done so that landowners and boaters can coexist?

you may want to correct that.. 4 complaints, 3 from the same person = 2 complaints.. Just a heads up.

You don't pass laws and change something that has been in use for decades where there are already protection laws in place because 2 lake front owners had an issue. Address that issue and move on. No need for big brother to police us all. So until the MP says there is an issue and new regulations need to be passed for safety and the bays protection, I don't believe there is an additional need for repetative laws..

Now a question for you:

would you rather have our MP officers cracking down on major safety viloations, such as BUI, or sitting in braun bay with a tape measure?

[OCDACTIVE]

One other point for those reading this that don't visit the bay or haven't been there.

The sand bar sits in front of undeveloped land. This area is NOT on someones "front lawn" as some have claimed. Only on the busiest boating days of the year does the anchorage spread beyond this "non-developed area" where there are NO houses.
Carry on

[DEJ]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

1 last point for those reading this that don't visit the bay or haven't been there.

The sand bar sits in front of undeveloped land. This area is NOT on someones "front lawn" as some have claimed. Only on the busiest boating days of the year does the anchorage spread beyond this "non-developed area" where there are NO houses.
Carry on

Don't cloud the issue with facts OCD.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by DEJ

Don't cloud the issue with facts OCD.

Those always seem to get in the way of Feel good legislation like this.

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

Now a question for you:

would you rather have our MP officers cracking down on major safety viloations, such as BUI, or sitting in braun bay with a tape measure?

You may want to correct that to read.... would you rather have our MP officers cracking down on major safety violations, such as BUI and Speeding. And the answer to that is “Yes”.

I don’t want a law to ban boaters and swimmers from having fun on any Lake in NH. I just think that landowners should have their rights to peace and quiet during the summer months just as I’m sure you want at your home year round. If only one resident has a complaint, to me that is enough to try to get something done. It’s unfortunate that it had to get to the drafting of a law, but to that resident it means everything in the world to them.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

You may want to correct that to read.... would you rather have our MP officers cracking down on major safety violations, such as BUI and Speeding. And the answer to that is “Yes”.

I don’t want a law to ban boaters and swimmers from having fun on any Lake in NH. I just think that landowners should have their rights to peace and quiet during the summer months just as I’m sure you want at your home year round. If only one resident has a complaint, to me that is enough to try to get something done. It’s unfortunate that it had to get to the drafting of a law, but to that resident it means everything in the world to them.

I am on the lake front and have had plenty of issues with fisherman hitting my boats and docks by overcasting. (in some cases ripping my cover and vinyl) I see this as an inconvenience as being on the lake front. Should I complain then have a represenative draft a bill to ban lake shore fishing because I find this to disturb my piece and quiet?

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

I am on the lake front and have had plenty of issues with fisherman hitting my boats and docks by overcasting. (in some cases ripping my cover and vinyl) I see this as an inconvenience as being on the lake front. Should I complain then have a represenative draft a bill to ban lake shore fishing because I find this to disturb my piece and quiet?

What does "I am on the lake front" mean?

Do you own Lake front property or are you using public boating facilities?

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

What does "I am on the lake front" mean?

Do you own Lake front property or are you using public boating facilities?

Family owns property but since I am not "the owner" I didn't want to portray that I am.

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

Family owns property but since I am not "the owner" I didn't want to portray that I am.

Fisherman are hitting your boats on your family owned docks by overcasting. (in some cases ripping your cover and vinyl) and you only see this as an inconvience for being on the lake front.

I really hate to say this because it might get me banned from this forum, but you are living in a fantasy world with some of your comments and it shows just how immature you really are?

[DEJ]

YS, please think before you post. Your comment was completely uncalled for.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

Fisherman are hitting your boats on your family owned docks by overcasting. (in some cases ripping your cover and vinyl) and you only see this as an inconvience for being on the lake front.

I really hate to say this because it might get me banned from this forum, but you are living in a fantasy world with some of your comments and it shows just how immature you really are?

I guess some of us are here to discuss the issues and have more of a tolerance for our fellow boater and neighbor.

It is an inconvenience... Did I say something??? Absolutely when I saw it occur. Other times I just find tangled line and hook in my cover. Unfortunately not all of us convey the same courtesies as we would to our fellow man. I realize being on the lake shore has its advantages and its disadvantages. Do I feel I need a law to penalize every fisherman? Absolutley not. For the one or two people who are ignorant shouldn't ruin it for everyone else. So I don't feel a new law should be placed on the entire group. Also because I am already protected by one "destruction of personal property".

I don't think you should be banned from the site. Your comments are entertaining and you are showing your true colors... People can make their own judgments.

[Woodsy]

First and foremost....

The lake DOES NOT BELONG TO THE FORTUNATE FEW WHO OWN WATERFRONT PROPERTY!!! No offense to any waterfront owning member here but your littoral rights to the lake stop at the high water mark and your dock.... there is ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT to peace and quiet when you abut a public park!!!

It is truly amazing to me how people do not see the big picture... every liberty you take away diminishes the whole lake!

We already have a push to make the law should not be mentioned permanent... despite the NHMP saying in an article today that there isnt enough data yet to make a determination!

We have a push in Gilford to shut down Ames Farm permanently using zoning regulations... arguably the best public access boat ramp on the lake!

The towns that do have boat launches either charge a fee or ar limited to town residents only.

We have a no rafting law already that limits the PUBLIC use of the best sandbars on the lake for anchoring and swimming... and now there is push to further restrict the publics RIGHT to use the lake!!

What message does this send to the tourists who come here to visit? How are these short sighted rules going to effect the regions economy? Eventually people will go to places where they are made to feel welcome...

We are already seeing the effects of this during Bike Week... the bikers have been made to feel unwelcome by a host of local ordinances, price gouging, and an overwhelming police presence especially in Laconia. As a result, bikers have been going elsewhere, other places have picked up the slack.... and thier tourist $$$!

The boaters will go elsewhere as well.... No way to easily launch your boat and park the truck & trailer, dont go over 45... you might get a ticket! No fun for your kids when you cant anchor anywhere shallow and go swimming.

It all adds up to big bunch of "why bother going to Winni.... its no fun" and that adds up to hospitality businesses closing, a decrease in property values and an increase in property taxes to make up for loss of revenue!

We are already seeing the effects of this.... sad!

Woodsy

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

I guess some of us are here to discuss the issues and have more of a tolerance for our fellow boater and neighbor.

It is an inconvenience... Did I say something??? Absolutely when I saw it occur. Other times I just find tangled line and hook in my cover. Unfortunately not all of us convey the same courtesies as we would to our fellow man. I realize being on the lake shore has its advantages and its disadvantages. Do I feel I need a law to penalize every fisherman? Absolutley not. For the one or two people who are ignorant shouldn't ruin it for everyone else. So I don't feel a new law should be placed on the entire group. Also because I am already protected by one "destruction of personal property".

I don't think you should be banned from the site. Your comments are entertaining and you are showing your true colors... People can make their own judgments.

I'll bet that if your parents knew that you were writing such nonsense they would spank your bottom.

You are very lucky to have parents that own lake front property and that you can use it whenever you want to.
I'll bet that if you had the responsibilities that go with owning that land you would have a different attitude.

Now that I know you use your parents property and probably live miles away from it, I'll leave you alone because I thought I was talking to a person who might have worked hard to own their own water front on Lake Winni.

You had me fooled!

[Misty Blue]

Before the Kona area (not the whole bay) in Braun Bay was a no rafting area there were a bunch of boats rafted together all packed in to the sand bar in Braun Bay.

Since the no rafting zone became law and the anchorage spacing was enforced we have the same number of boats (well almost) and now they are spread out of the sandbar area all over the top of the bay, even behind Glines island now.

They (the boaters) seem to want to keep out of the landowners way and still anchor in undeveloped areas when they can. I expect that they don't want to anchor in front of my house any more than I want them to do so.

I think that limiting access to Braun Bay sandbar will cause the boaters to spread out to other places where they will be even less popular.

I plan to be at the selectman's meeting next Thursday the 28th at 7 PM. You have to pre register if you want to speak prior to 4PM on Monday.

Be careful of what you ask for.

Misty Blue.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

I am on the lake front and have had plenty of issues with fisherman hitting my boats and docks by overcasting. (in some cases ripping my cover and vinyl) I see this as an inconvenience as being on the lake front. Should I complain then have a represenative draft a bill to ban lake shore fishing because I find this to disturb my piece and quiet?

My family owned lakefront property since 1892. We see lots of issues in front of the property, but we expect it. After all, the lake is a public park.
If we banned boaters from the lake then I guess folks that live next to public parks can ban baseball because it hit their cars and building. Ban basketball because of the constant noise from dribbling. Ban kiddie rides because of the constant squelling of happy kids.

OMG! I just found the next agenda with these folks! God forbid!

I just don't like folks who move here in the past decade tell me what I can and can not do on this lake. I've been here since birth!

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

My family owned lakefront property since 1892. We see lots of issues in front of the property, but we expect it. After all, the lake is a public park.
If we banned boaters from the lake then I guess folks that live next to public parks can ban baseball because it hit their cars and building. Ban basketball because of the constant noise from dribbling. Ban kiddie rides because of the constant squelling of happy kids.

OMG! I just found the next agenda with these folks! God forbid!

I just don't like folks who move here in the past decade tell me what I can and can not do on this lake. I've been here since birth!

Or, like the people that by next to Logan airport and then want runways shut down because the jets are loud. Duh!

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by Elchase

Let the people who live on Braun Bay have some peace.

I was unaware that anyone LIVES ON Braun Bay.

I was always under the impression the waters are owned by everyone in the state for the enjoyment of ALL...

If we want to carry out El's logic to the extreme then Lake Winnipesaukee is owned privately by the waterfront property owners and no one else is allowed...that would include island residents unless they also own shorefront on the mainland.

Let us waterfront owners have some peace!!!

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

Originally posted by Elchase


I was always under the impression the waters are owned by everyone in the state for the enjoyment of ALL...:

I also think this was El's position on that other law we cannot speak about. Can we say hypocrite!

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

Or, like the people that by next to Logan airport and then want runways shut down because the jets are loud. Duh!

And like the folks who recently move to Meredith and want the church to stop ringing the bells every hour. The church been doing this since the 1700's. Remember that El?

And the folks that moved into a development next to the Hudson Speedway and they wanted the speedway shut down because of the noise.

And the folks that banned the Pledge of Allegiance and prayers from schools.

This will never stop. We will no longer be the land of the free. We have lost our bravery.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

And like the folks who recently move to Meredith and want the church to stop ringing the bells every hour.....

The same folks that were pressing for the fire house not to blow its horn on fires.

Actually, its a great notification for non firefighters, so they can gawk at that unmentionable thing come out of the 'barn'

[Breakwater]

Lets look at the proposed law...

270:133 Braun Bay. No person shall form or allow the boat which he or she is operating or in charge of to be a member of a raft consisting of 3 or more boats in Braun Bay at any time when there are already 3 rafts consisting of 3 or more boats in Braun Bay. In this section, “raft” shall have the same meaning as in RSA 270:42, IV. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation.

It is my recoomendation, as a user of the bay, that we support this bill!!! Why?

As written, this bill seems to allow for three rafts of three of three boats which is currently illegal! It does not speak to any of the current rafting practices in Braun Bay! If everyone else (other than the first three rafts of three) continues to limit their raft to 2 boats and maintains the proper spacing, Rep. Patten has simply allowed more boats in the "No Rafting Zone".

My question for Rep. Patten is:

1. Do our elected officials and adjacent property owners remember the Braun Bay of the 1980' and early 90's?? It has come a long way. Maybe they should do their homework!

2.Which law do we obey? RSA 270:44 or the proposed 270:133

"RSA 270:44-Size of Rafts; Separation of Rafts and Single Boats. – Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, no person shall, in a prohibited location or at a prohibited time:
I. Form or allow the boat which he is operating or in charge of to be a member of a raft consisting of 3 or more boats;" (allows a max of 2 boats)

Does she now intend to allow rafts of 3 boats?

3. Do you remember when Braun Bay was regulated like every other zone in the State where rafting had to be 150' from shore? After several hearings conducted by the Dept. of Safety at Moultonborough Academy, the administrative rule for Braun Bay was changed to allow anchoring w/in 75' of shore. The reasoning for this was the fact that the prime anchoring area abutted State property. This was viewed as a compromise between the competing uses of our public waters. A compromise that RSA 270:1, II and III declares.

270:1 Declaration of Policy. –

II. In the interest of maintaining the residential, recreational and scenic values which New Hampshire public waters provide to residents of the state and to the promotion of our tourist industry, and in light of the fact that competing uses for the enjoyment of these waters, if not regulated for the benefit of all users, may diminish the value to be derived from them, it is hereby declared that the public waters of New Hampshire shall be maintained and regulated in such way as to provide for the safe and mutual enjoyment of a variety of uses, both from the shore and from water-borne conveyances. Such provisions shall take into consideration the following: the variety of special uses appropriate to our lakes, public safety, protection of environment and water quality, and the continued nurture of New Hampshire's threatened and endangered species.
III. It is the intent of the legislature to recognize in RSA 270:42-46 that the cumulative effect of boats congregated as ""rafts'' differs from that of the same number of boats scattered and, therefore, requires specific appropriate regulation.

Let's pass this legislation and prove a point!

Sorry for the long post-

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

If only one resident has a complaint, to me that is enough to try to get something done. It’s unfortunate that it had to get to the drafting of a law, but to that resident it means everything in the world to them.

Say what?!?

What needs to happen is development stopped. Maybe it's those on the shorefront that should realize that they are part of the problem. In fact I'm sure we can dig up some old maps and prove that many homes are not where they are supposed to be or that they never properly aquired development or land rights.

Protect a natural and economic resource. Ban all future contruction, additions. No additional docks.

There. Problem solved.

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by elchase

I can read the headlines now. "ACTIVISTS TRY TO CHANGE RAFTING LAW IN THE DEAD OF WINTER! An activist organization has filed a bill that would limit rafting in Braun Bay without supporting data!..."
There are nuts in every tree who think they are entitled to more than they have earned. Let the people who live on Braun Bay have some peace. Your right to swing your fist ends at their nose. They paid top dollar for their homes and pay a disproportionate amount of tax on it. Their higher than deserved taxes fund your school systems, pay for your police protection, and pave your roads. Don't kill the golden egg laying goose. All they ask is that you don't anchor in front of their houses all day, turn up your radios, pee in their front yard, and leave your trash behind when you go. If one of your neighbors drove up and parked in front of your mobile home, turned up the radio, started opening up Bud's one after the next and peeing on your rhododendrons, then drove away after 8 hours leaving a pile of beer cans behind, you'd be the first to call to the trailer park manager and ask for relief. He might say "but the land in here is all common and the other residents have the same right to use it", but you know that you'd never accept that. So why should they? Treat people with respect and they will return the favor. This rule applies to other things as well (and you know what I mean). If the people of Braun Bay had been treated with respect the way you claim, then this would not have become an issue. Point your blame where it belongs...at the perpetrators, not at the victims. That is the Republican way.

el, I live a few miles/trailer parks over from "W". Ever been on Ocean Ave in Kennebunkport? Those oceanfront homes aren't cheap (because they upgraded to double wides) and they deal with tourist traffic ALL DAY. And you know what, they knew it was a sightseeing/tourist area and they adjust too it. They get a nice view of the ocean without leaving the trailer park. That view has a price though......

Paying higher taxes does not give you any additional entitlements. I would have expected a rational person to understand that. If you bought waterfront property and live near the lake tourist area and that is what you are entitled too. No refunds or rainchecks. Extreme seclusion and privacy are not included.

The Bay has additional boats for fewer than a dozen weekends for maybe 5-6 hours. Your claim of "hardship" doesn't hold water (or ice today).

And here's something that you may find interesting. In 2003 a study was done that shows boating/swimming/fishing in the State of NH provides more revenue and jobs than do waferfront property taxes.
http://www.nhlakes.org/docs/EcoStudyPhaseII.pdf

I'm sure the hotel owners around the lake sure appreciate my business to help them pay their taxes too