New bathhouse at Gilford Beach

Seaplane Pilot · 01-10-2023, 02:13 PM

So if I understand the story in the Laconia Daily Sun correctly, someone from out of state can rent a room at a lodging facility in Gilford, and then utilize a day pass for the Gilford Beach that the lodging facility acquired from the Town. But a person that owns a commercial property in Gilford (and pays taxes to Gilford), cannot use the Gilford Beach or Glendale launch ramp. That sure makes a lot of sense.

FlyingScot · 01-10-2023, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

So if I understand the story in the Laconia Daily Sun correctly, someone from out of state can rent a room at a lodging facility in Gilford, and then utilize a day pass for the Gilford Beach that the lodging facility acquired from the Town. But a person that owns a commercial property in Gilford (and pays taxes to Gilford), cannot use the Gilford Beach or Glendale launch ramp. That sure makes a lot of sense.

Even better, the B&B owner can have 8 or 10 passes, and you can't have any

Descant · 01-10-2023, 06:13 PM

I can get a guest pass, for a fee, to user the Glendale ramp. Perhapos it should have variable fee with dates of expiration? Of course, that gets pretty cumbersome.
Isn't the B & B a business? Sounds like "business" needs to be clarified. And if the B & B wants passes, don't they pay something for them?
It should be free to residents and their guests when they are accompanied by the resident. Parking only for those vehicles with a resident/dump sticker?
I have confidence that the BOS will work out something that is fair.

John Mercier · 01-10-2023, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

I can get a guest pass, for a fee, to user the Glendale ramp. Perhapos it should have variable fee with dates of expiration? Of course, that gets pretty cumbersome.
Isn't the B & B a business? Sounds like "business" needs to be clarified. And if the B & B wants passes, don't they pay something for them?
It should be free to residents and their guests when they are accompanied by the resident. Parking only for those vehicles with a resident/dump sticker?
I have confidence that the BOS will work out something that is fair.

The article talks about a $5 day fee or a much larger seasonal fee. That is on top of the taxes they pay the town, and the kickback to the town from the M&R. But states that it is a recent policy change that makes the situation worse, and they are looking to go back.

fatlazyless · 01-10-2023, 07:50 PM

Gilford is home to both 1100' long Gilford Town Beach, and the 600' long beach at State of NH-Ellacoya State Park, about three miles south on Route 11.

It's easy to compare the two and come away thinking that Ellacoya State Park has better views, a better natural sandy beach, a better location on the lake, and better facilities including a store that sells sandwiches, ice cream, pizza, and soft drinks.

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/s...oya-state-park .... open to the public

Adult: $5
Children (6-11): $2
NH residents 65+: admitted free

Open: May 13 to September 18, 9am-7pm

Suggest you read the reviews at Trip Advisor on Gilford Town Beach and Ellacoya State Park for comparision.

Charlie T · 01-10-2023, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The article talks about a $5 day fee or a much larger seasonal fee. That is on top of the taxes they pay the town, and the kickback to the town from the M&R. But states that it is a recent policy change that makes the situation worse, and they are looking to go back.

I'm a "non resident non voting taxpayer". I have no problem with my tax dollars paying for a new bath house but ..... The thing that irritates me to no end is the fact that the town expects my son to pay hundreds of dollars for a beach sticker for his car. It would seem my Son and Grandkids should have a right to use that beach, by virtue of my tax payments, without the extreme money grab from the town. I pay many thousands in property taxes with very little back in return including a Private road that the town doesn't plow or maintain. I've inquired and complained many times to the town and had it fall on deaf ears. There attitude seems to be that If I can't vote, I have no rights no matter how much I contribute.

John Mercier · 01-10-2023, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie T

I'm a "non resident non voting taxpayer". I have no problem with my tax dollars paying for a new bath house but ..... The thing that irritates me to no end is the fact that the town expects my son to pay hundreds of dollars for a beach sticker for his car. It would seem my Son and Grandkids should have a right to use that beach, by virtue of my tax payments, without the extreme money grab from the town. I pay many thousands in property taxes with very little back in return including a Private road that the town doesn't plow or maintain. I've inquired and complained many times to the town and had it fall on deaf ears. There attitude seems to be that If I can't vote, I have no rights no matter how much I contribute.

I believe the current rules are that if you are a gilford property tax payer, with your name on the deed, that you can get a sticker for your vehicle, registered in your name, at the town hall.

Dependent on your son's age and residency, that would determine whether he is a ''guest''.

Gilford was the first in the area that I know of.... but all the others followed with resident only facilities as the demand became overwhelming.
I believe Gilford's resident population has more than doubled since that bath house was built. Same amount of beach and water... just a lot more potential users.

TiltonBB · 01-11-2023, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I believe the current rules are that if you are a gilford property tax payer, with your name on the deed, that you can get a sticker for your vehicle, registered in your name, at the town hall.

That is not correct. As stated above, the owner of commercial properties, although a Gilford taxpayer, cannot get a town sticker.

The owners of 284 condo boat slips at Mountain View Yacht Club, although Gilford taxpayers with their name on the deed, cannot get town stickers.

John Mercier · 01-11-2023, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

That is not correct. As stated above, the owner of commercial properties, although a Gilford taxpayer, cannot get a town sticker.

The owners of 284 condo boat slips at Mountain View Yacht Club, although Gilford taxpayers with their name on the deed, cannot get town stickers.

I believe this is still the current rules as amended with the amendments last changed highlighted.

https://www.gilfordnh.org/assets/mun...11-18-2020.pdf

Descant · 01-11-2023, 07:28 PM

we get a Glendale sticker based on ownership at MVYC. Isn't it the same sticker? Since we're at MVYC, a few hundred yards away, we don't go to the town beach.

TiltonBB · 01-11-2023, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

we get a Glendale sticker based on ownership at MVYC. Isn't it the same sticker? Since we're at MVYC, a few hundred yards away, we don't go to the town beach.

I don't know if the Glendale ramp has a different sticker than the regular town sticker. I owned a slip at MVYC for over 20 years and at that time I was told we could not get a town sticker to use the beach. Maybe I was misinformed. I have had a home in Gilford since 2004 and now have the regular town sticker.

steve-on-mark · 01-12-2023, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I don't know if the Glendale ramp has a different sticker than the regular town sticker. I owned a slip at MVYC for over 20 years and at that time I was told we could not get a town sticker to use the beach. Maybe I was misinformed. I have had a home in Gilford since 2004 and now have the regular town sticker.

The Gilford town sticker works at Glendale, but passes must be purchased for guest parking and boat launching.

Seaplane Pilot · 01-10-2023, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Even better, the B&B owner can have 8 or 10 passes, and you can't have any

One can only laugh at the stupidity of this. I guess if I want to use the beach and soon-to-come Taj Mahal bath house that my tax dollars pay for, I’ll just stay at a B&B in Gilford and grab a pass from them.

camp guy · 01-10-2023, 09:23 PM

I don't live in Gilford, so perhaps I don't have the passion that a resident would have, but maybe the Gilford selectmen should ask some of the other Lake front Towns how they handle beach passes. Maybe some good points from each of the other Towns would give Gilford enough information to develop their own pass system which would be acceptable to all. The other Towns surrounding the Lake all have the same issues that Gilford has, basically, how to make it reasonably fair for all taxpayers, including "non-resident taxpayers" who can actually be some of the large$$$$t tax payers.

01-10-2023, 06:13 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,459 Thanks: 1,376 Thanked 1,654 Times in 1,082 Posts	what is a business? I can get a guest pass, for a fee, to user the Glendale ramp. Perhapos it should have variable fee with dates of expiration? Of course, that gets pretty cumbersome. Isn't the B & B a business? Sounds like "business" needs to be clarified. And if the B & B wants passes, don't they pay something for them? It should be free to residents and their guests when they are accompanied by the resident. Parking only for those vehicles with a resident/dump sticker? I have confidence that the BOS will work out something that is fair.

01-10-2023, 07:50 PM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,851 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 303 Thanked 1,034 Times in 753 Posts	No worries, nearby Ellacoya State Beach is a better beach! Gilford is home to both 1100' long Gilford Town Beach, and the 600' long beach at State of NH-Ellacoya State Park, about three miles south on Route 11. It's easy to compare the two and come away thinking that Ellacoya State Park has better views, a better natural sandy beach, a better location on the lake, and better facilities including a store that sells sandwiches, ice cream, pizza, and soft drinks. https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/s...oya-state-park .... open to the public Adult: $5 Children (6-11): $2 NH residents 65+: admitted free Open: May 13 to September 18, 9am-7pm Suggest you read the reviews at Trip Advisor on Gilford Town Beach and Ellacoya State Park for comparision.

01-10-2023, 09:23 PM	#14
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,197 Thanks: 303 Thanked 529 Times in 296 Posts	New bathhouse at Gilford beach I don't live in Gilford, so perhaps I don't have the passion that a resident would have, but maybe the Gilford selectmen should ask some of the other Lake front Towns how they handle beach passes. Maybe some good points from each of the other Towns would give Gilford enough information to develop their own pass system which would be acceptable to all. The other Towns surrounding the Lake all have the same issues that Gilford has, basically, how to make it reasonably fair for all taxpayers, including "non-resident taxpayers" who can actually be some of the large$$$$t tax payers.

01-10-2023, 02:13 PM	#1
Seaplane Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 664 Thanked 943 Times in 368 Posts	So if I understand the story in the Laconia Daily Sun correctly, someone from out of state can rent a room at a lodging facility in Gilford, and then utilize a day pass for the Gilford Beach that the lodging facility acquired from the Town. But a person that owns a commercial property in Gilford (and pays taxes to Gilford), cannot use the Gilford Beach or Glendale launch ramp. That sure makes a lot of sense.

The Following User Says Thank You to Charlie T For This Useful Post:
samosetguy (01-17-2023)

01-11-2023, 07:28 PM	#10
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,459 Thanks: 1,376 Thanked 1,654 Times in 1,082 Posts	we get a Glendale sticker based on ownership at MVYC. Isn't it the same sticker? Since we're at MVYC, a few hundred yards away, we don't go to the town beach.