Nahant selectmen race going to the dogs

NAHANT – Dogs aren’t on the ballot for the special election, but you can bet issues surrounding Doggie Beach will be a topic at the upcoming debate on Oct. 6 between the two candidates for selectmen.Jennifer McCarthy and Lainey Titus are vying for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the Oct. 19 special election to fill the seat left vacant when Robert Frary resigned earlier this year.The two candidates are scheduled to debate Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.One subject both have mentioned during the campaign is the need to take a look at issues on Black Rock beach, which is better known as Doggie Beach.The popular beach is the only beach in town where dogs are allowed to run unfettered year-round.McCarthy, who is a dog owner, said many individuals she has spoken to during the campaign have expressed a variety of concerns about the beach.”I have heard positive things and not-so-positive things,” she said. “Some people think it’s great to have a place for dogs to run loose and socialize. It also allows an opportunity for dog owners to socialize, but there are problems down there.”McCarthy said she has received complaints from dog owners and area residents alike.”The dog owners are complaining the (grass on the dunes) at the beach are overgrown,” she said. “There are also complaints from dog owners because the town does not clean the beach like it does Short Beach and Tudor Beach.”McCarthy said she understands it is difficult to do routine cleaning without disturbing the sand dunes and nesting birds, so the selectmen would have to work with the Conservation Commission and Department of Public Works to find a solution.Titus said many people have brought up Doggie Beach as she campaigned.”People have mentioned it to me when I’ve been knocking on doors,” she said. “I’ve heard about it from dog owners and people who live near the beach.”Titus she has been listening to the concerns of residents and one concern that has been brought up repeatedly is there are too many dogs present at one time.”There is a real concern about overcrowding,” she said. “Some people are afraid to take their dogs down there because at times there are too many dogs. It’s difficult to know if all the dogs will be well behaved and under the control of their owners.”Titus said she looks forward to having a dialogue with dog owners and residents living in the vicinity of Black Rock Beach.”I want to talk to more of the dog owners and residents,” she said. “We need to take a close look at what the problems are. We need to see what is working and what is not working.”Titus added because Doggie Beach was established by a vote of Town Meeting, it might be necessary to bring the issue before Town Meeting again if any significant changes were to be made.”It’s always healthy to revisit decisions that have been made,” she said. “We need to listen to concerns and complaints to determine if this is something that needs to come before Town Meeting again.”McCarthy said voters she’s talked to would like an easier way down to the beach.”The other complaint I’ve received from people using the beach is lack of accessibility,” McCarthy said. “It is a very narrow path and rocks to navigate around so it is not an easy area for the elderly and handicapped to access. I have also heard a lot of complaints about people coming from out of town and parking illegally to use the beach. There are also complaints about people coming with a whole group of dogs.”McCarthy said if elected she would like selectmen to direct police to enforce the parking bans, work with the animal control officer to monitor dog waste and work with the Department of Public Works to clean the beach.”The beach is an asset to the town,” she said. “A great many people use the beach.”