Swampscott residents, officials sick of signs

SWAMPSCOTT – Beachgoers must watch where and when they step when going to Whale?s Beach, not because of what lies under the sand, but what?s posted on top of it: Private property. No trespassing. Private beach beyond this point. Geraldine Shore, a Puritan Road resident, said she?s sick of all the signage.?I?m totally disgusted with what?s going on at Whale?s Beach,” said Shore to the Board of Selectmen Wednesday when she asked why so much of the beach was closed for private use. Chairman Jill Sullivan told Shore the selectmen were “working on it.”Selectman Glenn Kessler later confirmed that the signage declaring private property was an ongoing issue between Whale?s Beach beachgoers, residents and neighbors.?We are aware of the fact that it?s an issue and it?s under advisement,” said Kessler on Friday. “We are waiting to hear back from the appropriate people to hear what?s going on.Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta said the issue is a few residents who are trying to lay claim to what he said is the “better part of the beach.”?I haven?t seen all of their deeds, but it?s my understanding that they do have rights to the high water mark, but still have to allow people to use the beach for access,” said Cresta on Friday.Cresta said Whale?s Beach off of Puritan Road is about a quarter of a mile long.Shore had selectmen stumped when she asked about another sign issue, one stating that the beach is closed from sundown to sunrise. “Why can?t I walk the beach after dark?” she asked.?How are we going to issue bonfire permits for the beach if people can?t go on them at night?” Selectman Matt Strauss asked his fellow board members. Kessler told Shore they would get clarification on the subject, adding that he, too, often enjoyed walking the beach at night.?I don?t know if that?s a rule, but it?s a dumb rule,” said Kessler on Friday. “This is a public beach ? and you?re telling me I can?t go on the beach after 8 p.m.?”Swampscott Police Detective Tim Cassidy confirmed Friday that the rule was a bylaw that applied to all town beaches.Cresta said it was to keep troublemakers at bay. “We just don?t want kids hanging on the beach after dark and in the early morning,” he said.