New group forms to plan for PI, Salisbury beaches

By victor tine
Staff writer

November 17, 2008 03:50 am

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PLUM ISLAND — A new group was established last week to manage beach nourishment issues on Salisbury Beach and Plum Island.

The Merrimack River Beach Alliance includes officials of Salisbury, Newburyport and Newbury, legislators representing those communities on Beacon Hill and private "stakeholders" with interests in beach-related issues. The stakeholders are Plum Island Taxpayers and Associates, the Plum Island Foundation and the Salisbury Beach Betterment Association.

In a meeting convened Friday by state Sen. Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican whose district includes Newbury, 11 participants agreed that decisions will be made by consensus rather than formal votes.

"This group should develop a consensus, not be a referee among conflicting interests," Tarr said.

The Beach Alliance is an outgrowth of an Oct. 31 meeting organized by Plum Island Foundation President Marc Sarkady.

Tarr suggested a co-chair structure, with himself as a permanent co-chairman and with the other position rotating annually among the three communities.

The organization will have no formal power over any of the municipalities but will instead be an advisory body.

Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington said he would be opposed to establishing any commission with binding authority.

If there is public or private grant money available for something the alliance wants, members can work on the application and advocate for it, but one of the municipalities would be designated as the recipient.

Tarr said each of the municipalities should choose a single representative, who should strive for consistent attendance at meetings.

Salisbury selectmen Chairman Jerry Klima said the state Department of Conservation and Recreation should be made part of the group, since the agency owns all of Salisbury Beach, from the mouth of the Merrimack River to the New Hampshire border.

Tarr agreed and said he would ask DCR to designate a representative.

Friday's organizational meeting, held at PITA Hall on Plum Island Boulevard, was attended by Tarr, Klima, Harrington, Newbury selectmen Chairman Vincent Russo, Newburyport Mayor John Moak, Newbury Conservation Agent Doug Packer, Newburyport Conservation Agent Mary Reilly, Plum Island Taxpayers President Ron Barrett, Plum Island Foundation members Bob Connors and Mark Friery, consulting engineer David Vine and Tarr's aide, Brendan McGonigle.