By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Certainly, the town wants to promote its natural spaces. 

However, when activities on the land are unlawful or create a concern for public safety, a line has to be drawn in the sand.

“Much like all of our public spaces, the Trickey Pond Boat Launch has experienced a higher level of overnight activity in the last couple of years, including campfires and left-behind drugs paraphernalia and other trash,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

“The town was asked to consider gating the launch during the overnight hours,” Hawley said.

However, the proposed solution — preventing overnight use by putting up a locked gate at the entrance — is not permitted, he said. That’s because federal dollars were spent to improve the launch so the town must offer full access to the public, he said. 

“The goal is not to keep people out but to ensure that the property is being used lawfully and is safe for people to use,” he said.

On Monday night, Hawley mentioned the issue to the Naples Board of Selectmen

On Tuesday afternoon, Hawley and Naples resident Martina Witts, who is a representative from the Trickey Pond Environmental Protection Association met with someone from the state to discussion options. The group met at the boat launch, located off Route 114. 

They met with Diano Circo, the chief planner and water access and federal aid coordinator for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W).

“According to Diano, IF&W properties fall under state and federal rules that require full and uninhibited access to the properties,” Hawley said.

“Following an uptick in overnight loitering that includes unlawful activities such as open fires, alcohol consumption and drug use, IF&W was contacted. Naturally, this is a heightened public safety concern because we don’t know what kinds of drugs are being used, what remains on the paraphernalia left behind, and the hazard this is to people accessing the site if they come in contact. Not to mention, the overabundance of trash being left as well,” he said. 

“We requested permission to gate the facility from dusk to dawn,” Hawley said.  

“Federal funds were used to improve the facility back in 2000 and an agreement was made with the town to share ownership of the facility. When using federal dollars, there are always rules attached and according to the rules supplied by Circo, full access must be maintained,” he said. “He is suggesting that stepped-up enforcement from his agency, the Maine Warden Service and CCSO be the first steps to curbing some of the behavior. He is going to work on the enforcement aspect and we will then revisit the issues at a later date to explore other options as necessary.”

Hawley outlined some of the rules that are being broken.

“There is no camping allowed. The boat ramp facility is to be used for water access only,” he said.