The town council at its March 11 meeting took up some burgeoning issues in the Laurel Lane neighborhood at the shore of the Kickemuit River pertaining to public access there and ownership/usership of the outhauls in it.

The matter was also broached recently by the Warren Traffic Committee and was reported back to the council by Town Manager Brian Sullivan.

The committee engaged the matter of potentially illegal no parking signs on Bay Road and Fairview Avenue after it was mentioned during public comment  at the February council meeting by resident Ned McGreavy.

McGreavy referenced what he claimed were "violations" of the Warren Town Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, Harbors and Vessels, the public Right of Way on Clark Road and Chapter 12, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Sec. 12-4, unauthorized traffic signs and devices prohibited, and Sec. 12-27, one-way streets designated.

Sullivan told the council Harbor Master Joseph Silva was brought in to help determine the issue of ownership/usership of the outhauls located off Clark Road on the Kickemuit River. The manager said his understanding of the matter is that the end of Clark Road has not yet been declared an official "right of way" by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council.

McGreavy's comments last month questioned the legality of signage posted and the use of the outhauls. Last week, Silva told the council there isn't much written in the town charter about the outhauls and the that four existing ones "are not legal as they sit"..."none are permitted."

Silva continued, the outhauls have been in place approximately 25 years and his recommendation was to remove two that affect the "right of way" for access. Of the other two talked about, one resident is claiming ownership of the outhaul. He added there are as many as 30 others that would need to confirmed as being proper.

Town Council President Joseph DePasquale replied, "You can't leave something that's not legal that's been brought to our attention...The sadly reality is if they don't conform to our ordinances, then they're not proper...we're bringing this area into compliance. This isn't a witch hunt."

Silva wondered "how deep" the council wanted to delve into the subject, considering other outhaul users will be called into question if those mentioned are cited.

To which DePasquale replied, "If there are other violations in town and they are brought to our attention, you can't ignore them."

Councilor Keri Cronin questioned the difficulty in removing the outhaul rigs, which use a pulley system between two poles, one at the shore and one in the water.

DePasquale estimated the poles are roughly driven about 10 feet into the river basin and that they would have to be cut down at low tide if necessary to prevent them protruding during navigation.

Councilor John Hanley agreed with the assertions made during the discussion, but cautioned, "I just want to make sure that if we're taking someone's property that we have all our ducks in a row."

The harbor commission recommended the town review and institute a firm policy on the ownership/usership of the outhauls and that private no parking signs installed by residents should be immediately removed. Sullivan said there is a question about whether or not the signs were placed by the town.

Specifically, the commission wrote to the council about the outhauls, "we recommend that the Town Council adopt implementation provisions for outhauls related to their registration, fee structure, enforcement, and the like, so that a process for managing them is established akin to that now in place for moorings. The Harbor Management Commission would be happy to suggest specifics the Council desire, and neighboring towns provide examples we can draw from."

About the signs, DePasquale said they should be documented in ordinance and the traffic commission should take up the matter.

Town solicitor Anthony DeSisto said it is illegal to post the signs and questioned if it was impeding the public's rightful access to the shore. His office will continue its investigation into the subject. He said would like to consult with Sullivan and Silva, saying "I think I can point them in the right direction."

He continued, "Start with the ones that are obstructing public access. That is the main issue. Those other issues, that is speculation at this point."

The council did take action on the matter, referring it to the solicitor's office for "further action."