Residents ask Select Board to unblock oceanfront views in Onset

Residents urged the Select Board to fix allegedly obstructed ocean views from public spaces in Onset during the board's meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4. 

Susan Noonan added to concerns she raised at the previous Select Board meeting that parts of Bay View Park in Onset have become overgrown. In her statement, Noonan told the board that the park's weeds she spoke about have since been trimmed back so the sidewalk is easier to maneuver. However, the view of the beach while sitting on the park's benches remains "obstructed by tall foliage." 

Noonan said that the selection of plants seemed to be "inappropriate" and that the bushes at the park appeared not to be native to the area. 

"I'm not a gardener or an arborist; I struggle to grow a tomato," she said. "However, it appears to me that this is only going to get worse if it is not addressed."

Noonan called on the Select Board to revisit the park's plans and "make appropriate changes to ensure future enjoyment of the area."

Onset resident Neil Sullivan spoke about trees along the the Onset Bluffs, which he said block the view of the ocean. 

"You simply can't see out on the water," Sullivan said. "So I would implore you, please find a solution to this issue."

The concerns came as part of the "citizens participation" portion of the Select Board meeting. During this part of the meeting, the board listens to resident comments, but does not immediately respond to or discuss the citizens' concerns to avoid to Open Meeting Law violations. It is not clear whether the Select Board will take further action on the residents' comments.