Dennis beach sticker discussion may come to a close on Feb. 1

DENNIS — The Select Board will again address beach sticker eligibility requirements for seasonal residents and second homeowners at a meeting Feb. 1 — despite its decision in November to make no changes to existing rules.

The meeting will not allow for public comment.

The board last fall had discussed changing beach sticker eligibility to make resident stickers available only to those who live in Dennis year-round. Currently, second homeowners qualify for resident stickers, which cost $50 per year. Property owners of seasonal cottages or condos do not qualify, and pay $180 per year for a beach sticker.

Earlier coverage: Dennis Select Board keeps beach sticker categories — prices still up for discussion

That discussion prompted outrage on social media, and emails and phone calls critical of the proposal, leading the Select Board to abandon the idea.

Board members intended to decide on new fees for the stickers at a Dec. 7 hearing. However, they moved to continue the fee hearing until their meeting Tuesday.

At that meeting, multiple residents who currently qualify for seasonal stickers asked that the fee for the seasonal beach sticker be dropped to $50, from $180, so that they would pay the same as residents and second homeowners.

Although the meeting was intended to be about fees, the discussion returned to eligibility.

Select Board member Paul McCormick said that eligibility for a resident sticker should be changed. He said that anyone who has a real estate tax bill in the town of Dennis should qualify for a resident sticker. This would allow people who own seasonal condominiums to buy a resident sticker.

He noted that people who own seasonal condominiums might live in Dennis for the same amount of time as second homeowners do, however they cannot buy resident stickers, while second homeowners can.

McCormick said that even if the town takes a financial hit from doing this, it is worth it.

“What matters to me is that people in this town feel like they belong,” McCormick said.

Board chairman Chris Flanagan agreed, and used his brother as an example. He said his brother owns a home in Dennis on the same street as seasonal cottages, and that his brother lived in Dennis for the same amount of time as his neighbors. His brother qualifies for a resident sticker, while his neighbors do not.

However, board member Sheryl McMahon said those who own properties that are deed restricted and not eligible for year-round occupancy should only qualify for seasonal stickers. She also said the fee for resident beach stickers should be raised to $60.

Board member John Terrio said that any reduction in cost to seasonal beach stickers would be a financial hit for the town. He had previously suggested the seasonal sticker be lowered to $90.

“We are still in the quagmire,” he said.

In advance of the Feb. 1 meeting, McMahon and McCormick requested certain documents. McCormick said he wants a “black and white” definition of who qualifies for a residential beach sticker.

McMahon asked for a financial analysis of the potential hit the town would take from changing definitions of beach sticker categories, and changing the seasonal sticker price to $90. She also asked for information that shows how the town budget depends on revenue from higher seasonal sticker prices.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dennis MA beach sticker rules eligibility Cape Cod