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Raymond Beach shuts down until further notice By Stephanie Grinnell Raymond Beach is closed until further notice due to health issues not related to water quality, Town Manager Don Willard said Thursday. The closure is effective today, Friday, July 23, at 5 a.m. Public Works Director Nathan White said the major reason for the closure is repeated discoveries of human feces on the beach. ''That was the final straw, I don't get paid for that,'' he said, adding there was one incident of feces Sunday and another Thursday morning. Public works crews clean the beach at least once per day during summer months, White said. On a slow day, workers may clean one 32-gallon trash bag from the beach area but White said after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, four bags were collected. The time to clean the beach ranges from 20 minutes to nearly two hours, he said. Though human feces were deciding factor for the beach closure, Willard said other hazardous materials including baby diapers, alcohol bottles and broken glass, used condoms, prescription bottles and hypodermic needles have also been found in addition to clothing items, trash and rotten food. Willard stressed the beach closure is not related to E.coli counts in the water. ''We try to keep the beach clean and sanitary,'' he said, adding since the beach was closed the second week of July due to high E.coli counts in the water, the problem with trash seems to have increased. ''If people can't use the beach in a respectful manner, it has to be closed.'' Willard said he would rather see the beach, which the town has opened at no charge for more than 10 years, remain open but a small group of people has ''overwhelmed'' clean-up crews. ''It's a shame,'' White said. Thursday morning, White collected three 32-gallon bags of refuse and waste in addition to nearly a dozen diapers found next to the port-a-potty on the beach side. ''It's just the beach, there is no trouble with the boat side,'' he said. ''I apologize to the people of Raymond.'' Willard said the boat launch is separate from the beach and will remain open. White said the port-a-potty on the boat launch side will remain in place and the beach port-a-potty will most likely be removed. Access to the beach will be locked and posted with ''no trespassing'' signs, he said. Cumberland County Sheriff's Officers will patrol the area and the town of Raymond will prosecute offenders found trespassing. White estimated between 75 and 80 people may be present on a hot day using the small strip sand, with more people on weekends. He urged people to use Tassle Top Park and Sebago Lake State Park while Raymond Beach is closed. Willard said in a press release the beach will remain closed ''until further notice pending a new management and/or closure plan.'' |
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