0 Broken Back Hill Rd

 Town of Chatham Goose Pond Campsite

• Historically youth groups including the Boy Scouts have used a camping site on Town Property to the west of Goose Pond.

• This camping site has not been used in a few years. There is now a desire to re-institute this area.

• Historically, permissions were simpler and less formal.

PERTINENT EXCERPTS FROM THE ZONING BYLAW:

The camping area is located in two districts, M and M/C.

M Municipal District 
a. Standard Permitted Uses 
1. Agriculture 
2. Conservation of Land, Water, Wildlife, Vegetation and Other Natural Features 
3. Fishing Use  
4. Public Educational Use  
5. Government Offices and Facilities  
6. Parks, Beaches, and Active Recreation Facilities, including Related Buildings 
7. Public Utility Buildings and Facilities 

M/C Municipal Conservancy District 
a. Standard Permitted Uses  
1. Agriculture 
2. Conservation of Land, Water, Wildlife, Vegetation and Other Natural Features  
3. Low Intensity Recreational Use such as Walking, Biking, Fishing and Picnicking.
4. Structures and Improvements Related to Low Intensity Recreational Use, Conservation and Agriculture.
5. Structures and Improvements Related to Municipal Water Supplies.

Section II Definitions:
25. “CAMPING  VEHICLE”  means  a  vehicular  structure  without  permanent  foundation  which  can  be  towed,  hauled  or  driven,  and  is  primarily  designed  for  temporary  living  accommodations  for  recreation, camping and/or travel use.
70. “MOBILE  HOME”  means  moveable  or  portable  dwelling  unit  designed  and  constructed  to  be  towed on its own chassis, comprised of frame and wheels, and designed to be used for residential  purposes  without  a permanent foundation.  A trailer or mobile home, when used for dwelling purposes and affixed to land, shall still be considered a mobile home for all purposes of this Bylaw.

There is no definition for Tent or Tent Trailer.

There is a questionable typographical error in the Zoning Bylaw. In Section III District Regulations, all the zones other than the M and M/C describe “Tent, Trailer, Camping Vehicle, Mobile Home”. In Section VII, Special Regulations and Appendix I, Schedule of Use Regulations, what is likely the same category is for “Tent Trailer, Camping Vehicle, Mobile Home.”

Section VII, Special Regulations, 17.  Tent  Trailer, Camping Vehicle, Mobile Home 

a. The  use  of  a  trailer,  camping  vehicle  or  mobile  home  for  living  and/or  business  purposes  is prohibited unless a temporary occupancy permit has been issued by the Building Inspector.  The Building Inspector may grant a temporary occupancy permit of use of such facilities for a period not exceeding six (6) months in connection with the construction of a permanent home or for use as a temporary office, or for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months in connection with the rebuilding of a residence which has been destroyed by fire or other disaster.  

b. No persons shall park or store a tent trailer, camper, camping vehicle or mobile home except in a  garage or in the rear half of a lot owned and occupied by the owner of said tent trailer, camper,  camping vehicle or mobile home.  If stored outside, said facilities shall conform to the building setback requirements of the zoning district.  

c. The use of a large tent in connection with a special event such as a wedding reception, festival or  similar occasion is permitted with the prior approval of the Board of Selectmen.

Unfortunately, this use is likely not allowed within the M or M/C zoning districts.

The M/C Zoning Districts are typically lands controlled by the Conservation Commission. Their rules are:

TOWN OF CHATHAM
Rules Governing Use of Land under
Conservation Commission Control

1. All are welcome to enjoy themselves without charge in the conservation areas of the Town of Chatham from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

2. No cars, trucks, or any other motored vehicles or tools except for municipal vehicles are allowed, except on roads and parking areas so designated by the Commission.

3. No type of vehicle, including but not limited to mountain bikes, motorcycles of any kind, snow mobiles or similar machines, three or four-wheeled all terrain vehicles may operate except in areas so designated by the Commission.

4. If not posted, areas may be hunted, fished or shellfished in season with license and in accord with applicable laws.

5. Except for licensed hunting in permitted areas, no person shall trap, catch, injure, destroy or interfere in any way with birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals or any other wild animals.

6. No person shall cut, break, remove, deface, defile, or ill-use any structure, fence, sign or have possession of any part thereof.

7. No trees, bushes, plants or flowers shall be defaced, cut or removed, nor shall trails be cut or marked, nor dams built nor any structure be constructed without express written authorization from the Conservation Commission.

8. No site alteration such as digging, addition or removal of soil or stone, or planting is permitted without express written authorization of the Commission.

9. Overnight camping is not allowed in any area except as authorized in writing by the Commission.

10. No open fires are permitted without express written permission from the Commission. No burning of rubbish is permitted at any time.

11. No fireworks are permitted.

12. Alcohol is prohibited.

13. Dumping of material of any kind is prohibited, including yard debris.

14. Use by groups or for commercial activities may be permitted, but only with prior written authorization from the Commission.

15. These regulations can be enforced by the authorized agents of the Board of Selectmen, the Chatham Police Department, and/or the Conservation Agent.

16. Each violation hereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).

17. The invalidity of any section or provision of these regulations shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.