New Haven Register — Attempt to equalize CT beach access, parking draws fire from suburban officials

Signs warn people about the tombolo, or sandbar, that leads to Charles Island at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Conn., on Thursday July 12, 2018. Christian Abraham

March 7, 2022

By Ken Dixon — A New Haven state representative’s proposal to equalize beach access throughout Connecticut was the focus of sharp criticism Monday from suburban officials who claimed that even their own highly taxed residents have a hard time getting into small parking lots at a time when the lingering COVID pandemic has attracted more visitors than ever over the last two years.

But state Rep. Roland Lemar, co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, citing Connecticut’s history of excluding non-residents and minorities from suburban beaches, said during a public hearing that he’s tired of shore towns hiding behind their powers of local control, while charging exorbitant, discouraging daily and seasonal rates.

In 2001, the state Supreme Court ruled that resident-only beach ordinances were unconstitutional. But towns have routinely charged more for non-residents to park or for beach passes.

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