A request for the Town of Stephenville to erect a barrier of “No Camping” signs along the paved area behind Harmon Seaside Links’ Hole 15 tee box has been approved.
That area is located on the north side of Massachusetts Drive and was once part of an Ernest Harmon Air Force Base runway.
The request came from Harmon Seaside Park Development Ltd., and the purpose is to prevent indiscriminate camping.
Coun. Maurice Hynes, who works at Stephenville airport, said in addition to the camping encroaching on Harmon Seaside Links property, there are also issues with bird control, as they impede flights with the airport’s nearby runway.
Coun. Mark Felix questioned whether or not this would affect the beach side of the road, where a lot of people camp during the summer. He also wondered if it would affect the numbers that would use Indian Head Park.
He recommended that council have discussions with representatives of Stephenville airport and Harmon Seaside Links to get their view on this issue. He suggested it may be time to talk about a nominal fee structure for that area that could possibly be administered by Harmon Seaside Links.
It was agreed by all council members at the meeting to have discussions toward getting a long-term plan put in place.
