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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesMagens Board Gets an Earful on Noise at Beach

Magens Board Gets an Earful on Noise at Beach

The Magens Bay Authority Board members tackled noise complaints at the popular beach on Friday morning.

“We have a noise problem at Magens Bay,” General Manager Hubert Brumant said. He said he has had his life threatened warning people to turn down their music. Chairperson Aubrey Nelthropp said sometimes beachgoers have weapons or can be under the influence of alcohol, which could create a dangerous situation for beach employees who must ask them to turn their music down. He said people sometimes think that since they are St. Thomas natives, they can do whatever they want.

Brumant said he has been able to curb the problem a bit by increasing the amount of money people must deposit when they reserve sheds at the beach. Having police on hand to address the offending parties also helps, and he shuts off power in the park after 6 p.m. Members discussed other ways they could cut down on the noise – such as creating a rule that music could not be heard 100 feet past the group.

The board also discussed planned improvements to Magens Bay and Smith Bay Park. The group wants to fix the rocky, unpaved road that leads to the latter. Chairperson Aubrey Nelthropp said that he hopes to meet with Gov. John deJongh Jr. soon to discuss plans to move ahead with the project. Days of rain recently have left the road washed out.

“We can’t keep living with this mess,” he said. He said he hears complaints from people wondering why they must pay to enter the park when the road is in such bad shape.

The group plans to fix a worrisome drainage problem in the taxi parking area at Magans Bay beach. Chairman of Planning Leo Frances told the group a low spot in the road causes water to collect and form large puddles, creating traffic problems and spilling into the safari parking area.

Frances said he has been meeting with engineers about the best way to fix the problem and hoped to start taking bids from contractors soon. The board hoped to have both improvements made before tourism picks up in September.

Board members addressed the need to create a comprehensive policy for groups looking to use Magens Bay and Smith Bay Park for events. Nelthropp said he recently received a request from a group that wants to use Smith Bay Park for a fundraiser, and other members said such requests are common.

Board member Robert Moron said he was in the beginning stages a document that would make clear the specifics of when the beaches can be used and for what, but was looking for input from other members.

Before adjourning, the group heard from a woman who lives near the beach who asked that members consider installing more handicapped parking.

“You’re right,” Nelthropp told her. “We will take care of it.”

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