Committee for the Disables in Chatham Looks to Add Benches at Hardings Beach

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Chatham Lighthouse splashed in sun on Labor Day Weekend 2015

CHATHAM – The committee for the disabled in Chatham is looking to get more benches installed at Hardings Beach.

Committee chairman John Poignand says they have received offers for donations for backed benches which would allow them to be used by disabled individuals.

The four benches would be installed near the four handicapped parking spaces at the beach.

Selectmen Seth Taylor says the backs on the benches would cause issues.

“Those backs take away from the sightline of people that pull up and park and enjoy the sunsets and views of the water and watching the birds scoot along,” Taylor said.

Taylor added that he could envision benches along the whole beach.

“No one is coming up with a silly idea of putting benches all along Harding Beach,” Poignand said. “We were suggesting that we put up a bench on either side of where those parking spaces are.”

The only bench at Harding Beach in Chatham is a low bench with no back which would not be useable by most disabled individuals.