Morris Board of Selectmen

9/1/2026 4:30 p.m.

Present: First Selectman Tom Weik. Selectmen Laurey Weiner and Denise Weik.

Access to the Town Beach and an ordinance around wake-surfing were on the agenda for the Morris Town Board of Selectmen’s first-of-the-month meeting.

Denise Weik moved to add discussion about beach access to the agenda because of a need for same-day passes. “There was an issue a couple weeks ago where they couldn’t access the site for some reason, the Town Clerk’s already closed and they’re ready to enjoy the beach and they couldn’t,” she said.

Weik said the family went to Sandy Beach, which is nearby, but said having an option to access a same-day pass would allow residents entry.

Part of the issue is that the Selectmen don’t want to have the beach guards having to handle money, and there is no access to Wi-Fi to process credit card payments. Weik suggested a QR Code to allow for payment via phone, and then allowing beach guards a way to see that the payment has been made.

Along with that discussion, First Selectman Tom Weik brought up access to the boat launch. In August, the Selectmen talked about vandalism and placing a camera at the gate. “I’ve had less problems,” the First Selectman said, adding that he can see whether the gate is open or unlocked.

“There have still been some issues, but for the most part it is a lot better than it was,” he said.

The Selectmen agreed to continue looking at ways to access both the beach and the boat launch for the next season.

First Selectman Weik brought up an ordinance change for wake surfing during his correspondence. He said the state is also looking at regulating the sport, and in the past had it listed similarly to water skiing.

“They kind of classified wake surfing as a water-skiing activity. Well, it’s really a different activity than water skiing,” he said. “Wake surfing is a bit different, with an increased artificial wake and so you may or may not be towed by the boat when you’re wake surfing.”

Weik said he would send the language to the Town Attorney so it can be incorporated into an ordinance. Once that’s been added, then Lichfield will be able to adopt the full ordinance. “It’s not like a big change from the ordinance we have, but we’ll have a Town Meeting and definitely get it heard and get it out there for people,” he said.

Weik also briefly explained the recent emergency preparedness exercise held with Emergency Management. He said the scenario was a winter storm with about 30 inches of snow, power outages, and fuel shortages.

“It’s a good learning experience,” he said, adding it shows leaders where their resources are and where to look for them. “Hopefully, it doesn’t happen in real time,” he said.

The Selectmen also approved appointments to two boards. Diane O’Donnell will fill a six-month term on the Senior Center Board, and Haley Horn will fill a four-year term on Beach and Recreation.

Selectman Denise Weik motioned to adjourn at 4:46 p.m., which was seconded by Weiner and unanimously approved.