Timber Island

[cabinfever]

Your friend was misinformed. There are three buildable parcels on different sides of the island. Two already have cottages and allow additional structures or reconstruction, and the Mark Island side property has full construction privileges. A large section of acreage separate from these buildable lots has the conservation easement where buildings and public access are prohibited. However, the three private owners have full access to the trails, beaches, etc, -- everything other than building -- and are responsible for the property. The entire island is well marked with No Trespassing / Private Property signs to alert the public, as suggested by Forum contributors last summer after the first parcels were sold, as well as Marine Patrol. If you saw someone with a wooden boat using the beach, unfortunately they were trespassing. Everyone absolutely has a right to the water, but not to privately owned property - beaches, homes, or land. NH waterfront property owners also have a legal right to be able to access their property from the water - maybe some of the anchored boats were blocking entry to a property in this instance you mention above. Not sure. As one of the island's owners, I know that none of us has a pontoon boat. Over the summer, we were told that people on PWCs were claiming to be the owners and kicking people off the rope swing. The owners don't have PWCs either. Mystery unsolved.