Q: What is the Saquish Beach Land Trust (SBLT)?
A: With the threat looming of being publicly owned, fifty two Saquish Beach residents united on February 22, 2018 and purchased land between the centerline of the Boulevard south east to the mean low water line on the front beach with good intentions of keeping the beach privately owned and usable by Saquish Beach, Head, Gurnet and Weastern Pt. residents. Membership has since grown to sixty five Saquish Beach, Head, Gurnet and Weastern Pt. residents. See the map for details.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: Email secretary@saquishbeachlandtrust.com
Q: I would like to rent or purchase property on the gurnet, saquish, head or western point, can you answer questions or connect me with someone?
A: Rentals: We are not a rental company. We have no connections and cannot answer questions regarding rental properties.
Purchase: We are not a real estate company. We have no connections and cannot answer questions regarding properties for sale.
Q: I currently own or would like to purchase an unbuildable lot. Will I have use of the beach front property owned by the Saquish Beach Land Trust?
A: No. The property owned by the Saquish Beach Land Trust is private property available for use only by Saquish Beach Land Trust members. Unbuildable lot owners have no rights and will not be permitted use of the private property owned by the Saquish Beach Land Trust.
Q: I currently own or would like to purchase an unbuildable lot. Can I access and use any areas of the beach (even parcels privately owned by individuals other than the Saquish Beach Land Trust)?
A: No. ALL property on Saquish is privately owned including ALL Saquish Beach, Gurnet, Head and Western Point properties. These properties are available for use ONLY by the rightful owners. All other individuals are considered trespassers. Unbuildable lot owners have no rights to these properties and will not be permitted use of any private property.
The ONLY property you can access is YOUR property (if it is even accessible).
The ONLY property you can park on is YOUR property (if it is even accessible).
The ONLY property you can sit on and use is YOUR property (if it is even accessible).
Q: I currently own or would like to purchase an unbuildable lot. What can I do with the property?
A: We are not the Town of Plymouth, State or Federal Regulators. We cannot answer any questions about what you can do with your property. We recommend you reach out to the appropriate agencies to determine what you can do. Who To Contact and What To Do
Q: I own a lot with no cottage. Can I buy in to the Saquish Beach Land Trust?
A: No.
Q: Where is the land owned by the Saquish Beach Land Trust?
A: The land extends from the centerline of the Boulevard south east to the mean low water line on the front beach. It is unbuildable and covered by the sea at high tide. Map 132 with the town assessors office shows the land lots that are currently owned by the members of the Saquish Beach Land Trust. Members are guaranteed access via an easement on the deed. See the map for more details.
Q: What are the benefits for new members to join?
A:
- Deeded rights to the beach
- A voice towards the care of the beach
- A voice towards the trust and beach rules/regulations
- Voting rights to elect trustees and other topics
- Supporting the community and uniting with neighbors
- Great for resale of cottages
Q: What is the buy in price for new members?
A: New membership is currently on hold. Eligible new membership requests will be subject to review and approval by the board of trustees. Email secretary@saquishbeachlandtrust.com.
Q: How are you restricting/monitoring use of the land for non-members?
A: Currently nothing has changed. Saquish Beach Land Trust members who bought into the trust did so to preserve the land and prevent it from being publicly owned.
Q: How do you prevent animosity against members vs. non-members?
A: The best way to achieve this is for all residents to share equally in the purchase and ongoing maintenance of the land which is why one of the first unanimous votes from existing members was to open new membership till the end of the year (December 31st 2018). The intent was never to pin neighbors against other neighbors and the hope is for the land to be privately owned by all residents. Eligible new membership requests will be subject to review and approval by the board of trustees.
Q: Are membership dues optional?
A: No, membership dues are required and are agreed upon contractually in the purchase of the land and in the trust documents.
Q: How much are membership dues and when are they due?
A: Please see the payment section of the website for details – https://saquishbeachlandtrust.com/payments/
Q: What do the membership dues pay for?
A: The bulk of the cost gets applied to the annual taxes. There are also some administrative fees (website, stamps, mailings, office supplies), legal fees and trust filing fees.
Q: How much are taxes?
A: Taxes will vary year over year however, 2021 taxes were $5681.87
Q: How much are legal fees to amend the trust?
A: 2018 legal fees were $500 to amend the trust and $300 to file the trust. However going forward we estimate that fee will be significantly reduced if/when we are able to self record.
Q: What happens if I sell my cottage and I am a Saquish Beach Land Trust member?
A: The deeded rights will be transferred to the new owners in the purchase of the cottage. Legal fees will be assessed to amend the trust documents to transfer the ownership and are the responsibility of the buyer/seller. You should make this clear to the seller in the purchase and sale/documents. After the sale the new owners will be responsible for fees going forward.
Q: What are the terms and election schedule for the Board of Trustees?
A: There will be separate votes and schedules for each region.
May 2024 elections for the two Beach trustee positions that had the greatest votes in the 2018 election.
May 2025 elections for Gurnet, Head and Western Point.
May 2026 elections for the two Beach trustee positions that had the least votes in the 2018 election.
All successor trustees will serve in terms of three years each.
Saquish Beach Land Trust 