Mayor sees solution to Orchard Beach access dispute

LUCEA, Hanover — Armed with legal guidance, Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels believes the Hanover Municipal Corporation has a clear path to resolving an ongoing access dispute at the popular Orchard Beach in Hopewell.

“I think we have good grounds on which we can approach this alongside the lawyer and the CEO… we can sit down and work it out,” Samuels stated during Thursday’s monthly general meeting of the corporation.

The site, frequently referred to as Old Steamer Beach, is officially held by the municipal corporation, though its ownership has faced competing private claims. Despite the corporation’s title, private interests have attempted to fence off sections of the shoreline. A fencing attempt earlier this year sparked protests from residents and forced municipal intervention.