WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEETING

Harwich, Massachusetts

Community Center, 100 Oak Street

SPECIAL MEETING

 

MINUTES – March 3,2004 Special Meeting

Harwich Community Center, Room # 1

 

Called to order at…7:107 PM

 

Members Present: Paul Donovan, chair. Lee Scarbrough, Murray Johnson, Bill McShane, Eric Weiner

Members Absent:  Fred Clancy (excused), Matt Hart (excused)

Other Attendees: Tom Leach (Harbormaster), Charles Beggs, Gail Smart, Dan Lowery, Dave Metzler, Craig LeBlanc, Ren Nichols, Arthur Cote, Ed Conway

Minutes Read:

     Meeting on Jan. 27, 2004 Motion to accepted as corrected by Eric Wiener, Second by Lee Scarbrough. Motion passed unanimously

     Meeting on Feb. 3, 2004 Motion to accept as amended by Eric Wiener, Second by Lee Scarbrough. Motion passed unanimously

CORESPONDENCE:

1.     E-mail from Town Administrator, forwarded from Insurance Advisory Committee concerning the need for Longshoremen and Harbor Worker’s Act insurance is needed as part of the Workmen’s Comp insurance required by Mooring Servicing Agent. Mr. Ren Nichols presented the Commission with a Certificate of Insurance stating this coverage, also said his Insurance Agent said this coverage isn’t necessary since it is required for those working on commercial vessels larger than 65 feet. Since Harwich Harbor Regulations do not allow vessels

 

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larger than 65’, the Commission decide that this coverage was not necessary.

2.     Letter from Eric Wiener stating he did not want to seek reappointment in June of 2004 to the Waterways Commission.

OLD BUSINESS: None

OPEN FORUM FOR THE PUBLIC

NEW BUSINESS: (The Chair provided Commission Members with a rate comparison sheet and copies of each application)

                 1. Herring River: Applications received from Allen Harbor Marina and Crossrip Ocean Services.

Crossrip was not represented at the meeting. Questions as to the per day mooring checking fee. Harbormaster Tom Leach contacted Mr. Lee via a cell phone. His response was that is what it is.

                    The representative from Allen Harbor Marine Service said already has several moorings that they service in Herring River. They have the equipment and the insurances required by the Harbor Management Plan.

                     Allen Harbor Marine representative was asked about people setting their own moorings. Given the fact that the MSA is liable for the boats on moorings in the field, setting someone setting their own mooring would have the Mooring Servicing agent present.

   Discussion between Commission members and applicants for all areas touched on this. Several applicants felt they needed to be present.

MOTION by Murray Johnson:

          In the case where an individual wishes to place their own mooring in a field managed by an MSA, a fee will be charged for the correct location by WAAS enabled GPS, by the MSA.

Not seconded.

     Several applicants agreed that it would be possible to charge a nominal fee ($20 - $25) to those setting their own mooring if the time was during business hours or convenient for the MSA.

MOTION: by Eric Wiener to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that appoint Allen Harbor Marine Service as Mooring Servicing Agent in Herring River.

Second: by Murray Johnson.

Action: motion carried unanimously

                  3.Allen Harbor; Application from Allen Harbor Marine Service. The applicant was present.

Discussion was short due to no other applications for this area.

Motion:    by Murray Johnson to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Allen Harbor Marine Service be appointed as the Mooring Servicing Agent for Allen Harbor.

 

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Second: by Lee Scarbrough

Action: motion carried unanimously

                    4. Wychmere Inner and Outer Harbor: Application from Harwichport Boat Works. The applicant was present. The applicant meets the insurance requirements and has shown that they have the equipment, and location to do the job.

In answering the question about people setting their own moorings the applicant said they could work with people. The cost of setting a mooring is a one-time fee, where many times a mooring may have to be moved several times before it is right.

MOTION: by Eric Winer that the Waterways Commission recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Harwichport Boat Works be appointed as Mooring Servicing Agent for Wychmere Inner and Outer Harbor.

Second: by Lee Scarbrough

Action: passed unanimously

                       5. Pleasant Bay and Round Cove: Applications from Chatham Mooring Services and Charles Beggs. Applicants had submitted applications for both areas. Both applicants were present. Chatham Mooring Services met requirements of equipment and has required insurance. Chatham Mooring Services has been servicing moorings in Chatham and Orleans parts of Pleasant Bay.  Charles Beggs application, though vague in the rate schedule, showed that he has been in the mooring business, and has the equipment, and had made arrangements to have the required insurance.

 According to Charles Beggs, his rates would be $150 each way for moorings up to 250lbs.

The same mooring by Chatham Mooring Services would be $175, each way including inspections

              Murray Johnson asked Harbormaster Tom Leach how many moorings were in each area. Pleasant Bay 72, Round Cove 99

MOTION: by Murray Johnson to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Chatham Mooring Services be appointed as mooring servicing agent for Pleasant Bay.

SECOND: Paul Donovan

Action: Motion carried 2 yes; 1 no; and 2 abstentions (Paul Donovan and Lee Scarborough)

MOTION: By Bill McShane to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Charles Beggs be appointed as Mooring Servicing Agent for Round Cove.

SECOND: Eric Wiener

ACTION: motion carried 3 yes; 0 no; and 2 abstentions (Donovan and Scarbrough)

Motion: to adjourn 8:45 PM

Next meeting Regular Meeting March 16, 2004

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