Waterways Commission Meeting

Harwich, Massachusetts

Community Center Room #2

MINUTES—April 20, 2004

Members Present: Paul Donovan Chairman, Lee Scarbrough, Eric Winer, Fred Clancy, Murray Johnson

Members Absent Matt Hart (excused), Bill McShane (excused)

Other Attendees: Tom Leach (Harbormaster), Peter Luddy

MEETING OPENED: 7:07pm @ Harwich Community Center Rm. #5

MINUTES READ: March 16,2004: Motion to Accept by Eric Winer, seconded by Lee Scarbrough, Motion carried 3yes 0 no 2 abstained

COMMUNICATIONS: Several letters and e-mails concerning the Harbor Management Plan. Communications from the Selectmen’s Office concerning their approval of Commissions recommendations to allow “E” permitted fishing boats to take passenger charters, just like “A” permitted boats. A copy of letter from BOS to Mooring Servicing Agents stipulating that the mooring inspection fee is $10.00, A copy letter from the Town Administrator to the State Public access Board showing the breakdown of income and expenses for Saquatucket Harbor Boat ramps required for a rate increase.

OPEN FORUM:

1.The sophomore class of Harwich High School requests permission to hold a fund raising car wash, June12 from 10 AM – 2PM at Saquatucket Harbor Parking Lot

Motion: To approve by Murray Johnson, second by Lee Scarbrough.

Approved unanimously

2. Two appeals to the WWC concerning people being dropped from the Slip and Mooring Wait List were presented.

Motion: That the two appeals be denied according to the Harbor Management Plan by Murray Johnson, second by Eric Winer.

Action: passed unanimously

OLD BUSINESS: Chair informed the commissions that the BOS approved the recommendation that “C” permit or charter boats slip lease be for a year’s term, instead of seasonal.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Use of moorings other than the permit holder. Several people have requested this of the Commission. . Harbormaster Tom Leach informed the Commission that Sec 5.0 paragraph 5 of the HMP, allows for such use: “for a period no greater than two weeks from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The Harbormaster shall maintain the written approval records: 1. The mooring and/or slip assignment. 2. The individual to whom the mooring or slip is annually assigned. 3.The temporary assignments of any individual to any and all berths in the Town of Harwich that cumulatively, on an annual basis, exceed two weeks.”

2. Allow a Mooring Servicing Agent to place a temporary mooring within his mooring field.

Motion: by Murray Johnson, Recommend to the Board of selectmen to instate a policy that a Mooring Servicing Agent, without a work boat mooring permit within his mooring field may maintain a temporary work boat mooring in his field. This permission would last only the length of the MSA appointed term.

Information: Murray Johnson told the Commission that the Town Meeting Warrant has an article that a full time clerk for the Harbormaster be hired. He felt that the Commission should act in favor of this article.

Adjournment: motion by Eric Winer, second by Fred Clancy at 8:20

Next Regular Meeting May 25, 2004, Harwich Community Center, RM #3 at 7PM.

Agenda to include Waiting List Appeals, DEEP PROJECT and Corps of Engineers for Moorings