Waterways Commission Meeting
Meeting Tuesday May 20, 2003
Town Hall Library Room
MINUTES
Members Present: Matt Hart, Charles Beggs, Paul Donovan, and Eric Weiner
Members Absent: Alan
McMullen, Fred Clancy, and Lee Scarborough
Other Attendees: Cyd Zeigler, representative from (BOS) Tom Leach (Harbormaster),
Tom Birch, Bill Henchie, (Attorney for Mr. Birch) Arthur Cote, (Harwich Port Boat works) Ren Nichols, (Allen Harbor Marine) Lucie Steere, Ed Conway (Chatham Mooring Service), Dave Nolan (Cape Yachts)
MEETING OPENED: at 7:00 PM by Matt Hart, Chairman
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Town of Harwich Elections, no matters requiring a decision or vote could come before the Waterways Commission until 8:01 PM.
MINUTES READ: (See
below, after 8:00 PM)
COMMUNICATIONS: Discussion about letter from Bill
& Tina Maloney about their concern about people potentially renting “Living
Space” on boats in the Harbor. Tom Leach recognized the potential problem but did
not believe it was an issue, yet.
OLD
BUSINESS: Discussions
about the list of Mooring Definitions and the possibility of expanding the
report and adding options. Suggestions were made that “Resorts” and “Boat
Brokerages” should be included. Both Mr. Hart and Mr. Zeigler indicated the
Mooring Definitions were just a starting point. Mr. Ziegler made the comment
that any individual who wished to modify, add or change the examples should
send their ideas, in writing, directly to the Board of Selectmen. Public
Discussion will continue at the next Waterways Commission meeting about
definitions of the Town of Harwich Moorings and related issues at the next
scheduled meeting. Comments about changes, additions or deletions to the
definitions should be sent in writing to the Town of Harwich Board of
Selectmen.
Discussion about potentially of expanding the mooring
field of Wychmere Outer Harbor including more comprehensive dredging was
expressed. Tom Leach was concerned that as the present Harbor was set up it was
not designed to be a standard mooring field. The present jetty was not high
enough to protect moorings from heavy weather from the South or West. Also the
jetty coming out from the Saquatucket Harbor side of the channel did not extend
far enough in the water to protect the mooring field from heavy weather from
the East and South East. His other concern was potential for additional vehicle
parking for any additional moorings in the area.
Discussion about expanding the Harwich Waterways “Dredging Plans” to a more comprehensive long-term
plan with checkpoints and requirements. Also there was some discussion about a
similar long-term “Harbor Maintenance
Plans” about the current and planned status and requirements of all harbors.
These topics will be covered in more detail at the next WWC meeting.
Discussion about the DEEP (Dredging Environmental
Evolution Project) concept for towns on Nantucket Sound to have an Inner Harbor
Dredging Disposal Site. The written description will be submitted to the Boards
of Selectmen for review and also sent to the area Harbormasters for comments.
Discussion about the potential of the US Fish & Game
Commission providing funds for additional transient Slips and Moorings in
Harwich. Matt Hart will be getting additional information for the next meeting.
8:01 PM Motion by
Charles Beggs and Seconded by Eric Weiner to accept the minutes for the
previous meeting, unanimous approval.
Discussion about the potential of revising the Charter
Boat portion of the Waterways Commission Regulations to stipulate that in 2004
and each year after that a Charter Boat C-Class Permit request for renewal must
provide adequate documentation to the Harbormaster that the Charter Boat did in
fact, participate in a minimum of 20 charters the previous year.
A motion was made by Eric Weiner, and seconded by Paul
Donovan that the statement about the revised charter revisions be submitted to
the Board of Selectmen for their review and deposition, unanimous approval.
BUSINESS: Motion to request that the
Board of Selectmen issue Tom Birch a “C” (Charter) permit by Charles Beggs,
seconded by Paul Donovan, unanimous approval.
Discussion about continued discussions about the Mooring
Definitions and the potential of having a representative from CCM to attend the
session. The general decision was to continue the Mooring Definition discussion
and for individuals to also provide written comments to the Board of Selectmen.
Discussion about the Saquatucket Harbor, Winter Boat
Storage regulation draft was discussed and a motion was made by Lee Weiner and
seconded by Charles Beggs that we review the document one more time before
submitting it to the Board of Selectmen, unanimous approval.
Motion made by Eric Weiner and seconded by Paul Donovan to adjourn at
9:15 PM, unanimous approval.
The next meeting of the Town of Harwich Waterways
Commission will be on Tuesday June 17, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the Library Meeting
Room of the Harwich Town Office