As Chairman of the Harwich Waterways Commission, I respectfully submit our report of the year for 2005.
First, I would like to give honor to the passing of our liaison from this Board, Mr. Robert Peterson. During my two previous terms, he was the first to show willingness to work with this Commission. He passed on before accomplishing his wishes, as he did with this Board of Selectmen.
Second, I would like to recognize several members of this Commission, who have served numerous terms, Eric Winer and Lee Scarbrough. The Commission’s focus this past year has been primarily making the Harbor Management Plan workable and livable. The necessity of dredging has also been a focus, although the most needed area, the Saquatucket – Wychmere outer channel. Previously done by the Army Corps of Engineers, but now neglected due to budgetary problems.
The major changes in the Harbor Management Plan (HMP) include a change in mooring inspections to every two years, although delayed by a previous BOS for a year. A change of the boating season from the whole year to Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Giving the mooring permit holder the ability to use an alternate Mooring Servicing Agent in the mooring field. The Harbormaster has been given the power to impose fines up to $200, for violations to the HMP. A new class of charter boats has been created, the trailered charter boats. This legitimized an on going business, and put controls to it.
The commission hears 8 – 10 Appeals a meeting. Only a few that have been turned down have made it to the BOS. The Commission is an advisory board to the Board of Selectmen; we have no real power to make decisions beyond the regulations of the HMP. I would like to personally thank the serving members of the commission, Matt Hart, Murray Johnson, Bill McShane, Fred Clancy, Lewis Williams, and Dave Plunkett. The have been a number of meetings, some at short notice, tough decisions, but we have always had a quorum.
Further I would like to thank the BOS for their input and decisions, the Town Administrators Office, especially Rene Read, the Town Clerk’s Office and the Secretaries of the BOS and Town Administrators’ office. With out all of you the Commission would not have functioned smoothly. I wish to thank all that have supported my Chairmanship, for three terms. I promise all to run an orderly meeting open to all.
Paul G. Donovan, Jr., Chairman
Matt Hart
Jack E. Brown
William McShane
John Lee Scarbrough
Murray Johnson
Lewis Williams