Waterways Commission Meeting

Harwich, Massachusetts

Community Center Room #2

MINUTES—March 16, 2004

Members Present:  Paul Donovan Chairman, Lee Scarbrough, Eric Winer, Bill McShane, and Matt Hart

Members Absent: Fred Clancy (excused), Murray Johnson

Other Attendees:  Tom Leach (Harbormaster), Thomas Traina, Tom Luce, Earl LeGeyt, and Len Greiner

MEETING OPENED:  7:07pm @ Harwich Community Center Rm.  #2

MINUTES READ:  March 3,2004: Motion to Accept, seconded, Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 abstained

COMMUNICATIONS:  Several e-mails concerning use of vacant moorings, put on agenda for April 20. Harwich Community Center RM # 5

OLD BUSINESS:  None

NEW BUSINESS: 

1. Taking Charters using an “A” and or “E” permit.

    Discussion that up till June 1, 1999, “E” permitted boats had been “A” permits. Class “A” boats have been allowed to carry 6 passenger charters up to 30 days a year. Mr. Earl LeGeyt and Mr. Tom Luce, “E” Permit holders, asked that they be treated the same as “A” Permit boats, which they were once, and be allowed to take passenger for hire.

     Harbormaster Tom Leach expressed concern to adding more pressure to harbor parking lots, such as Wychmere.

     Discussion from Commission members and the floor brought up the use of the parking lot on Bank Street, the old fire station site, for parking customer’s cars, an idea brought up by Eric Wiener.

MOTION: by Matt Hart, seconded by Paul Donovan “ To recommend to the Board of Selectmen that “A” and “E” permit boats have the same rights and privileges concerning charters.

           AMENDMENT:  by Lee Scarbrough, seconded by Matt Hart    “Vehicles beyond one for “A” and “E” permit boats, when taking charters, will park at Bank Street, old Fire Station, parking lot.

               Action: passed unanimously

         Action on Motion as amended: passed unanimously

                 2, C Permit Boats Year round slip leases

Request from Len Greiner, owner of charter vessel MAGELLAN, which the slip lease for “C” Permit or six passenger carrying boats be year round. He stated that currently the lease is

Seasonal (5/1 to 11/15), which to operate outside those dates requires him to hold a “B” Permit and pay off season dockage rates and its fee plus the off-season slip rate. The “C” permit slip rates are the highest rate along with recreational boats.

       Currently “D” Permit or passenger boats that carry more than 6 people, and “A” Permit boats, Commercial Fishing Vessels, that also can take passenger charters, have year round slip leases. Making “C’ Permit boats year round leases would make leases more equal among commercial use boats.

        Harbormaster Tom Leach said he there is

Motion: By Matt Hart To recommend to the Board of selectmen to extend “C” Permit slip lease rate to Jan. 1 – Dec. 31. Second by Bill McShane.

         ACTION: Passed unanimously.

Motion: To adjourn at 9:07 PM Action:

          Next Regular Meeting April 20, 2004, Harwich Community Center, RM #5 at 7PM.

Agenda to include “Use of vacant moorings, and Corps of Engineers for Moorings