Waterways Commission Meeting

 

                                                     Harwich, Massachusetts

                                             Meeting Tuesday March 18, 2003

                                                    Town Hall Library Room

 

                                                            MINUTES

Members Present:  Charles Beggs, Eric Weiner, Paul Donovan, Lee Scarbrough & Matt Hart

 

Members Absent:   Fred Clancy, Alan McMullen

 

Other Attendees: To Leach, (Harbormaster) Ralph Smith, Ren Nichols & Mike Schreibmen

 

MEETING OPENED:  at 7:00 PM by Chairman Matt Hart

 

MINUTES READ:    For Dec. 17, 2002 Approved as submitted:

 

Minutes for Special WWC Meeting Feb. 25, 03:

Changes requested by Charles Beggs that on Page # 5 of the minutes the statement about his previous motion he made stated: “The motion was 2nd by Paul Donovan. Two individuals (Mr. Beggs & Mr. Donovan voted in favor, there were three abstentions. Motion Not Accepted”. The last statement was changed to “Motion Accepted, not a majority”.

 

Changes request by Paul Donovan that on Page # 4 where his statement indicated: “ ..that he only knew of two significant disputes.” The word “two” was changed to “few”.

 

Motion to accept the revised Minutes by Charles Beggs, seconded by Paul Donovan and voted in favor 4 to 0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Comments about the Board of Selectmen’s Public Meeting process with regard to the Town Mooring Regulations. The first BOS meeting to open the discussion will be at the regular March 24, 03 Selectmen’s Meeting. Many changes to the Waterways Regulations are possible as a result of those Public Hearings.

 

Also at that BOS meeting Mr. Tom Birch will be before the BOS asking for the Town of Harwich to issue him a Town Mooring based on his past experiences.

 

Chairman Matt Hart indicated that as far as he understood, any individual, regardless of what waiting list they came from, that had a mooring in the Town of Harwich, as listed on the Town of Harwich Mooring Assignment List would be eligible to retain that same mooring in 2003. That assignment would be made, provided that all fees were paid and standard Harwich Waterways regulations are met. Also it was his understanding that no changes of assigned individuals for moorings or Winter Storage could take place before the 2004 Season. 

 

 

 

Discussion about the Paid Vehicle Parking concept at Saqatucket Harbor, the request was made to ask the potential equipment providers to come before the Waterways Commission for a presentation of the capabilities.

 

Discussion about the potential removal of the now closed Storm Drain System at Wychmere Harbor. Tom Leach indicated that recommendations were still needed from the state and potential funds to remove and restore the parking areas.

 

Discussion about the potential new Town By-law regarding Winter Boat Storage and the potential requirement from the Board of Health and Conservation Commission of a paved surface and contained storm drain systems. Tom Leach wanted to speak to the Board of Health about letting existing Winter Storage areas being allowed to continue using non-paved surfaces.

The discussion will continue and the WWC understood that the new Winter Boat Storage requirements may become part of a new Town of Harwich Parking By-Law process.

 

Discussion about up-coming plans, requirements and problems with future Harbor & Channel dredging. Matt Hart requested that Tom Leach start a five-year business plan and also inquire if Town of Chatham’s computer system for the dredging process was available for April meeting.

 

Discussion about the updated assignments of the Slip & Mooring list, Tom Leach had a new list but had not completed the boat ownership requirement for the assignments. The list and review process will be continued to the April 2003, meeting.

 

Mr. Mike Schreibmen was concerned about any mooring assignments taking place before the BOW Public Hearing process was completed. He believes that the process of assigning new moorings should wait until after the hearings and decisions were completed. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS: Letter from Mr. Dave Davis about enlarging his present mooring area.

Letter from Mr. Alan McMullen about payment and listing on the 30 foot Slip Waiting List.

 

CONTINUED OLD BUSINESS: Discussion about the Town of Harwich Boat Weight Description, continued until April 03 meeting.

 

NEW  BUSINESS: Discussion about the wireless PC service in Harwich. Tom Leach is going to contact other Harbormasters to determine the success and or problems with these types of systems and report back at the April meeting.

 

Discussion about requiring all boats, commercial and recreational to have liability insurance including an insurance rider that covers the Town of Harwich and adjacent boat owners in case of fire etc. Tom Leach did not think it was necessary, but he and the Chairman will look into the situation in other harbors and continue the discussion at the April meeting.

 

Request from Tom Leach  to discuss Transient Slips and Moorings at the next meeting.

Also the allocation of rental slips and full payment reservations for transient Tuna Boats.

 

 

 

A memo was delivered to the Chairman from Mike Schreibmen stating:

 

“It is insane to have uninsured boats stored in parking lots, slips or moorings because of the fire potential liability.” This memo will be included in the minutes, and available at the April meeting for discussion, even though it is a little unusual to submit comments this way at a public hearing.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Motion by Charles Beggs, 2nd by Eric Winer, motion approved 5 – 0  at  9:15 PM.

 

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY APRIL 15, 2003 Harwich Town Hall Library Room.