Waterways Commission Meeting

Harwich, Massachusetts

Meeting July 15, 03 7:00 PM

Town Hall Library Room

MINUTES

Members Present: Alan McMullen, Eric Weiner, Paul Donovan, Murray Johnson

Fred Clancy was present, but had not able to vote due to assignment issues

Members Absent: Lee Scarbrough

Other Attendees: Cyd Zeigler (BOS Representative) Tom Leach, (Harbormaster)

Truman Hanson, Jr (Cape & Islands Regional Coordinator for CZM)

Ren Nichols, (Allen Harbor Marine), Arthur Cote, (Harwich Port

Boatworks), Dave Nolan (Cape Yachts), Charles Beggs (Ames Marine)

Michael Schriebman

MEETING OPENED: At 7:00 PM, by Chairman Hart

MINUTES READ: Reading delayed until July 21, 03

COMMUNICATIONS: No communications were read at this meeting.

OLD BUSINESS: The Agenda was modified to allow for an open discussion about “Mooring Issues”, Truman Hanson, from CZM opened the discussion explaining his understanding of the Mooring Issues not only in Harwich, but also other communities in the Northeast.

Alan M.: Had some questions about State Funding, Federal Funding and Chapter 91 issues that became part of Truman’s comments.

Ren N, Wanted to know why, after all these years are we (the Town of Harwich) doing this ? With respect to changing the Mooring Administration Assignments

Matt H.: Believed the question was about fairness of the present arrangement, also in years past the demand was no where near what it is today:

Cyd Z.: Added , is the present system equitable ?

Ren N: Is the Town Policy fare & equitable today ?

Cyz Z. : No, and some criticism of the system is valid.

Matt H. : Emphasized that the question and the goal will be to make sure that the system going forward is fair and equitable.

Paul D.: Why are we aiming at the Commercial sector ?

Matt H.: To make sure the policy is fair & equitable.

Cyd Z.: It is the Town that needs to ask, “are we doing this correctly ?”

Truman H.: Indicated that it is very difficult to focus on just one item, because the whole Mooring Issue is very complex and crosses many areas.

Alan M.: Was in favor of a single Public Waiting List of all moorings, but asked “How many moorings do the Commercial entrants need to have ?”

Mike S. : Who gets a mooring and how do you get it ? 70% not available to the General Public,

Ren N. : (In response to Alan’s question) “1975 we (Allen Harbor Marine) had 35 moorings.

Arthur C.: In the 1980’s we (Harwich Port Boatworks) had 130 moorings, then we gave the Town 38 mooring based on their request.

Fred C.: WE need to be more flexible about assigning moorings.

Paul D.: The Boatyards have Service Contracts for the moorings

Dave N.: Believe the Slow Turnover of moorings, should be an issue.

Cyd Z. indicated that he believed that turnover is not one of the issues.

Charles B.: I’d like to hear more from Truman’s perspective, he also indicated he believed the Central List is a problem and the people do not agree with the list.

The general Mooring “Issues and potential Changes”, discussions continued including more comments from all participants both for and against a Centralized List and a special Commercial Classification for Boatyards and similar businesses continued until 9:30 PM. The suggestion that the Waterways Commission needed to add a couple more meetings right away to complete the other Agenda Items and to resolve the recommendations about the Mooring Issues. As a result there was a general agreement to arrange one or two more meetings in July and also continue with the scheduled meeting in August.

Matt H.: indicated that he would arrange additional meeting to continue the Agenda items.

NEW BUSINESS: New Business was not covered at this meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion to Adjourn at 9:35 PM seconded and approved.

Next Meting on July 21, 2003 at 7:00 PM, Small Meeting Room, 2^nd Floor.