Waterways Commission Meeting

Harwich, Massachusetts

Meeting October 29, 2002

(Town Hall Employee’s Lounge)

MINUTES

Members Present: Fred Clancy, Paul Donovan, Eric Weiner, Charles Beggs, Lee Scarbrough and Matt Hart

Members Absent: Alan McMullen

Other Attendees: Tom Leach, Harbormaster and Wayne Melville, Town Administrator

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

MINUTES READ: The minutes for the previous October 22 meeting will be reviewed at the

Nov. 19, 2002 regular meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS: Letter from Alan McMullen ( copy included ) about the Two Slip

proposal for the Town of Harwich Boating Slips.

Letter from Wayne Melville, Town Administrator (copy included) about

some suggested changes for the proposed Waterways Commission Charter

Review committee.

OLD BUSINESS: Expanded Parking and Seasonal Paid Parking at Saquatucket Harbor Discussion about the planned agenda of the Waterways Commission and the Board of Selectmen on Nov. 4, 2002. The first area of discussion was about the immediate need for more parking at Saquatucket Harbor. The second area of discussion was about the potential of “Paid Parking” during the Summer Months to control the parking situation and also to generate addition revenue for the Town of Harwich. The general opinion was that the Waterways Commission would need professional assistance from the Town Officials and potentially outside experts/providers to evaluate the needs, regulations, costs, income and the overall solution approach for these additional parking and paid parking issues. Due to financial constraints, the chairman suggested that the Waterways Commission suggest to the Board of Selectmen that this become the first step in the process and that potentially as far as the Paid Parking. A suggestion was made that a “Request for Information” (RFI) could be sent to commercial parking vendors to ask about their interest and potential business solutions.

Winter Storage of Harwich Based Boats at Saquatucket Harbor

Discussions about the potential of commercially priced Winter Boat Storage at Saquatucket Harbor concluded that we are at the first step of a process that would include additional input from some of the other Town Boards/Commission as far as purpose, goals, regulations and fees. The Waterways Commission would like to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that a separate committee be formed, including members of the Waterways Committee and other interested individuals, be establish to undertake this Winter Boat Storage project in anticipation of potential Fall of 2003 storage.

Town of Harwich Two Boat Slip Regulation

During a detailed discussion about this new Town of Harwich Waterways Commission regulation the chairman asked for specific reason for and against the proposed regulation.

FOR AGAINST

Fairness to all interested boaters. Should be a 5 Slip Limit per applicant.

Should be only 1 slip and 1 Mooring. People on list, should remain on list.

It just isn’t fair for more than two. What about the deposits for several years ?

The Chairman passed out the following Assigned Slips and Waiting list. As of July 29, 2003.

Individuals with TWO Town controlled Slips/Permit;

Name Slip(s) On Waiting list for:

Tomasian, Greg A-2 & E-11 33’ Small Commercial “A”

34’ Large Commercial “A”

34’ 6-Pack Charter “C”

McMullen, Alan D-3 & D-4 33’ Small Commercial “A”

34’ Large Commercial “A”

40 ‘+ Charter Large Cap. “C”

Menard, Ron A-13 & A-24 No listings in 2002

Individuals with ONE Town controlled Slip/Permit:

Name Slip On Waiting list for:

Dion, David A-26 40’ Recreational

“ “ -- 34’ Commercial “A”

Hunt, Harry B-1 34’ Commercial “A”

Bruan, Ron E-4 34’ Commercial “A”

Matulitus, Mike A-9 34’ Commercial “A”

Demango, John E-3 34’ Commercial “A”

Terrenzi, Mike E-39 33’ Commercial “A”

Individuals not assigned a Town Slip but on more than One Waiting List:

Over 15 individuals not counting some entries where wife’s name is used.

After more discussion including comments from Mr. Melville and Mr. Leach a motion was made.

Eric Weiner: “I make a motion that, the Town of Harwich limit the number of Town Slips to not exceed two (2) per individual and/or corporation”.

Lee Scarbrough: Seconded the Motion

Fred Clancy: Discussion. “What about the people already on the list ?”

Voting In favor of the Motion: Eric Weiner, Lee Scarbrough and Matt Hart

Voting Against the Motion: Fred Clancy and Charles Beggs

Abstention: Paul Donovan

The majority vote was in favor, motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS: Waterways Commission description in Town Charter.

After extensive discussion the Town of Harwich Waterways Commission membership voted on the latest revised Waterways Commission description. The first motion, in favor of making the Waterways Commission an advisory opinion organization for the Board of Selectmen was made by Charles Beggs and seconded by Fred Clancy. The vote was two for the motion (Charles Beggs and Fred Clancy0 and four against (Paul Donovan, Eric Weiner, Lee Scarbrough and Matt Hart) motion defeated.

The second motion, in favor of the Waterways Commission being responsible for making and adopting regulation (see actual motion below) was made by Paul Donovan and seconded by Eric Weiner.

SECTION 14 Waterways Commission

7-14-1 Waterways Commission of seven members and two alternates shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three-year overlapping terms.

7-14-2 The Waterways Commission shall be responsible for the development and adoption of the regulations for all of the waterways; including marine ramps, docks, piers, moorings, aquaculture; and also, but not limited to safety and environment and act fully thereon. The Harbormaster shall be subject to the day to day supervision of the Town Administrator within the scope of general policy direction of the Waterways Commission.

7-14-3 The Waterways Commission shall report annually to the Board of Selectmen the status of the Waterways and related areas.

Under discussion, the Chairman pointed out that with this change to the description, that:

The Board of Selectmen would remain as the Permit Granting Authority

The Board of Selectmen would still be the Appointment Authority of Waterways Members

The Board of Selectmen would still be the Fee Setting Authority

The Board of Selectmen would still be the Authority for the Appeals Process

The Harbormaster would remain the Operational and Enforcement Authority

Voting, 5 in favor (Fred Clancy, Paul Donovan, Eric Weiner, Lee Scarbrough and Matt Hart)

One Vote against the motion (Charles Beggs)

The motion carried in favor.

Discussion and request by the Chairman about all Waterways Commission Members attending the Monday, 7:30 PM November 4^th, 2002 Board Of Selectmen Meeting, to discuss various Waterways Commission agenda items.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 PM

NEXT WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEETING ON TUESDAY NOV. 19, 2002