Waterways Committee Meeting

TOWN OF       HARWICH

WATERWAYS COMMITTEE

Harwich Fire House Conference Room

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

6:30 PM

Members Present: Matt Hart, Joe Johnson, Dan Casey, Daniel Hall, Tom Themistos, Mort Terry, Steve Root, and Fred Clancy

Members Absent: Cam Smith

Others Present:  John Rendon, Harbormaster, Bill Neiser, Harbormaster. Heinz Proft, Natural Resources Officer, and Marie Hickey, Board Secretary

Call to Order:  With a quorum established, Chairman Matt Hart called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

Minutes:  Motion made by Steve Root to approve the Minutes of 8-19-2015.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  All in Favor.

Consent Agenda:  Nothing this month

Open Forum:  Nothing this month

Financial Report YTD & Monthly:  John Rendon.   Copy included with Minutes

New Business: 

1. Allen Harbor Parking Lot and Waterside Curbing Installation AND
2. Allen Harbor Rest Room Replacement -  Bids Out.  Accepting bids for construction for two weeks.

Re-vamp will be done this fall.

1. Saquatucket Marina Waterside Design Bid progress AND
2. Potential dates for Saquatucket Marina Construction Bid(s) – Bourne Engineering awarded contract.  Harbormaster Rendon working with the contractor.

1. Saquatucket Development Committee Landside Clean-up & Site Plan recommendations – Cleared west side of lot; 30 - 40 tons of stone delivered; split rail fence installed; utilities in progress; buildings being deconstructed; anticipate funding next month.

1. Winter Boat Storage on former Downey Property (1,2, or 3 leases) – Question of approval this year.  Currently not approved.  Discussion of lease issues.

1. Saquatucket Marina Construction Funding in Town Warrant for 2016 – Capital funding #1 on Town Warrant.  Discussion regarding issues of Saquatucket water side.  Must go through all permitting processes.

1. Saquatucket Development Committee Landside, Structures & Septic Design Funding Town Warrant for 2016 AND

1. Saquatucket Development Committee Landside Structure & Septic Design Bid(s) progress - John Rendon, Matt Hart, and Amy Usowski presenting to Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator for placement on Town Warrant for 2016 and bidding design process.

1. Harbormaster expanded budget to include the former Downey property 2016 – Discussion of Harbormaster budget to include dredging and Downey property as part of Saquatucket Harbor as a whole.

1. Natural Resource Officer Plans & Up-dates and any Town Warrant items for 2016 – Heinz Proft (written report attached) discussed Wychmere Harbor Shellfish issues and Natural Resource office at Wychmere Harbor (roof, siding, and floor).  He said discussions are in process with the Town Engineer regarding issues at Allen Harbor. Mr. Proft also discussed the shellfish hatchery (process and seeding, buying of seed, etc.) and water quality.

1. Updating the status and assignments of Regular and Alternate WWC members - Discussion regarding request to BOS to make Cam Smith a WWC Alternate and elevate Dan Hall to WWC Regular.

Motion made by Joe Johnson for the WWC to formerly request the BOS to approve the change in status of Cam Smith to WWC Alternate and elevate Dan Hall to WWC Regular Member.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  Voting: 6-0-0.

Old Business:

1. Discussion and status regarding delinquent Waterways User Fee accounts – Harbormaster Rendon reported that  Mr. Sykes has been legally served by Town Counsel for delinquent slip fees and has two weeks to respond.

1. Discussion regarding the progress with Downey Property Clean-Up -  Covered under New Business, #5.

Monthly Reports:

Board of Selectmen – None

Harbormaster:  -  Reported under New Business  

Natural Resources – Report attached to Minutes.  Also discussed under New Business #11.

Correspondence:       - None

Next Meeting:                       Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 6:30 PM Harwich Fire House.

Adjournment:                        Motion made by Steve Root to Adjourn at 7:45 PM.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  All voting in Favor.

Minutes transcribed by Marie Hickey, Board Secretary