Waterways Committee Meeting

TOWN OF       HARWICH

WATERWAYS COMMITTEE

Harwich Fire House Conference Room

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

6:30 PM

Members Present: Chairman, Matt Hart; Joe Johnson; Steve Root; and Roger Peterson.

Members Absent: Daniel Hall; Tom Themistos; ; Mort Terry; Dan Casey

Others Present:  John Rendon, Harbormaster; Heinz Proft, Natural Resources Director; Bill Neiser, Harbormaster Dept.; Victoria Vettergen, 3 Atlantic Ave; Charlie Helliwell, 182 Gorman Rd; Jeff Morgan, Stone Horse Yacht Club; Mark Burgess, Shorefront Consulting: Tom Luce, fisherman; Dan Lawry, Harwich Port Boat Yard and Ellen Pelan, Board Secretary

Call to Order:  With a quorum established, Chairman Matt Hart called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. Everyone was advised that the meeting was being audiotaped.

Minutes:  Motion made by Joe Johnson to approve the Minutes of March 16, 2016.  Seconded by Steve Root.  Voting: 4-0-0.

Consent Agenda:  Nothing this month

Open Forum:  Nothing this month

Financial Report YTD & Monthly: John Rendon (Copy included with Minutes) Revenues are tracking real good, Expect to at least reach $1 million year to date.

New Business:   

1. Paul & Christine Freeman 19 Nons Road Walkway and dock request:    

Mark Burgess of Shorefront Consulting presented 2 plans for a walkway and new dock at 19 Nons Road . There was a presentation about the walkway and dock. There was discussion about the channel and the type of boat to be used on the dock (and the possibility for restrictions on the size of the boat) The harbormaster and the members preferred one of the plans. It meets all of the guidelines. Heinz Proft spoke about the impact on the shellfish.  It will be a seasonal dock. The Allen Harbor Marine owner didn’t express any significant concerns to the harbormaster.

Motion made by Steve Root to have no objections with the plan submitted tonight Proposed Access path revised channel location  ramp and float C-1 dated 4/12/2016) which is being presented to the conservation commission.

Seconded by Joe Johnson. The plan was signed by all members present.  VOTING: 4-0-0

1. Stone Horse Yacht Club Mooring Request:

John Rendon stated that there is a mooring ball that is southwest of the entrance to Saquatucket channel. This is used as a mooring for the Stone Horse Yacht Club tender ‘Recombo’ and for many of the regattas that they run seasonally. Jeff Morgan spoke about the mooring; it has been around for 50-60 years and used 7 days a week during the boating season.  Rendon stated that the mooring ball is not properly permitted and poses a navigational hazard, as it is difficult to see. Mooring qualifies as a Special Purpose Mooring per HMP, and is being requested as such by Jeff Morgan.  Also Mr. Morgan has agreed to a design change of the mooring system to include a foam type mooring ball, radar reflector and orange flag to be more visible at night and during the day. Bill Neiser who designed the new mooring stated that it will be safer than what is being used now. The location will remain in the same spot.

 Motion made by Joe Johnson to approve the special purpose mooring for Stone Horse Yacht Club as specified in the harbormasters plan .

Seconded by Roger Peterson.  VOTING: 4-0-0

1. Mooring Regulations: Requested change to Harbor Management Plan- Mooring Specifications: 

John Rendon recommended changes to our current mooring specs. Appendix C of the HMP was reformatted and simplified, and changes to mooring tackle are being proposed to increase holding strength.  See attached. Bill met and got concurrence with every one of the mooring servicing agents to complete these specifications. This will be for new moorings and ones that need to be repaired.

 Motion made by Joe Johnson to approve accept Appendix C as proposed (April 2016) and Article 4.0 mooring tackle equipment as proposed (April 2016).

Seconded by Steve Root.  VOTING: 4-0-0

1. Designation of Commercial Fishing moorings : 

John Rendon recommended changes designating the 2 moorings in the Wychmere Inner Harbor 31’-36’ category mooring field and 4 moorings in the Wychmere Outer Harbor mooring field  as commercial fishing moorings. The current permit holders of these 6 moorings will be grandfathered from the  regulations. ( see attached memo with specific details from John Rendon dated April 4, 2016)

 Motion made by Joe Johnson to approve designating the 2 moorings in the Wychmere Inner Harbor 31’-36’ category mooring field and 4 moorings in the Wychmere Outer Harbor mooring field  as commercial fishing moorings. The current permit holders of these 6 moorings will be grandfathered from these  regulations

Seconded by Steve Root.  VOTING: 4-0-0

OLD BUSINESS:

• Status of Saquatucket Marina Replacement Town Warrant                                  75% will be paid for with Harbor revenue and 25% from the town for debt service of the net $6 million dollar cost

• Status of Saquatucket Landside Design Funding Town Warrant
• Status of Allen Harbor Town Pier Parking lot and bulkhead                                       7 bids to do the parking lot Lawrence Lynch got the job. It start on May 2 and take a week to complete.
• Status of Wychmere Dock and Shellfish Laboratory project
• Roof and trim is done before May15th and the floor will be redone.

Old Business: None

Monthly Reports:

Board of Selectmen – None

Harbormaster:  -  support needed at town meeting for warrant

Natural Resources – Johnson flume in West Harwich has an electronic fish counter

Correspondence:       - Memo from John Rendon April 4 2016

Next Meeting:                       Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 6:30 PM Harwich Fire House.

Adjournment:                        Motion made by Steve Root to Adjourn at 8:20 PM.  Seconded by Joe Johnson.  All voting in Favor.

Minutes transcribed by Ellen Pelan, Board Secretary