Waterways Committee Minutes

TOWN OF       HARWICH

WATERWAYS COMMITTEE

Harwich Fire House Conference Room

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

6:30 PM

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

Members Absent:   Fred Clancy

Others Present:  John Rendon, Harbormaster, Ken Stein, Atty. Jim Higgins, Angelo La Mantia, BOS, and Marie Hickey, Board Secretary

Minutes:  Motion made by Joe Johnson to approve the Minutes of 3-15-2015 with edits.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  All in Favor.

Consent Agenda:  Nothing this month

Open Forum:  Ken Stein, represented by his Attorney Jim Higgins spoke regarding issues of boat speed on Long Pond and he requested a line of buoys be placed in the beach and swimming areas.  Harbormaster, John Rendon addressed the issue and requested Mr. Stein to put together a proposal and request it be put on a future agenda for consideration.

Financial Report YTD & Monthly:  Discussed and copy included with Minutes

New Business: 

1)         Updating of Harbor Management Plan Referendum – Waterways Capital & Maintenance Funds

Chairman Hart stepped aside to allow Vice Chairman Cam Smith to make the following Motion on behalf the Waterways Committee on April 15, 2015:

Motion made be Cam Smith that the following recommendation be made to the Board of Selectmen and incorporated in the Harbor Management Plan:

WATERWAYS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RECEIPTS RESERVE FUND

A Town of Harwich, MA Capital Improvements Receipts Reserve fund pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 5 F is to be funded by separate fees.  The Waterways Users Capital Fee, which is an annual fee for all designated boats using the Town of Harwich waters that includes a fee specific to holders of town slips and moorings will be deposited in this Waterways Capital Improvement Receipts Reserve Fund and used for Waterways capital improvements

Expenditures requests from this fund by the Harbormaster to be approved by a vote of an Annual Town Meeting.

WATERWAYS IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE FUND

A Town of Harwich Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund for all mooring fees collected by the Town and one-half the boating excise taxes collected shall be deposited into this fund annually and used in accordance with the purposes of the Municipal Waterways Improvement and Maintenance Fund, pursuant to M.G.L.  Chapter 40, Section 5G and Chapter 91, Section 10A to act fully thereon.

Expenditures request from this fund by the Harbormaster to be approved by the Town Administrator.

Seconded by Tom Themisos.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

2)         Request from John M. Luce Ref. – Rule change about Charter boat permits

Motion made by Matt Hart to continue to next month.  Seconded by Mort Terry.  Voting:  All in Favor.

3)         Change in HMP Ref. – Town owned Short Term Tie-Up Fees

Motion made by John Rendon to change fees for Town owned short term tie up rates:  Boat length of up to 35’ to $20/hr.  Boat length of 36’ and over to $30/hr.  Seconded by Matt Hart.  Voting:  All in Favor.

(Chairman Hart to attach copy of revised APPENDIX B Marine Fee Schedule to Minutes).

Old Business:

1) Updates on Harbor related Town Meeting Warrant items

1. Charter Changes postponed – Resubmitted for next Town Meeting.
2.  Status on Saquatucket Design Warrant - Approved by appropriate Committees and Boards:  Capital Outlay Committee, Finance Committee, and Board of Selectmen.
3. Status on Dept. Harbormaster & Exec. Assistant compensation – Harbormaster meeting

with Town Administrator to move forward.  Harbormaster is optimistic.

1. Updates to status of Allen Harbor & Wychmere Town Projects – Allen Harbor not going to happen this spring, anticipated for the fall.  Wychmere – Piles drove (5 or 6).  Good progress made.  Anticipate completion June 1 – 15.
2. Updates to status of Saquatucket Landside preliminary site plan – legal issues being resolved.  Preliminary site plan discussed.

Monthly Reports:

            Board of Selectmen: Nothing this month

Harbormaster:  Copy attached to Minutes

            Natural Resources Officer: Copy attached to Minutes

Correspondence:  None

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, May 20. 2015

Adjournment:               Motion made by Cam Smith to adjourn at 8:15 PM.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  Vote:  All in favor.

Minutes transcribed by Marie Hickey, Board Secretary