Waterways Committee Meeting

TOWN OF HARWICH

WATERWAYS COMMITTEE

Harwich Fire House Conference Room

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

6:30 PM

MINUTES

Members Present: Chairman, Matt Hart; Steve Root; Tom Themistos; Mort Terry and Roger Peterson.

Members Absent: Dan Casey; Joe Johnson; Daniel Hall

Others Present:  John Rendon, Harbormaster;  Heinz Proft, Natural Resources Director; Charles Helliwell , 182 Gorman Rd; Catherine Ricks. Coastal Engineering Co.; Fred Clancy, former member, Ellen Pelan, Board Secretary

Call to Order:  With a quorum established, Chairman Matt Hart called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM. Everyone was advised that the meeting was being audio taped.

Minutes:  Motion made by Thomas Themistos to approve the Minutes of May 18, 2016, with 2 small typographical errors.  Seconded by Mort Terry.  Voting: 5-0-0.

Consent Agenda:  Nothing this month

Open Forum:  Matt Hart stated that the Landside project was approved in a unanimous decision by the Board of Selectman. Steve Root asked about how the funding was going to be done. Selling the old fire station and using the proceeds to offset the land side development might be considered. It will be a yet to be determined similar system as was used for the waterside. There are realistic opportunities for income which will be part of next year’s discussion. Charles Helliwell asked about CPA funding for environmental preservation and the possibility of going out for a grant.

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

New Business:   

1. Wychmere Estates, 23 Snow Inn Road Harwich, MA:

Wychmere Inner Channel Dredging – ‘Private Company Project Request.'

John Rendon stated that Wychmere channel had been dredged under the town permit in July 2015. Previously, Mr. Leerink has requested the Town of Harwich to consider allowing his firm to perform dredging along the Wychmere Harbor Club bulkhead and shoal. This shoal is outside of the Town of Harwich designated channel marker. Catherine Ricks from Coastal Engineering Company made a presentation showing the area that the maintenance dredging is proposed. She said it would encompass 3-1 slope, and 6 foot mean low water (same as the Town). Plans are to replace the sand in front of the beach club if it is good quality, if not it would be disposed of properly per DEP. John said the material  he had dredged had a lot of glass  in it. Any dredging would improve navigation. John is concerned about the time of year.

Pam Neubert did a shellfish study and found some quahogs and oysters. Heinz Proft said that 2 commercial shellfish men used this area. If it occurs during the open time, then they would be allowed them to go in there. (Oct 1 or/ Nov 1 – May 31), they have not seeded there in 3 years.

John Rendon inquired about the report prepared by Pam Neubert with a reference to a proposed dock structure. This was an error and will be removed in the final report.

Motion made by Thomas Themistos to have no objections with the edited plan showing proposed maintenance dredging for Wychmere Harbor Club submitted tonight C15766-03C3D.dwg dated 5/27/2016.

Seconded by Steve Root. The plan was signed by all members present.  VOTING: 5-0-0.

Old Business:

1. Status of Town of Harwich Saquatucket ‘Replacement Marina Bid.'
   1. Working hard to get a dredge permit from the Army corps of Engineers. Bourn Engineering suggests that we don’t go for bids until we get the permit. There is a lot of testing to get the permit (chemical and biological).
   2. Considering breaking the job into 3 pieces
      1. Bid dredge project
      2. Manufacture  docks
      3. Construction company to build docks

 Concerned about running out of time

1. Status of Town of Harwich Saquatucket ‘Landside Site Plan & Engineering Bid.'
   1. BOS meeting approved the site plan, and the Harbormaster and Town Engineer will be getting a bid package out within a couple of months.
   2. The need an architectural engineer and designer

1. Status of Town of Harwich Allen Harbor ‘Dock & Parking Lot Project’ is completed, and it looks great.

1. Status of Town of Harwich Wychmere ‘Dock & Shellfish Lab. Project’ Heinz is very pleased with the updates to the shellfish lab. Facilities did a great job. Waiting for quahogs and oysters to arrive.
    
2. Status of Muddy Creek There was a joint press release about muddy creek allowing canoes and kayaks. Heinz says there is a name change being considered  (Monomoy River)

Monthly Reports:

Board of Selectmen – None

Harbormaster:  - starting to pick up

Correspondence:       - None

Next Meeting:                       Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 6:30 PM Harwich Fire House.

Adjournment:                        Motion made by Steve Root to Adjourn at 7:40 PM, seconded by Thomas Themistos.  All voting in Favor.

Minutes transcribed by Ellen Pelan, Board Secretary