Waterways Committee Meeting

TOWN OF       HARWICH

WATERWAYS COMMITTEE

Harwich Fire House Conference Room

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

6:30 PM

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

Members Absent:

Others Present:  John Rendon, Harbormaster; Bill Neiser, Harbormaster; Keven Buruchian, Bourne Engineering; James Luce; Tom Luce,; Rich Shevoy, and Marie Hickey, Board Secretary

Call to Order:  With a quorum established, Chairman Matt Hart called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM.

Minutes:  Motion made by Steve Root to approve the Minutes of October 21, 2015. 

Seconded by Mort Terry.  Voting: 6-0-0.

Consent Agenda:  Nothing this month

Open Forum:  Nothing this month

Financial Report YTD & Monthly:    Steve Root 

(Hard Copy included with Hard Copy of Approved Minutes)  Correction noted on Line #20 Operating Expenses; FY 2016 Budget amount should be $95,885.

New Business:   

1. New Saquatucket Marina overview and progress report.

Presentation by Keven Buruchian of Bourne Engineering

• Presently 191 slips; adding 11 more for total of 202.
• ADA access slips.
• Commercial boats have their own access ramps.
• Handicap accessible.
• 20 foot; 30 foot and 40 foot slips.
• Proposing to BOS 50 foot category with a 50 foot wait list (potential for seven 50 foot slips.
• 75 foot channel into harbor.
• Ramp straight to docks.

Discussed various aspects of new design plan.

Waterside

• Concrete docks.
• Timber decking docks.
• Two main legs – concreate.
• New plumbing.
• New Electrical.
• Unknown is dredging material.  If the material is clean, it will be used for beach nutrition, but if it is not clean, it will be taken to a land fill off shore.
• Almost all slips are handicap accessible.
• Dredging harbor along bulkhead, but not into the river.

Landside        Explained by John Rendon

• Being looked at by Town Boards.
• Permitting and approvals are in process:  Health; Conservation; Building; Planning, etc. 
• Pedestrian walkway explained.
• Attractive to the public as well as to boat owners.
• Café with in and outdoor seating.
• Handicap accessible ramp.
• Plan for getting people out of the road and crossing the street.
• Off season boat storage area.
• Anyone buying tickets will have parking access.
• Saquatucket Development Committee involved with design of landside.
• Shut down next fall (2016) and reopen following spring (2017) if all goes on schedule.
• November 30, 2015 presentation to BOS at 6:30 PM by Bourne Engineering.
• WWC encouraged to attend BOS meeting on November 30^th.
• Dredging goes out to bid after Town Meeting.

Motion made by Tom Themistos to accept the proposed plan by Bourne Engineering Original Draft dated September 2013.  Seconded by Mort Terry.  VOTING: 6-0-0.

1. Appeal by James Luce of the Harbormaster’s decision regarding requested rule change regarding charter permits.

Mr. Luce was advised that the WWC is an advisory committee and that the BOS make determination in hearing cases.

Mr. Luce stated that he does not think it is fair that the Harbormaster denied his request for rule change regarding charter permits.  He feels it will cost him his business.

Harbormaster Rendon said harbor rules cannot meet all scenarios.  Harwich is one of the few towns which allows for a charter permit to go to a spouse.  Children and next generation heirs must be put on a waiting list to be fair to others on the waiting list as per the Harwich Harbor Management Plan Regulations.

Discussion followed regarding the Harwich Harbor Management Plan Regulations.

Motion made by Tom Themistos to accept the Harbormaster’s decision to follow the Harwich Harbor Management Plan.  Seconded by Steve Root.  VOTING:  6-0-0. 

(Hard Copy of Letter with Hard Approved Copy of Minutes)

Old Business:

1. Progress of Allen Harbor parking and bulkhead project

Discussed project.  Project nearly completed.

1. Progress of Saquatucket Development Committee Landside preliminary plans and site improvements.

Discussed previously.

Monthly Reports:

Board of Selectmen – None

Harbormaster:  - Copy of report attached.

Natural Resources – Copy of report attached.

Correspondence:       - None

Next Meeting:                       Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 6:30 PM Harwich Fire House.

Adjournment:                        Motion made by Dan Hall to Adjourn at 8:45 PM.  Seconded by Tom Themistos.  All voting in Favor.

Minutes transcribed by Marie Hickey, Board Secretary