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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

WATERWAYS COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Howie Kreutzberg, Chairman; Bill Schmid, Vice-Chairman; Keith Dobie; Geoff Gaughan; Bob McHugh. SMPC MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Casey, Chairman; Howie Kreutzberg; Kevin O’Donoghue; Peter Toppan; Dan Hodgkins; Ned Gaughan; Frank Mirarchi; Mike McGurl. ALSO PRESENT: Joe Noble, Asst. Harbormaster; Rick Murray, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Kathy Donahue, Advisory Committee Liaison; Bob Fultz, consultant; Paul Armstrong; David Walsh; Carlos Pena, CLE Engineering; Steve Cecil, ; Ben Haskell, NOAA; Janet and Bill Fairbanks; Jillian Fennimore, Mariner reporter.

1. WWC Chairman Howie Kreutzberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the annex meeting room at the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Offices on Edward Foster Road.

2. Review of WWC Minutes, On a MOTION by Mr. Dobie, SECONDED by Mr. Gaughan, the WWC Minutes of April 10, 2006 were unanimously approved as written (5-0).

3. Mr. Kreutzberg said that Steven Smith appointed to fill remaining portion of Mr. R. Murray’s tenure, which terminates in June 2006.

4. Review of correspondence. Mr. Kreutzberg said regarding the closure of Driftway Park, WWC made recommendations to the Board of Selectmen, dated April 12, 2006 and presented at last night’s BoS meeting, as discussed at the April WWC meeting, to keep the ramp open, restrict size of trailers, appropriate markings for ramp area, parking and safety issues. Ms. Fairbanks said she has copies of the original agreements for Driftway Park. Mr. Murray said that jurisdictional issues are being looked into by independent review as well as what the agreements allow. Mr. Murray said that parking limitations have been put in place but the ramp is open now. Blocks will be removed tomorrow.

E. Harbormaster’s Report. Mr. Patterson was unable to attend the meeting. a. Mr. Kreutzberg said there was a public hearing on Erickson’s Marina and there was a resolution as issued by Mr. Regan. Mr. Kreutzberg said it is an ongoing process how to handle floats in that area. b. Copies of a float permit and of an application for the 10A permit for Erickson’s Marina were circulated, as well as copies of the resolution. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the idea is to have some control over the floats in the River. Ms. Fairbanks asked about specifics regarding what is allowed for floats, and Mr. Kreutzberg said he would look into this. Mr. Fultz said there are some federal regulations for float placement in relation to the channel. Mr. Hourihan asked if some people could continue to replace their own moorings in the River as long as the Harbormaster checks them. Ms. Fairbanks said that the Town of Scituate would be held liable for anything that might happen if someone who was unlicensed had set a mooring. Mr. Kreutzberg said that there should be specifics about ground tackle etc in the River that would be equitable with those in the Harbor. There was a discussion about setting moorings. Mr. Schmid suggested speaking to Mr. Patterson about a grandfather clause that would allow some boaters to set their own moorings. Mr. Kreutzberg recommended that Mr. Schmid speak to Mr. Patterson about adding specifics about river moorings. Mr. Kreutzberg also noted that the setback from the channel is a concern.
c. Seaport Advisory Council. Mr. Fultz said a proposal was made to the SAC with a fundraising request for $30,000 for dredging to improve commercial access to the SMP, bulkhead improvements, and improvements to the building. He said that additional information will be provided by the Town in time for the May 18th SAC presentation. He said the strategy is to move ahead for the municipal facility. Mr. Mirarchi asked about the economic impact of the landings on the fishing fleet, and pointed out that numbers are not thoroughly counted here and are underestimated. Mr. Fultz said that an economic multiplier is used and that it has worked in the past. Mr. Murray asked who from the Town will be present at the presentation; Mr. Kreutzberg said that he would speak to the Harbormaster about this. d. Preparation for the Season. Mr. Noble reported that chains are being checked on the Cole Parkway side and that floats are being prepared; 32 new floats are being delivered, finger piers have to be launched; SMP Marina is almost complete, but the weather has held up progress this week. e. Clean Up Day. Mr. Noble, Assistant Harbormaster, said Saturday May 27 from 9:30 to 2:30 has been set, due to the high tide that day. He said he has set up several crews as was done last year, and that the DPW was very helpful last year – a total of 18 truckloads were removed to the Transfer Station. He said that last year donations were made by Satuit Hardware and Maria’s Pizza. He also said a new pickup truck will be delivered on July 1 and that it will be helpful in removing debris. He said he will approach the High School for students looking to do community service. Mr. Murray said he would have an announcement regarding the clean up day made at the next BoS meeting.

5. UPDATE/DISCUSSION. a) South River Dredging Project. Mr. Fultz said that a water quality permit is being sought as well as other permitting. There are 3500 cubic yards left to dredge. He said it would be put out to bid in August for a construction start on October 15. Nearshore disposal site off Humarock is being requested. Mr. Fairbanks said that the channel has moved and the green marker should be moved. b) Scituate Marine Park Marina/C. Pena. Mr. Casey, chairman of the SMPC, said that he was pleased to see this joint meeting convened. He spoke about the DCS grant that has been received by the Town to improve the Marine Park, and the challenge of achieving a balance between the marina, a boatyard, and a public access facility. Nearly $1 million has been received in grant money spurring decisions that must be made. He said that Steve Cecil has been hired by the Town to implement the DCS grant. Mr. Casey then turned the floor over to Mr. Pena of CLE Engineering to go over progress on the Marina expansion.
Mr. Pena said his firm was hired by the Town to perform a survey of the area. The current slip configuration is for 115 slips; an area has been set aside for a travel lift pier; an area has been blocked out for recreational use; and commercial access could be blocked out as well. He said that 20,000 cubic yards of material would have to be removed; a portion would be maintenance dredging and a portion would be improvement dredging. He said they are now awaiting developments on the upland portion before finalizing the plans. He said they have spoken with NOAA representatives regarding the two vessels they wish to overwinter at the Marina. He spoke about high tides and flooding issues. Mr. Schmid asked about parking spaces; Mr. Pena said that 1.5 spaces is needed for each slip, but his understanding was that something is being worked on regarding this. Mr. Fairbanks asked how many moorings will be displaced; Mr. Pena said that this has not yet been determined, as the plans have not been finalized. Mr. Fairbanks asked about the travel lift pier. Mr. Noble said there is a railroad that goes down where the lift is; it was effective in launching the larger boats in the past. Mr. Pena spoke about potential configurations. He also showed a study that was made of the mooring locations in the Harbor. Mr. Murray said that he would like to hear more about the travel lift vs. the marine railway, as accommodating the commercial fleet is of prime importance; Mr. Noble said that the blizzard of ’78 destroyed the railway. Mr. Pena said that he had researched marine railway uses; a paved ramp and hydraulic trailer might be used. Mr. Noble asked about dinghy docks. Mr. Casey said that the lift or ramp would be under the purview of the boatyard owner or lessee; and asked if Mr. Foster had been asked about these options. Mr. Pena said that they are not yet at that stage. Mr. Casey said that the boatyard issues are pivotal but that the Town will not be running the boatyard; he said that the needs of the boatyard lessee have to be considered. There was further discussion in support of the ramp/hydraulic trailer. How it would be funded would be a question, depending on the uses. Mr. Fairbanks said that Mr. Foster has a hydraulic trailer. Ms. Donahue also mentioned weight limits on the bridge leading to the Marine Park. Mr. Murray said that if the ramp were funded by the Town, the Town could then determine the uses. Mr. Haskell asked about permitting for dredging; Mr. Pena said that it has not been started yet, until the upland portion is resolved. Mr. Fultz said that it will be another year before dredging would be done. Mr. Pena said that nearshore disposal would be sought, for beach nourishment purposes. Mr. Fultz pointed out that the materials in the Harbor have so far precluded nearshore disposal. Ms. Donahue asked about financial projections. Mr. Pena said that before proceeding with permitting those numbers would be run and reported. Mr. Casey said that revenue numbers on 88 slips had been run. Mr. Pena said the preliminary estimate for the dredging is $675,000. Mr. Fairbanks mentioned the reduction of moorings affecting revenues. Mr. Pena also said that the proposed marina expansion would be the maximum possible in that area. Mr. Casey thanked Mr. Pena for his presentation. c. Scituate Marine Park/S. Cecil. Mr. Cecil said that he has been working on the upland portions of the park. He said the design, working drawings and park and surface improvements to the marina are their job within financial constraints. He said they will plan the design for possible expansion in the future, when further funds might be available. Currently they are looking at demolition and site clearance; site improvements such as pedestrian and vehicular circulation; water edge walkway and sitting areas; kayak/canoe launch; site lighting in appropriate areas; and a building for a dockmaster’s office, restrooms and a porch and storage areas. They are considering cost and permitting implications, chief of which is sewerage. The possibility of hooking into the Town sewer would be contingent on the barrier beach designation, though different budgets will be used toward this. He said there are flood plain issues, pilings and supports will be needed for any buildings on the site. He said that they are looking at how much area is needed for the boatyard; and that parking requirements are much higher than the usual .5 parking spaces per slip. He said there will be parking flexibility built in. Regarding the building, he said that there is no reason to keep a new building on the existing footprint. He said that moving a dockmaster’s building toward the water would make sense, and that a small park area could be near it. He also showed a potential parking layout, and a parklike edging toward the road. He showed the walkway and said that a boardwalk would be beyond the budget. He suggested an upland walkway and a boardwalk segment with a viewing area. He showed the lift area remaining where it currently is, as this is where the deep water is; but that the walkway would cross this area, and that a loading area would also be in that area. He also showed a scenario where the dockmaster’s building would be moved to the west toward a more continuous park area, and keep the boatyard function in the eastern segment of the park. Implications of the bulkhead, cost, wiring will have to be considered. Regarding recreational sailing, he said that a ramp with trailer access would consume a huge portion of the area, and that trailer parking would consume a lot of the parking area. He said that this would dramatically shift the position of various elements of the park. He said that a proposal must be submitted by June 1. Mr. Fairbanks said that moving the travel lift/ramp area to the left and changing the marina configuration could be considered. Mr. Mirarchi suggested a staging area. Mr. McGurl suggested moving the lift area to the left on the B scenario; he also asked if the slips could be put in a smaller footprint. Mr. Pena said that the original Chapter 91 permit shows a similar configuration to that which is being looked at now. Mr. Toppan suggested moving the parking to the left, and keeping the boatyard functions together. Mr. O’Donoghue said that this would mean boat storage would be in the lowest lying area. Ms. Donahue asked to see the leased area delineated on both scenarios. Ms. Donahue said that more boats need to be stored than we had anticipated in order to meet the projections. Ms. Fairbanks asked about a walking trail along the far left perimeter of the park. Mr. Murray asked if the deadline would be met. Mr. Cecil said that an extension could be requested, in light of the fact that permitting etc would take six months to a year. Mr. Fultz said that he would like to try to meet the June 1 preliminary design deadline. He said that the DCS has never done a public marine park, and their deadlines reflect this. Mr. Schmid said the barrier beach decision is critical. Mr. Cecil said that a shift of where the building ends up could be a result. He said that test pits to make a technical determination will be part of the process. Ms. Donahue asked about composting toilets; Mr. Cecil said that they do not work with large crowds of people. Mr. Murray said that the test pits are happening tomorrow.

6. NEW BUSINESS. Ms. Fairbanks showed a Soundings article that might be of interest; and she asked about progress on the Jericho ramp. She also said the insurance meetings have been progressing.

7. The next WWC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2006.

8. On a MOTION by Mr. McHugh, SECONDED by Mr. Schmid, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Jean Martin