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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

WWC MEMBERS PRESENT: Howie Kreutzberg, Chairman; Bill Schmid, Vice-Chairman; Mark Patterson, Assistant Harbormaster; Bob McHugh; Keith Dobie; Steve Smith; John Shea; John Murphy. SMPC MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Hodgkins; Peter Toppan; Geoff Gaughan; Ned Gaughan. ALSO PRESENT: Rick Murray, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Kathy Donahue, Advisory Committee Liaison; Chris Clancy, Recreation Department; Bill and Janet Fairbanks, Scituate residents; Molly Baum, Scituate resident; Just Moller, NOAA; Carlos Pena, CLE Engineering; Wally Foster, Foster Rigging.

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 Minutes. On a MOTION by Mr. Smith, SECONDED by Mr. McHugh, the Minutes of June 7, 2006 were approved as written by all present.

3. APPOINTMENTS: Mr. Kreutzberg welcomed John Murphy as a new member to the WWC; he said that there are openings for associate members on the commission.

4. Review of correspondence. Mr. Kreutzberg read the correspondence.

5. Harbormaster’s Report. Mr. Patterson said that as of the end of FY06, June 30, total WWEF revenues collected was $966,900; this exceeded by over $51,000 the total collected in FY05. The total debt for FY06 was $760,000; this resulted in a profit margin of just over $206,000. In other news, Mr. Patterson thanked Mr. Murphy and the Fire Department for their efforts in putting together the divers’ training drill held by the Harbormaster’s office. Mr. Patterson reported that the July 4 weekend was relatively quiet. He said he has sent out 20 10A permit applications. Mr. Kreutzberg said that a more comprehensive look at the financials could be done at the next meeting. He also said that the new GPS system could be demonstrated at the next meeting.

6. OLD BUSINESS. a) South River Dredging Project. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the legislative issues have been resolved and plans are being made to continue with the project in the fall. b) SMP Marina Plan Update/ Park Update: In Mr. Casey’s absence Mr. Kreutzberg said that copies of the DCS report are available. He introduced Mr. Carlos Pena, who gave an update on the marina portion of the park. Mr. Pena showed a diagram of the most recent plan for the marina, which includes a commercial 40-foot fairway at the southern end; a seaward orientation of the floats; and a total of 100 slips (58 for 18’ to 22’ boats; 34 for 26’ to 30’ vessels; and 8 for 30+’ vessels). He showed the new reconfiguration that brings it away from the marshes thus reducing the amount of dredging needed. He also showed the area designated for an accessible pier and series of supported floats for handicapped access, which is not complete but in position. He also talked about possible changes to the bulkhead and possibly raising the upland area by up to two feet. He said that an $126,000 in extra revenue per year is anticipated with the additional slips as shown. Mr. Toppan asked about handlaunch capability. Mr. Pena said that it will be in the upland portion of the park. Mr. Dobie asked about the reduced dredging; Mr. Pena said that the change of configuration reduces environmental impact and the extent of dredging needed. Mr. Smith asked about access by 30+’ vessels; Mr. Pena said that larger vessels will be placed on the outside. Ms. Fairbanks asked about dinghy tie-ups. Mr. Pena said that the southernmost fairway could be used for dinghy tieups and summer sailing programs. Mr. Smith asked about trailer launching; Mr. Pena said that there is an area allocated for a ramp, that possibly could be used for a travel lift. Mr. Schmid said that the issue of the bulkhead is up in the air at the moment. Mr. Patterson said that Mr. Pena has designed the marina and is not responsible for the upland area. Mr. Hodgkins pointed out that the ramp will not be public access. Mr. Pena said that there will have to be some public access to the ramp but that it will be a secondary ramp. Mr. Pena said he put it in where it is to show access to the fairway. Ms. Donahue asked about the 30 additional parking spaces that will be required for 100 slips as per Town bylaw. Mr. Pena said that the size of the slips could be flexible. Mr. Fairbanks asked if there would be pilings or moorings; Mr. Pena said that both would be requested in the permitting process. He said that sampling plans have been submitted to the ACE; once it is approved sediment sampling will be done; if this configuration as shown in this plan is chosen, then it can be staked out. The permit process could begin as soon as notice of intent is filed. He said he is looking at fall 2007 for completion of permitting. Mr. Foster asked about the fairway. Mr. Moller asked about winter storage potential for NOAA use; Mr. Pena said that the southern float will be considered a commercial float and will be permanent. Mr. Moller said that the NOAA’s new 50’ research vessel has arrived and that it draws five and a half feet; Mr. Pena said it will be dredged to minus 7. Mr. Foster asked about dock material; Mr. Pena said wood, but Mr. Patterson said that this is up for discussion. Mr. Murray said the Selectmen’s view is that the ramp is to be considered a facility for transfer from water to boatyard use to serve commercial interests and the boatyard. Mr. Murphy asked about the small amount of spaces for the largest boats. He also said that if there is a challenge for parking, accommodating larger boats may give more financial return. Mr. Patterson said that 25’ finger piers will be flexible to accommodate more larger boats if necessary. Mr. Fairbanks said there should be a designated area for boats for the boatyard; dinghies should go on the north side of the ramp. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the point of this evening’s presentation is to get a consensus that this basic plan is workable, then various details can be worked out. Ms. Fairbanks suggested a string of floats to the south side of the marina system. She also asked about the waiting list for slips, the size of boats that are waiting. Mr. Dobie said that the mix of slip sizes seems like it would serve the needs of the community and not be weighted toward larger vessels. Mr. Kreutzberg said that accepting this plan will allow the next steps to be taken and the area to be staked out. A MOTION was made by Mr. Dobie to accept the configuration shown by Mr. Pena as the working plan; the motion was SECONDED by Mr. Smith, and all present were in favor of this motion. C) TK O’Malley’s Marina Project Update. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the WWC was supportive of increasing tourism and public access in the area. He reviewed the memo of June 13, 2006 sent from the Waterways Commission to the Board of Selectmen. He said that the discussion will be continued at the Planning Board meeting on July 27. Mr. McHugh said that the TK O’Malley’s area on Front Street, and the marina area, is congested. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the Planning Board was receptive to the WWC’s comments. Mr. Murray said that the TRRC has also made comments regarding parking etc. Mr. Murphy asked if a transient slip would require a parking space. Mr. Kreutzberg said that a transient slip would not require a parking space. Mr. Dobie said that the WWC should not get involved in parking issues. D) Fairways. Mr. Patterson said that it is necessary to go into the mooring field to make a plan and he placed some markers in the harbor and took some photographs. He said that there are 7 to 10 moorings that will be impacted; and he would like to get feedback on the markers that are out there. The hope is that moorings can be moved slightly one way or another to accommodate the fairway rather than relocating them to another area. He also said that if moorings are lost the fees will be made up by increased collections etc. Mr. Fairbanks said that some work has been done on this previously but nothing conclusive was done. Mr. Kreutzberg said that a fresh look at the Harbor may show that moorings can be added elsewhere. Mr. Hodgkins asked about the timing of this; it might be better to do dredging at SMP simultaneously; Mr. Patterson said that he is proceeding based on discussions in the winter by the WWC. Ms. Donahue said that the expansion of the private marinas has encroached on the fairways and that this should be looked at rather than just looking at the moorings. Ms. Fairbanks suggested approaching the mooring holders whose moorings are in the current fairway and ask them if they would be relocated to other available locations; Mr. Patterson said that this is a good idea.

7. NEW BUSINESS. A) Jericho Ramp: overnight parking, signage. Mr. Smith said that the no swimming, no fishing signs have worn out over time and that they should be reposted. Mr. Patterson said that Jack Shepard of the Public Access Board (PAB) will provide the signs. Mr. Smith asked about restriping the parking area and adding a T to those spots that will accommodate trailers. Mr. Murray said that the Town would do the restriping and would be reimbursed for the cost by the PAB. Mr. Smith said that he has noticed that vehicles do park overnight there and that they take up spaces that could be used by people launching their vessels. There is no signage there presently. Mr. Murray said that there had been discussions about charging for parking there. He said that Mr. Shepard could also be asked about overnight parking there. On a question from Mr. Smith, Mr Patterson said that a low tide tomorrow will allow for a contractor to be there tomorrow night to address the issue with stones on the ramp.
B) Clean Harbor/Pumpout facilities. Mr. Patterson said that Scituate will be first on the list for new dockside equipment when the Federal government gives funding to the State. He asked if Scituate should be a no discharge zone, so that boats cannot pump out in the Harbor; and, should there be a pumpout facility at SMP. Mr. Fairbanks said that the new equipment should be purchased by the WWEF and then reimbursed when State funds become available. Mr. Patterson said the cost would be about $15,000; and this was not in the budget. Perhaps in future a line item of $30-40,000 should be left as an emergency fund in such a case. Ms. Donahue said that it is unacceptable to allow the Harbor to be degraded and that the situation should not continue for another year and a half. Mr. Patterson said that no boats have been turned away this year, and that boats are being pumped out. Mr. Kreutzberg said that he is concerned about water quality in the harbor. Mr. Smith asked if the private marinas could be encouraged to provide pumpout services; Ms. Donahue said that it is a State system that people are paying into. Mr. Dobie asked about the pumpout boat in the North River and what happened to it. Mr. Kreutzberg said that accountability is an issue. He said that he would like to explore temporary funding. Mr. Schmid asked about water quality testing in the Harbor. Ms. Fairbanks said the Board of Health will do the testing if the water is collected. There was a discussion about how to find someone to do this. Mr. Patterson said that the Harbor is cleaner now than it has been in the past 10 years and that the pumpout facility is working; he brought it up so that the WWC could take a lead on the subject. He said that all pumpouts are diligently recorded. Mr. Fairbanks said that the launch service docks where the pumpout station is; Mr. Patterson said that pumpout stations in the Harbor could be considered so people could do pumpouts themselves.

In other new business, Mr. Toppan said he would like to be considered as an associate member. Mr. Shea talked about the pier. Mr. Kreutzberg said that Marshfield’s new WWC would like to have a joint meeting perhaps in September. Ms. Fairbanks thanked the Harbormaster’s office for promptly putting up a buoy at Damon’s Point. She also asked about South River dredging; Mr. Kreutzberg said that new material can be put on the old site. She said there was a question about volume taken out. Mr. Murray said that the volume taken in the actual dredging was greater than had been thought. Mr. Kreutzberg said that Ms. Martin had brought up incorporating green technology in the new buildings to be built at SMP. Mr. Smith said that the Cole Parkway ramp is being used by the public and he asked if trailers could park on two spaces.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday August 9 at a location to be determined.

8. On a MOTION by Mr. Dobie, SECONDED by Mr. Schmid, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin