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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

WATERWAYS COMMISSION

September 3, 2008

MEMBERS PRESENT: Howie Kreutzberg, Chairperson; Bill Schmid, Vice-Chairperson; Mark Patterson, Harbormaster; Geoff Gaughan; Don Hourihan; John Murphy; Steve Smith; Larry Niland. ALSO PRESENT: Peter Toppan, Associate Member; Bob McHugh; Rick Murray, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Al Bangert, DPW; Dick Eckhouse; Marc Currem; Brian Curreri; Fran McMillen; Mary Jenkins; Mary McLaughlin; Joy Kreutzberg;.

1. Waterways Commission Chairman Howie Kreutzberg called the meeting to order at 7:27 P.M. in the annex meeting room of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuaries offices on Edward Foster Road.

2. On a MOTION by Mr. Niland, SECONDED by Mr. Gaughan, the agenda was accepted by unanimous vote (8-0).

3. On a MOTION by Mr. Niland, SECONDED by Mr. Gaughan, the Minutes of the July 2, 2008 meeting were accepted as written by unanimous vote (8-0).

4. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. Mr. Patterson reported that Scituate Harbor Yacht Club held its yearly regatta and over 200 vessels participated over a two day period. This event grows every year with entrants coming from all over the country, and it is a success. In early August the Port Professionals meeting endorsed a proposal for a $550,000 grant for dredging at the Scituate Marine Park; the Seaport Advisory Council (SAC) will hopefully approve this grant at its September 12 meeting in time for the winter dredging process to take place. In mid August a patrol boat blew an engine, and it ws replaced for about half the usual price ($8000 instead of $16,000) in a week. Also a fishing boat sunk in the Harbor, was towed to the Town Pier and was dewatered. The red building at the SMP was razed and SAC personnel were present for the ceremony; they have said that they are very impressed by the grassroots efforts of the SMP project and that the project is a model for other communities. Regarding the Town Pier, an RFP has gone out for a condition survey by a qualified engineer. Preventive action needed, short and long term needs will be assessed. Good rapport with SAC may result in further grants in the near future.

5. Old Business: A) SMP update: Al Bangert, director of the DPW, said that the demolition of the red building was behind schedule due to the need for asbestos abatement. The survey and the abatement were not in the budget and the cost was c. $22,000. Also not in the budget was trash removal etc at $5,000. The crane will be moved and the pilings can be driven. The pilings will arrive and be put in place the week of September 22, to be completed by the week of September 29, and VoTech can begin their project on October 1. Boat storage can continue around November 1. AGM will install a dune at the entrance to the park and a swale behind that; this will add $15,000 to the scope of the project. The landscaping price they gave was prohibitive, and three bids will be sought in the spring. MacKinnon is doing the design and foundation of the Scituate Maritime Center (SMC). By adding seven piles to the building it will lower the cost, ie, timbers will cost $6000 instead of $28,000. Also VoTech will make the brackets, saving another c. $9000. The school’s drafting department will look at drawings and the front door, and will visit the site to prepare for the construction phase. The Town awaits approval of the DCS grant ($393,000).

Gifts: The following have been gifted for construction of the SMC: roofing, siding, plumbing and installation; a tankless hot water system, 75 percent of the windows, framing lumber. Design and installation of decking may be gifted at least partially. Still needed: flooring and finish work, insulation.

Barker Tavern fundraiser. Mr. Murphy reported that the evening raised about $30,000 and was a great success.

Heritage Days: Mr. Schmid said that four kayaks which had been gifted were raffled off and hats were sold, about $1300 was collected.

Rick Murray said that the demolition ceremony was very well choreographed. Mr. Kreutzberg had arranged for a helicopter that day to have aerial photography done. Mary Jenkins said that posts were saved from the original building and are being kept in the mossing shed. She also said that Dave Ball is working on gathering historical material for an exhibit in the SMC. Mr. Kreutzberg read a memo from the Historical Society supporting the SMC project.

Next steps: 1. Marina buildout project: Dredging: bid will go out in early October. It will be awarded by November 1, work to begin around November 15. The marina closes on October 15. Foster Rigging will need a staging area. Thirty to fifty moorings will have to be removed for dredging. Should mooring removal be included in the dredging contract? Mr. Patterson suggested doing it separately. The Town has a mooring barge. The Harbormaster arbitrates mooring removal. There was a discussion about various aspects of and concerns regarding mooring removal.

2. RFP for boatyard operator: Mr. Murray said that the economy has changed since this plan was put together two years ago. It should be looked at again. An RFP should be released by the end of the year if not sooner. What is the number of slips that should be given to the operator? Mr. Smith said that rack storage is more popular now and should be considered. He and Mr. Murphy volunteered to be involved. Mr. Murphy suggested involving the Scituate schools in the project, they are interested, what could they do or contribute?

3. Park complex (CPC funds): Mr. Kreutzberg met with the Beautification Committee and a local landscaper. What do we want it to look like/ how will it be maintained by the Town? The upland portion of the park will not be maintained using Waterways Enterprise funds. Mr. Smith suggested using only native plants.

B) Harbor Management Plan: Mr. Kreutzberg said that this is a critical document for procuring funds from governments: Mr. Smith said that he will do archival work to find out what the South Ramp is, and other elements. Ms. Jenkins suggested asking the Historical Society. Mr. Gaughan will send the draft to Jason Burtner at Coastal Zone Management. Mr. Bangert has sent it to Conservation and to the Town Planner. Can the draft be put on the website? Mr. Kreutzberg suggested planning a public meeting for c. October 15. Mr. Murray suggested using GAR Hall for the meeting. He also wondered whether WWC meetings count toward the necessary three public meetings, and said he would look into this, and put the date on the next agenda for the Selectmen. Mr. Patterson said that the Harbor Management Plan should include tourism, excursion boats, research; and look at land side uses and what they offer to the boating public.

6.New Business. Mr. Toppan gave an overview of proposed Founders Park on Front Street. He said that it will be a focal point of the proposed Harbor walk. He suggested inviting Laura Harbottle (Town Planner) and Sally Coyle (landscape architect) to a future WWC meeting.

Next meeting = October 1

7. On a MOTION by Mr. Niland, SECONDED by Mr. Smith, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin