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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

WATERWAYS COMMISSION
October 1, 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: Bob McHugh, Associate Member; Rick Murray, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Kathie Hellman and Rita Rozen, Beautification Commission; Rick Eckhouse; Marc Currem; Mary McLaughlin; Bridget Gilroy; Joy Kreutzberg.

1. Waterways Commission Chairman Howie Kreutzberg called the meeting to order at 7:20 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. Smith, the agenda was accepted by unanimous vote (8-0).

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

4. HARBORMASTER’S REPORT. Mr. Patterson reported that $550,000 was approved toward the Scituate Marine Park (SMP) dredging project. RFPs are available at Town Hall, they are due first week of November. Transient activity was up markedly from last season, 18 new moorings were assigned this season (due to turnover). The DEP has tentatively approved the Chapter 91 license for TK O’Malley’s marina, there is a 30-day comment period for those who commented during the first comment period. Funds spent on the SMP project to date: $240,000 to CLE, $265,000 to AGM. Mr. Murray asked if Mr. Patterson knows where the additional transients have come from; Mr. Patterson said that he will try to find out what ports these vessels are out of to see if there is a pattern. He also said that Scituate charges $2 per foot for a transient slip and Mr. Schmid said that this is a low figure. There was a discussion about how to attract more transients to the Harbor. Mr. Currem suggested a presence at area boat shows might create new business in this area.

5. Old Business

A. SMP update

i) Construction Update. Mr. Kreutzberg said construction is underway and provided details. Pilings for the Maritime Center are complete and the first phase of the swale at the entrance to the property is underway. The travel lift deck is complete. Fire hydrant is in place on Edward Foster Road.

ii) Maritime Center. The final cut on the pilings has to be done. The metal shop at VoTech has prepared the brackets and these will be bolted to the pilings; timbers will arrive on Friday. Mr. Murphy gave an overview of the status of the HVAC and the plumbing, which are being gifted. Decking is still to be resolved. VoTech has offered to construct railings. VoTech’s goal is to get the new building enclosed before the December school break. Sewer connection and utilities is a main focus at the moment.

iii) Marina. Mr. Patterson said the goal has been to expand the marina this winter. Bid documents will have to go out in December. Pilings are not permitted at this time but this is being looked at; aesthetics will be a consideration but they would be most practical in the long run. Ice will be another consideration regarding pilings. The marina design is not finalized. Mr. Kreutzberg said that this is a unique opportunity to create the marina that will be optimal for the Town in a number of ways. He said a number of things are under consideration including selling the existing floats to the owner of the Mill Wharf Marina to raise some funds for the project. The Town has received $885,000 in grants that were not originally anticipated and this will be very helpful. Mr. Murphy said that looking at other marinas would be a good idea. Mr. Schmid suggested talking to Andy Spinelli at Steamboat Wharf, the new marina project in Hull. Mr. Currem said that it would be good to be able to accommodate larger boats in our marina. Mr. Kreutzberg asked interested members to let him know if they would like to form a marina design subcommittee. He noted that construction would ideally begin next May.

iv) Grants. Mr. Niland reported regarding the BIG grant: Division of Marine Fisheries is enthusiastic about the project and funding of $90,000 toward showers, restrooms, ADA ramps and floats etc is likely. There has been no word yet on the DCS grant. Mr. Murray said that some things still need to be done toward finalizing the Open Space Plan draft.

v) Boatyard Lease. Mr. Niland made a MOTION to hold a separate Executive Session regarding the Boatyard Lease, Mr. Smith SECONDED the motion, all voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously 8-0. There was a brief discussion about the current lease and issues regarding the future leaseholder. Parking will be maintained for the Maritime Center during the winter. Mr. Murray suggested holding the Executive Session following the next WWC meeting.

vi) Park. Ms. Rosen and Ms. Hellman were at the meeting representing the Beautification Commission. They offered on behalf of the Commission to work on a landscaping plan for the park element of the SMP. Mr. Kreutzberg said the AGM engineer suggested planting beach grasses on the new dune to begin to get it established over the winter. Ms. Rosen said they have discussed a natural landscape using indigenous plants. She also suggested waiting on planting dune grass. She also suggested markers on the plants, bird friendly plants, and hardy plants that will require little water and maintenance; they will have to be tolerant of harsh weather, and not be invasive. She said that well lit walkways will be desired, and planters with flowering annuals. Mr. Kreutzberg said that the bank area going north is a large phragmites area that must be eradicated as part of the mitigation plan. Mr. Murray suggested the Beautification Commission pull the order of conditions from the Conservation Commission. Also there is a height restriction to plantings so that the views are not blocked. Plymouth County Extension provides many plantings at very low cost.

B. Harbor Management Plan/G. Gaughan. Mr.Gaughan said that he is meeting with Jason Burtner of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) for his comments on Wednesday at 10 at Mr. Burtner’s office if anyone else wants to attend. The aim is for a public meeting toward the end of October, and Mr. Murray said once a date is set for a public meeting, he will make it an agenda item at the Selectmen’s meeting to draw attention to it; and that it should be sent to the Town Webmaster for the website.

C. Jericho Ramp Update. The State has reengineered the ramp; Mr. Patterson is in communication with Doug Cameron of Public Access Board/Office of Fishing and Boating; design, engineering and permits are in hand but there is no funding at the moment. Mr. Patterson said unexpended funds may be available toward the end of the year in order to pursue this project, it will have to be done in the next few weeks.

D. Town Pier Update. CZM may be interested in putting a pumpout facility on the Town Pier. An RFP will be going out shortly.

6. New Business

A. Antique and Classic Boat Show. This has been held in Salem and Mr. Patterson said that there is a possibility that it could be held in Scituate. The biggest limitation is dock space. Mr. Currem suggested bringing in temporary docks, this is done elsewhere. It was agreed that this is an excellent idea and this should be kept on the agenda for further consideration.

B. Cole Parkway Founders Park. Mr. Murray said that this project has been scaled back and that no parking spaces will be lost. The Harbor Walk has a great deal of support. Mr. Murray said that a comprehensive parking study at Cole Parkway is being considered; his feeling is that the layout of Cole Parkway could be improved to create additional parking spaces.

C. Other. Mr. Schmid relinquished his role as Vice-Chairperson of the Waterways Commission although he will retain his voting membership on the Commission. Mr. Kreutzberg thanked Mr. Schmid for all of his assistance. Mr. Schmid made a MOTION to elect Mr. Murphy as Vice-Chairperson of the Waterways Commission, Mr. Niland SECONDED the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Murphy accepted the nomination.

In other new business, a cookout for VoTech students will be held at SMP, a suggestion was made to invite the press for more publicity.

D. Next meeting: November 5.

7. Adjournment. On a MOTION by Mr. Niland, SECONDED by Mr. Smith, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin