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Hingham Harbor Development Committee
Meeting Minutes March 11, 2009
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm; a quorum was confirmed.
Committee Members Present:
Nick Amdur, David Beal, Robert Mosher, Alan Perrault, Adrienne Ramsey
Members Not Present:
Chris Daly, Warren Nottleson
Other Speakers:
Bill Reardon, Art Myles, Nick Bonn, Jim Clarke, John Hersey
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Meeting called to order by Chairman Amdur at 7:30 pm.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
Minutes from the meeting of February 11, 2009 were reviewed. A. Perrault made a motion for
approval of the minutes, seconded by R. Mosher. The vote to approve the minutes was
unanimous.
Dredging Update:
Dredging will start October 1, 2009. The Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow and on their
agenda is to review the warrant article approving the dredging funds. Funds were passed by the
legislature in the special session.
Dock and Pier Policy:
Chris Daly attended the Selectmen’s meeting last night. He reported that the Selectmen asked
for a follow up discussion to the proposed warrant article. The lack of having a dock and pier
policy has proved difficult to both the Conservation Committee and the HHDC. There has been
a concern from residents to create one. A. Perrault stated that Hingham is one of the few towns
that does not currently have a policy in place. Resident Art Myles spoke of his concern over the
growing number of docks. He asked what impact the Cons Committee and the HHDC has on
applications for new docks. N. Amdur broke down the process of developing the warrant article
to the audience members. Resident Bill Reardon provided input as a waterfront owner with a
dock and asked to be informed of any progress.
Whitney Wharf Bridge Funds:
N. Amdur reported that the CPC stated that the funds for the Whitney Wharf bridge cannot
necessarily be directed at other harbor related projects. The CPC saw it as a much bigger issue:
dealing with unused funds and when these funds would be available for other CPC projects. Bill
Reardon stated that the fact that it could not go forward was not the HHDC’s fault, but rather
caused by the Selectmen’s decision to not act. There is $28K left from the original amount. N.
Amdur referred to the fact that Whitney Wharf park was never truly completed as the fence
installed by the contractor was not to specification. N. Amdur followed up with the Town
Counsel’s office, per the request of HHDC members from the last meeting. B. Reardon pointed
out that the night the selectmen voted to take it down, they had the incorrect impression that the
HHDC felt it was dangerous. As of two weeks ago, N.Amdur had not heard further on whether
or not the fence would be taken down.
Parking at the Harbor:
A. Perrault drafted a memorandum to suggest possible private use of Hingham Harbor parking.
There would clearly have to be a definition of how many spaces are available. The more
dialogue we have among the interested parties the better. N. Amdur commented that there are
public private partnerships that would be of benefit to the town and be good use of the space. N.
Amdur thinks that this would be an ideal topic to add to the proposed discussion with Selectmen
over the HHDC’s role. A. Perrault envisions this as a dialogue starter. Owner Nick Bonn
suggests that the process be for nonexclusive use from his experience with making parking
proposals. A. Perrault clarified that this proposal is to recommend Town Meeting authorize an
RFP for the Selectmen in regards to harbor parking. N. Amdur suggests that this topic be kept
visible with all other arms of town government involved in harbor development.
Geese Droppings:
Ben Matthews will draft a letter to the selectmen about the geese droppings. D. Beal stated that
permits for egg-addling would need to be secured. Nesting season has already started. D. Beal
said it will be important to find all the sites.
New Business:
The selectmen approved the increase in the mooring fees. Boats under 17 feet pay no fees.
Other Business:
Resident Jim Clark asked where he could get a copy of the chemical analysis reports on the
harbor. N. Amdur suggested that he check with the Harbormaster; the analysis was contained
with the report prepared by CLE (project engineering firm for dredging).
The Harbormaster budget has been substantially reduced for the coming year. It will go to Town
Meeting for approval.
R. Mosher made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by D. Beal. The
vote to adjourn was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 pm on April 8, 2009.