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Hingham Harbor Development Committee
Meeting Minutes June 10, 2009
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm; a quorum was confirmed.
Committee Members Present:
Chris Daly, Alan Perrault, Nick Amdur, David Beal, Robert Mosher, Warren Nottleson
Ken Corson, Acting Harbormaster
Members Not Present:
Adrienne Ramsey
Other Speakers:
Jim Clarke, John Hersey, John Cotter, Sarah Dewey, Maggie Merrill, Joseph Pattavina
Beth Rockoff (Representing the Hingham Historical Commission)
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Meeting called to order by Chairman Amdur at 7:30 pm.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
Minutes from the meeting of May 13, 2009 were reviewed. W. Nottleson made a motion to
approve the minutes which was seconded by R. Mosher. A vote was taken and the motion was
unanimously approved.
Inner Harbor Dredging:
N. Amdur and K. Corson advised that the dredging was moving along as planned and it is still
scheduled to start in October 2009. The RFP for the dredging services is being created . Ken
Corson is in regular contact with Assistant Town Administrator, Betty Foley on the dredging
project. The RFP is usually issued by the Division of Waterways. K. Corson will confirm. The
Harbormaster’s will begin notification of mooring permit holders when the dredging dates are
known.
Dock and Pier Policy:
C. Daly gave an update on the status of the Dock and Pier Policy and the status of a few pending
pier or private dredging applications.
A hearing was held by the DEP at 7 Howard Road on June 4th. The purpose of the hearing was to
address the environmental impact of the pier only.
The Conservation Commission was to address the two Bel Air Road private dredging
applications at their next meeting on June 15th.
Parking RFP:
This item will be moved to the Harbor Planning Task Force Agenda.
Geese Control:
The Committee held significant discussion on the wording in the letter that was to be addressed
to the Board of Selectmen regarding the geese problem and potential solutions. Several changes
in the letter were suggested by Committee members.
C. Daly made a motion to approve the suggested changes. A. Perrault seconded the motion.
Before a vote could be taken a suggestion was made that the effort might be better served if it
were handled by the Harbor Planning Task Force. This was agreed to by the members. No vote
on the motion was taken and the motion effectively died. D. Beal to make the suggested changes
to the letter and bring it to the next Harbor Planning Task Force meeting.
Harbor Planning Task Force:
The Task Force has asked that all the participating committees or board bring to the first meeting
a list of priorities for the harbor. The Committee discussed several possible priorities and it was
agreed that the following would be brought to the Task Force for the HHDC:
1. Moving forward with the Master Plan for the Harbor.
2. Improving public access to the harbor (walkways, boardwalks, facilities, parking, etc.)
3. Geese control
4. Resolution of the parking and zoning issues on the harbor. Fostering cooperation between
businesses and the Town to create a vibrant waterfront.
On a separate issue resident Jim Clarke asked about public access to Hastings Wharf. He advised
that the owner has a Chapter 91 license which requires public access but there is a No
Trespassing sign at the front gate of the wharf.
Harbormaster’s Report:
K. Corson advised that the fireworks are scheduled for July 3rd. Weymouth will hold their
fireworks the same night.
Portable toilets will arrive at the harbor next week, as will the pumpout boat.
New Business:
Beth Rockoff of the Historical Commission updated the Committee on planned landscaping
changes to Iron Horse Park. The Historical Commission is planning to re-grade the hill so that
the horse’s hooves are at ground level. The current base would be covered. The Historical
Commission would like feedback from the HHDC on what the Committee would like to see for
changes at the Iron Horse Park. It was agreed that C. Daly would send the artist renderings from
the Master Plan to Ms. Rockoff as representation of our vision for the Iron Horse Park.
Resident John Hersey recommended more picnic benches at the park.
A discussion on the memorial benches was held with several residents contributing and asking
about the impact on the benches that have been placed in the park with the planned landscaping.
The memorial bench policy was also discussed. C. Daly to contact Committee member A.
Ramsey and supply a copy of our notes and final recommendation on the memorial bench issue
to Ms. Rockoff.
D. Beal opened a discussion on the Harbor Planning Task Force and the number of members
from each Committee or Board that will be part of the Task Force. W. Nottleson asked about
other organizations for the Weir River or Back River.
Resident Sarah Dewey asked about the date for the start of the inner harbor dredging and the
impact on the rowing programs in the harbor. Ms. Dewey advised that the High School’s rowing
program runs through October 25th. Harbormaster Corson will follow-up with Ms. Dewey for
specifics on timing and access.
D. Beal made a motion to adjourn the meeting. R. Mosher seconded. A vote was taken and it was
unanimous. Chairman Amdur adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 8th at 7:30 PM.