Link back to Harbor Development Committee page
November 12, 2009
Committee Members Present:
Chris Daly, Nick Amdur, David Beal, Robert Mosher, Alan Perrault, Bryan Sweeney, Ken
Corson - Harbormaster
Members Not Present:
Adrienne Ramsey
Other Speakers:
Jim Clarke
John Kenney
Alex McMillan – Hingham Historic Commission
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Meeting was called to order at 7:33 pm; a quorum was confirmed.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
The Committee reviewed the minutes from the meeting of September 09, 2009. D. Beal
recommended a wording change. A. Perrault made a motion to approve the minutes with the
recommended changes. A. Perrault made a motion to approve the minutes as amended.
R. Mosher seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Inner Harbor Dredging:
K. Corson advised that two bids had been received for the Inner Harbor Dredging and Burnham
Construction had the winning bid at $1.7 million. The DCR also reviewed the bids. Dredging
was scheduled to start October 27th but Burnham had to delay the start until November 10th. The
dredging operations will run daily from 5 am to 7 pm, as necessary. Burnham plans to send one
scow of dredged material per day to the dumping grounds off Gloucester.
January 31st is the deadline for completing the dredging.
The bids came in much lower than expected. There could be a $400,000 surplus for the town.
The Committee discussed maintenance dredging and use of these surplus funds for this event.
The Committee discussed possible cost overruns from this current dredging operation and the
likelihood (or not) of any cost overruns.
Dock and Pier Policy:
C. Daly gave an update on the status of the Dock and Pier Policy.
C. Daly and Dan Dwyer of the Advisory Committee had a conference call with two DEP
employees from the DEP’s Waterways and Chapter 91 divisions to discuss dock and pier
regulations.
The Committee discussed the possibility of moving forward with a warrant article for docks and
piers at the next Town Meeting. Chris Daly to discuss with the Advisory Committee and see if
there is enough support for a warrant article. D. Beal recommended that we create a strawman
potential basic structure of the regulations. . Resident Jim Clarke recommended that the
Committee contact the Town of Duxbury as they have recently put a Dock and Pier Policy in
place.
The Conservation Commission has denied the dredging applications for 21 and 23 Bel Air Road.
The property owners have filled suit against the Conservation Commission and Town Counsel
has filed the response for the Town.
The lawsuit by the property owners of 7 Howard Road against the Conservation Commission is
still pending and Town Counsel has also filed a response.
The applications for the 150 foot long pier at 4 Button Cove Road have voluntarily reduced the
planned size of the pier. It will now be a similar length to the other floating docks in the area.
Historic District Concept for the Harbor Area:
Chair of the Historic Commission, Alex McMillan joined the meeting and gave an overview of
historic districts and the potential benefits of creating one for the Inner Harbor area. A map of the
proposed district was presented.
A. McMillan advised that the design of structures built within the district would be reviewed by
the Historic Commission. Several questions were asked about the effect on the buildings on
commercial properties in proposed district. A. McMillan advised that any alteration of current
buildings or new construction would be reviewed and would have to be approved.
The Commission will contact all property owners within the proposed district for their feedback.
Public hearings will be held and ultimately it will become a warrant article for Town Meeting.
Resident John Kenney recommended including the properties across Route 3A from the Harbor.
N. Amdur asked a question on the effect of the proposed district lines if the Route 3A Rotary is
removed.
Harbor Planning Task Force:
A. Perrault gave an update on the Task Force. Recent topics of discussion included improving
pedestrian access, architecture, a waterfront business district, zoning regulations, revenue
opportunities, development ideas, restaurants, a town marina geese control and other topics.
N. Amdur has volunteered to research the flow of funds for harbor-related funds.
Harbormaster’s Report:
K. Corson gave an update on the following current activities of the Harbormaster’s office.
The Committee reviewed the draft of the proposed mooring regulations and forms.
There was a discussion on the size and type of winter sticks
B. Sweeney to provide his comments on the regulations and in particular materials of
construction standards for the mooring tackle.
The third party engineering firm is still working on the mooring field optimization plan.
There were several boat owners given summons for mooring without permits this past
summer. Many are now going to court.
Mooring fees taken in by the Town (approximate):
o 2008: $80,000
o 2009: $170,000 (new mooring fees established)
The importance of giving the mooring service providers the opportunity to comment on
the proposed mooring regulations was discussed.
Pump out grant – K. Corson advised that chances are that we will be successful in
obtaining this grant and may have the pumpout station installed in the Inner Harbor by
summer 2010.
Dinghy dock – the grant application is still pending?
New Business:
C. Daly presented an invoice that had been received from RNR Marine Supply in Hingham for
$32.40 for purchases made and charged to the HHDC. C. Daly to contact RNR and investigate.
B. Sweeney asked several questions about the role of the Task Force, the status of an actual
“policy” for docks and piers.
A. Perrault made a motion to adjourn the meeting. D. Beal seconded the motion. A vote was
taken and it was unanimous. Chairman Amdur adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm