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January 13, 2010
Committee Members Present:
David Beal, Robert Mosher, Alan Perrault, Chris Daly, Ken Corson- Harbormaster
Members Not Present:
Nick Amdur, Adrienne Ramsey, Bryan Sweeney
Other Speakers:
Jim Clarke
John Hersey
Dana Baxter
W. Sturtevant English
Carolyn Nielsen – Conservation Commission
Charles Berry – Conservation Commission
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm; a quorum was confirmed.
C. Daly asked that the Committee recognize the passing of former Committee member Warren Nottleson
the previous week.
Previous Meeting Minutes:
The previous meeting notes were reviewed. A. Perrault made a motion to approve the minutes. D. Beal
seconded. The vote to accept the minutes as written was unanimous.
Harbor Planning Task Force Update
A. Perrault provided an update on the Task Force’s activities to the Committee that included the Task
Force’s discussions on the new mooring regulations, the proposed Overlay District for the harbor area,
possible warrant article to address concession stands and the Farmer’s Market, the geese on the
waterfront, waterfront access and the 3A Rotary project.
Harbormaster’s Update
K. Corson provides an update on the activities of the Harbormaster’s office:
o Inner Harbor Dredging – the dredging is 46% complete. The original plan was to have the project
complete by January 31, 2010. The contractor has requested a two week extension. It is not likely
they would be granted a 2nd extension. The Harbormaster has strongly recommended to the
contractor that they obtain a second scow in order to haul away more dredged material each day.
The contractor is initially resisting this request. If the contractor had to return next winter to
complete the job this would delay the planned harbor optimization.
o Harbor Optimization – the first draft of the optimization plan by CLE Engineering will be ready
next week. If a significant number of moorings can be added to the harbor there will need to be a
change in the mooring regulations. The Harbormaster will be attending the Selectmen’s meeting
to review the changes required. The moorings behind World’s End on the Weir River are also
being considered for optimization. Currently there are 25 moorings but approximately only 12
have valid permits.
o Mooring regulations – The Harbormaster is still working through the comments received from
interested parties.
o Resident Dana Baxter asked about differences between the Inner Harbor mooring regulations and
the mooring regulations in other areas. K. Corson advised that there will be a difference in the
chain and pennant lengths.
o Waiting list – There are 70 people on the mooring waiting list.
Dock and Pier Regulations
Carolyn Nielsen and Charles Berry of the Conservation Commission joined the meeting to talk about their
plans in regards to dock and pier regulations for the Town. C. Nielsen advised the Commission has
determined that they have the right to enact dock and pier regulations under the wetlands by-law. No
warrant article is needed. The Commission is in the process of drafting regulations. The process of putting
the regulations in place will include significant opportunity for public input.
C. Nielsen provided a preliminary draft of the regulations to the HHDC and asked for feedback from the
Committee. The Harbormaster is currently working with the Conservation Commission also on these
regulations. A. Perrault recommended that Town Counsel also review the regulations and also asked
about the handling of repairs on existing docks and piers. Resident Sturt English asked about winter dock
and pier storage regulations and enforcement. Resident John Hersey commented that he would like to see
stronger enforcement of dock storage by-laws
Foundry Pond Dredging
C. Daly asked the representatives of the Conservation Commission to update the HHDC on the proposed
project to dredge Foundry Pond. C. Nielsen advised that this effort is being lead by the Conservation
Officer and the Town Administrator. It has been concluded that to alleviate flooding in the area of the
pond it needs to be dredged. The cost of dredging is estimated at $700,000. The Conservation
Commission has approached the Community Preservation Commission for support with the funding and
also would like to use the soon-to-be unspent State funds leftover from the Inner harbor dredging. The
remaining funds in the Town account IS NOT being considered for this project. The leftover money from
the State’s portion would just go back to the State if it cannot be used to dredge Foundry Pond. It cannot
be held for the next dredging cycle.
Motion to rescind a previously approved motion
During the course of the meeting A. Perrault noticed that the minutes of the meeting, when mentioning
the members of the Harbor Planning task Force, did not note that the Trustees of the Bathing Beach were
part of the Task Force and this information should be added to the minutes. D. Beal made a motion to
rescind the approval of the motion to approve the minutes of the December meeting as written. The
motion was seconded by A. Perrault. A vote was taken and the vote was unanimous in approval. A.
Perrault then made a mode to approve the minutes with the requested changes. D. Beal seconded, a vote
was taken and the vote was unanimous in approval. C. Daly to issue the minutes with the change.
Resident J. Hersey recommended that the launch ramp in the Inner Harbor be plowed after snowstorms
due to safety concerns.
A. Perrault made a motion to adjourn the meeting. D. Beal seconded the motion. A vote was taken and it
was unanimous in approval. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.