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Meeting Minutes May 12, 2010
Committee Members Present:
Nick Amdur, Robert Mosher, Adrienne Ramsey, Bryan Sweeney, Alan Perrault; Ken Corson-
Harbormaster
Members Not Present:
Chris Daly; Dave Beal
Other Speakers:
Jim O’Shea; Ben Matthews
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Chairman Amdur.
1. The minutes of the April 14, 2010 meeting were reviewed and approved.
2. Alan Perrault and Nick Amdur provided an update from the Harbor Task Force.
a. Town Meeting approved warrant articles on Farmer’s Market, Bathing Beach, Harbor Bylaws
and Overlay District.
b. After a slow start, HTF actions were coming together…. and enhanced by the representation
of the various Boards and Committees.
c. Goose-control activities were underway and showing some positive results; fewer geese
(still some remaining).
d. HTF supporting an investigation into a new/alternative bath house for the Bathing Beach;
possible site of a concession stand.
e. Several items were referred to the Harbor Development Committee for follow-up:
1. Public access and Town use of Barnes and Steamboat Wharfs; the lease with Linken
Maritime comes up within a year and the Town wants to ensure all issues are
considered in plenty of time.
2. Continued concerns with public access along the harbor (walkways, etc.)
3. Next steps on a Town-owned or operated marina. This work should include input from
all stakeholders, including Town, Harbormaster, etc.
f. Discussion of various items from the Harbormaster, involving use of Waterways funds that
had previously been assigned to the Town as part of the state reimbursement for dredging.
g. Decision to explore a ‘Harbor Municipal Plan’ or water-side plan, using guidelines and input
from consultant CLE and their representative Carlos Pena. A joint meeting of Harbor Task
Force, Harbor Development Committee plus other interested/involved parties
(Conservation., Lincoln Maritime, Planning Board, etc.) will be held on June 9, 2010 1t 7:00
pm, devoted to this specific topic.
3. Harbormaster Report and Discussion
a. Harbormaster introduced the issue of rockweed (seaweed) harvesting, and the planned
steps to establish moratorium of harvesting until the environmental and regulation issues
could be sorted out. Background work, a letter from Conservation Officer Abby Childs and
the Harbormaster’s letter were discussed. One Hingham resident, with shorefront property
in the inner harbor, had previously expressed concern about the environmental impact.
Jim O’Shea, the rockweed harvester, spoke about his background, work, harvesting policies
and procedures. He is a Northeaster graduate in marine biology, works full-time harvesting
the seaweed, and has been doing so in Hingham/Weymouth/Hull for the past 12 years. He
goes out nearly every day (year-round), provides the seaweed to shippers of live lobsters.
With the seaweed and ice packs, the lobsters can survive for several days travel time. He
described his raking of the seaweed as non-destructive, leaves at least 18-24 inches
remaining which grows quickly back (within same season). His Hingham/Weymouth route
includes the inner harbor (going out along the channel to World’s End), Slate and Grape
islands. He works alone (17 foot open boat), occasionally joined by his daughter with a
second smaller open boat. He is the only rockweed harvester in the South Shore area. By
comparison, Maine has many harvesters, practices more invasive ‘sickle-cutting’ to a short
length and has caused concerns there (Maine) about sustainability. Mr. O’Shea emphasized
that it is in his interests to be environmentally sensitive and to sustain the availability of the
product.Further discussion took place about appropriate next steps, and the committee concluded
that a ‘controlled sample’ of no-harvest vs. harvest area would be useful to evaluate the
impact. Additionally, the committee felt that some technical insight and guidance on the
issue would be helpful…. and the idea of an intern for a summer project was discussed. Alan
Perrault will explore intern options. The Harbormaster agreed to continue as the control
point on the work, and will also involve Coastal Zone Management for technical input. The
Harbormaster will also coordinate with Conservation to ensure all interests are being
covered. The committee felt that a moratorium was not necessary at this time, as long as all
parties were working positively and constructively for a solution that respected the
environment and the ability of the private operator to conduct his business.
b. Harbormaster reviewed his proposed spending from the Waterways fund for specific
projects:
Survey of the Back River; this responds to input that the Hingham side is shoaling and may
be a candidate for future dredging. Supported by HDC.
Mooring Management System: Obtain free use for summer 2010) of an internet based
system that will allow for online applications, record-keeping, transit mooring management.
If subsequently adopted, cost could be $20,00 for an initial 3-year period. There is no
financial obligation to the Town for the free trial use. Bryan Sweeney pointed out that all
costs of a ‘go decision’ be considered, including maintenance, upgrading, hardware needs,
etc. Supported by HDC to proceed with the ‘free trial’.
Purchase of GPS as associated computer hardware; this would provide the Harbormaster
with the same functionality as now required for the mooring providers in the Inner Harbor
and World’s End. Equipment would be installed on the Harbormaster boat. Bryan Sweeny
and Adrienne Ramsey pointed out that hardware leasing (vs. purchase) was advisable, and
the Harbormaster will follow-up with the Town IT’s resource and purchasing functions. As
part of the technical support, consultant CLE to add ‘that they ensure that the purchased
equipment is appropriate for the intended tasks.’ Supported, on this basis, by the HDC.
Technical Support from CLE (20 man-hours): Bryan Sweeney pointed out that CLE should
confirm that any written products (their reports) are property of the Town and will be
delivered in editable-fashion. This is in the Town’s interest for future use, modification and
enhancement of the reports. Supported, on this basis, by the HDC.
c. Harbormaster described the changes to the federal channel (move some buoys) and that
private aids-to-navigation will be limited or eliminated (due to revised Coast Guard
regulations).
d. Mooring regulations are being reviewed by an attorney appointed by the Town. Harbor
Bylaws (as approved a Town Meeting) are at the approval stage of the Attorney General.
e. Inner harbor moorings are being installed by the approved providers; it takes more time and
effort (as expected, with the accuracy requirements), but is proceeding well. Boater
acceptance-to-date is good. World’s End moorings will be approved for installation after a
few remaining license/fee/permit issues are worked out for 3-4 of the applicants.
4. Nick Amdur brought up the issue of using fees from the Town=Bare Cove Marina parking
agreement to support construction of public restrooms at 3A Otis Street. A decision to provide
restrooms in lieu of cash payment would not require Town Meeting authorization and the
extended timeline. The Harbor Task Force (Selectmen representative) wished to not proceed in
this fashion, but rather see if restrooms would be an appropriate part of a Town-owned marina.
The following motion was made by Alan Perrault, seconded and unanimously adopted by
members of the committee:
“The Hingham Harbor Development Committee recommends that the 3A Otis Street parking
funds be utilized within the Harbor district for the public benefit”.
5. The committee was reminded of the joint meeting on June 9, 2010 with the Harbor task Force.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm.