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Meeting Minutes January 18, 2011
Committee Members Present:
Robert Mosher, Chris Daly, Alan Perrault, David Fenton, Bryan Sweeney
Ken Corson - Harbormaster
Committee Members Not Present:
Justin Wollacott, Mike Brazis
o Meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by A. Perrault, Chairman.
o The committee reviewed the minutes, as drafted, for the December 7, 2010 meeting. R. Mosher made a motion to approve the minutes. D. Fenton seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
o The committee reviewed the minutes, as drafted, for the December 11, 2010 meeting. D. Fenton made a motion to approve the minutes. R. Mosher seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
o Enterprise Fund Discussion
a. Kurt Bornheim, The Harbormaster from Hull, at the invitation of the Committee, attended the meeting so that the Committee could learn about Hull's experience with their harbor enterprise fund.
b. Hull's enterprise fund was established in the 1990's.
c. The cost of "operating" their harbor is fully funded by the fund. The majority of these costs are from the Harbormaster's Department.
d. Hull mooring permit holders are more apt to approve any fee increases when they know that the additional funds will go directly back into harbor-related projects and services.
e. Hull has a separate waterways fund that funds dredging costs.
f. Hull has three town piers. All are rented to private businesses or clubs. The rental revenue goes to the waterways fund.
g. The Town of Hull nets 20% of the gross slip fees at Steamboat Wharf.
h. Total revenue to the enterprise is about $150,000 per year.
i. There are 840 boats moored or in slips in the town.
j. The Harbormaster's Department has two patrol boats, on pump-out boat and a truck.
k. The town has a dinghy dock that charges $75 per dinghy per season for storage on the dock.
l. The Committee reviewed and discussed the pro-forma Hingham Harbormaster Enterprise Fund created last year by K. Corson and Town Accountant, Ted Alexiades.
o A. Perrault gave an update on the Harbor Planning Task force. The Task Force has not met and the Chair has resigned. The Planning Board is deciding if they will provide a "replacement" to the Task Force. The Board of Selectmen are also involved in the decision making process.
o K. Corson gave the Harbormaster's report:
a. Hingham is on the list for boat ramp repairs with the State. This could include repair of the ramp and installation of the side floats.
i. Jack Shephard of the Public Access Board would like to attend a future HHDC meeting to discuss options for the boat ramp.
ii. $150,000 to $300,000 is the range of total cost estimates. With two options. First a pier structure and second, a float structure (similar to Weymouth Back River ramp)
iii. Ramp fees could be charged (commercial haulers currently pay an annual fee).
b. Dinghy dock
i. The floats donated by the USCG are in storage on the boat ramp and will be installed in the Spring.
ii. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of charging a fee and if so what would be the appropriate level. The Selectmen commented to the Harbormaster that no fee should be charged.
iii. The spaces will be managed through a waiting list.
iv. A storage rack for kayaks was also discussed.
v. The Committee discussed the merits of a public dinghy dock versus permitting of the private marinas for dinghy docks.
c. Full condition survey of the harbor
i. The survey is in progress by CLE Engineering
ii. The Back River and Weir River mooring plan optimizations are part of project.
iii. The Committee agreed that it would be a good idea to have CLE attend a future meeting to discuss their initial findings.
o A. Perrault gave a brief update on the Route 3A Rotary project
a. The South Hingham/Derby Street industrial park project is the priority at this time. The Town Planner and Board of Selectmen have recommended waiting on the Rotary project until the South Hingham project is complete.
b. The Committee discussed potential next steps on the Rotary project.
o Cartop boating access on the Back River via Bare Cove Park
a. The need to get in touch with a rep. from the Bare Cove Park Committee
b. There may also been a need to discuss with the Conservation Commission. K. Corson will have a discussion with Conservation Commissioner, Cliff Prentiss.
c. The Committee discussed some potential safety concern with current in the Back River.
o The Committee reviewed our last meeting with the Board of Selectmen to discuss our 2011 goals and objectives.
o It was recommended that the following items be added to the next (or following) meeting agendas:
a. Foundry Pond Dredging
b. Questions from the public
c. Discussion with representative(s) from Scituate on their Enterprise Fund.
o C. Daly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. R. Mosher seconded the motion. A vote was taken and it was unanimously voted to conclude the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.