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Meeting Minutes February 15, 2001
Committee Members Present:
Robert Mosher, Alan Perrault, David Fenton, Mike Brazis
Ken Corson - Harbormaster
Committee Members Not Present:
Bryan Sweeney, Chris Daly, Justin Woolacott
o Meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm by A. Perrault, Chairman.
o The committee reviewed the minutes, as drafted, for the February 8th 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 A discussion was held between the Committee and Patty Coyle of the Bare Cove Park Committee concerning establishing car top boating/kayak access in the Park along the Back River. The Committee members explained the area being considered based on our December site visit and asked Patty how same would be viewed by her Committee. She expressed concern for a few things related to establishing such a use, namely the affect on salt marsh grasses, introducing vehicles this far into the park and concern for the River current in the area of the possible launch. She agreed the matter still deserved further consideration and suggested a joint meeting with her Committee or a joint site visit.
o Inner Harbor Boat Ramp. Harbormaster Corson introduced Jack Sheppard of Mass Dept. of Fish and Game's Office of Fishing and Boating Access. Jack explained that the existing ramp on which work was last performed 18 years ago or so is showing signs of failure. He particularly noted that the reinforcing is visible along the top of the ramp and may have been installed closer to the surface than optimum. Jack stated that his Department could fund both the design and an alteration of the existing ramp and recommended a new pour atop the existing 40' ramp at a 15 degree slope. He observed that like other programs there have been State funding cutbacks for this program but believed because this particular ramp gives increased public access to Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands that it would be a prime candidate for design and funding. Jack also noted that his office has design criteria and offers financial assistance in developing kayak launch facilities.
o Inner Harbor Walkway/Bridge. The Committee spoke briefly about continuing to pursue any and all options of improving public access along the Inner harbor particularly noting the need to mitigate the two current major "choke points" by the traffic control box by the Town Brook culvert and the narrow walkway by the 3A Rotary prior to Barnes Wharf/Lincoln Maritime.
o K. Corson gave the Harbormaster's report noting in particular the status of shellfish aquaculture in the Harbor and also the interest the State has in promoting more boating access to Bumpkin Island through temporary moorings and where it was appropriate to do so given prevailing winds, currents and the like.
o Route 3A Rotary – The committee discussed this project and its current status (on hold). A. Perrault mentioned that Town Engineer Roger Fernanades was scheduled to attend the Committee's March meeting to discuss the project as well as Ben Wilcox of the Hingham Development and Industrial Committee whose group has discussed traffic through the Inner Harbor Area and Route 3A improvements including better pedestrian linkeage between the Downtown business area and the waterfront.
o D. Fenton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. M. Brazis seconded the motion. A vote was taken and it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.