TOWN OF CHATHAM
Waterways Advisory Committee
Thursday August 27, 2009
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Community Center, Main Street
Present: Ed Conway, Bob Hamblet, Don St, Pierre, Peter Taylor, Tim Linnell, Dave Davis
Absent: Tom King
Others present: Ted Keon, Director Coastal Resources, Stuart Smith, Harbormaster, Lee Tallman, Wharfinger, Jack Koski
The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m.
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Item 1: Minutes
Minutes of June 18, 2009 were approved with the following change: Pg. 6 “Fuel Prices at the Fish Pier”, line 5. Change “were substantially higher” to “appeared to be substantially higher”
Item 2: Correspondence
Regarding above a copy of a memo was distributed to WAC members from Jennifer Petit to William Hinchey regarding the status of the Fish Pier Fuel Price Audit. No further discussion ensued.
Ted Keon handed out copies of the Town Landing Master Plan for the members to
review for an upcoming meeting.
Item 3: Other
Dave Davis asked Ted Keon about the new dingy dock construction. Ted explained that the main pier will be concrete while the other smaller piers will be timber.
Item 4: Tim Linnell Appeal
Mr Linnell recused himself from this discussion.
Bob Hamblet asked Stuart Smith about the comment in the handout from Bruce Gilmore: “Should the Harbormaster elect not to reverse his position.” Stewart replied that he has that option under the state statute.
Peter Taylor mentioned how every boat swings differently and that Linnell’s boat might not be a problem. He suggested that Linnell be given a trial period and see if it actually is a problem.
Ed Conway said this is what the Harbormaster is paid to do so lets let him do it. It’s his decision.
Bob Hamblet suggested that, given the long waiting periods in the mooring fields, we could put a little effort in trying to accommodate a boat if it is too close to another, e.g. drag the mooring block 5 ft. forward. Then it might be fine for that location.
Dave Davis suggested that if we removed two moorings from that field and specified the hawser length, the field could probably then accommodate any boat that came up. Stuart thought these ideas were reasonable and said he would think about it but offered no commitment. He further stated that possibly rubber mooring lines or fixed scope might work.
Peter Taylor in commenting on the assignment of Roscoe Chase mentioned that he was not a Chatham resident. Stuart Smith explained that although this might seem like a factor to local people, state statute does not allow discrimination between people based on residency.
Bob Hamblet asked if the new dingy dock would be an issue regarding swing room on this mooring. Ted Keon and Stuart both thought it would not.
Don St. Pierre stated that he thought deciding these issues of mooring assignment was the Harbormasters job and we shouldn’t try to second guess him.
Further discussion went on about how we could reduce the number of moorings in the field. One suggestion was to contact a couple of permit holders not presently with gear in the harbor and not likely to be getting another boat, and see if they would relinquish their moorings. This will be further explored by the Harbormaster.~
The question was asked about liability if in testing swing room on another boat damage was caused.
Peter Taylor asked if in getting back to the selectmen with a recommendation a motion was necessary. In that no one was certain, he proposed the following;
~~~~~~~~~~~~Motion: The WAC recommends The Board of Selectmen seek a compromise with the Harbormaster in the assignment of mooring ALC1-27 (Kosky Mooring). The vote was 4 to 0 with 1 abstention in favor of the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Date of next meeting to be announced.
Notes by
R.O.Hamblet
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