TOWN OF CHATHAM
Waterways Advisory Committee
Tuesday, March 25, 2010 – 4 pm
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Community Center Club Room, Main Street
Present: Ed Conway, Tim Linnell, Don St, Pierre, Peter Taylor, Dave Davis
Absent: Bob Hamblet, Tom King.
Others present: Ted Keon, Director Coastal Resources; Stuart Smith, Harbormaster; Dave Cowles and Brad Pease, Pease Boatworks
The meeting was called to order at 4 pm.
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Item 1: Meeting Minutes - Minutes of the February 22 meeting were approved without corrections.
Item 2: Correspondence
Ed Conway reported a phone call from the Pease Boatworks regarding the Mitchell River Bridge. This will be discussed later in the meeting.
Item 3: Mooring Fee Increases
Dave Davis expressed concern that the Board of Selectmen had recently discussed raising mooring fees without any discussion with the Waterways Advisory Committee. Ted Keon explained that the recent Board of Selectmen discussion had been an informational session. They had asked for possible sources of revenue and were told that an increase in mooring fees was one possible revenue source. Stuart Smith indicated that prior to any increase in mooring fees, the Waterways Advisory Committee would be consulted and a public hearing would need to be held.
Stuart Smith distributed copies of a mooring cost survey. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
Item 4: Town Landings and Beach Erosion
Dave Davis expressed concern about the beach at Cockle Cove and several Town Landings. He stated that the problem is too big for Chatham to handle without obtaining federal funding to help restore landings and beaches.
Ted Keon indicated that he has done some re-nourishment at forest Beach and is pursuing a grant to help with work needed at Cotchpinicut Landing. At several landings the Town is only managing debris and attempting to stabilize pavement. He also reported that he is completing a shoreline study, analyzing conditions at all landings and beaches to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of the current problem.
Ted Keon also indicated that Federal funding will not likely be obtainable for Chatham. His background with the Corps of Engineers has provided an understanding of how Federal funds are distributed and indicated that a regional approach is the best way to try to solve erosion problems.
Regarding Cockle Cove Beach, Ted Keon indicated that the Mill Creek project will help some in the short-term, but is not a long-term solution to erosion problems there. This is a big problem with no simple solutions.
Ted Keon provided information about dredging and the use of sand from dredge sites. The permits allow dumping at a number of optional disposal sites but does not allow depositing of sand after May 1 because of issues with the horseshoe crab, therefore, it is difficult to benefit from dredging deposits because of late-season storms. The situation is very frustrating and does not offer an easy solution.
Sand is being used at Cotchpinicut and also at Cockle Cove to prevent the collapse of the parking areas.
There was also brief discussion of several other problems including:
- Electrical issues/lights at Ryder’s Cove
- Installation of the finger float at Stage Harbor to be done in April
- Broken piling at the fish pier
Item 5: Mitchell River Bridge
Dave Cowles indicated that the Board of Selectmen will be discussing this issue at it’s next meeting on Tuesday. He requested input/support from the Waterways Advisory Committee to ensure that improvements to the bridge are made. He expressed concern that the State may withdraw from the project, which would result in a loss of $11.9 million, if resistance continues. This issue centers are the historic nature of the bridge. He indicated that the State engineers have made a number of changes to the structure in response to requests from citizens in Chatham, with the result that the appearance of the proposed bridge is much improved.
The proposed bridge would include:
- Wider sidewalks
- A wider opening for boats passing under the drawbridge
- The opening under the bridge will match the natural channel
- A wooden surface over concrete on the top of the bridge
- The bridge will be a few feet higher than it is now, thus changing the approach to the bridge.
Stuart Smith indicated that some of the members of the Friends of the Mitchell River Bridge have softened their stance regarding a wooden structure.
This will be discussed at the next meeting. Ted Keon will invite someone to speak to the WAC.
Dave Cowles expressed concern that the state might withdraw. They have already completed 25% of the design phase and are anxious to proceed with this project.
Ed Conway indicated that he would attend the Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
Item 5: Channel Markers
Stuart Smith stated his belief that the next channel into Pleasant Bay needs to be marked. This will required licensing of the buoys.
He reported the location of an enormous submerged rock at the north end of the North Beach Island. He indicated that he would mark this rock tomorrow as it creates a serious danger to boats using that outlet. Aerial pictures were available showing the approximate location of the channel. Stuart indicated that he would likely need to place 15 to 18 buoys and expressed concern about their staying in place due to extremely fast waters in the channel.
A recent death and court case in New York State were cited as reason to be attentive to the liability issues associated with water safety and buoy placement.
After discussion of the changing sand patterns, Stuart Smith indicated that he would begin with a few buoys and see how they work. All buoys will need to conform to navigation rules.
MOTION: David Davis made the following motion, seconded by Don St. Pierre: That the Waterways Advisory committee recommend that the Harbormaster mark the channel at the new inlet into Pleasant Bay on an experimental basis.
The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Item 6: Old Mill Boatyard Designs
There was brief discussion and review of several of the plans for proposed float/dock improvements in Old Mill Boatyard. Ted Keon indicated that a viable float system is needed, but there seems to be no consensus for design preferences among the members of the Waterways Advisory Committee. Several members have expressed a preference for a solid pier which would allow truck access at the same level as the Eldredge dock.
Dave Davis said he would like to see a 55-foot boat limit in this area, similar to the Fish Pier. Stuart Smith indicated that the 55-foot limit works well at the Fish Pier, but there are larger boats using Stage Harbor.
Other items discussed:
- Dredging continues to be an issue with regard to placement of a float system.
- Possible Coast Guard interest in using the pier
- Any pier in this area would be used by both commercial and recreational boats
Ted Keon stated that there is a significant community need for improved facilities in Stage Harbor. He suggested this be discussed at the next meeting and indicated that consensus from the committee is needed to move forward. He is planning to pursue a Seaport Grant for this project.
Item 7: Other Business
Stuart Smith distributed a recent news release regarding the naming of the Coast Guard’s first fast-response cutter in the Sentinel Class: The Bernard C. Webber.
Item 9: Adjournment - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: TBA Notes by Marie Williams
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