Meeting Minutes

February 18, 2004

Members Present: Kerry Adams Alice Brock, Melville Cote, Gerard Irmer

Members Absent: Beverly Dwyer Ormston, Heather Bruce (Excused)

Advisory Staff: Jon Gilmore (Absent)

Harbor Master: Chris Flavell (Absent), Chief Meyer

Pier Manager: Rex McKinsey

The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m.

AGENDA

Review and approve minutes of January 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 26^th 2004

Motion by Kerry Adams: Table discussion and review of until the end of the meeting.

Alice Brock seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

REPORTS

Harbor Plan Revision Subcommittees

Melville Cote handed out the revised version of the water use section as amended by the committee. Further discussion was not desired at this time

OLD BUSINESS

Harbor Regulations: Mooring Fees

A brief discussion was had by the committee to refine a previous motion on reduced fees for senior citizens to specify the reduced fees were only for Provincetown residents.

Motion by Kerry Adams: To correct the mooring fees to be a 50% reduction in fees for senior citizens 65 years and older who are Provincetown Residents.

Melville Cote seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Chapter 91 Amnesty License Application, 655 Commercial St, Pressman property

Jerry Irmer drafted a letter at the previous meeting stating that they had no issues with this license application. The committee reviewed and approved the letter and agreed to submit it to Ben Lynch.

Motion made by Kerry Adams: To accept the letter from the Harbor Committee to DEP regarding 655 Commercial St. as written.

Melville Cote seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Proposed Personal Water Craft Bylaw revisions – presented by Rex McKinsey

Rex McKinsey spoke on behalf of Chris Flavell as he explained the situation to the committee. The proposed second channel is on the west end of town because it is an area easier to enforce legally. It has better access and visibility from Macmillan Pier and the Coast Guard station. The business is currently operating off a float, which poses danger in gas and people. The intent is to change the bylaw to regulate and confine the business to its 2003 operation and traffic level.

Alice Brock expressed concern with using town landings for commercial business, and the danger of having a family landing used by high traffic, noisy personal water craft. The committee discussed the issue more and decided the change in bylaw most reflected the goals of the Harbor Plan.

Francis Santos made a public comment on behalf of Flyers Boat Rentals: “Thanks to the committee for considering this matter and helping to keep us in business.”

Motion made by Kerry Adams: To recommend to the Board of Selectmen to revise bylaw 13-4-2 as noted and present it to the public at the Spring Town Meeting.

Melville Cote seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Chapter 91 Filing, 253a Commercial St, Heller property, Ginny Binder presenting

Regina Binder and Neal Kimbal, designer, were present to represent the Hellers. Ms. Binder continued to explain the history and goals of their project. The Heller property is an important and beautiful landmark of Provincetown. The planned renovations to the property have had delays due to Chapter 91, therefore she sought the advice and support of the Harbor Committee to expedite the project. So far they already have the support of Jim Vincent and Ben Lynch for the nature of the project. Plans have passed the Zoning, Water and Sewer boards’ approval. They have plan to go along with Chapter 91 regulations by making the beachfront attractive and creating complimentary water use. After discussion with Alice Brock, Ms Binder emphasized that they were not asking to go outside the parameters of Chapter 91, they were just looking for help in defining “water use” to include the arts. Lester Heller told the committee that they had the largest collection of early Provincetown art, and frequently loan them to many museums all over the region.

Neal Kimbal presented the plans and aided in interpretation and discussion of the renovations. As a preliminary plan review the committee was pleased with the plans and stated that they would look forward to processing their Chapter 91 application once it was submitted.

Rex McKinley suggested sending a letter to the DEP to recommend a fast track of this property showing reasons for the Harbor Committee’s support.

Request for 6 month extension for Harbor Plan revision submittal to Selectmen

The committee discussed a letter previously drafted by Jerry Irmer.

Motion by Kerry Adams: Send the letter as drafted to the Selectmen requesting an extension to the original date set for the Harbor Plan Revision to be submitted.

Alice Brock seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

Robert White had a complaint to the committee. The past summer he had two cases of theft from his two boats moored in the harbor. Chief Meyer reassured Mr. White that Chris Flavell, as the new Harbor Master, would keep a close eye on law enforcement this summer.

Francis Santos suggested to the Harbor Committee that they focused on the dirty beaches and plugged storm drains. He has found that everyone in town he has suggested this to have passed the responsibility to someone else, and that the result is poorly managed beaches. Alice Brock assured Mr. Santos that as a member of the Land-Use Subcommittee they are emphasizing reconciliation of these issues in the Harbor Plan. Town landings, beaches and human and mechanical beach cleanup are all high on their priority list. Chief Meyer reminded the committee of Americorps as a good beach clean up resource.

SET TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be in Caucus Hall on Wednesday March 3^rd, 2004 at 4:30pm.

MINUTES

Motion by Kerry Adams: To table discussion of the minutes from January 7^th and 14^th until the next meeting.

Alice Brock seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Motion made by Kerry Adams: To accept the minutes from January 21 as they were presented.

Melville Cote seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Motion made by Alice Brock: To accept the minutes from January 26 as they were presented.

Kerry Adams seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

The minutes from the meeting of February 4^th were discussed and amended to remove language on page two referencing the Harbor Access Gift Fund spending.

Motion made by Alice Brock: To accept the minutes from February 4 as amended.

Jerry Irmer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Rex McKinsey made a recommendation of action to Jerry Irmer to immediately email Keith Bergman and Vernon Porter the agenda they wish to see on the next Board of Selectmen meeting and to send copies of the three letters previously discussed in this meeting, Mooring Fee Changes, Harbor Plan Revision Extension and

Motion moved by Alice Brock: Adjourn Harbor Committee Meeting of February 18, 2004.