Public Meeting
Wednesday August 2, 2006

Judge Welsh Meeting Room

Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street

Time: 4:30 pm

 

 

Members Present:          Kerry Adams (arrived at 5:20 p.m.), Heather Bruce, Gerard Irmer, and Philip Scholl

 

Members Absent:                 Mel Cote (excused absence)

 

Advisory Staff:           Rex McKinsey and Doug Taylor

 

REVISED AGENDA

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:32 p.m.

 

Review/amend/approve minutes of 7-5-06

Motion:  Approve the minutes of July 5, 2006 as written.

Motion:  Heather Bruce    Seconded:  Philip Scholl     Vote:  3-0-0.

 

Public Statements

There were none.

 

Old Business:

· Review 2005 Amendments to the Harbor Plan status

Heather Bruce had a basic draft of a letter to send to Cheryl Andrews.  The draft letter was almost two pages long.  Jerry Irmer said that he would like the date of the original letter regarding amnesty that was sent out to property owners to be included for a reference point.  That fact should introduce the letter.

 

Property owners were told that they'd fall under the 1978 regs.  The 1999 Harbor Plan doesn’t reflect this at all.  Jerry also added that he'd like to see the letter cut down to one page.

 

Heather said that she has provided the Board of Selectmen (BoS) with a long running summary.  Also, 80 odd percent of the property owners filed within the restrictions of the amnesty guidelines.  Jerry said - after Heather e-mails everyone with the new version - he will copy the letter and put it on the Harbor Committee's (HC) letterhead.

 

· Washington Ave. Town Landing Status

Nothing has happened.  Keith Bergman (KAB) keeps promising an answer.

 

· Good Templar Place Town Landing status

Kerry isn’t here to update us.

 

· Beach cleaning machine status; Cape Cod Beachcomber est.

There was nothing to report.  Jerry has called him a dozen times and he never returns the calls.  We can have him park out by the Jerome Smith parking lot if we get the Chief’s permission.  Rex added that for a spring time clean-up, the equipment could be stashed on the pier while he cleans.

 

· Status of obtaining maps of the harbor

Jerry is waiting for a copy outfit in Boston to get back to him for copying maps of the Harbor.  He was sent a zip file of the Harbor.  Jerry downloaded this and anyone can zoom in on it.  (It contains aerial photos of the harbor with the infamous red line.)  JI will forward the zip file to Rex.

 

New Business:

· Beach cleanup on July 21 review

Jerry Irmer and 14 people cleaned the area behind the Surf Club up to Freeman Street.  There was a lot of broken glass in that area but not much litter.  They also went up to the Provincetown Inn but it was high tide.  Maybe we can have another  happening?  One girl said that Florida doesn’t allow any beachside restaurants to have paper straws, napkins, or anything that can blow away.  

 

The clean-up found a big mess behind the Surf Club, i.e., swizzle sticks, etc.  Jerry said that he will be meeting with the Licensing Dept on July 8th to see if the Florida suggestion can be made part of a licensing restriction for beachfront restaurants.  Doug Taylor advised that it would have to be in the general by-laws…  and then maybe a fine could be imposed for non-compliance.  A netting was suggested for the Surf Club, agreed to, and not implemented.

 

On the July 24th meeting of ConCom, a master plan made by Stearns & Wheeler was presented.  Sandy Turner said that Michael Fishman – certified biologist compiled most of the information contained in it.  It listed 60 wetlands in Provincetown.  It was a nice book that was handed out to everyone.  The Harbor Committee never got one.  Bottom line:  there is a group in town who are pro-wetlands.  The dirt bike group sued the town to come up with a wetland plan.  This same night the wetlands book was presented to the BoS. It’s mostly a ConCom project. 

 

Sandy did say that none of the beach closures occurred where storm remediation had been done. 

 

HB finally got hold of Brian Carlson, the Health Inspector.  She is very disturbed about the beach closings that happened down at the east end.  She wants to know the wind direction and thinks that would be a valuable consideration.  HB would like to volunteer to go out there to collect water samples. 

 

Doug Taylor said they’re thinking of a beach closing flag but the fear is that it would ruin tourism.  Jerry said maybe a map of Town beaches on the MPL and a sticker system identifying where beaches are closed would do.  Heather, concerned for the health safety of others, said that this is not enough!

 

· Chapt. 91 license database status

Jerry hasn't talked to Martin Huey, yet.

 

· Waterways Appl. No. W96-8240-N, 77,77A,79,81 Comm’l St., Maguire

Heather hasn't had a chance (over the last month) to speak to Ann Maguire.  The state wants an answer by Friday.  Jerry said that this is already an existing thing and they have filed for an amnesty application.   HB said she will call Ann within the next day. 

 

Kerry Adams arrived at 5:20 p.m. 

Kerry, after rapidly being brought up to speed, said, " We are the HC and we’re not here to be the advocates for the home owners."   Heather said that if she hadn't asked Karen Katzel how she felt………  we'd never know.  Kerry again said that the HC's job is to look over the application, make a judgement, and respond to the state.  If the home-owner has a problem then the home-owner can discuss his/her unhappiness with the state.

 

· Waterways Appl. No. W96-5402-N, 447 Commercial St., Katzel

Jerry never got this application; it went to the DEP directly.  William Rogers, II sent them directly to the DEP.  The case was heard in June.  Jerry just got copies today.

This is another Katzel property and we did her other property at the last meeting.  Lou Gitto is looking for our input on this.  The plan is being studied.  The property is located between Bangs and Dyer Streets.  Jerry said he doesn’t really have a problem with this.

 

· Waterways Appl. No. W96-8182-N, 379-383 Comm’l St., Bull Ring wharf

The property is on either side of the town landing.  Building 4 is just an uninsulated artist shack.  Does that mean that they’re going to build stairs to the beach?  One comment was, “We don’t see any stairs on the plan?”  The rule evidently is - if they don’t have stairs they’re not allowed to build stairs.  Doug said – if the town landing is serving as an access to the beach then they don’t need stairs.

 

-         Waterways Appl. No. W96-5023-N–  623 Commercial Street

 A copy of a letter from Lou Gitto dated July 25, 2006 to Beth Hayes of Coastal Engineering was discussed.  It was determined that the property owner on this application has to provide the information to the state.  The HC doesn't have to take any action.

 

· Any other business that shall properly come before the Committee

Jerry received a letter from Jessica Waugh, the newly installed Superintendent of Schools.  She would like to attend some of our meetings.  JI will get back to her to get coordination with her on beach clean-ups, etc.

 

Adjournment took place at 5:35 p.m.

 

Next meeting: September 6 in Town Hall at 4:30pm.

 

Joint meeting with Selectmen on Mon. Sept. 25 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

Approved by ____________________________on ______________, 2006.

                             Gerard Irmer, Chair