Meeting Minutes

Harbor Committee

May 23, 2007

Judge Welsh Hearing Room

Time: 4:30 pm

 

Members Present:         Melinda Ancillo (arr 4:50 p), Mel Cote, Marty Huey,

Gerard Irmer, and Philip Scholl.

Members Absent:                   Keith Amato (unexcused)

Advisory Staff:              Rex McKinsey              

 

AGENDA

 

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

 

Review/amend/approve minutes of 5-9-07

Motion:  The minutes of the May 9th meeting were approved as amended.

Motion:  Mel Cote        Seconded:  Phil Scholl       Vote:  3-0-1 ab (GI)

 

Meeting between Lou Gitto and Sharon Lynn (new Town Mgr.)

The Harbor Committee was not invited to the meeting.

 

Public Statements:  There were none.        

 

Unfinished Business:

 

Old Business:

 

Review 2005 Amendments to the Harbor Plan status

Rex McKinsey is working on this.

 

New Business:

Conflict of Interest Class

On June 6th at 1:00 p.m., Doug Johnstone, the Town Clerk, will be conducting a class on Conflict of Interest.  Any member of the Harbor Committee may attend.

 

Spring beach cleanup status/results

Jerry called the fellow from Brewster yet again and gathered he wasn’t interested in doing Provincetown beaches since he did not return Jerry’s calls.

 

Jerry said he doesn’t think the Town will ever buy a beach cleaning machine but he can keep trying.

Goals and Objectives of the Harbor Committee

The goals need to be submitted to Pam Hudson, the Town Manager’s secretary, in the near future.  The deadline for submission is May 31, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.  Rex said that the water testing will probably be expanded next year but for now differentiating between animal and human coloform is too expensive.  This year’s testing is harbor-wide and will also include Hatches Harbor.  All samples will be run down to the testing facility in Dartmouth.

 

Waterways Application  -  Poor Richard’s Landing   

This was the application that Debra Paine had requested letters about.  The letters were evidently received and the outcome was the desired one.

 

Waterways Application No. W06-1600-N   49A Commercial Street

(At this point in the meeting Melinda arrived.)  There was no comment on this application from the committee.

 

Waterways Application No. W96-8165-N    Union Wharf Condominium Trust

Part of this application houses Sal’s Restaurant.  Again it was deemed that no comment was necessary except that there is already a Town Landing at Capn Jack’s Wharf which is close-by.

 

Waterways Application No. W96-8218-N – License No. 11782 – Re-issue

This was merely a re-issue of an existing license.

 

Report by HarborMaster

Seaweed

Rex reported on the successful dredging project that happened after the last storm.  They did find several feet of decomposing seaweed but it was extremely clean.  Because the inner harbor is a magnet for seaweed, Rex’s idea is to get permission for seaweed to be harvested and perhaps sold for compost. 

 

Water Testing

Rex also said that he definitely needs volunteers for water testing in Hatches and Provincetown harbors.    Canoes would be the best way to do Hatches harbor.  He further said that he hasn’t heard from the DEP about the changes to the Harbor Plan.

 

Beach Clean-Up

 In terms of beach cleanup, Rex has decided on a number of dates over the summer, i.e.,  1) before the Blessing of the Fleet, 2) on July 5th after the Fourth of July festivities,  3) the end of July and/or 4) the end of August.  He would like to see the focus on the area behind Fisher­men’s Wharf.    

 

Hydraulic Dredging For Clams

ConCom is drafting proposals that would prohibit hydraulic dredging.  Dieter Groll is drafting these rules.  Scientists are telling us that the hydraulic clammers can come in as close to 12 ft. and hydraulic dredges lift up the sand and make it fluffy so that the clams are readily available.

The Seashore is definitely in favor of a regulation since they blame a lot of the wash-over of the Herring Cove road during the last storm to the dredging. 

 

$91,000 Grant

Rex heard today that he received a grant for $91k which also has a 20% match.  Right now the 20% will be coming from the Pier Corp.  He wants to put in a handicap access gangway for year one of the grant.  He also has big plans for the John Bennett courtesy float and connecting the gas dock all along the bulkhead. 

 

Harbor Regulations

There will be a meeting on Tuesday, May 29 regarding the harbor regulations.  Jerry wondered if the Harbor Committee has to attend?  A letter was sent in for support. 

 

Liaison Plans

Jerry wants more communication between Harbor, ConCom, and Shellfish committees on all Chapter 91 issues.  Rex encouraged interaction. 

 

Adjournment happened at 5:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

 

Approved by__________________________________________________

                         Jerry Irmer, Chair                                      Date