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Meeting Minutes December 12, 2011
Committee Members Present:
Chris Daly, Alan Perrault, Dave Fenton, Bryan Sweeney, John Thomas,
Ken Corson – Harbormaster
Committee Members Not Present:
Robert Mosher
Chairman A. Perrault called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
Review of meeting minutes:
o The committee reviewed the draft of the minutes for the August 23, 2011 meeting. D. Fenton made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by J. Thomas. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
o The committee reviewed the draft of the minutes for the September 27, 2011 meeting. D. Fenton made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by J. Thomas. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
o The committee reviewed the draft of the minutes for the October 12, 2011 meeting. D. Fenton made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by J. Thomas. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
o The committee reviewed the draft of the minutes for the November 21, 2011 meeting. D. Fenton made a motion to approve the minutes which was seconded by J. Thomas. A vote was taken and the minutes were unanimously approved.
C. Daly provided an update on the application for CPA funding for the Pedestrian Bridge to Whitney Wharf.
o D. Fenton is working with Beals & Thomas to get an updated cost estimate that can be used for submission to the CPC. The next CPC meeting is December 14, 2011.
o The need to continue discussions with the owner of 3 Otis Street was discussed.
o The CPC is trying to determine the best way to classify this project. Historical, recreational, open space or a combination of these. J. Thomas and R. Mosher will research the history of Whitney Wharf for the historical aspect.
A. Perrault provided an update on the Bathing Beach Bathhouse renovation project.
o Special Town Counsel for Real Estate, Susan Murphy, is working on obtaining State Legislature approval to allow the Trustees of the Bathing Beach to create an RFP for lease and renovation of the bathhouse.
o The intern from the Boston Architectural College is still working on a design for the new bathhouse.
Resident Douglas Hosie addressed the committee about his interest in opening a kayak rental business on Hingham Harbor. Selectman John Riley, attending the meeting, recommended that Mr. Hosie start by contacting the Planning Board and the Town Planner.
K. Corson gave an update on the boat ramp and the dinghy dock.
o Work on the dinghy dock is done thanks to a lot of manual labor by J. Thomas. The dock will be connected to the Town Pier in the Spring of 2012. Selectmen to decide what the fee will be for use for each permit holder. The dock may accommodate up to 13 foot long boats.
o We are staying in regular contact with the Public Access Board, the entity that controls boat ramp funding for the Commonwealth, along with Legislative approval (to release the funds). Unfortunately funding for replacement of the Inner Harbor boat ramp is now 3-4 years away. It is essential that we have a beach management plan in place when applying for the funding. The Urban Harbors Institute intern is working on the beach management plan. A meeting with Harbormaster, Jason Burtner of Coastal Zone Management and the Town Planner will be held in the near future. The Trustees of the Bathing Beach must also be engaged. The committee discussed concerns about condition of the ramp until the replacement project starts.
A. Perrault provided an update on the Seaport Bond Council grant application.
o Hingham did not receive any funding this year. The need to socialize our future applications with the Lt. Governor and our state representatives and then DCR was discussed.
o K. Corson recommended more emphasis in future grant applications on the shellfish beds in Hingham Harbor and potential support for the application by the Marine Fisheries Department.
The committee discussed the Enterprise fund concept for the harbor. No new progress and a warrant article will most likely not be created for the next Town Meeting. It is still an objective of the HHDC for the future.
K. Corson provided the Harbormaster's report.
o Still waiting for decision from CZM on our grant application for the pump-out station at Town Pier.
o Mooring regulations were approved by the Board of Selectmen.
o The naming of the new patrol boat is still being discussed. Working with the School Department to see if a contest can be held for the students to name the boat. Commissioning will be Memorial Day weekend 2012.
Review of current projects and goals for 2012.
o C. Daly to email a copy of the 2011 goals and objectives to all committee members.
o The 2012 goals and objectives will be discussed at a future meeting.
A. Perrault gave an update on the interns assigned to harbor related projects.
o There have only been two meetings so far with the interns. There have been some challenges but work is progressing. Our intern from the Urban Harbors Institute will most likely continue in his role in the Spring Semester.
K. Corson provided an update on the Inner Harbor Full Condition Survey being completed by CLE Engineering.
o K. Corson to ask Carlos Pena of CLE to wrap up the project and submit a final report. Carlos to be invited to a future HHDC meeting to review the findings.
The committee discussed the geese management issue.
o D. Fenton provided an article about a propane fired cannon being used in Chatham to scare away geese. The committee discussed the possibility of the Bathing Beach allocating some funds to geese control.
o Resident Ben Matthews provided some history on previous geese management efforts.
Next Town Meeting
o Warrant articles must be submitted by January 20th and Town Meeting will be held in the last week of April 2012.
The committee discussed the possibility of a local fundraising effort for harbor related projects.
o The success of the Hingham Sports Partnership and their fundraising efforts was mentioned and the potential of talking with the leaders of the HSP to see how they approached fundraising was discussed.
C. Daly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. J. Thomas seconded the motion. A vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm.