Meeting November 18, 2012

The Harbor Committee convened at 5:00pm on November 18, 2012.
Present were committee chair Cabot Lyman, members Randy Martin and Peter McBean, and Harbormaster Austin Donaghy. There were 5 observers.

The harbormaster gave a presentation of activities to date a copy of which is linked below.

The primary topic for the meeting was floats in Pleasant Point Harbor not moored in the designated area. The Harbormaster had mapped a location for floats along the contour between deep and shallower waters on the eastern side of the harbor as designated in the ordinance (See HM presentation). A commercial fishing observer noted that the primary objections to such a location were:
1. Potential lack of water depth on high moon tides.
2. Operational problems waiting for sufficient water.
3. Not wanting to raft for both personal reasons and probability of lack of access during periods when others were accessing the raft.
This observer regretted that he was the sole commercial fishing public voice at the meeting.
The committee concluded that the designation in the ordinance should stand and that the harbormaster is charged with ensuring compliance.

During the discussion, mention was made of a waiting list for moorings in the harbor and the website is to be updated with a current list. Mr. Meryck asked for a name to be added.

The committee also addressed the matter of speed in the Gut noting that practice used to be good but was now out of hand. Speed buoys are to be placed as designated in the channel plan form the meeting of September 12, 2012. Mr. Lyman noted that he had two speed buoys at his boathouse that were no longer used in Maple Juice Cove. One buoy also remains on Mr. Staples’ wharf. The harbormaster will collect these and, when conditions permit, lay out the marks. The harbormaster will also complete the filings with the Coast Guard.

The harbormaster was also directed to address the abandoned or usurped mooring in the harbor directly with person involved.

Discussion then turned to a review of the Cushing Coastal Water Management Ordinance that had been prepared by Jay Clement NAE of the US Army Corps of Engineers. A copy of this letter is linked below. Following is a Paragraph by Paragraph list only of changes adopted:
6.5 Transferring of Moorings – Fro commercial moorings reference will be made to 38 MRSA Section 3-A.
6.5 Renewal Period – when the web application is available renewal will be annually with owners required to comment as to whether or not inspection and/or maintenance has been performed.
9.C Harbor Plan – a harbor plan is in progress
9.D Harbormaster training – the harbormaster will be attending the mandatory training in March 2013.
9.E Lobster gear in harbors and channels – the harbormaster will get a copy of the Rockport ordinance and submit it to the next committee meeting for review.
9.H Education – the Harbormaster’s Page is deemed to be sufficient to satisfy this suggestion.
9.I Special and General Anchorages – The harbormaster was also charged with filing the Maple Juice Cove public anchorage area so that is can be designated on charts.

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

Harbormaster's Presentation (PDF)    USACE Ordinance Review (PDF)