Chairman Dilley called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Those present at this meeting of the Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission, held at the Edythe K. Richmond Homes Community Building were:
Mr. Scott Dilley, Chairman Mr. Bernie Chalecki, Regular Member
Mrs. Joyce Ballou, Regular Member Dr. Richard Berman, Regular Member
Mr. George Smith, Secretary Mr. Steven Schaub, Alternate
Mr. David Forbes, Ex-officio Member
The December minutes were reviewed and Mrs. Ballou made a motion to accept them as is. Motion was seconded by Dr. Berman and passed unanimously.
During a reading of the Harbormaster’s Report, Mrs. Ballou made a motion to move Correspondence up on the agenda so that those present could better understand what letters the report pertained to. Motion was seconded by Dr. Berman and passed unanimously.
Chairman Dilley read a letter he wrote to the First Selectman pertaining to the harbormaster. The topics covered were:
Can the Town Seal be used on updated Mooring Application Form?
Can the Commission charge filing fees for moorings without a Plan in place?
If fees allowed, how would they be collected?
What is the procedure for obtaining an assistant harbormaster?
Chairman Dilley also read Mr. Brown’s response. The Town has no jurisdiction over the harbormaster, thereby eliminating the Town Seal on the Proposed Mooring Application. The Commission cannot assess fees without a Plan in place and applications for assistant harbormaster should be sent directly to the governor’s office, bypassing the Town completely.
Mr. Forbes’ letter of response was part of the Harbormaster’s Report read this evening. Harbormaster Reports will be sent to the State until a Plan is passed. Chairman Dilley will check with First Selectman Brown as to whether mooring applications can be posted on the Town’s website. It was emphasized again that this Commission was not able to address grievances without a plan in place. It is limited to discussion and recommendations only at this time.
Mr. Bob Thompson of Riverside Drive, a member of the public present this evening, asked what jurisdiction the harbormaster falls under after a Plan is passed. Chairman Dilley explained that the harbormaster is still under the jurisdiction of the State, but that the Commission will be able to request his assistance with enforcement of the Plan. Mrs. Ballou made a motion to accept the Harbormaster’s Report. Motion was seconded by Mr. Chalecki and passed unanimously.
There were no reports from local or state representatives. Chairman Dilley read the Finance Report. He then passed around correspondence from Rhode Island regarding work to be done at 237 Shore Road in Westerly. He explained to members of the public present that the Commission receives this type of correspondence for information purposes only. No action is required of this Commission.
Chairman Dilley incorporated all changes made to the Plan at the December meeting. These will be made available on the Town’s website. He reviewed each of these changes. A lengthy discussion on river access followed. Chairman Dilley will research what constitutes public versus private access.
Ms Anita Horrigan, a member present from the public, voiced her concern for a friend who has had a mooring for some sixty-five years, but with no boat on it. Will passage of the Plan cause him to lose this? She felt some allowances should be made, rather than having a set ruling that only moorings with boats be allowed. It was agreed that special consideration cases should be addressed in the Plan. It was also agreed that the Commission work closely with its community regarding matters such as these and others.
Along with the question of moorings with boats, or moorings without boats, came the question of allowing multiple moorings per person. Further, No Wake Zones were discussed once again. DEP’s recommendations on No Wake Zones will be sought.
Mrs. Ballou made a motion to accept the changes made to the Plan at the December meeting and reviewed this evening. Mr. Chalecki seconded, and the motion currently accepting the draft dated 1/12/06, Revision 5, passed unanimously.
New Business consisted of an article in The Westerly Sun referring to the harbormaster’s policing of the river. Also Mr. Forbes asked that the section of a report of his on mooring/chain sizes be somehow incorporated into the Plan.
There being no further business, motion to adjourn at 9:00 pm was made by Mrs. Ballou, seconded by Dr. Berman, and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
George Smith
Secretary
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