Chairman Dilley called the meeting to order at 7:10pm. Those commission members present at this Public Workshop of the Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission, held at the Stonington Police Station were:
Mr. Scott Dilley, Chairman Mr. George Smith, Secretary
Mrs. Joyce Ballou, Regular Member
Chairman Dilley’s introductory comments included that the meeting was being recorded and some guidelines to follow for this public meeting. He advised to those present that all comments from the last public meeting were incorporated into the Plan wherever possible.
He pointed out that the Public Access section in Part I of the Plan had greatly changed. Speed limits on the river were not specified, and that involvement/authority came with the Plan passage.
Although the entire Plan, when passed, will be an Ordinance, Part II of the Plan was entitled “Ordinance.” Much was taken directly from State statute. Once a Plan is passed, no Town funding will be made available for this Commission. Funding will only be available through the activities of the Commission. He pointed out that the section on Moorings had changed significantly since the last public meeting.
When asked for comments from the public, Mr. John O’Brien gave praise to the Commission on their work, and the major improvements to the Plan.
Mr. Daniel Dyer asked that “body of water” be defined, i.e., what the ordinance would apply to. He was referred to Section 2, Part II of the Plan entitled “Applicability.” It was noted that Little Narraganset Bay was under the jurisdiction of the Town of Stonington. Also noted was enforcement provisions for water quality in discharge zones should continue to be reported to DEP. With an approved Plan, the Commission can be more active in seeing that violators are properly reported. Mr. Mark Tebbets’ concern was that the location of a pump out boat on the Pawcatuck River was not well advertised.
Mr. Dyer suggested that once this Plan passed, it might serve as a model for RI with the hope that the two communities might join forces to clean up the River. He advised those present of an organization founded by Ms Gracelyn Guyol, a Stonington resident. The organization, Clean Up Stonington Harbor (CUSH), and this Commission, might work together to improve the water quality of the Pawcatuck River.
Ms. Gail Shea had several comments to make concerning this latest draft of the Plan, beginning with its improvement over the previous one. Ms. Shea’s comments concerned punctuation, clarity, grammar, and the lack of referencing sources for information contained within the Plan. Some wording, though adequate, appeared out of place, and she gave her suggestions as to where to move it. In other sections, such as that under Recreation Needs, wording that advises small boats require passenger vehicle parking is incorrect. It is not required.
Also under Recreation Needs, Ms. Shea feels that the emphasis is on boating and boating only. Other recreation needs to be properly addressed as well. On this note, Ms. Shea feels it is implied that the Stanton Weir property be for the purpose of boat access when, in fact, there are other recreational uses for it. Mr. O’Brien commented that at present this property is being used for a fair amount of fishing.
Along with improving clarity, Ms. Shea suggests that when groups and organizations are referenced, such as under Water Quality, addresses should be noted in the event a reader wishes/requires additional information. Also, mooring fields mentioned in the Plan, should be omitted. Moorings, in fact, may be placed anywhere the requirements are met. She mentioned a fairway, if it could be accomplished.
With regard to the Harbor master’s duties, she advises that unless post certified, the harbor master cannot issue citations. This is incorrect as stated in the Plan, and will be researched. She added that the Deputy Harbor master is not an ex-officio member of this Commission as per town ordinance.
Ms. Shea felt that fines of $85.00 should be left open, and that the Appeal Procedure gave too much discretion to the Commission and not enough protection to the public. Mr. Tebbets felt that time periods are needed for the violations. Wording should read “shall” and not “can,” and “justified means” is too vague.
Section 13(h) under Transient Anchorage should be removed, suggests Ms. Shea. It states that moorings may be allocated in the Transient Anchorage Area for the consideration of landowners in these areas. This contradicts other sections of this Plan.
Mr. Tebbets felt that the Plan’s purpose should be the protection of the River, and he wasn’t sure this was being accomplished. He felt that limits need to be set. He also felt that the Harbor master patrolling in a marked boat was not a good idea. He also felt that the definition of a commercial mooring was not limited to those owned by marinas.
In addition, Mr. Tebbets felt that the reference to a waiting list could become an issue; overnight stays were hard to enforce, as was the transient anchorage situation. Instead, he felt that specifying that any vessel anchored for more than X number of days becomes permanent and requires a mooring.
Mr. Tebbets felt that Section 17, Mooring Placement, was too involved. Permit numbers change from year to year. He felt that name, and perhaps boat registration number, was more than adequate. He also felt that homeowners along the river should be shown preferential treatment with regard to their moorings.
As for renewal of mooring permits, Mr. Tebbets questioned the certification of mooring inspections. Who exactly was certified?
Ms. Shea felt that the mooring renewal deadlines should coincide more with the boating season than as outlined in the Plan. It was agreed that Section 21, “Private Moorings – Guest Use,” needed additional work. Ms. Shea felt that the Appendix to the Plan be brought back and include, but not be limited to, the Town Ordinance, Statutes, and Mooring Charts.
There being no further comments from the public, Chairman Dilley thanked those present for coming, thanked them for their helpful input, and adjourned the meeting at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
George Smith
Secretary
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