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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-15Harbor and shellfish Advisory Board Minutes June 2, 2015 Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members Present: Peter Brace, Wendy McCrae, Bill Blount, Kenneth Gullicksen and Andy Lowell Members absent: Peter Boyce, Michael Glowacki Marine Department: Sheila Lucey Natural Resources: Tara Riley Call to Order Agenda Approved Minutes of May 28, 2015 approved Brace reported that Boyce will be leaving the island, probably in the fall, which will result in the Selectmen appointing someone to serve out his term and asked any members of the public in attendance who are interested in serving to contact the Selectmen's office. Marine Dept. report by Sheila Lucey: Some aids buoys are in, rest should be by June 7. Floating dock is open. Dinghy dock open. Head Hunter operational. Water is still available at Nantucket Boat Basin. Elec. and plumbing being worked on. Dioms- have done painting and cleanup, working with Land Bank. Tomorrow expect to do painting in Surfside and mark no -drive areas. Madaket channel ready. 106 beach access signs to be placed with 4x4 posts rather than metal. All boats are in. Town pier should be open end of July. Natural Resources, report by Tara Riley: Have two interns. Looking for someone part time for shell project. Hatchery started- algae growing. Expecting oysters tomorrow - about 35 thousand.. Last week went to Island Creek Oyster Hatchery for visit. Two sets of spat lines in. 2 -3 weeks until scallops spawn. Public comment: none Old Business: Transient fees on town pier: Per Brace- proposal is to cap fees for >_5 Vat $25 /ft/yr. Dan Pronk asked what current fees are. A: <_50' $.75/ft., >_51' $1.50 1ft. Michael McInerney asked if all boats affected by proposal. A:(Brace) need to make written proposal for consideration of others. Blount (from floor) commented that intended for all residents. Gullicksen asked why 50' division when maximum size for slips is 32' and stated he thought all sizes open to discussion under Agenda item. Pronk reported that Menemsha does not charge a fee, but holds boats responsible for any damage. Hyannis charges a $25 fee to dock but usually waives it if you buy fuel and that Stage Harbor has an annual fee of $500. He suggested a one time fee for commercial fishermen who could then dock on a first come first serve basis. He also asked about boarding modifications that had been made previously to the town pier. Chief Pittman responded that was allowed by prior personnel and would not be permitted in the future. He also suggested doing all proposed changes at once rather than piecemeal would be better received by the Selectmen. Gullicksen asked why transient fees, with the proposed cap, should be less than seasonal slip fees. Response, from audience members, was that slip space is guaranteed, lines could be left in place and water and electric is available. Elaine Russell stated that with a $1700 minimum recreational slip fee the proposed cap of $25/ft is too low. Lowell stated it is for transients so is treated differently. Dan Pronk said that his boat is on two moorings in Madaket but that would love to have a spot on the pier if not too cost prohibitive and that commercial vessels had to be in the water but that it is optional for recreational vessels. Gullicksen asked the practice regarding transients rafting on the town pier. Lucey stated it was up to the captain and if too crowded they would go to the Boat Basin or anchor. McCrae pointed out that information was provided previously regarding other prots and that higher fees could push fishermen away. Ryan McPherson pointed out that the Harbor and Master Plans empathized access to the water and asked why the Steamship dock is not open to commercial boats. A ( Lucey): post 9/11 security clearance is required as it is a regulated facility. Gullicksen suggested an annual cap for transient dockage, if paid in advance. Pronk stated that Stage Harbor issues a sticker which permits docking for the season. Ara Charter stated that there was no transient language in the motion, to which Brace stated there was no motion yet. Motion (Gullicksen): Moved that the following language be added at the end of 250.5.4.4 and 250.5.4.5: Provided however, a Nantucket ported commercial fishing vessel may pay an annual fee of $25 /ft., provided the fee is paid in advance. Motion was seconded and discussed, including whether a deadline for payment should be specified and if the cap should be the same for both sections. The motion was then amended to read: Moved that the following language be added at the end of 250.5.4.4 and 250.5.4.5: Provided however, a Nantucket ported commercial fishing vessel may pay an annual fee of $25/ft., provided the fee is paid by June 30, 2015 and by January 30 in subsequent years. The motion passed 4 -0 (Bount abstaining). Slip regulations - Elaine Russell stated that last week costs in other harbors were presented and that there was a big increase in Nantucket this year- $100 to $150 for A and $100 to $125 for B. McCrae asked what the rational for the increase was. A ( Lucey): other towns were surveyed and the new fees were in the middle. Class A is higher because they get stability. Michelle Whelan asked why commercial boats are charged more than residential, stated that commercial use should be encouraged and that higher fees may be a bar to new business and fishermen. A(Brace): they account for more use of the pier and are making money. Lucey pointed out that commercial boats on dock are not commercial fishermen. Lowell, regarding commercial vs recreational suggested maybe having fewer categories with equal access or more categories. Brace asked if the change would affect this year (based upon timing of payment). A(Lucey): it depends what the Selectmen do. Whelan asked for clarification regarding commercial fishermen on town pier. A(Lucey): there are two guys with tuna licenses and one with a permit for stripers but it is not their main source of income. Russell stated that she is okay with A & B but felt it was a huge jump and $110 might be more appropriate. McCrae made a motion to amend A to $125/ft. Gullicksen stated that he thought there should be a distinction between A and B. Lucey stated that they were equal and A people asked for the increase. McCrae withdrew her motion. McCrae asked that the meeting end with a moment of silence for scalloper Oscar Bunting. Potential change of meeting dates: Brace reported no new information is available as to the availability of other rooms. The meeting adjourned.