BHMA Minutes April 20, 2022 Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 20, 2022 Meeting
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: April 20, 2022
Location: Beverly Public Library - Barnet Gallery
And via Google Meet
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Todd Callaghan, Larry Herman, David
Lane, Don Neuman, George Simon, Danielle Spang, David
Suminsby, Estelle Rand, Todd Rotondo
Members Absent: Vice Chair Emily Flaherty
Others Present: Sean Ciancarelli (marina manager), Bryant Ayles
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:45 pm and roll call is taken.
New Members
Earl welcomes two new members, Daniel Spang and David Lane, and calls for a round of
introductions.
Approval of Minutes
Neuman motions to approve the March 16, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Rotondo. The motion is
approved by roll call, 8-0, with Lane abstaining.
Financials Report with Budget Report from Bryant Ayles
Ayles reports that the last two years have been a challenge, but he thinks the city is currently in a
strong position. He notes that their bond rating is stable at AA+, and is comparable to other
communities of our size. He also notes that the AAA rating is hard to obtain because of the long-
term liabilities that the City holds. The FY2023 budget will include $150 million from the
general fund for operations, and the total budget submitted will be for $170 million.
Earl reports that the current fiscal year-to-date numbers for the HMA include $143k in revenues
and $29k in expenses. He expects they could have an additional $40-50k in revenue before the
close of the fiscal year but their expenses will also be increased with the start of the recreational
marina season. Earl reports an amount of$542.8k in the capital fund but that it might be down to
about $500k at the end of the fiscal year. Earl notes that the expense overages this winter were
from utilities at the Harbormaster building, and this should be corrected in next year's budget
resulting in about$10k less for utility expenses. The cleaning expenses have also been corrected.
There is some discussion money owed by commercial customers. Ayles notes that if they are
having trouble with the collection of receivables that the city may be able to assist through the
intercept of payments due, assuming the delinquent payers are Beverly residents. Earl notes that
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Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 20, 2022 Meeting
kayak rack spaces might go up in fee charged in 2023 as the cost of purchasing the racks has
increased.
Earl has included project budgets for additional signs and they could also look at adding a
viewing machine at Hospital Point. Earl has also considered looking at improving the lighting
along the Bass River public access path. Ayles notes that the city is looking at plans for
McPherson Park and cautions the HMA not to make too many investments in this area before the
city has a design team together. Rand asked if Ayles could request the HMA to be included in
the conversations about McPherson Park. Earl adds that they could also look at a feasibility study
for boat ramps. Neuman notes that he would like the HMA to pay more attention to Chapter 91
required public access and feels that they need to maintain a relationship with Mass DEP to do
this. Spang volunteers to look at the relationships of state agencies involved and the process for
public access.
Ayles summarizes that the HMA submits their budget, and if no action from the City Council,
then it is approved. He offers to review the HMA budget before a vote is taken at the next
meeting to approve.
Si2nne -Phase 2
Callaghan reports that seven signs are to be installed and the locations have been shared with
Wynne, the City Planner. He notes that the most contentious location will likely be Hospital
Point. Neuman asks if the signage can help clarify that there is public access through Bass Haven
Yacht Club, and he also believes this includes access to their bathrooms. Callaghan responds that
he is looking to move this sign from the fence to its own post to clarify the public access.
Bass River CAD Cell Seaport Grant
Neuman reports that he had a conversation with Skuncik of Foth Associates but no updates
beyond a potential joint effort with Gloucester and Salem.
Public Pier Planks Replacement
Earl notes that they missed the window for the $15k grant for plank replacement. Earl and
Ciancarelli have identified 85 planks due for replacement. Ciancarelli adds that the quote from
the last lumber supplier was for $18,500 with a 12 - 14-week lead time. He is also waiting on a
quote from a different supplier.
Falco Proiect
Earl notes that he may invite a Falco representative to the June meeting, as she will be here from
France to look at the pilot project in-person. Earl is hoping the pilot will get extended as a beta,
and notes that this is the first time Falco has incorporated a transient float.
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Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 20, 2022 Meeting
Transient Moorings/Dockwa
Earl is holding-off on this topic until a new harbormaster is in place.
Birarelli Public Access
Rotondo reports that he met with Tommy Birarelli, who is operating the wharf property, and they
discussed a few options including negotiating with Beverly Port Marina. The Birarellis would
like to make some progress this season, even if they cannot achieve ADA compliance this year.
But they are concerned about space to store traps and connections through the jersey barriers
owned by Tucks Point if the path crosses their property.
Kayak Racks
Suminsby received an updated time frame from the manufacturer and they are hoping to have
racks available in about two weeks. The quote for the racks was also updated and the costs have
gone up. Suminsby adds that the locations need to be reconsidered as Pleasant View Beach was
not included in the Conservation Commission approvals. There was also some discussion about
other locations including Foster's Point, Obear Park, Sandy Point, near McPherson Drive
(Innocenti Park), and Lynch Park.
Float Expansion Feasibility Grant
Ciancarelli reports that the paperwork has been approved by legal but are still waiting for
signature by the mayor.
Commercial Hoist Construction Grant
Ciancarelli reports that we are waiting for approval by the Army Corp of Engineers in order for
the project to commence.
Historic Beverly and Storytelling
Rand has no updates to report.
Facilities Committee: Customer Update
Ciancarelli reports that two boats on the recreational side of the marina that have paid for the
past winter want to stay a couple of weeks longer. He does not think this will be a space problem
with incoming boats for the start of the season, and he will charge the transient rate for the two
weeks.
Adiournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Neuman
makes a motion to adjourn. Callaghan seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved by roll call (9-0).
The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:45 pm.
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