BHMA Minutes August 17, 2022 Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of August 17, 2022 Meeting
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: August 17, 2022
Location: Harbor Building, Glover Wharf
And via Google Meet
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Vice Chair Emily Flaherty, Larry Herman,
David Lane, Don Neuman, George Simon, David
Suminsby, Todd Rotondo, Danielle Spang
Members Absent: Todd Callaghan, Estelle Rand
Others Present: Sean Ciancarelli (marina manager), Peter Dickman
(Harbormaster), Tim O'Leary, Daniel Aretz, Faith Haskell
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:45 pm and roll call is taken.
Approval of Minutes
Rotondo motions to approve the July 20, 2022 minutes. Seconded by Lane. The motion is
approved, 7-0.
National Grid Update
Tim O'Leary, Daniell Aretz, and Faith Haskell are at the meeting representing National Grid to
provide status updates on the Beverly Regional Transmission Reliability Project. O'Leary
explains the next step is for dredging to occur for the removal of the old submarine cable. They
aim to start this after Thanksgiving, 2024 and be finished by the end of January, 2025. It is
expected to take 20 to 30 working days to complete, so winter storms could delay the completion
date into February. Updates will be provided on the website
www.beverlyregionaltransmissionreliabilityproject.com. Rotondo asks about the best way to
communicate with the commission. Aretz responds that email to
info gbeverlyregionaltransmissionreliabilityproject.com is the preferred method of
communication. Spang asks about the new cable installation and whether there will be any
staging from the water side. O'Leary responds that there may be some installation done from the
water but most will take place from the bridge. Neuman asks about the potential for
improvements to the end of Congress Street when they return the area to existing conditions after
removing the old cable. He clarifies that this question is both in terms of the timing of any city
plans to improve this area and how the returning to existing conditions could be coordinated with
city improvement plans. Aretz and O'Leary respond that they cannot promise anything but it is
not unprecedented.
I I Page
Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of August 17, 2022 Meeting
Financials Report
Earl reports that they took in $12k in July for commercial marina fees. He notes that Ayles has
reduced the HMA's portion of utilities to account for the over payments made in the past year.
Harbormaster Update
Dickman reports that it has been a busy summer. His office has issued 50 warnings for no permit
for moorings and slips. From those, they have collected fees for 30 permits and 20 are still
outstanding. He notes that the pump boat is operational and free to use. But, he adds, the pump
boat is aging and he has looked into a replacement. Grants are available for up to $56k for a new
pump boat, but it will cost at least $75k. Rotondo asks if the HMA could contribute to the
purchase. Earl responds that they could and asks Dickman to identify a boat and provide a one-
pager describing the boat and explaining the need. Dickman notes that the purchase would be for
next season at the earliest. Rotondo asks about the condition of the other harbormaster boats and
whether they need to plan for other replacements. Dickman reports that there about 580 boats
registered in the city but they are certainly missing some. Rotondo asks if Dickman is included in
the conversations about a temporary relocation of moorings for the Bass Haven Yacht Club until
the Hall-Whitaker Bridge is replaced. Dickman reports that there are 130 on the waiting list for
moorings. They have also received lots of calls about transient moorings, but they do not
currently have a way of accepting the fee. Earl notes that he is trying to get Dockwa to partner
with Falco to address this issue.
Harbor Fest
Earl reports that over 4,000 people have expressed interest in Harbor Fest on Facebook. He notes
that Sunday, September 18th is the backup date. Rotondo notes that the one-day liquor license
has to specify the date, but they could consider applying for both days ($75 each). Earl notes that
the Mission Boathouse will be serving chowder at the event. The inflatable whale has been
confirmed with the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary. Flaherty notes that they could ask the Endicott
Sustainability Group to help with parking or beer garden monitoring. Rotondo suggested barrels
or trash receptacles at the food trucks as there were issues last year with the trash receptacles at
the beer garden filling up. Herman suggested that the waste reduction committee could help
provide receptacles near food trucks.
Float Expansion Feasibility Grant
Earl spoke to GZA about changing the scope of the study. They will now also include looking at
best practices for the configuration of the mooring field. Neuman thought there might be a
previous study of this done with the harbormaster that could help.
Commercial Hoist Construction Grant
Earl reports that GZA expects to have this out to bid by the middle of September or October.
With this improvement in mind, the HMA may want to discuss commercial marina rates well in
advance of the contracts being sent out in April.
2 1 Page
Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of August 17, 2022 Meeting
Bass River Public Access Improvements
Spang spoke to Barrett about grant opportunities. The city is pursuing the Cummings Foundation
for another project so that is not an available grant opportunity for this project. And no other
grants have been identified yet. In terms of replacing the fence, Spang notes that there does not
appear to be a Chapter 91 license for the bowl-a-mat property. They have one for the car wash,
but the property abutting the river owned by the bowl-a-mat, including the boat ramp, is the one
section of this path where there is not legal public access. Rotondo notes that there are potential
for discussions of improving the Bass River public access along Elliott Street, behind Mike's
Roast Beef.
Falco Proiect
Earl reports that the Mass Maritime Trades Association will promote the QR code for the Glover
Wharf app. Earl has also posted the QR code in three places in and around the marina. He adds
that they can get data on how many downloads are made.
Bass River - CAD Cell/CDF Grant/Feasibility Study
Simon left a couple of messages about exploring alternative cell option (CDF's) for the Foth
contact he received from Neuman but he has not heard back.
Birarelli Public Access
Spang reports that Jessie Dole, from the City Solicitor's office, reached out to DEP directly for
clarifications on the division of responsibilities between Beverly Port Marina and the Birarellis.
Facilities Update
Ciancarelli reports that some lights need replacing but has heard no other concerns.
Other Announcements
Earl thanks Don Neuman for all his years of service on the HMA as this will be his last meeting.
Adiournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Herman
makes a motion to adjourn. Rotondo seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved by roll call (9-0).
The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:15 pm.
3 1 Page