HMA 4-17-24 Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 17, 2024 Meeting
CITE OF BE VERLY
NECEIVED AND RECORDED
CITY OF BEVERLY CITY CLERIV3 OCrICE
PUBLIC MELTING MINUTES A 10: 33
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: April 17,2024
Location: Beverly Public Library-Barnet Gallery
and via Google Meet
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Scott Freeman, ,Foe Crowell, Todd
Rotondo, Danielle Spang, David Suminsby
Members Absent: Todd Callaghan, Emily Flaherty,David Lane, George
Simon
Others Present: Erin Schaeffer (Economic Development Planner), Peter
Dickman(Harbormaster), Ryan(via Google Meet)
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:53 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Rotondo motions to approve the March 20, 2024 minutes, Seconded by Spang. Earl provides one
minor edit. The motion is approved, 6-0.
Harbormaster Update
Dickman reports that the pump out boat was launched today. He plans to add blue lights to it so
it can double as a patrol boat. He notes that seniors are available to help at the marina as part of a
tax relief program. Training continues for him and his staff, including a BUI class in Salem.
Dickman has identified some newer handheld radios that are needed and his staff has demoed
them. They are currently using a collection of older radios from the police and fire, along with
some older marine radios. The cost is about$4,500 each. Dickman would like to have two but
only has enough budget for one. Rotondo motions to approve$4,500 for the purchase of a
second radio. Spang seconds. Spang asks if they need more than two. Dickman feels they could
start with two and see how they go. He will work to get a budget for a third radio in the next
fiscal year. The motion is approved, 6-0. Dickman reports that he is having trouble managing
moorings and boat registrations with the Central Square software. There is a software system
used by Salem and Marblehead, and being considered by Danvers. Salem is paying around$1Ok
per year for the software, but they also manage a much larger number of registrations.
Facilities Report
Suminsby reports that the facilities committee recommends keeping both the commercial marina
and winter rates the same. Rotondo motions to keep the commercial marina rates and the
winter marina rates the same. Spang seconds. Earl supports this recommendation with
everything going on right now. The motion is approved, 6-0. Suminsby recently learned about
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Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 17, 2024 Meeting
changes to their website hosting and emails are bouncing back. He will look into this, Earl notes
that 4 recreational customers and 8 commercial customers still owe money.
Electrical Usage
Earl worked with Falco to resolve the discrepancy of electrical usage; it was a matter of how
usage is measured in Europe versus the U.S. The discrepancy is now down to 8 percent. Also,
any usage at or below 0.5 is recorded as zero, and this could add up to a significant amount. Earl
reports that the usage of 6 recreational customers were over the admin fee at about$800 and the
usage of 8 commercial customers were over at about$4,400. The winter customers' usage comes
to about$3,000 over the admin fee. Earl feels we should start communicating to customers about
this and could start charging by fall.
Transient Floats/Rowands Expansion Feasibili Grant
Earl distributed the latest proposals. Ayles has asked for a heads up on any big expenses coming
up so that they can prepare for proper justification. Earl has done some research and estimates
that this project can be justified from an economic development standpoint by bringing in$250k
minimum per year to businesses and the city.
Commercial Hoist Grant
Earl reports that GZA is completing the construction bid package and he is hoping this can be
completed by next summer.
Dockwa &Transient Floats/Moorings
Earl reports that Dockwa is up and running, and they have raised rates to $0,38 per foot per hour.
Crowell notes that when searching "Beverly" in the Dockwa app, Glover Wharf does not come
up. Dickman will communicate with Dockwa to see if"Beverly" can be added to the name.
Public_Pier Plank Replacement(DMF Grant)
Earl reports that the lumber has been delivered but not installed.
Interactive Pier Project
Spang reports that the signs are almost ready to be ordered. Salem Sound Coast Watch and
Historic Beverly are finalizing the sign content. The rope and pier lumber for the projects will be
reclaimed. She is hoping to have this installed by this summer.
Falco Project
Dickman reports that the brackets to protect the sensors have been installed.
Customer Issue
Earl reports that a lien has been placed on the boat and the eviction process has started. This
customer has paid marina fees through June, but the eviction process is likely to take longer.
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Harbor Management Authority
Minutes of April 17, 2024 Meeting
Beverly 400
Rotondo met with the Mass Tourism director, Kate Fox,who is also a Beverly resident. She said
that anything related to the Revolutionary War may be eligible for grants. Rotondo also notes
that Historic Beverly is interested in something to signify the reading of the Declaration at
Independence Park.
Winter Prolects
Rotondo notes that he can get cost estimates for an ice machine and cooler fairly quickly. Earl is
just looking for a brief note on the cost versus the benefit. Dickman still needs to get insurance
quotes about the launch service. Freeman added some notes to the file about the trash skimmer
and could also obtain a quote if needed. Earl notes that he is just trying to get a consistent
framework for evaluating these smaller projects.
Kayak Racks
Earl reports that there are still eleven spaces available at Pleasant View Beach. They could
potentially move that rack to Lynch Park next year. Spang will mention this availability in a
neighborhood email and at an upcoming meeting at the Sedna apartments.
Chapter 91 Licenses
Spang reports that there are two draft applications. One is for Endicott which we are aware of.
The other is for 163 and 167 West Street which is just east of West Beach. The applicants intend
to put signage up indicating that access along the water is allowed.
Budget
Earl gives a quick summary of the proposed budget. He has decreased the revenues, The amount
for pier maintenance is kept the same even though none was done this year. He has decreased the
utilities based on this year's expense and indicates that charges could be lower if customers are
billed for overages relative to the admin fee. He has increased their civic expenditures a bit. The
expenses and the net operating income have been decreased. The capital fund is currently at
$650,000. Dickman notes that he will send an updated and prioritized wish list for the
Harbormaster's office. Earl concludes that they can discuss the proposed budget in more detail at
the May meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening,
Suminsby makes a motion to adjourn. Spang seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved(6-0),
The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:15 pm.
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