2013-07-17CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: July 17, 2013
Location: Beverly Harbormaster's Office — Glover Wharf
Members Present Chair Paul Earl, David Suminsby, Pat McAleer, Rinus Oosthoek,
Don Neuman, Paul Miedzionoski, George Simon, , Chris
D'Alfonso, Maureen Troubetaris, Wes Slate
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Rob Dever, Facilities Manager, Beverly Police Sargent Russell
Rollins and Captain Chris Negrotti
Recorder: Eileen Sacco
Earl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Public Input
There was no public comment this evening.
Earl reported that Sgt. Rollins and Captain Negrotti of the Beverly Police Department are in
attendance this evening to discuss issues or concerns that the Harbor Management Authority may
have, and in particular related to the Water Street ramp.
Approval of Minutes
Earl reported that due to the lack of a quorum there was no meeting of the Harbor Management
Authority in June.
Water Street Ramp
The HMA discussed the status of the Water Street Ramp. Earl explained that at the beginning of
the season the city brought in outside counsel that determined that Sandy Point Beach is private
and the ramp is public. He explained that the ramp needed repairs and the city repaired it. He
explained that the damage to the ramp was caused by boaters using it and not staying away from
the side of it. He also noted that erosion underneath the ramp is a problem.
Slate suggested that the city may just want to abandon the ramp; however, the city repaired it.
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Captain Negrotti questioned if there are signs posted at the site. Discussed ensued that there are
signs that would give the impression that it is a public beach. Sgt. Rollins noted that the same
situation exists at Rice's Beach and there are signs that are very well posted.
Sgt. Rollins stated that it is the responsibility of the property owners to make sure that there is
proper signage on their properties, noting that the Police Department gets calls all the time from
the same people about the same issues. He noted that the public does not understand the access
to private and public beaches with regards to access to the waterfront.
Sgt. Rollins stated that the Police Department has instituted directed patrols in the area but they
are probably not going to solve this but they can try to help.
Neuman agreed that the property owners ought to post signs on their property. Sgt. Rollins noted
that the only time that the police department tows from private property is if it is a fire lane or
handicapped parking violation. He noted that the Police do not enforce on private property.
Earl noted that the Water Street Ramp is used by about 20 people a day, the same as any other
location and that says to him that the city is not going to close it.
Councilor Slate noted that this is a seasonal problem. Earl suggested that the HMA could
research this a little more over the winter and see if they can come up with a plan for next
season.
Councilor Slate also reported that Animal Control has had issues with people not cleaning up
after their dogs and trash removal. He also noted that resident Jeremy Harrington has been a
good neighbor and organized clean ups of the area in the spring and the fall and suggested that
we could reach out to him to have the neighbors post the appropriate signage that indicates that
violators will be towed at the owners expense.
Sgt. Rollins noted that concerns should be called into the Police Station. Slate agreed noting
that the calls are logged in a data base so the police know a history of things if there is one.
Captain Negrotti suggested that callers should ask for the `Officer in Charge ".
Suminsby suggested that perhaps the Kayak racks could be put on the other side. Dever reported
that the area is not very wide and when the tide comes up people will get stuck.
Facilities Report
Neuman noted that the HMA should be receiving a monthly update on the status of the
occupancy of the slips.
Dever reported that there are 24 recreational slips and presently 10 of them are empty.
Members discussed prorating the cost for the slips for the remainder of the season if there are
inquiries.
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Simon suggested that if the boaters come in at half price they should have to make a commitment
for next year.
D'Alfonso stated that if we give people half price in July, folks are going to wait until July to
save $2,500, noting that he feels that a discount is in order but not 50 %.
Earl stated that it would be a onetime thing, noting that he expects that once the construction is
complete, next year there should be much higher occupancy.
Neuman stated that most boaters put their boats in the water in mid June. He suggested that a 1/3
discount may be easier for current occupants to digest.
D'Alfonso suggested that two month increments may be something to consider next year. He
suggested that there could be a scale that decreased monthly such as 65% July 15, 50% August
15. Dever cautioned that the HMA should keep it simple for bookkeeping purposes.
Troubetaris moved to approve a reduced rate of 50% for the remainder of the 2013 season only,
seconded by Slate.
Neuman offered a friendly amendment to the motion for a rate of $99 per foot with a 25 foot
minimum and a prorated administration fee for the rest of the 2013 season. Troubetaris
accepted the amendment to her motion. A vote was taken and the motion carried.
Lobster Traps
Neuman reported that there are lobster traps on the site that do not belong where they are. Dever
noted that they will have to be moved soon as the city has received the 100% drawings for the
pedestrian walkway project which will be starting soon. Neuman asked Dever to monitor this
agreeing that if they have to be moved for the construction the problem will be taken care of
Dever also noted that there have not been any complaints about them. Earl noted that the
location of the traps will have to be addressed after the completion of the walkway.
Neuman noted that there should be no permanent storage of lobster traps on the site and this pile
has been there for weeks.
Maintenance
D'Alfonso reported that there is an issue with the floats not being cleaned. Dever will make sure
that the floats are cleaned once a day.
Finance
Earl reported that City Finance Director John Dunn will be here next month to review the HMA
finances. He noted that the HMA budget that was submitted to the City did not change.
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Proiects
Si2na2e
Oosthoek stated that he will review the signage a various locations throughout the city and
requested that if members have anything to report that needs to be repaired or replaced to let him
know.
Commercial Marina
Earl reported that Mr. Zdanowicz has no insurance on his boats and has not paid any of the 2013
bill for the slips and there is still money owed from last year. He reported that the City Solicitor
agrees that they have to leave and they have been given until August 2, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. to
vacate the slips and if they do not comply a warrant to seize the boats will be issued. He also
noted that they will incur costs and additional legal fees as well.
Neuman moved that the Harbor Management Authority vote to authorize the City Solicitor to
move forward with the appropriate legal action if the matter is not resolved. Troubetaris
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dinghy Rack for Brackenberry Lane
Earl reported that a resident of Neptune Street has requested that a dinghy rack be installed at the
end of Brackenbury Lane. Earl reported that he sent an email to the members and inquired to
Roy Gelineau regarding the legality. He explained the area and the proposed location for the
rack and suggested that representatives of the HMA go out and look at the area with Mike
Collins. Earl explained that the residents are willing to pay for the rack if there is no city money
to do it and suggested that those that contribute get a 50% discount on the rental of the rack to
recoup their money.
Slate suggested that Councilor Houseman be included in the discussion of this matter so that he
is aware of it.
Sea Station
Earl indicated that he would set up a meeting with the Harbormaster to discuss Sea Station
loading and unloading passengers at the transient dock.
Harbor Fest
Earl distributed a suggested list of roles and responsibilities for Harbor Fest which is scheduled
for Saturday, September 7, 2013 from 3:00 — 6:00 p.m. He asked that members review the list
and let him know if there is something that they feel that they are unable to do.
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Miedzionoski reported that he has already approached food vendors for the event and he is
waiting to hear back from them.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Harbor Management Authority will be held on Wednesday, August 21,
2013 in the old McDonalds building at the waterfront.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Beverly Harbor Management Authority this
evening, Simon moved to adjourn the meeting. Miedzionoski seconded and the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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