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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/24/1998 TB 7/'1 RECEIVED SEP .:2:8 1998 Fishers Island Harbor Committee MINUTES Friday, July 24, 1998 at 4:30 p.m. Utility Offices ~1IIICIId T~ a.Ic Present: Elby Burr, Tom Doherty, Chip duPont, Louisa Evans, Leslie Goss, Steve Malinowsk~ Harris Parsons, Bill Ridgway, Nina Schmid, Scudder Sinclair, Bobsie Macleod Observers: Nancy Hunt Absent: Frank Bohlen, Kenneth Edwards, Jr., Dick Hale, Tom Johnson, Marguerite Purnell, Allie Raridon. " Next Meetioe: Fridav. October 9. 1998-Utilitv Offices-4:30 p.m. Next Meeting Agenda: Wrap-up 1998 boating season, review mooring applications for renewal in 1999, discuss no discharge zone, discuss Bay constable nominees. Boating Safety Course: It was acknowledged by chairperson Leslie Goss that the July Boating Safety Course sponsored by the Civic Association and given by Tom Doherty and Elby Burr was a success with 25 participants ranging in age from 10 yrs to 16 yrs. Each participant passed the test for a NY State Boating License. A S20.00 fee was charged per person to cover costs of materials and it was decided that the Civic Association will open a dedioated account for those funds remaining to go towards sponsoring next year's course. Winter Mooring Stakes: Leslie indicated that she needs a list ofnarnes of mooring holders who have not yet replaced stakes with mooring balls. Leslie read the Committee a proposed warning letter to be sent to those 4 who had not removed stakes by a stated date (to be determined). Tom indicated that there were 4. Mooring Ball Stickers: Leslie asked if anyone knew how many mooring balls displayed current stickers. Chippy responded that it is difficult to say because the mooring balls went in before the stickers went on. Several committee members felt the stickers were not ordered early enough in the year to accommodate an efficient distribution. It was agreed that next year the stickers should be sen~ directly to the boat owners if purchased early enough for owners to get the stickers to Pirates' Cove Marina before mooring balls are put in the water. Guest Use/Abuse of Moorings: Tom Doherty was asked ifhe was aware of any unauthorized guest use. He indicated that there had been no complaints and no observations. Elby wanteci to know how many permanent moorings there are in the East Field. He commented that there seem to be few boats during the week, but many during weekends. Elby also said he notified the Bay constables of three illegally anchored boats, but that most boats were anchored where they belong in proper anchorage areas. Mooring Inventory: Elby indicated that the Grid Subcommittee would take an inventory of all moorings and vessels and match them to the list. Distributed Harbor Committee Policy Guidance: Leslie inquired ifthere were any comments from the Community on the Policy Guidance distributed with the mooring ball stickers. There was no feedback to report. Overnight Vessels on Fitzgerald Dock: There waS a discussion begun by Nancy Hunt and Louisa Evans regarding same. The question"was raised as to whether overnight use on Friday and Saturday is within the rights of the owners and their guests. 3 consecutive nights falls within Committee policy and the owners' rights if the dock is privately owned, as long as the guests are not moored in the West Field of the harbor. A discussion ensued regarding the close proximity to Dock Beach. Steve Malinowski mentioned that it is unclear whether the dock falls under the "no live aboard" policy for the West Field and questioned if there is discharge occurring. This issue was tabled until later in the meeting when no discharge zones were to be discussed. (Never resolved) .. New Mooring Applications: Bill Reed applied for a mooring for his IOD. Harris Parsons suggested that the Tripp mooring be used for the Reed IOD and that the Tripp catboat be moved on account of it having less draw. The Reed application was approved for the Dock Beach IOD area. The Tripp mooring will remain as is. Delinauent ApI;Jlications and/or Applications with Missing Items: Steve Malinowski inquired as to what has transpired regarding mooring owners missing either the app, check, or current inspection or a combination of those items. It was agreed that a warning must be sent to anyone with incomplete applications. Leslie read a list of 17 names of owners where there was some questions about the application. Leslie suggested there should be a penalty for delinquency this year, in reviewing next year's applications. Nancy Hunt feels the Committee should require that the check be in by a specified date, (March 31) with the penalty indicated. (No sticker) If there is no application, a mooring sticker will absolutely not be issued. Steve and Elby believe that there should be a division between the administration of the policies and the enforcement of the policies. A discussion about administration and tracking of mooring ball stickers followed. Leslie explained that next year's system to traCk approvals and denials needs to be streamlined. She suggested that, due to extenuating circumstances, Pirates' Cove was unable to complete a successful tracking. Next year, if the stickers go to the owners, it will be their responsibility to get the stickers on the mooring balls. Elby felt that mailing the stickers out at the end of June is way too late, and that the process should be begun much earlier in the season. Stickers anu paperwork for obvious renewals should be out in May. Leslie indicated that Nina will be doing the processing next year, so that there should be more continuity with one person handling most of the applications, with the stickers going to the owners. Chippy said that the stickers could still go to Pirates' Cove, but PC will have to get authorization from those boat owners it services to put the stickers on the balls. The Committee agreed that no mooring ball should be placed in the water without a current sticker. Moorings Outside West & Hay Harbor: The Committee agreed to send applications (no fee) to owners with moorings lieing outside West and Hay Harbors. The following names were listed: Tripp, Hanley, Brim, Goss, Roosevelt, Strupp, Dunwoodie, Dupont (3), Carpenter, and Gates. Elby wanted to know if the Committee would like a survey done regarding this question, and the Committee asked for it to be done. Policv Issues: l)The Committee discussed billing for any moorings that the Committee recommends be moved. Louisa brought up the questions of who will be responsible for paying for the moving and/or removal of a moorllrg. Steve said the Committee could figure out how many there are to move and raise the application fees accordingly to cover removal costs. Bill suggested that a maintenance fee could be instituted to cover removal costs. Scudder insisted that long-time mooring users should not be penalized because new ones have been crowded into the space. If the Committee requests the move, does the Committee or the mooring user pay? It is a recommendation vs. mandate decision involving sub-issues of crowding, safety and convenience. A recommendation would leave it up to the mooring owner to heed; a mandate would be a must-do situation on the part of the mooring owner, leaving the owner to pay. 2) Mooring use for storagy - how is "storage" defined? The Committee agreed that there shouldn't be any such thing as a "storm" mooring. The Committee agreed that moorings applied for under this terminology are abused with guests (overnight use or otherwise) and adjacent shorefront renters. The Committee reiterated that permits are issued only for vessels listed on the application. The Committee reiterated that moorings standing vacant (such as Foster's, storm moorings) are subject to being denied the following year. The Committee agreed to step up enforcement on this matter. Leslie mentioned she would be in contact with vacant owners, and that the Committee should remember this discussion while reviewing renewals at the Oct/98 meeting. 3) No discharge zone - Louisa reminded members of the need for a pumpout facility. Elby indicated in an aside that Block Island does not allow discharge in- harbor. Elby raised the question of how they enforce that policy. It was suggested that the bay constables could do random dye testing and ask a s<;,ries of applicable questions to determine if discharge is being handled properly; i.e., is valve closed?, Chippy is adamantly opposed and said it is too controversial an issue. He is concerned that it may involve retrofitting of many island vessels to comply. Down the road, it could put marinas out of business. Some comments regarding the pros and cons of establishing and "ndz" were: Block Island has its own mobile pumpout; Do most of the shoreline towns have a pumpout facility? How many communities have no discharge zones?; It was determined that more research is needed before a Committee discussion or decision can take place. Boat Ramp at Pirates Cov.;- There was a discussion about the condition of the boat ramp being unsatisfactory and who should be involved in improving it. Apparently, the runoff from the two driveways to the new Club house on FIDCO property across the street has increased the problem. Some questions asked were: Should the Committee contact the Town to repair? Could Dick Grebe or Ed Scroxton assist? Leslie was going to check with FIDCO and the Island's Town Highway representative to see what help is available, if any. Some felt the task should be kept local in order to facilitate a simpler solution. New Business- None The meeting was adjourned at 6: 15 p.rn. '. .'