HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/2003
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Harbor Committee Meeting
25 July, 2003
At Fishers Island Utility Board Room
Present: Elby Burr; Harris Parsons; Peter Rugg; Tom Patterson; John Thatcher;
Walter Keenan; Mike Posey; Steve Malinowski; Louisa Evans; Bill Stengel;
Chippy duPont; Leslie Goss; Karla Heath
Via Phone: None
Leslie Goss called the meeting to order at 4:40 pm.
Walter Keenan of the Fishers Island Yacht Club reported on the work they are
doing, that they have completed phase one. Discussion followed about the dredging
that the YC hoped to have done. Chippy duPont said there is a navigational need for
more water, a lot of prop polishing occurs in some areas. Walter said they had applied
for a dredging permit but they had gotten nowhere in three years time. Keith Neilson of
Docko had suggested that the YC get the backing of the Harbor Committee to get one
permit for all YC and any other West Harbor dredging. There also needs to be a place
to dump the dredged material. Further discussion including the cubic yards to be
dredged and what the necessary depth in certain areas should be ensued. John
Thatcher wanted to clear up the fact that the Conservancy is driving a corrective
dredging of the channel in Hay Harbor Club which was improperly done ten years ago.
At low tide there is only 2.5 feet of water. It would be a "maintenance dredge" of sand
only and could be pumped onto Stony Beach, now owned by the Ferguson Museum.
Steve Malinowski commented that he feels there is a good exchange of water between
Hay Harbor and FI Sound. Leslie asked how the Committee felt about lending
assistance to back the YC for a "navigational needs" maintenance dredging. Steve feels
there is no need to draw more than 7' and the charts say there is 9'. The general
consensus was that the basin is less than the channel and that it should at least be
consistent with what the charts show. The current cost from Gwenmor is
$10,000.00/300 cU.ft. for dredging. There was also discussion of clearing out "Darby's
Neck" but there are more environmental issues involved there. Louisa Evans advised
the YC to tag onto the work done in the 1970's dredging or perhaps the Town of
Southold could assist by permitting to dredge the Federal channel into the Mobil Dock.
Leslie again asked for approval by the Committee to send a letter stating there are no
objections by the Harbor Committee of YC plans for basin dredging. Ayes all, no nays.
A brief discussion of the proposed Bathymetry study ensued. Valerie in the Town
Planning Office asked that the Committee submit a "wish list" to her of long term plans.
The Town has approximately $75,000.00 to devote to harbor related projects Town-
wide. This would include the Bathymetry study, perhaps a mooring grid overlay, and
the scraping out of the community boat launch, and establishing a no discharge zone as
a few ideas.
Steve made the comment that at some point the YC will need to say the facility
is big enough. Chippy questioned what the YC had had their bathymetry study done on.
Mike Conroy arrived for a review of the Harbor Patrol so far this summer. He has
been in service for 3f4 of the time with John Evans filling in the other 1/4 of the time.
Mike commented that due to the weather, it has been slow so far other than a busy 4tt1
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have been people who have dropped anchor in the mooring area but they have not
created any problems when he has asked them to leave the area. He will work out a
schedule with John Evans with regard to days off.
Elby Burr commented that the mooring balls are to have 4" lettering on them
and that currently 3" letters are being used. He also said that in two years NY will
require that all boaters have a boating license, and that cr already does. It was
suggested that the Boater's Safety course be run again in August. Elby said he would
have to get more materials from the State for about 30 students to run the course
again. The consensus was that it should be run again and Mike Posey suggested that if
Elby needed help the YC would assist in any way they could. Elby said that NY needs
pressure to recognize instructors for the course. Mike Conroy has done it for three years
with Elby and he still isn't recognized. Louisa offered to help with the necessary
paperwork. Elby will get an estimate of the number of people interested in taking the
course in August and Mike Posey said he would garner help for grading the tests. The
comment was made that Elby did a good job teaching the course since the grades of
the tests were all quite high.
The next item for discussion was the treatment of the docks by "Kathleen". Often
the boat is left in gear when docked, and usually docks in the middle of the Mobil Dock
limiting use by other boaters. Because of their abuse of the docks the Town dock
cannot be used until repairs are made by Gwenmor Marine, which should happen within
the next couple of weeks. Mike Posey suggested that a letter be sent to the operators
that they are on notice that their dock privileges will not be renewed. The Committee
voted that as of 1 October, Kennedy's dock privileges will be rescinded, sighting their
abuse of the docks and uncooperative attitude.
Mooring applications were discussed next. Bob Fountain will be told no, no space
for off islanders. Walter Flower was approved for a new mooring. Arthur Kuijpers has
been on "Jester's" mooring. Billy Wall will locate one for him as permitted to be #28.
Steve Malinowski suggested that Chris Smith hold off on mapping the existing
moorings until after the Bathymetry Study is completed. He suggested Chris could do
the overlay. Louisa asked why one of the bid proposals was of a greater scope than the
other. Leslie will call the bidders to clarify the specs of the study for decision at the
October meeting. The No Dump Zone issue will also be addressed in October. Elby will
get another "No Garbage" sign for the Town Dock.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm