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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/1993 - - . . . , DK t\,... I Y l.cfc.. 1= \ CA ~l Ie ~Jo. Fishers Island CIvIc Association Harbor Committee Minutes of 12/08/93 Meeting and Update Chairwoman Leslie Goss called the meeting to order at 4:37pm at the Fishers Island Utility Offices Conference Room. Present were Scudder Sinclair, Bill Ridgway, Chippy duPont, Steve Malinowski, Frank Bohlen, Cynthia Estabrooks, Tom DOherty, David WiImerding (by telephone) and Justice-Elect Louisa Evans. Absent were Harris Parsons, David Patterson, Tom Doyen and Cindy Gillan. After making introductions and offering thanks to Doherty for the meeting space and to Wilmerding for the conference line, Goss thanked Evans for giving the Harbor Committee recognition and credibility In light of unfavorable correspondence received from the Town Board last June. Evans asked the committee for assistance in identifying candidates for the Fishers Island Harbormaster and Bay Constables positions. The committee was encouraged by Evans' request for assistance which suggests better coordination, cooperation and communication with the Town. Goss went on to state the goals for the meeting which were slighty altered from those on the circulated agenda. She said that as a subcommittee of the Civic Association, which avoids political and appointee endorsements, the Harbor Committee would not recommend specific individuals for specific positions. Instead, she suggested establishing desired qualifications and other considerations for candidates seeking Bay Constable and Harbormaster appointments. Then, Goss suggested, it would be helpful to Evans, in drawing her own conclusions, to discuss strengths of the applicants relative to the established qualifications. The first item on the agenda was whether to restructure the Harbormaster duties to be performed by a Town recognized commission/ad hoc committee or a Town appointed individual. Members noted the duties of the Harbormaster (to assign mooring locations and address other policy issues) and discussed the benefits of setting up a commission, such as, avoiding arbitrary policy decisions and conflicts of interest. Questions that arose included whether or not the present Harbormaster salary could be redIrected . page 2 to cover administrative costs of a commission and the mechanics of establishing a commission. . It was suggested that the Civic Association might solicit interest . in commission membership, draw up a list of qualifications, and make recommendations to the Town Board for commission appointments. The commission would also establish a budget to cover the costs of harbor management activities and submit it to the Town on an annual basis. The Fishers Island Bay Constables would not only enforce Chapter 32 (Boats, Docks & Wharves) of the Town Code but also any regulations developed by the Harbor Commission. Ridgway presented the committee with a rough proposal for establishing a Town-recognized harbor commission borrowed largely from a successful model on the Connecticut shoreline. Members were unanimous in their feeling that policy developed to manage Fishers Island harbors would be soundly enhanced and better received by the community if developed by a group of people with equal votes representing all harbor interests rather than a sole Town appointee. A motion was made and approved to communicate this sentiment in writing to the Town Board. Further discussion relating to the Bay Constables included exempting enforcement of Chapter 97 (wetlands) of the Town Code and giving both constables seasonal dockage if necessary. gas for related operations and $250.00 to defray equipment maintenance costs. In accordance with additional duties, the head constable would receive a higher level of paid compensation. These recommendations would also be made to the Town in writing. Additionally, the committee would prepare a job description for the Fishers Island Bay Constables and distribute the description to the applicants and Town. The committee acknowiedged John Clavin, Tom Doherty, Mike Conroy and Bill Wall as applicants for the position of Fishers Island Harbormaster. Discussion followed about whether it was necessary to establish qualifications for this position as the committee was recommending that the position of Harbormaster be eliminated. Evans suggested it might be a good idea to provide for an interim Harbormaster in the event the Town would not be able to establish a . . . page 3 commission/ad hoc committee in time for the Town's January 4th organizational meeting. The committee strongly urged that the commission/ad hoc committee be established as soon as possible to avoid the need for an interim Harbormaster. Important qualities suggested for the position included being a team player, good communication skills, year-round availablity and extensive knowledge of the harbors. . The committee then reviewed the above applicants and Brian Patterson as candidates for the two Fishers Island Bay Constable positions. These positions would be referred to as the Fishers Island Harbor Constable positions (as Indicated by committee on job description page). It was suggested that important qualifications and considerations for these positions included extensive harbor knowledge, ability to provide own equipment (boat), responsiveness to the Town and an established Fishers Island harbor comlssion/ad hoc committee, willingness to be on call at any hour with published phone number, year-round availability, good paperwork and organization skills, good communication skills, being a contributing member to the community without being overcommitted, also, a bonus If an applicant had the ability to keep an eye on West Harbor either through proximity of residence or job. Applicant needs matched against job benefits were also considered. After establishing these qualitiflcations and guidelines, the committee discussed the strengths of all candidates relative to the above qualifications and considerations. The meeting adjourned at 6:15pm. UPDATE Since the 12/08/93 meeting, I have written to the Town through Louisa Evans outlining the above recommendations. Most of you and the Civic Board of Directors reviewed and commented on that letter befor It was sent on December 15th. At the Town's January 4th organizational meeting, Tom Doherty . was appointed as Harbormaster at $2,580 and Part Time Bay . page 4 Constable at $2,502 with gas and dockage. Bill Wall was appointed as Assistant Bay Constable at $1,950 with gas and $250.00 for equipment maintenance. All three positions are on a year-round basis. . The Town has responded favorably to establishing a Fishers Island Harbor Commission or ad hoc committee and I look forward to getting started with Louisa and the new Town attorney, Laurie Dowd, to get something set up by this summer. As I understand it, Tom Doherty will be relieved as Harbormaster and will continue as Part Time Bay Constable working with the commission. "Part Time" is a complete misnomer as Tom is the more senior constable and the contract is for a full year. As far as changing our Bay Constables to "Harbor Constables", exempting them from enforcing wetlands provisions of the Town Code and giving both of them gas, dockage and a $250 stipend for maintenance, I think these are details that will have to be worked out with Laurie Dowd for the next time around. You may be interested to know that the Town Trustees, which have jurisdiction over Southold Town waters and collect fees related to water activities for the Town, have expressed an interest in any commission or committee that is established here on the island. I have attached a letter inviting them to any meetings and telling them that, of course, we would welcome the benefit of their wisdom and experience. Finally, we will undoubtedly need to schedule another meetinl! (March or Aoril) after the Town gets motivated to do something about a Fishers Island Harbor commission/committee and to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities from the former Harbormaster to the current team. Happy New Year! .