Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutdraft minutes Waterways- no reccomendation 5.8.2025MINUTES YARMOUTH WATERWAYS AND SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING April 10, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julian Mallett (Chairman), Ellie Lawrence, Bob Churchill, Rick Crawford, Jack Moynihan STAFF PRESENT: Dave Condon, Kathryn Brooks OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Tavares, Brad Holmes, Wayne Tavares _______________________________________________________________________________ At 5:33 Dave Condon, Director of Natural Resources, read the open meeting law and explained the meeting audio was going to be recorded. Agenda Public Comment: There was no public comment. Continued Notice of Intent Wayne Tavares, Wet Tech Land Design, 2 Buttercup Lane, proposed fixed pier Brian Wall presented for 2 Buttercup explaining it was recently bought and updated and there was a dock there when it was bought The proposed dock was decreased to 42’, which is where the shellfish surveys start to see shellfish, and he did not think shellfishermen had objections to the 42’. They did look at 10 Buttercup, however, they want to put a boat on this dock and believe they have found the sweet spot for the dock. Brad Holmes explained the dock aligns with DEP and the Town regulations, and handed out pictures from last April showing the new dock would be in line with surrounding docks in the area. He also handed out a picture from 2016 with an image of the previous dock. Mr. Tavares explains the plan mentioning they added ladders and slides to go up and down with the tide. He said no shellfish were within 60’ of mean high water, and the 42’ feet gets them the deepest depth possible of 29”. He added they would need a variance for water depth. Chairman Mallett noted the previous float, from the 2016 image, was much closer to the tree line and asked how that could be, and Mr. Holmes clarified that ye, it was closer, but something like that would not be permitted now. Ms. Lawrence inquires about who the engineer was and added there was no engineer stamp on the plan. Mr. Tavares said he was the engineer and this plan is what the Conservation Commission asked for. Ms. Lawrence continued and asked if the plan is for a power boat, or dinghy? She also said the boats on the dock cannot be regulated. Mr. Crawford voiced his concerns regarding the future of shellfish in that area, a power boat would tear up the bottom. Chairman Mallet shared the shellfish constables notes since she was unable to attend the meeting. The notes reiterated concerns DMF had about water depth and the permanent impact a boat prop can have or damage from a boat resting on the bottom. Current regulations also prohibit shellfishing within 5’ of a dock and the area was most recently planted with seed in 2024. Mr. Holmes said he did not update the “memo” and the analysis is really for the Conservation Commission and shellfish is beyond the dock length. Ms. Brooks asked where the DMF comments came from, and he explained they were from a previous filing. This current project has not been proposed as an NOI yet. Mr. Crawford acknowledged there may be no shellfish there today but a boat needs to come in and out and the prop will disturb the area. The chairman said the issue is not with the navigable waterway but the concern for shellfish and lack of water depth. A motion is made by Mr. Crawford, due to concerns about water depth he motions to pass this project to Conservation without recommending or not recommending the project. The motion is seconded by Mr. Churchill, but no vote is taken. Director Condon weighed in that we cant regulate boats on docks. He said the neighbor could still run aground if he tried to put a boat on the kayak platform. The Chairman said they don’t have comments on the structure but have concerns about shellfish and water depth. A new motion is proposed. The motion is to make no recommendation and pass the project to the Conservation Commission with no issue with navigation, but has issues with water depth and concerns about shellfish. The motion is initiated by Mr. Crawford and seconded by Mr. Churchill. The motion passes 4-1. Meeting minutes were corrected, changing “conservation” to “conversation”. A motion to approve the minutes with that is issued by Mr. Crawford, and seconded by Ms. Lawrence. The motion passes 5-0. The director said the boating season started May ! The dredge pipe is gone and nav-aids have been put in for the Town of Yarmouth, and we will be assisting Dennis with markers in the river. A motion to end the meeting was made at 6:21 by Mr. Crawford, and seconded by MR. Churchill. The motion passed 5-0.