HomeMy WebLinkAboutAbutter/public comment 4.16.2026To: Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Regarding: Proposed Float Reconfiguration, 66A River Street
From: Abutters and Neighbors who Navigate Bass River
• As per the applicant’s consultant from Shorefront Consulting, the intent of the proposed float
reconfiguration is to lengthen the existing dock from 24 to 34 feet so to facilitate single-handed
mooring of the applicant’s existing boat in the setting of tide currents and physical challenges
owing to “mobility issues”.
• This abutter and others that I have spoken with can not argue against lengthening the dock for the
reason of “mobility issues”.
o HOWEVER, Power Squadron lessons on proper docking procedures would ease any challenge
in securing the applicant’s current boat to his existing float, and negate the need to modify the
existing float
• IN ADDITION, we have concerns that the proposal for dock lengthening is mere prelude to the
purchase and tie-up of a larger boat that would:
o Worsen existing navigational hazards created by this float and associated vessel, and
o Potentially increase the amount of dredging needed to facilitate safe positioning of a larger
boat, as well as a smaller boat currently moored inside the float
• We request the Conservation Commission (ConCom) review minutes from their meeting of
December 14, 2011.
o At that meeting, ConCom discussed the potential hazard of a float, and a tied-up boat might
be to Bass River navigation through the narrowest point of the channel between the Marsh
Island mooring field and the Riverbank. The Commission concluded…
o “After lengthy discussion Al Keller made a motion to approve the dredging and reduce
the structure to 1- 8’ x 24’ float, a restriction be placed in the Order of Conditions to be
recorded on the deed that it be permitted for a 24’ vessel only with no future
expansion.”
o Following the meeting, it seems this restriction was not placed in the o]icial Order of
Conditions as the Conservation Commission determined that it was not empowered to limit
the size of boats permitted to tie to a float.
• With the passage of time, the applicant for the proposed float reconfiguration now ties his
estimated 28.5-foot boat to his 24-foot float.
• That the current 24-foot float and attached vessel represent an ongoing hazard to navigation in this
narrow part of Bass River is reflected by:
o Initial concerns raised by the Conservation Commission in 2011
o Personal concerns by the applicant who subsequently to 2011 requested a special white
hazard buoy marker by placed near his boat to ward o] approaching vessels
• We recognize that the Conservation Commission and Waterways/Shellfish Advisory Committee
have limited to no ability to limit boat size on existing docks
• However, we propose that the Conservation Commission in considering the applicant’s request
for float revision make clear mention that:
o The current float and boat owed by the applicant is a hazard to navigation as defined by
concerns raised in the 12/14/11 ConCom minutes, and the applicant’s personal request for
placement of a hazard buoy near his boat
o The current boat size is significantly larger than that imagined by the Conservation
Commission when approving his 24-foot float in 2011, and that
o Tying -up of a boat larger than the applicant’s ~28.5-foot boat to the either the current 24-foot
or the proposed 34-foot float would prompt:
§ A formal review of the site as a potential navigation hazard by the Harbormaster and the
Corp of Engineers.
§ A formal review of the involved riverbed to determine if additional dredging would be
needed to accommodate a larger vessel. The applicant should be reminded that new
applications for such dredging are not being granted, and that requests for revision of
existing approvals for dredging may not be approved.
The Abutters to 66A River Street, and certainly those who enjoy safe navigation of Bass River wish you the
wisdom of Solomon in evaluating the applicant’s request for float revision, and in limiting worsening of an
existing navigational hazard.
Respectfully submitted by,
Abutters and Neighbors who Navigate Bass River