5/12/2015 WATERWAYS COMMISSION Minutes

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Mashpee Waterways Commission Minutes of the May 12th,2015 Meeting Chairman Ken Bates called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM at the Mashpee Town Hall in the Ockway Meeting Room. Present: Ken Bates,Al Wickel,Stan Healy, Bill Taylor, Don MacDonald, Don Barton Absent: Tim Leedham Also present: Stephen Mone, Harbormaster and Rick York,Shellfish Warden Motion was made by Don MacDonald, 2nd by Don Barton and unanimously approved to accept minutes as corrected for the April 14th, 2015 Waterway's Commission meeting. Communications and Correspondence: None Harbormaster Report: Officer Mone reported channel markers are placed and adequate aids to navigation exist. He mentioned that many markers are in terrible shape and that materials were on order for repairs. He also mentioned that additional funding would be required for boat repairs and continued repairs of aids to navigation. Stephen added that the sinking of the barge was a big setback to mooring recoveries and that replacement options were being discussed. Shellfish Constable Report: Rick York discussed the estuary restoration programs by using shellfish to target the majority of existing loads in our Bays. Most of Waquoit, Little river, Great river and jehu pond could be benefitted with just re-introducing Quahogs back to the numbers that once existed in the waterways. Efforts by both the Tribe and the Town were on going to improve water quality in Popponesset Bay utilizing the oyster propagation and harvest programs that have continued to see positive results over the last few years. Mashpee Wakeby Report: Don MacDonald mentioned that a request has been made to the town to get a backhoe or long reach excavator to the state ramp in order to remove the large sand pile that has formed from boats powering up on to their trailers. Don also reported that the private property on the lake known as Lowell Holly Beach will only be open to non motorized boating for approach.The owners have chosen this restrictive use due to the amount of trash and condition in which the beach is left after large parties, arriving then departing by boat. He mentioned that there is a way to drive to the beach via automobile. He also mentioned that ongoing discussions between the towns of Mashpee and Sandwich are taking place with the desire to limit the size of boats permitted on the waters. Officer Mane stated he would rather the size and use of the lake be left to his departments jurisdiction as a simple rule limiting size would not necessarily increase safety on the lake's waters.