7/25/2013 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Conservation Comnfission Minutes of July 25, 2013 Public Hearings Mashpee'Town Hall Wa uoit Meeting Room Commissioners: Chairman John Fitzsimmons, Vice Chaixrnan Ralph Shaw, Mar Gurnee, Robert Anderson and John Rogers Staff Present: Drew McManus (Conservation Agent) and Judy Daigneault (Recording Secretary Call Meeting to order: 5 . . The meeting was called to order with a quorum by Chairman Fitzsimmons at 5:55 p.m. There was no public comment Pre/Post Hearin nd Mark Burns—Presentation of helical anchoring systems for floats. Mark Burns, Little River Boat Yard, along with his son Chris gave a presentation of the helical anchoring systems for floats. He demonstrated how the system operates. He exp lained that the State does not allow 1 A Moats to be fixed. He is proposing to bolt or 4 inch pipes onto the system and eliminate the chain. He said this would prevent any damage to the eel grass which is now flouxishing through the efforts of the Conservation Commission as well as the estuary people. He asked the Commissioners if he could install these which would hold the float in a fixed position. It would solve the sheering problem and ensure that the customer wouldn't find their floats on shore. Agent McManus felt that this is a much better anchoring system. Impacts to sheering of the eel grass are the scouring from the chains on the 1 oA float's. 'This could t least address one of the issues. There vas a discussion i DEP needs to approve this. Drew McManus said he will check with DEP. I r'. Bu.rtis noted that these are also effective on a mooring when a bungee cord is used with the anchoring system. The anchors would be removed for the winter. The price is equal to a bottom anchor mooring about $1200. Mr. Bprtis explained a IOA float is administered and issued by the Harbormaster. The goal is to have .an anchoring system that will stop the scouring of the eel grass and a stronger anchor that will guard against storm damage. It is the same application for a boat with a swing instead of a fixed pipe. A chain or a bungee cord needs to be used. There was a dise-us sion on the 1A floats and the language in the regulations.