HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-12 Harbor Committee Minutes
City of Bangor
Harbor Committee Minutes
Meeting: Wednesday, March 12, 2008
City Development Office
Committee Members in Attendance:
Richard Reinhart; Daniel Cassidy; Robert Woods
City Staff:
Jerry Ledwith, Harbormaster; Jim Ring, City Engineer
Guests:
Linda Johns, City Planner, Brewer; Frank Higgins, City Engineer, Brewer
February Minutes were accepted.
1. Brewer Waterfront
Frank Higgins and Linda Johns reviewed the City of Brewer waterfront projects.
Shore restoration with a combination of stone riff raff and bulkheads is soon to be completed from the
former Brewer Public Works site to the Railroad Bridge.
A riverside trail right of way has been acquired from the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge to the old Public
Works site, including the completed Children’s Garden.
Long range plans are to complete right-of-way access for a walking trail along the entire Brewer
riverfront.
Boat access on the Brewer side is limited to a site adjacent to the crib island south the Muddy Rudder.
Right of Way is limited to a 15 foot wide access only for the use of fire and rescue vehicles. There is no
below-water ramp which is of concern for launch of the Brewer Rescue Hovercraft.
Currently there is no water access of private craft on the Brewer waterfront except for the existing ramp
above the dam.
It was noted that there is close coordination with the Harbor Master and both the Cities of Brewer’s and
Bangor’s Police and Fire Departments for coordination of watercraft and resources for emergencies.
2. Bangor Waterfront
Jim Ring reviewed the Bangor Waterfront Projects
The park area just south of the bulkheads will likely undergo a first phase of development with
construction to occur after the Folk Festival. Completion of this phase is possible by summer ’09.
The Heavy Vessel dock will be expanded with three dock modules. The configuration will increase
the usable dock face by 60 feet and will use the existing articulation ramp for access.
The Coal Tar remediation in upper Dunnett’s Cove will require different remediation strategies
depending on the severity of the contamination within the cove.
Private development sites were reviewed, but currently there are no imminent projects.
Planned access for small craft and attracting visiting boats with mooring and dockage access were
reviewed.
- It was suggested that a combined Bangor-Brewer meeting of this nature become an annual agenda item.
3. Harbor Brochure
Brochures are completed and are being distributed to boating groups and at the recent Bangor Boat Show.
Distribution with applications for the Kenduskeag Stream Race information may also be possible.
4. Historic River Guide Development
This project would develop a guide that would highlight the history of the Penobscot, with particular
attention to historic sites on the River. Committee member, Robert Woods, has already researched aspects of
this history. Margaret Chernosky has particular expertise in mapping and wishes to incorporate the geographic
aspects into student class projects at Bangor High. A plan to approach this will be developed at future
meetings. This project will be initiated this summer.
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5. Small Craft Access
Small Boat (i.e. hand carried, hand powered) utilization of the waterfront will be possible this season from
the up-river dock
Richard Reinhart shared prior committee discussions with the Ski Rack and had an enthusiastic response.
Further discussions should occur with other interested parties oriented towards small craft access and use of
the river.(e.g. Epic Sport, Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society, River Keepers, Lower Penobscot
Watershed Coalition).