HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-02 Harbor Committee MinutesMINUTES OF HARBOR COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 2, 1994
The regular monthly meeting of the .Harbor Committee was held
in the 3rd floor conference room at 9:00 P.M. Committee members
present were Jim Blanchette, Pat Blanchette, Bob Wheeler, Neal
MCCrum and Harbor Master Ben Glidden. Others present were Jim
Ring, Susan Young of the BBN, Russ Ritchi, and Linda Goff.
After introductions of those present, the committee welcomed
one of the newer members of the Harbor Committee, Neal Mccrum.
:Agenda Item #1\ - 016CussiOn On Penobscot. Water Taxi Proposal
Russ Ritchi briefed the Committee on the proposal for water
taxi services on the Penobscot River to be provided by Russ
Ritchi and Wayne LaBree. They would provide water taxi services
and scenic tours of the river from the Hampden Narrows to above
the dam at the Waterworks. He also could envision lunch and
dinner packages on the 38 ft. pontoon boat which is Coast Guard
certified for 6 passengers. Ritchi indicated they were already
authorized to use Hampden, Winterport and Bucksport, but they
would like to be able to have Bangor as a home port.
Pat Blanchette indicated that the Legal Dept. was reviewing
the insurance information provided by Penobscot Water Taxi. She
then asked the Committee, that if the insurance meet all legal
requirements and an agreement on a fee for the use of dock space
could be reached, should the process be started to send the
Harbor Committee's recommendation to the Community & Economic
Development Committee, and then on to the City Council for
approval? She then changed her question and made it a motion.
Jim Blanchette opened up the question/motion to discussion.'
Jim Ring skated that the agreement with the Voyageur not
an exclusive one. He wondered whether or not they wanted two or
more boats at the waterfront at this time. He stated that
ultimately he would like to see many operations at the
waterfront, but he wasn't sure we should have more this year as
the voyageur was just getting started.
Bob Wheeler felt the water taxi operation would appeal to a
different market and not really be in Competition with the
Voyageur. Neal MCCrumasked whether the Voyageur had any
concerns with another boating operation at the waterfront. Jim
Ring said he bad talked with Lynn Hall and Mr. Hall expressed no
real objections.
Ben Glidden didn't think the operations would interfere with
each other. He didn't have any problems with the water taxi
operation as long as he had the flexibility to put them on a
mooring if dock #2 was needed.
Pat Blanchette re -stated hermotion to tentatively refer the
Harbor Committee's recommendation to the Community & Economic
Development Committee pending the Legal Dept.'s approval of the
insurance and working out a mutual agreement and fee. She then
stated that at the beginning of the summer the city had entered
into an Agreement with the Voyageur and she felt it would be a
slap in the face to Lynn Hall if the Committee approved another
boating operation. She said in 10,years she could see several
boats operating at the waterfront, but after begging and
soliciting proposals for three years to get a cruise boat in
Bangor, she did not want to endanger their success this first
year. She. therefore must vote against the water taxi service.
Jim Blanchette felt the proposal was a good one, but he had.
to vete against it for this year too.
The Committee voted unanimously
usly against allowing the water
taxi service. At this point Mer. Ritchi said he would withdraw
his proposal totally.
Both Pat Blanchette and Jim Ring told Mr. Ritchi that if he
was interested next year, he should start earlier. Mr. Ritchi
said he would not rule it out, but felt they would probably
pursue other areas.
Agenda Item #2 Harbor Master's
1�� Report
The Harbor Master felt that r'c yr should be two signs
-Danger - Shallow Water" put on the Penobscot Bridge, as too
many boats were getting stuck and had to. be pulled out.
Ben also said some street lights were out again. Also the
four picnic tab}es that were being repaired, had not been
returned to the waterfront: Jim Ring said he spoke to Dale
Theriault and would call him again. _
Jim Blanchette also mentioned that 2 lights were out on the
Veterans Bridge pilings. Jim Ring said Me -would notify DOT.
Ben also asked if he could get larger trash barrels as the
smaller ones by the benches filled up toofast. Jim Ring said he
was sure he could get some larger ones..
New Business
-Pat Blanchette asked what the chances were, in a year or two
when funds would allow, of having a brick barbecue pit for people
to use at the waterfront. Everyone thought that would be a good
idea and it should be looked into.
Ben Glidden asked that Section 6 General Rules and
Regulation of the Harbor Ordinance be amended. The second
paragraph states "All watercraft operating within a distance of
500 feet below the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, including the Inner
Harbor areas
above the bridge, shall maintain a speed of not more
than five knots." He feels it should be changed to read: All
watercraft
nfrom the 395 Bridge, includingthe
Inner. s above the C 11 maintain a
_ d f h five knots and no wake.
Jim Ring passed out copies of the Harbor Ordinance and
suggested the Committee review them and take up any other
suggested changes at the next meeting. The recommended changes
would then be referred to the Community 6 Economic Development
Committee or Municipal Operations Committee before being sent on
to the City Council for action. -
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 P.M.