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Committee strengthens language: recommend standing harbor implementation body to track projects and ferry revenue
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Summary
Members debated composition and charge of a harbor plan implementation committee, recommending that the Select Board create a standing body with representation from responsible town departments plus continuity from the plan update committee to monitor implementation, receipt reporting, and project coordination.
The Harbor Plan Update Committee moved to tighten recommendations for an implementation body to manage harbor plan execution, coordinate harbor-related boards and departments, and monitor revenue and project delivery.
Kim (UHI staff) told the committee the draft recommends the Select Board create a harbor implementation committee charged with coordinating management and investments related to the harbor plan. Members wanted stronger language requiring that the implementation committee be composed of representatives of responsible boards, departments and standing entities, plus some continuity with members of the harbor action plan update committee.
Committee members repeatedly asked that the draft not rely on an ad hoc body that would dissolve after initial implementation. One member said the plan should assign recurring responsibilities — for example, monitoring quarterly ferry receipts and annually identifying potential harbor-related expenditures — to a standing or “appropriate” entity so the work survives turnover. “They do not — that’s not a standing committee. That’s done,” a committee member said when discussing groups that may disband.
Members identified specific stakeholders they expect to be represented: Natural Resources (referred to in discussion as a responsible party), Transportation, Public Safety, Finance, the Conservation Commission, Planning/Zoning stakeholders and harbor advisory groups. Jeff (committee member) described existing work to revise regulations and emphasized the need to coordinate with state and local agencies: “This project… is already underway,” he said, listing multiple town and waterfront interests.
Committee members proposed several process clarifications: require (not just encourage) the Select Board to create the committee; include staff/professional representation to maintain continuity; and include language requesting the implementation committee be added to distribution lists for development proposals affecting the harbor. Kim indicated staff will prepare a redlined draft of the plan and a background section for committee review, with an expectation that the committee review those revisions a week in advance of the next meeting.
Ending: Committee asked staff to produce a clean and redline copy for review and to add specific, stronger language requiring the creation of a standing implementation committee and assigning ongoing responsibilities for monitoring receipts and coordinating harbor-related permitting and projects.
