The Harwich Waterways Committee took a firm stand on navigational safety and aquaculture preservation this week, unanimously refusing to endorse a controversial pier proposal in a narrow stretch of Oyster Creek. The project at 37 Duns Road, represented by Mark Burgess of Shorefront Consulting, faced significant resistance from harbor officials who characterized the location as a dangerous pinch point in the local waterway that already challenges even the most experienced mariners.

The debate centered on a revised plan featuring a 19-foot vessel and increased dredging intended to soften the approach to the proposed dock. However, Assistant Harbor Master Stephanie warned that the site serves as a vital municipal shellfish nursery, noting that 75,000 juvenile cohogs were recently seeded in the area. I share the harbor master's concerns with safe navigation, she said. As far as shellfish goes, I would recommend the plans not be approved... It is not a feasible location to be relocating shellfish.

Harbor Master John Renone emphasized that some waterfront properties are simply not appropriate for private infrastructure. Encroachment into a navigable part of the channel is my problem, Renone told the committee. A hard conversation people have to have with owners of waterfront property is that not every location is suitable for a dock. Committee member B. Lionetta, who highlighted the difficulty of the turn in the creek, noted that the two most experienced boaters in the area had both run aground last year trying to navigate the current conditions. From a safety standpoint, when you start getting people in the water, it's even more of a concern, B. Lionetta added. Motion Made by [Unnamed Member] not to endorse the plans as presented for plan number 4188-06. Motion Passed 7-0.

Environmental protection also drove a new proposal to prohibit boat rinsing and engine flushing at freshwater ramps, specifically at Long Pond. Officials reported that residents have observed large saltwater vessels being backed into the pond solely to rinse trailers and flush salt from engines. This practice risks introducing contaminants and biological waste into the freshwater ecosystem. There's blood, guts, whatever else being rinsed into the pond, Stephanie noted, proposing new regulatory language to make the prohibition enforceable under state CMR 320 standards. Motion Made by [Unnamed Member] to postpone the item for 30 days to allow for public comment. Motion Passed 7-0.

The committee received a positive financial update, with Renone reporting that harbor offloads are through the roof compared to last year, bolstered by a strong tuna season. Assistant Harbor Master Stephanie added that visitor dockage revenue remained high through the end of the season. To support this increased activity, the department introduced Andrew Souza as the new Deputy Harbor Master, replacing the retired Bill Ner, and announced that James Adamson would soon join the staff to fill the remaining vacancy. The Chair opened the session by introducing the full board, including E. Scramstead, who noted, I live in East Harwich and I'm here as a board member of the Harwich Conservation Trust. Other members present included P. [ton], M. Keller, P. Thomas, and W. White.

A separate dredging project at 31 Mill Road hit a procedural snag regarding the disposal of 254 cubic yards of dredge spoils. While Mark Burgess suggested the plan was moving forward with an innovative overwash bulkhead to protect nearby salt marshes, Renone strongly objected to using the Saquatucket Harbor ramp for offloading the material. To take that bulkhead away from the commercial fisherman to take that away for a dredge in that quantity—that's really monopolizing it, Renone argued. The committee agreed to table the matter to ensure the final plans explicitly state that offload locations must be approved by the harbor master. Motion Made by [Unnamed Member] to continue case SC C 217 until the next meeting for revised verbiage. Motion Passed 7-0.

In more routine business, the committee approved a rebuild of an existing pier and walkway at 32 Duns Road. The project involves raising a walkway five feet to improve marsh clearance and replacing an oversized float with a smaller, 12.5-by-16-foot version. Burgess noted that the elevated walkway would include kayak racks to keep equipment off the grass. Despite some discussion regarding water depth and potential grounding on the back side of the dock, the board moved to support the application. Motion Made by [Unnamed Member] to accept the plan as proposed for case CS27-276. Motion Passed 7-0.