03/18/09 First Slectma's Office News

Draft Mooring Rules Decision Postponed

First Selectman Peter J. Tesei has announced the postponement of the adoption of proposed Draft Rules and Procedures for Mooring and Anchoring Vessels in the Greenwich Harbor Area based on feedback received from the First Selectman's Coastal Resources Advisory Committee and the public at the meeting held Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5:00 PM, in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Boaters and other interested parties asked questions and submitted written and verbal comments at that meeting.

The existing Town boating regulations will remain in effect, including the Town Municipal Charter Section 307; Town Municipal Code Section 7-89 dated 09/01/1978 regarding the powers and duties of the Harbormaster; the 36 foot limitation in the Department of Parks and Recreation Town managed Marinas and the Superintendent of Marine and Facilities Operations letter of 2/17/2009 regarding transfer of moorings control from the Department of Parks and Recreation to the Harbormaster. The mooring fees for the 2009 summer boating season were established by the Board of Selectmen at their special meeting February 26, 2009: $35 one time application fee and $100 seasonal fee. The $35 fee used to establish a mooring and vessel data base is waived for organizations with over 100 moorings filing electronically.

Boaters wishing to submit an application for an individual, non-commercial mooring permit may continue to use the original form. The current Town boating regulations remain in effect for all applicants. As noted previously, boaters are exempt from the "clearly visible horizontal blue band and name of vessel" provisions contained in the "Note" section of the form. These provisions, originally developed for the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation version of the form are optional for Town of Greenwich boaters.

The new application process along with the new mooring fees as well as maintenance dredge funding requests recently submitted to Federal officials, represent an increased focus on the management of the Town's waterways, which include 27 miles of coastline, seven harbors, 3 federal navigation channels, 30 islands and hundreds of moorings. The First Selectman's Coastal Resources Advisory Committee will continue to work toward the goal of developing a community based set of rules and procedures.

First Selectman Tesei thanked Chairman John Craine and his committee for their work efforts designed to enhance the safety, environmental protection and enjoyment of this valued asset that significantly contributes to the Town's quality of life.