Salem Harbor Port Authority

SALEM HARBOR PORT AUTHORITY 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 (978) 619-5685 PLANNING (978) 741-5685 HARBORMASTER MEETING MINUTES: October 7, 2021 A public meeting of the Salem Harbor Port Authority was convened at 5:00 pm via Zoom web conference. Members present: Michael Rutstein (Chairman), Bob McCarthy - Ward 1 Councilor, Fred Atkins Members absent: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll Others Present: Tom Daniel – Planning Director, Capt. Bill McHugh – Harbormaster, Seth Lattrell – Port Authority Deputy/Planner, Senator Joan Lovely, Jeff Cohen Acting Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm. Port Authority Deputy Seth Lattrell outlined the format for the meeting and indicated that members of the public may provide comments during the period of the meeting designated for public comment. Mr. Lattrell summarized the details of the partnership between the city/Port Authority, Crowley Maritime, and Vineyard Wind, then introduced Ed Washburn, John Berry, and Evan Matthews from Crowley. Crowley provided an overview of their firm, their expertise, and their plan going forward for Salem. Chairman Rutstein asked for clarification about the use of scour protection/aggregate in Salem. Mr. Washburn shared that it’s unlikely that Salem would be an aggregate storage facility since Salem is better suited for other OSW uses, but that it couldn’t be ruled out until a business plan was developed. Mr. Rutstein asked how many vessels would be in the port at any given time. Mr. Washburn responded that its not clear, but that an efficient operation would minimize time in port, so it’s unlikely that more than two large vessels are in port at a time. Mr. Atkins asked for the size of the various vessels, to which Mr. Washburn walked the SHPA members through the length of current barge fleet. Mr. Rutstein asked if barges would be stacking in the anchorages off Salem sound, to which Mr. Washburn indicated that other locations would likely be more efficient given the distance to the installation areas. Councilor McCarthy encouraged the Crowley team to consider the neighborhood as they begin to develop business plans and site plans. Mr. Washburn agreed. Jeff Cohen, vice chair of the Sustainability Energy Resiliency Committee, commented to share his support for the project.  Meeting Minutes October 7, 2021 Page 2 Mr. Lattrell provided an overview of the Harbor Plan and DPA Master Plan, confirming that the approach that had been previously discussed. Mr. Lattrell provided an update on the Port Infrastructure Grant Application. An application was submitted on July 30th for $3.14M and includes improvements to the mooring system and access enhancements. No response has been received from MARAD. The city is looking at additional grant opportunities including grants from EDA. Harbormaster McHugh provided an update on the North Berth construction, confirming that all structural work to the berths is complete, but the ADA compliant aluminum connection is still being fabricated. The project is anticipated to be complete in November. The Deep-Water Berth repair is complete, and the Conservation Commission should be issuing the Certificate of Compliance in the coming weeks. Mr. Lattrell shared that the appraisal is ongoing with Cushman Wakefield Mr. Lattrell indicated that the website is nearing completion. Mr. Rutstein asked for Mr. Lattrell to reshare the draft website with Port Authority members for review. The port authority members held a strategy session earlier in the week, so Mr. Lattrell recapped key findings of that session and recommended that the DPA Master Plan serve as the strategic plan for the Port Authority. In parallel with that, the Port Authority can work to establish a tariff schedule and continue its work with Crowley/Vineyard to advance the details for an OSW port. Mr. Lattrell also indicated that Port Authority and City staff need to begin to develop a Community Benefits Agreement with Crowley, which will impact the land transfer and tariff schedule. Mr. Rutstein asked if there was a plan B if Commonwealth Wind doesn’t win the award in December. Mr. Lattrell indicated that it is unknown, but likely that some deal could still be possible since the port is still suitable to this growing industry. Mr. McHugh clarified that one of the most important aspects of the tariff schedule will be the rules for the port, as it gives the port authority/city assurance over the use of the site to ensure compatibility with the community. Councilor McCarthy advised that staff be mindful when reviewing the CBA, since some of the conditions apply to Lot 1 and others apply to Lot 2, and that we need to make sure that connectivity to the neighborhood and Blaney Street is considered as plans advance. Harbormaster McHugh provided the Harbormasters report. BHC is running Cetacea alongside the Bowditch to carry the additional Halloween visitation. There was a technical glitch with the BHC ticketing system but will hopefully be resolved in the coming week. The Bowditch is due for capital improvements and staff are working with finance to secure funding. Chairman Rutstein  Meeting Minutes October 7, 2021 Page 3 asked for an update on South River dredging. Mr. McHugh shared that he would be talking to the Army Corps of Engineers but wasn’t clear if the south river would be discussed as it will require a regional CAD cell. Mr. McHugh will continue to coordinate dredge work to explore opportunities for the South River. Mr. Atkins asked for clarification on whether the Municipal Harbor Plan and DPA Master Plan were on the same timeline. Mr. Lattrell confirmed that the city intends for the DPA Master Plan to be included within the Municipal Harbor Plan. A draft of the DPA Master Plan will be circulated to the Port Authority members once it has been reviewed by the state. Meeting minutes from the August 12 meeting and the joint meeting with the Harbor Plan Committee from September 22 were unanimously approved by all members present. Salem Harbor Port Authority adjourned @ 6:17 pm.