CITY OF BEVERLY RECEIVED AND RECORDED CITY CLERKS OFFICE 2026 APR 16 P 7:30
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: March 18, 2026
Location: Beverly Public Library - Barnet Gallery and via Google Meet
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Vice Chair Scott Freeman, Todd Callaghan, Joe Crowell, David Lane, David Suminsby, Scott White
Members Absent: Todd Rotondo, Danielle Spang
Others Present: none
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
New Customer for Commercial Float
There is a potential new customer with a 36-foot boat for the commercial side. Earl reminds everyone of the new protocol for new customers is to have the next person on the waiting list come to a meeting before their application is accepted.
Approval of Minutes
Approval of the September 10, 2025 and November, 19, 2025 minutes are postponed until there are enough members present that were also present at those meetings to vote on approval. Callaghan motions to approve the February 18, 2026 minutes. Seconded by White. The motion is approved, 7-0.
Financials
Earl reports that recreational revenues have jumped up to 111k with 100k having come in after February 28. They are still waiting to collect for 21 kayak spaces. There are 15 spots that are still unfilled. Earl is waiting to confirm with Ayles whether money has transferred from the encumbered grants category and the WIF over to the projects category. The capital fund is about where it was last year at this time, but they have spent lots on projects from this over the last year.
Harbormaster Update
Dickman provides the following updates via email:
Unfortunately, I will not be able to make the meeting. I will be giving the Derelict Trap Cleanup Project presentation in Marblehead for Salem Sound Coastwatch on Wednesday evening, so I will miss it.
There are no major items to report from the Harbormaster Department, but here are a couple of items to share.
- I also gave that talk at the Boston Sea Rovers convention this past weekend, and it went well. I am planning to present it to some of the scuba diving groups in the area and am working to find a time to present at Jubilee. The goal is to raise awareness about ghost fishing, build community support, and create opportunities for people to get involved in our cleanup efforts.
- The Center for Coastal Studies is looking to conduct another derelict trap cleanup in Salem Sound at the end of April. Sean is looking into the pier construction logistics here to see if we can accommodate them again.
- We have a regional oil spill response training scheduled in Salem next month. This coordinated exercise between local, state, and regional partners is to review response procedures and ensure that personnel and equipment are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a spill in the area. We will be doing the on-water session by Abbott Rock, near Winter Island.
- The MBTA drawbridge has had ongoing operational issues and will be out of service for scheduled major repairs from April 10 to 13. The Coast Guard will issue a Notice to Mariners, and we will help distribute the information to fishermen and commercial operations upstream to ensure they are aware of the closure.
- Our permit bills will be slightly delayed this year. I am hoping to get approval soon for our new harbor management software so we can get that process underway.
White feels that the HMA should publicize their work such as the Harbormaster's oil spill training. There is some discussion on where this would be - the website, Facebook, or Instagram, and who would take this on.
Private Use of Public Platform
Earl reports that they have a process in place for approving private use of the parts of Glover Wharf that the HMA has jurisdiction over. The HMA will review any applications for approval or rejection, and then it gets permitted through the Parks department.
Glover Wharf Customer Update
Earl reports that money is still owed on the commercial side, but it is mostly from one customer. They will continue the Mass Marine Trades Association's Stay Local program. Ciancarelli surveyed the customers and several do use the discounts.
Vessel Ownership
Earl notes that Cook has provided sufficient documentation to show he owns 51% of his boat.
Hoist Pier and other upgrades
The temporary pilings are in. The project is moving along but won't likely be completed by May. The work on the security gates may need an updated quote, but these should still be ready for installation. The electrical conduit and pedestals have been obtained but not installed. The webcam installation needs to wait for the balusters first. The DPW will do the work, but they are backed up from winter road and other repairs.
Sailboat
Earl reports that the auction was held but no one attended as is usual for these types of auctions. The HMA will need to decide if they want to attempt to collect the $13k owed, but they would need to pay the legal fees involved in collecting which could quickly exceed $13k. The boat is now owned by the City. It is suggested they could surplus it. Lane and Crowell suggest trying to sell it through a Muni-bid. Sean will followup.
Facilities Committee - Commercial Marina Rates
Earl would like to move the vote for this to the April meeting when Ciancarelli is present. Crowell reports that Gloucester has two commercial marinas at $72/foot, but they are in much worse condition than the Glover Wharf Marina which is currently $80/foot. Callaghan suggests it may be politically wise to forego raising rates this year in consideration of the rising energy costs. Freeman adds that they can let customers know their intention is to raise rates soon, but that they are holding off this year because of energy costs.
Beverly Main Streets
Earl met with the Main Streets staff and learned they expanded their district down to the waterfront. He plans to meet with their Design Committee on April 1st to discuss ideas to beautify the area such as kiosks, self-watering planters, banners or flowers on the light poles.
There is a discussion about nautical hardware as a draw feature at Glover Wharf, such as a large anchor that can be a photo opportunity for families. Callaghan suggests the trash being cleaned up by the Harbormaster in the derelict trap project could be collected and made into an art installation, as he has seen this elsewhere.
Innoventure Labs
Earl still horpes to partner with this organization and see this as an opportunity to activate Glover Wharf.
Kayak racks
Earl reports the waitlist is at 73 people, but he expects it to go down by 15 or 20 by the time the available spaces are filled. The website info for kayaks will get updated once the waitlist is updated.
Falco
Earl reports that a Greek company will be purchasing Falco. The new owner has reached out to Earl. They have their own reservation system similar to Dockwa. Earl will have the new company meet with him, Dickman, and Ciancarelli. They need to see a demo, but Earl is primarily interested in traffic and electrical consumption measurement capabilities.
Dockwa - Transient Floats and Moorings
White mentions that Bristol, RI is trying to track the movement of recreational boaters using Dockwa. The users would need to provide their home port to get useful data, but they could offer discounts to entice users to provide this info.
Other Announcements
The Birarellis reached out to Crowell about progress on services they hope to offer commercial fishermen. They obtained their permit to sell bait at their wharf. They also have diesel for sale and have plans to install more freezer space.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Callaghan makes a motion to adjourn. Freeman seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved (7-0).
The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:05 pm.