Harbor board approves letter asking Great Harbor Yacht Club to address alleged Chapter 91 license violations

The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board on Jan. 20 approved a draft letter asking the Great Harbor Yacht Club to address recurring issues the board says violate the club’s Chapter 91 license. The board instructed staff to finalize contact information and send the letter, and to invite the club and its marine operator to meet with the board and the harbor master.

The draft letter, introduced by Peter Franzuto, cites a Mass. General Law Chapter 91 license (license number given in the transcript as 1218, issued 05/22/2008 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) and lists three current concerns: the absence of a fueling station, limits on public access, and constraints on emergency boat hauling. The letter asks the club to review the license and meet with the board to seek timely solutions.

Dave (board member with direct historical knowledge of the license) emphasized the license language: “It specifically states that no event or activity taking place at the yacht club will preempt any type of marine response from their contractor or their provider,” he said, arguing that scheduled club events should not prevent fuel or emergency responses.

Members debated whether to preview suggested mitigation options in the letter. Some preferred a soft approach — meeting first and letting the club offer ideas — while others recommended attaching highlighted license pages that identify the contested requirements.

Mister Anderson moved to approve the draft letter authored by Peter Franzuto; Mister Sherwin seconded. The board voted in favor and directed either Chairman Andy Lowell or Secretary Peter Brace to sign and send the letter. The board also agreed to provide contact information and suggested attachments to help the club identify the specific license language at issue.

The board said it expects to coordinate any subsequent action with the harbor master and to report back when the club meets with staff and board representatives.