With a major proposal for a floating boating marina on the horizon, Mayor Carolyn Kirk on Friday appointed four new members to the city's Waterways Board, adding two new economic development seats to the panel and filling vacancies left by Arthur "Sooky" Sawyer and Dave Murray.
Kirk said the two economic development members will provide a needed voice on the Waterways Board, while board Chairman Tony Gross said the panel's new and returning members have a busy list of projects and issues to address.
"There's a lot of work to be done, I hope the people are ready to roll up their sleeves and do what's best for the city," he said.
The Waterways Board essentially manages the city's waterfront, with oversight of the harbormaster's office and control of some harborside properties, most notably the sliver of waterfront land at the foot of the city's I-4, C-2 site off Rogers Street.
The agency also operates as a self-sustaining enterprise outside the parameters of the city's operating budget, drawing revenues from city-owned moorings and other sources.
Kirk's appointments Friday were:
Patti Page, who served for three decades with the National Marine Fisheries Service and is a local community boating advocate.
Ralph Pino, a local lawyer.
David McCauley, a recreational fisherman.
Thomas Hovey, an investor.
Vice Chairman Phil Cusumano and Cate Banks were reappointed to their seats. Cusumano is the driving force behind the proposal for the so-called floating marina that would add docking space for transient boaters who would want to visit the city's harbor and downtown for a day, and do not need overnight space.
"We have a combination of people who can take a hard and fresh look at the harbor to drive positive economic options," said Kirk.
Pino and Hovey will fill the economic development seats, Kirk added. She said they would provide a needed perspective as the board and city continue talking about the harbor and the I-4, C-2 lot.
Paige fills a fisheries spot on the board, while McCauley joins as an at-large member, Kirk said. The mayor added that she interviewed 20 residents for the open positions.
Hovey spent 42 years in the investment business, working for Appleton Partners, John Hancock and the Boston Company, according to his letter of interest. He's a boater as well; he stated in his letter that Gloucester's working harbor should be preserved, but made more viable and welcoming to boaters.
"Today boats go directly from the Cape Cod Canal to Maine, skipping Gloucester," he said, "We should change that."
Pino, said Kirk, is a local lawyer who has helped companies through complex permitting processes.
McCauley came to Gloucester in 2002, and has served in a number of regulatory positions, including deputy chancellor of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
Paige served with NMFS for 32 years, and has taken an active role in Gloucester High School's sailing program, according to her letter of interest.
The new members, said Gross, will have their work cut out for them, beyond addressing the floating marina proposal and any I-4, C-2 issues.
The board, he said, is actively working on a launch service, a possible access point at Ten Pound Island, and reorganizing the city's mooring field.
"We have a ton of work to do on moorings," said Gross.
Steven Fletcher may be contacted at 1-978-283-7000 x3455, or sfletcher@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stevengdt.
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