Why would the applicant need a super wide slip at his dock? We think we have finally figured it out. A Houseboat! The regulations pertaining to houseboats is quite vague, especially if the houseboat is not used as a living residence. Let's say you use it as a guest house or for parties and entertaining. Once you have a permit to build a dock, it is an anything-goes situation. You can park virtually anything there regardless of the damage to the environment, restriction of public use and blocking views. Here is a prefab houseboat.

Now you pair it up with a 35' Bertram SportFisherman. Could this duo possibly fit into the plan? Yes, in fact it is a perfect fit. This finally an explanation for an absurdly wide slip. 

Here is a an interesting article describing how Eelgrass is evaluated. Eelgrass evaluation

Click for Experts Report for MHMC

Here is the report we have submitted to the Mystic Harbor Management Commission(MHMC). For full transparency, we also sent it to Loureiro Engineering Associates Inc who are in charge of the dock project. No surprises, no gotchas, no tricks, just sound logic and science that clearly explains why the dock should not be approved by MHMC. A great deal of work went into the report. It's a real investigative "tour de force," clearly presented, interesting and informative.

Masons Island - 28 School House Road - Site Evaluation Report January 6, 2021

Overview:

At the request of neighbors (“Clients”) on School House Road in Mystic the undersigned was retained as a marine consultant in December 2020 to conduct a site inspection and evaluate application materials pursuant to an application by the owners of the property at 28 School House Road to seek permits to construct a dock at the property. This effort involved the review of public domain application materials of the property owners (“Owners”), specifically plans (8 sheets) revised through 11/30/20, aerial photos of the site and on-site inspections of the property from public domain locations that were waterward of the Mean High Water (“MHW”) line and from School House Road. As described the site was assessed to evaluate the to-be proposed dock from the Owners’ application materials and to evaluate the dock relative to current regulatory standards and criteria, including the Mystic Harbor Management Plan, relative to potential adverse impacts for the dock’s proposed design, relative to existing and potential violation(s) and non-compliance conditions and the accuracy of the Owners’ application materials.

Click on the link to get the full report!  Experts Report for MHMC

1) When you go to the Webex Site, you will see something like below.  ->->click on "Join from your browser" near the bottom of page. If this doesn't work, you could use the download software method

2) If you are using Chrome for a browser you might see this(below) There is a big blue box blocking the browser choice! Get rid of the box by clicking on the teeny weenie "x" at the top right of the blue box(it is very small)

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"Site planning and design features which limit or avoid negative visual and aesthetic impacts or which create positive visual and aesthetic impacts on the site and on the surrounding area should be incorporated."

The MHMC manages the "water side" of Mystic. They will be reviewing the Proposed dock. Their operating document is available below. It covers a lot, so I have pulled out some key portions. The community played an important role in crafting the Issues that the Commission is supposed to address;

"After carefully reviewing the information--including substantial public input­ -before it, the Commission has identified the following issues as being the most important with regard to the preparation and adoption of a Management Plan."