Town of East Greenwich, RI Article II Cove Management Commission

[Adopted 6-22-1993 by Ord. No. 595 as Secs. 7-36 to 7-40 of the 1993 Code; amended in its entirety 2-9-2009 by Ord. No. 799]

§ 34-4 Establishment; purpose.

[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 849]

The Cove Management Commission is hereby established in the Town of East Greenwich to recommend for adoption by the Town Council policies and regulations that apply to the use and management of the tidal waters adjacent to the Town known as "East Greenwich Cove." The Town further recognizes that it has a responsibility to promote the health, safety and welfare of all who use the cove and to preserve this important natural resource for the future.

§ 34-5 Responsibilities.

It shall be the responsibility of the Cove Management Commission to:

A. Develop regulations for boating safety, use of the cove, moorings, permits and fees.

B. Identify, mark and work to maintain accessibility to public rights-of-way in conjunction with the policies of the Coastal Resources Management Council.

C. Establish the necessary procedures to implement decisions.

D. Promote and coordinate activities which encourage improvement to the cove.

E. Provide comments and recommendations to the Planning Department, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Review, Town Council or other entity on all public and private development proposals and any permit notifications from state agencies for activities in the area east of the Amtrak rail line.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).

§ 34-6 Authority.

The Cove Management Commission shall have the power to:

A. Recommend regulations for the speed, management and control of all vessels on the public waters within the confines of East Greenwich Cove.

B. Recommend regulations for the number, size, type, location, use and maintenance of all anchorages, moorages and ramps within the waters or cove of the Town.

C. Recommend regulations for minimum mooring specifications, inspection of moorings, assignation and removal of moorings and fees and collection of fees for mooring use.

D. Recommend a job description for the position of Harbormaster.

E. Designate upon a map of the public waters within the Town the places where permanent or temporary moorings, anchorages and boat ramps may be maintained.

F. Recommend regulations for regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments and exhibitions.

G. Recommend regulations for waterskiing, skin diving and scuba diving in East Greenwich Cove.

H. Recommend regulations for houseboats that are not self-propelled and for the removal of wrecks or derelict or abandoned boats or docks.

§ 34-7 Availability.

The Cove Management Commission shall be available to the Town administration and other boards and commissions for consultation and advice.

§ 34-8 Membership; meeting procedure.

A. The Cove Management Commission shall be comprised of seven members who are qualified electors of the Town.

B. The Commission shall be appointed by the Town Council, each member to serve for a term of three years.

C. A Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be elected by the members of this Commission; the Commission shall adopt bylaws and any rules of procedure deemed necessary for its own governance.

D. No member of the Commission shall pass on any matter in which he may have a conflict of interest.

E. The Commission shall meet at the request of the Chairperson. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public.

F. The Commission shall keep a record of its proceedings and actions, which shall be on file and open to public inspection at the office of the Town Clerk.

G. A majority of the members of the Cove Management Commission shall constitute a quorum. The concurring vote of a simple majority of members present and eligible to vote is required to pass on any issue.

H. There may be one nonvoting, ex officio member from the Warwick Harbor Committee.