Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of October 26, 2010 was held in The City Manager‘s Office. Chairman John Paul Mereen called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Attendance was as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT John Paul Mereen, Chairman Richard Benoit, Vice Chairman Alan Bergren, City Manager James Paulsen Alderman H. Tucker Braddock MEMBERS ABSENT Alderman Pete Desaulniers Edward Seder OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman, Harbor Management Consultant Reporter, Norwich Bulletin Patrick Fuery-Chelsea Boat Club 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Tucker Braddock, second by Richard Benoit, to accept the minutes dated September 26, 2010. The vote was unanimous. 4. Citizen Comment Patrick Fuery, A Representative of The Chelsea Boat Club spoke to the Commission regarding a Notice of Violation issued by DEP to the Boat Club. The primary function of the Club is an agreement with the City to administer the racing sculls that were purchased with a grant years ago. The sculls are unique, as they require a dock with a low free board, 8” above the water line. The only dock available was the Jet Ski at the G dock at the Marina. DEP inspected last year and realized it was not properly permitted and not on the original plans for the Marina. DEP then issued a Notice of Violation. The American Wharf Staff pulled out the dock immediately. He stated that he checked to see what was necessary to get the dock permitted and was advised an A2 survey was needed. He then stated that the  primary function of the Club was to get a rowing Club started at NFA. He also told the Commission he wanted to get the dock permit by last spring but they could only obtain a Certificate of Permission that is a temporary. One of the requirements of the permit process is to give a copy to HMC, (exhibit A). He also stated that one of the conditions was to obtain a full permit from the original site plan of 2003, submitted by the City of Norwich. Instead of an A2, DEP stated that they need a an As Built as along as no changes have been made to perimeter. The City of Norwich Recreation Department has given CLA permission to do the survey. A draft of the application was presented to each member. The survey is expected to be complete within 2 weeks. He also informed the Commission that a letter from the City Manager and HMC, stating they had no objection is required to be submitted with the application. Mr. Mereen asked if they are planning on putting the same docking space as before and the applicant stated they have to pull it by November 1, 2010 but would like to put it back by next year. The original proposal was a Jet Ski dock with little finger docks in a different location but it wasn’t used due to no interest in Jet Ski dockage. Me. Mereen noted that he and members of HMC visited the site and did not see a major impact. Mr. Steadman explained to the Commission and Mr. Fuery how the permit process works. He also stated the proposed dockage is within the boundary. Mr. Fuery stated he was bewildered because the 3 docks at the end that no longer exist due to damage by ice, and the present reconfiguration has the Jet Ski dock where the finger docks were. The reason from DEP for the violation was that the dock shadowed the bottom of the river and had an impact on the aquatic life. He also stated that the American Wharf Staff argued the fact with DEP that this was a minor reconfiguration. The were informed that they needed to send in the COP application and they would get a full permit later which was reduced to a permit with an As-Built ant not a full A-2. Mr. Mereen stated that this is consistent with the HMC plan and he would like to see utilization of the area. On a motion Chairman Mereen and second by Mr. Braddock it was unanimously voted to APPROVE the application and add a motion that the plans are consistent with the HMC plan. Discussion of the original 2003 permit was discussed in detail. The owner/applicant is Mr. Aliano who is reviewing the application. The City of Norwich Recreation Department will pay the $2000.00 and the Chelsea Rowing Club will pay the $660.00 application fee. Mr. DePina advised CLA to proceed with the As-Built because DEP required it to be complete by November 1, 2010. Mr. Fuery commented on NFA completing the second season and how well the students have excelled. Mr. Steadman reminded Mr. Fuery that the COP application should have been provided to the HMC at the time it was submitted to DEP for future reference and HMC would have been aware of the situation sooner. Mr. Braddock noted the efforts of MR. Fuery were appreciated. Mr. Fuery provided contact information to the HMC. A picture of the floating dock (exhibit A) was shown. A copy of the COP from the DEP was left for HMC to review and keep in a hard file. 5. Correspondence- #1. Mr. Steadman submitted an invoice for his services in the amount of $1044.75. On a motion by Mr. Braddock and second by Mr. Bergren it was unanimously voted to approve the invoice submitted and to pay Mr. Steadman for his services. #2. An invoice from CHMA for membership was submitted in the amount of $200.00. On a motion by Mr. Mereen and second by Mr. Braddock to approve the invoice and unanimously voted to approve the payment of $200.00 for membership dues to CHMC. #3. A letter from CHMA for the annual banquet to be held on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 was submitted to the Committee by Chairman Mereen. Mr. Mereen encouraged all members to attend. He stated that they would be honoring Ronald Aliano for all of his contributions the founding member. The Commission will present a framed photo with a bronze plaque and present it to his wife Valerie at the banquet that will eventually be placed in City Hall in memory of Mr. Aliano. He also informed the Commission that they would have an annual award of Association to establish the Ron D. Aliano leadership award, which would be given annually to a recipient who has given to the HMC. The first award will be presented to a member of ACOE who has effortlessly given to the HMC. The speaker at the banquet will be a women representative from the Coast Guard who will talk about Harbor safety and security issues. #4. A letter from Chairman Mr. Mereen to the City Manager was presented to the HMC regarding Mr. Edward Seder. Mr. Bergren read the letter to the Commission. The letter was requesting support of honoring Mr Seder as an honorary member of HMC. On a motion by Mr. Bergren and second by Mr. Benoit it was unanimously voted to prepare a resolution to the City Council making him a honorary member of HMC. 6. Harbor Master Report No report was given, as the Harbor Master was not in attendance. 7. Old Business 1. Harbor Management Plan Update-Mr. Steadman made changes to emphasize the recreational fishing and added to planned projects on the HMC plan. It will be discussed in detail at the November 30th meeting. A picture of the Harbor is to be included on the website with the new fishing program. Mr. Mereen thanked Mr. Braddock for his efforts regarding the plaque at Brown Park in memory of Mr. Aliano. B. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall-There has been no changes. C. Yantic River Dredging Update-There have been no changes. 8. New Business-Mr. Mereen stated he would like the Commission to help find funding sources for the Commission. He noted that boater registration fees aren’t coming through. The members were asked to come up with a plan for money and some type of funding source. The idea of a booth for the Dragon Boat races was discussed. The Commission spoke briefly of a letter to the State regarding funding. The State has yet to reply. Mr. Bergren noted that the Administration has changed. Mr. Mereen stated that in the meantime, the Commission needs to check into the National Park funding grants that are available. Mr. Mereen also spoke briefly about the website for fishing and maybe in the future, consider funding for a new boat launch. There was a brief discussion regarding charging for parking. 9. Other-NONE 10. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Braddock and second by Mr. Benoit the Harbor Management Commission of October was adjourned at 5:40. Respectfully Submitted By: Darlene Fedus-Papineau Recording Secretary