Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING The Harbor Management Commission Meeting of December 28, 2010 was held in Room 210-City Hall. Chairman John Paul Mereen called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Attendance was as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT John Paul Mereen, Chairman Alderman Pete Desaulniers Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Edward Seder James Paulsen MEMBERS ABSENT Richard Benoit, Vice Chairman Alan Bergren, City Manager OTHERS PRESENT Robert Mills Joan Seder Les King Reporter, Norwich Bulletin 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Tucker Braddock, second by Pete Desaulniers, to accept the minutes dated October 26, 2010. The vote was unanimous. 4. Citizen Comment- A motion to suspend the rules was made by Tucker Braddock and second by Pete Desaulniers, to present Mr. Ed Seder as a honorary member of the NHMC. (Letter dated 10-26-10 from Chairman Mereen to Alan Bergren). A plaque honoring Mr. Seder was presented to him and Mr. Seder made a short speech acknowledging his gratitude to the City of Norwich and the NHMC. 5. Correspondence-None at this time. 6. Harbor Master Report Chairman Mereen informed the Commission that Mr. Harrison has resigned as the Harbor Master. Mr. Mereen stated that there is a process where names and resumes are forwarded to the Governors office. Mr. Mereen will follow up. 7. Old Business A. Harbor Management Plan Update-Mr. Steadman was not in attendance. Mr Mereen and Mr. Steadman recently met with Mayor Nystrom to discuss the Vision Statement of the NHMC. Mr. Steadman and Mr. Mereen met with a representative from DEP. They determined that a hatchery was not an option at this time and shad is the best way to go considering the Occum and Greenville dam. Mr. Desaulniers and Mr. Mereen discussed funding and grants for another truck with a tank and the possibility of NPWD providing one. Mr. Desaulniers stated he has spoken with Mr. Courtney and will follow up. Mr. Mereen discussed the recent article in The Day regarding kayak usage in New London. He stated that Norwich has the advantage of having the best kayaking available. Mr. Mereen discussed the Norwich Riverfront Walkway, signage and water trails mapping that will be incorporated for use shortly. Mr. Steadman was available by speakerphone to discuss his recent finding of the Quinebaug/Shetucket River study done in 1988. B. City Pier/City Dock/Seawall Nothing to report at this time. C. Yantic River Dredging Update Due to funding there has been no change to the dredging project. 8. New Business Mr. Mereen presented to the Committee a DVD of Waltzing Waters with Liquid Fireworks. Two samples were shown. Mr. Mereen answered questions by the Commission members in regard to permits from DEP, recycling water with the assistance of NPU, the cost of approximately 1-1.5 million, and the possibility of corporate sponsorship. There was much discussion regarding the details of how the process works. Mr. Mereen stated the idea is worth pursuing and would be a great asset to the City.  Mr. Mereen was recently contacted by Mr. Charlie Oat regarding an ampi- theater. Mr. Mereen has researched this idea by talking to the supplier in Virginia. Mr. Mereen gave examples of other towns in Connecticut, which fare well with this idea bringing revenue to their towns. He stated he would like to be able to incorporate this by summer and have it operate one day during the week and one day on the weekend. Working with NCDC and the Recreation Department was discussed as was funding. The cost would be approximately 73-75 thousand dollars. Mr. Mereen discussed in detail the dimensions, advertising, placing of the stage and how other towns and states utilize this to their advantage generating business and revenue. There was much discussion regarding the ampi-theater and the benefits it would bring to generate business to downtown. Mr. Braddock discussed the idea of the Chamber having a striped bass tournament. There was discussion regarding the relocation of the boat launch to Shipping Street. Mr. Mereen stated the things that should be done immediately at the Harbor such as shad fishing, boating and concerts every weekend. There was discussion regarding Mike Aliano’s interest in kayak rental at the old Putts Up Doc area. Speaking in favor of the previous discussion and presentation by Mr. Mereen was Robert Mills, Executive Director of NCDC. He stated this is precisely what Norwich needs and will support and promote these ideas. Mr. Mereen discussed the idea of dock permits, barges and other questions that were relative to the Liquid Fireworks. He stated that the Commission get together with the Chamber and downtown businesses to promote concerts Also speaking in favor was Les King, who gave examples of how it would promote downtown economic development and the positive effect it would have on Norwich. 9. Other 10. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Desaulniers and second by Mr. Braddock the Harbor Management Commission Meeting of December 28, 2010 was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By: Darlene Fedus-Papineau Recording Secretary