Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION September 25, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Tucker Braddock City Manager Alan Bergren Chairman John Paul Mereen Gerald Martin Alderman Charles Jaskiewicz Vice-Chair Richard Benoit Lauren Miner MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Geoffrey Steadman Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary C. Roger Moss-Recreation Director Adam Benson-Norwich Bulletin 1. Call to order – Chairman J.P. Mereen called the September 28, 2012 meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. 2. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes Minutes of August 28, 2012 meeting-motion to accept J. Martin, 2nd C. Jaskiewicz, motion carried. Add Lauren Miner under members present. 4. Citizen Comment None 5. Correspondence a. August Budget Report-not available-will be emailed when available b. River Trails map grant application-G. Steadman reported that the City was awarded the grant. Locations for the main panel were discussed. He attended the awards ceremony. Copies of the press release were distributed as well of the list of all projects that were funded. JP Mereen would like to add the heritage trail to the map. The actual location of the trails network needs to be defined and input from residents. Over the next few weeks the Commission will be asking for input from area kayak and canoe enthusiasts at the next HMC meeting. Our grant Harbor Management Commission September 25, 2012 Page -2- application was looked at favorably because the last grant was used well (signage grant) 6. Harbor Master Report- Mr. Valentine was not in attendance 7. Old Business a. 9/4/12 DECD/DEEP meeting-JP Mereen gave an overview of the meeting. He felt that the Commissioners were receptive. They asked the City to take a closer look at a performing a Phase II environmental of the target area for the boat launch and City/Federal matching funding possibilities. The officials felt that all three projects were tied together appropriately. T. Braddock asked about the Army Corps of Engineers and if there is a progression of steps that need to be taken to proceed with this plan. JP Mereen stated that he thinks that they will not need to be involved. JP asked Geoff Steadman for harder numbers on what is needed to be shovel ready. Firm numbers have been obtained for pre-construction costs. JP Mereen asked for a meeting the end of next week with Alan, Marge Blizard, Barry Ellison and Peter Davis to get everyone on the same page about brownfields grants that are being applied for. A. Bergren suggested approaching the property owner about a Phase II after the Phase I is complete. T. Braddock brought up a provision that enables the City to perform tests on private property in certain cases. The City Manager will investigate that further with Corporation Counsel. The DEP Commissioner was going to investigate the lack of other locations between Norwich and Groton suitable for boat launches. b. River Trails map grant application-discussed under correspondence item “b” c. Installation of a “harbor cam”-no update yet d. Fundraising idea update- that will be discussed for Spring implementation and have an idea for action ready for early next year. e. Take Me Fishing-Recreation Dept. Grant-C. Roger Moss distributed information on this grant and his department’s plans for meeting the requirements. The City of Norwich received one of four grants awarded in the country. He is looking at working with the schools and also involving their campers. They are looking at longer 6-8 week educational programs. He is also looking at developing partnerships with local businesses and the HMC and getting a storage container in Occum. The community has the opportunity to teach many different types of fishing. J. Martin made some suggestions, an incentive for completing a program would be that the children receive a rod and reel at the end. He suggested putting kicker fish in Spaulding Pond. C. Jaskiewicz suggested the Bass Masters Harbor Management Commission September 25, 2012 Page -3- Fishing Group and Thames Valley Trout Unlimited as local groups that may be willing to help out. The DEEP is also a resource. L. Martin suggested putting out a Groupon to involve families and also partnering with a profit. C. Jaskiewicz suggested involving the Coast Guard for boating lessons. NRPA-National Recreation and Parks Association is the entity that awarded the grant. f. King of the Docks Fishing Derby-J. Martin gave a report on how the derby went. There were 25 participants from all over the region. Most were from Norwich. The winning fish was 10 ¾ inch Snapper Blue and the winner was from Canterbury. The 2nd place winner was 15 years old and from Groton. The youngest participant was 12. The publicity provided from the Norwich Bulletin was great. J. Martin suggested that the HMC help the Recreation Department Fishing program and play off of the publicity generated by the derby. g. Draft mission statement-Commission member input-the revisions were distributed. J. Martin would like to present this to the Council members. JP Mereen suggested including it in an informational. C. Jaskiewicz feels that there are opinions in the document that should not be included in an informational. It should not be the opinion of one members but a collaboration of the entire HMC. JP Mereen has no issue with the document being presented as is to the Council by Jerry. He feels that the document reiterates what the issues are that are coming and that everyone should be aware of. C. Jaskiewicz suggested adding the Taftville Reservoir, Trading Cove Brook and Boggy Meadow and whatever else is included in the State Fishing Guide. This will be added to the Council agenda under petitions and communications for the October 15th meeting. h. Harbor Management Association Fall meeting G. Steadman reported that the date is the last Thursday in November. He will forward the invitation to the City Manager. Harbor Management Commission September 25, 2012 Page -4- 8. New Business C. Jaskiewicz would like to prepare a package for Gail Adams, Director of the Department of the Interior. She would like an electronic package which will include the Vision Statement, Hartford presentation, Steve Gephardt presentation and the grant information. Once they receive this information, a teleconference will be scheduled at which the HMC, Mayor, G. Steadman, Steve Gephardt and Gail Adam’s staff will be present to see how funding collaboration could be structured. G. Steadman suggested including the electronic versions of the panels. The press release for both grants with Norwich’s section highlighted. The training room at NPU will be utilized. 9. Other a. Flags at the Harbor need to be replaced: C. Jaskiewicz motion to purchase replacement flags for the Harbor, 2nd R. Benoit, motion carried unanimously. b. Administration of the NFWF grant: J. Brennan will assist G. Steadman in the administration and reporting requirements of the grant which will go towards the in-kind requirements of the grant. G. Steadman will invoice for any time that he spends administering the grant. 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn, J. Martin, 2nd T. Braddock, meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM.