Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING October 28, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT Vice -Chairman Richard Benoit Chairman John Paul Mereen Alderman Pete Desaulniers Gerald Martin H. Tucker Braddock Alderman Bill Eyberse City Manager Alan H. Bergren MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Geoffrey Steadman-Consultant Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order-Chairman JP Mereen called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes-Minutes of August 26, 2014 meeting Motion to approve minutes, T. Braddock, 2nd R. Benoit, motion carried with A. Bergren abstaining due to his absence. 4. Citizen Comment None 5. Correspondence a. August, September budget reports-motion to approve A. Bergren, 2nd T. Braddock, motion carried unanimously. The t-shirt sales at Rock the Docks have also been a success. b. G. Martin submitted correspondence regarding permitting for regattas. After getting department head approval the permit process info will be posted on the web site. He will also taking his boat to get the GPS coordinates of the no-wake buoy's proper location as it is still not in the right place. There is no permit that has been transferred from the City to the new owners of the marina. Chairman Mereen asked if G. Martin could follow up with the harbormaster and City Manager regarding this permit. c. DEEP notice-does not really pertain to anything the HMC has purview over. 6. Harbormaster Report-the harbormaster was not present. Harbor Management October 28, 2014 p-2- 7. Old Business: a. Harbor Cam installation-Chairman Mereen will be gathering more information. T. Braddock asked if perhaps Mr. Capano could be approached about putting something on 1 Thames Plaza now that he has closed on the building. This has a good view of the harbor. He would like to explore having the HMC sending a letter to NBC regarding them partnering in a camera that would show Norwich views. Chairman Mereen asked T. Braddock to get more information on who the contact would be. b. Fundraiser Wrap-up-the fundraiser was a success. Chairman Mereen thanked everyone, especially Pete and Tuckerfor their hard work and it shows that events can be held successfully in the downtown. Pete & Tucker have begun work on next year's fundraiser. c. Boat Launch Relocation Funding-A. Bergren reported that much of the items are in place to move the project forward including support from DEEP,DECD. G. Martin asked if the environmental studies are moving along. There have been some roadblocks, but it is to the point now that things should begin moving forward again. d. Downtown Policing-nothing new to report. The Howard Brown Park bench modification will continue to be looked at. 8. New Business a. 2015 Meeting Schedule-The November meeting will be the 17th and the December meeting will be the 15th. Motion to accept as amended R. Benoit, 2nd B. Eyberse, motion carried unanimously. 9. Other G. Steadman reported that the water trail maps are at the DEEP store. G. Steadman brought the metal water trail signs that will be put up to mark the entrances to the trail. The large panel has not been delivered yet. Barry Ellison will be consulted for placement. G. Steadman reported that there was legislation passed that created a state-wide port authority. There is a group appointed to make recommendations to the legislature as to the duties of this state-wide port authority of which he is a member. He is going to suggest that the Harbor Management Association write a letter to all of the municipalities with smaller harbors. He thinks that that the towns with smaller harbors should contact this group and make it known that any re-structuring can't affect the way these municipalities receive funding for their harbors. The wastewater treatment plant upgrade was discussed. This is a $100 million project. How does the HMC piggyback possible dredging of the East Branch of the Yantic with this project? This is a project that should be reviewed by the HMC and commented on. Harbor Management October 28, 2014 p-3- Chairman Mereen will contact NPU to find out the status and ask them to come to the next meeting. P. Desaulniers would like the HMC to look at sponsoring a fishing derby as a fundraiser. This has been done in the past and would have to be planned very carefully. The Chamber and/or Thayers can be partners. P. Desaluniers asked if a small committee could be put together to research it. Chairman Mereen agreed and asked P. Desaulniers Motion by P. Desaulniers, 2nd R. Benoit to send a letter to the PW Director with a negative recommendation to utilizing Brown Park as a carnival/circus site at any time, motion carried unanimously. 10. Adjournment-Motion to adjourn, G. Martin, 2nd R. Benoit, meeting adjourned at 6:00PM.