Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2015 5:00 PM Room 219, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT Gerald Martin H. Tucker Braddock Jr. Alderman William Eyberse Richard Benoit OTHERS PRESENT Sergeant Peter Camp Officer Chris Chastang Geoffrey Steadman-Consultant Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT John Paul Mereen Acting City Manager John Bilda Alderman Pete Desaulniers 1. Call to Order-Vice-Chairman Richard Benoit called the meeting to order at 5:04PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve as submitted, T. Braddock, 2nd B. Eyberse, motion carried unanimously. 4. New Business a. Harbor Cam installation-nothing new to report b.DEEP No wake buoy placement permit application: G. Martin submitted a blank application for the NO wake buoy that he would like to submit to DEEP. He is looking for a copy of the old permit. Michael Valentine should have a copy of this. c. Thayer’s Marine is holding a fishing derby beginning at 12PM on May 15 and ending on May 16 at 5PM. Public Works has been informed and given approval and the police confirmed that they will do all they can to keep the 4 parking spots clear for launching and removal of boats. They are also holding an open house this weekend. G. Martin will bring them kayak maps. d. Tucker Braddock and Pete Desaulniers are looking at holding a fishing derby the 2nd week in September. G. Martin offered his assistance with permitting should they need it. e. There are two logs in the East Branch of the Yantic River that could be hazardous. No action required at this time; hopefully the spring waters will carry them away. HMC Minutes 3/24/15 Page 2 5. Correspondence a. February Budget Report: Motion to approve, T. Braddock, 2nd B. Eyberse, motion carried unanimously. 6. Harbor Master report-The Harbormaster was not present. 7. Old Business a. LISFF could provide money for an environmentally friendly boat launch design. Application is due May 1st and would require a 50% cash or in-kind match. G. Steadman estimates the design for the project would cost approximately $31,000. G. Steadman will contact Peter Davis and look into further. b. LISFF also has a small grant available that could be used for a fishing guide that G. Steadman will look into. c. Downtown Policing Sgt. Camp reported that crime is down significantly. He asked for an update on dividers for the benches at Howard Brown Park. A cost effective solution has not been found; nothing new to report. Officer Chastang would like to see an ordinance allowing the Police to “trespass” people in parks that are a continual; nuisance. Examples of other towns with like ordinances were given. Jill will research and find examples of similar ordinances. An agreement has been reached with Joyal and PW to cooperate to get rid of the cave and cut back brush at the old mini golf to remove concealment for illegal activity. d. G. Steadman stated that the large kayak trail map should be installed by the boat launch. Placement needs to be decided upon by HMC members. e. CT Port Authority: G. Steadman distributed a draft copy of proposed legislation to implement the report on forming a Port Authority which he received last week. He thinks there needs to be objection to the bill. Jill to distribute the draft bill electronically to HMC members. Motion by T. Braddock, 2nd B. Eyberse, for G. Steadman to develop a statement to send to Mayor/Council and City Manager stating the specific objections of the HMC for transmittal to legislators. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Citizen Comment-None 9. Other-None 10. Adjournment-Motion to adjourn, G. Martin, 2nd T. Braddock, meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM.