Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 28, 2016 City Hall, Room 210, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr. Alderman Gerald Martin Richard Benoit Homer Callicutt Michael Gualtieri OTHERS PRESENT Geoffrey Steadman – Consultant Gary Evans – Community Development Supervisor Melinda Wilson – Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT Josh Bakoulis CITIZENS PRESENT Lottie Scott 1. Call to Order: Alderman Martin called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes May 24, 2016: On a motion to accept as submitted by Mike Gualtieri, seconded by Homer Callicutt, the Commission unanimously voted to accept the minutes of May 24, 2016 as presented. 4. Correspondence: a. The May Financial Report was reviewed. On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the May Financial Report was accepted. 5. Harbor Master Report: Michael Valentine, Harbor Master, was not present. Geoff Steadman reported on a transfer of oversight of the Harbor Masters from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. There are no resources for funding of this oversight. On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Dick Benoit, the meeting order was suspended to review the Harbor Management Plan. The motion was unanimously approved. j. Harbor Management Plan Review: Geoff presented a list of City documents which identify elements of the HMP and the Shipping Street area as a development opportunity. In 2012 the Harbor Management Commission, June 28, 2016  area was reclassified by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a flood way which essentially precludes development. Gary and Geoff discussed the Newly-hired City Planner’s involvement in discussions. She starts next Tuesday. Gary would like his department, Community Development, to work with HMC to identify future opportunities. Geoff reported Gary found that the City’s chances of success with receiving an amendment to the FEMA map are low. Referring to the list he presented earlier, many City planning documents are now out of date or unachievable due to their inclusion of Shipping Street as a development site. Gary spoke regarding key development points for the brownfields within the city. With the priority being to reinvigorate the City, how do we move the needle? For the foreseeable future the development possibilities on Shipping Street are open space recreation, within the restrictions what are realistic expectations for the site. Discussion ensued regarding recreational opportunities at the Shipping Street site. Gary will bring the City Planner into the conversation. Jerry would like her to meet with Geoff. On a motion by Dick Benoit, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the Commission unanimously voted to resume the agenda. 6. New Business: a. Department of Energy and Environmental (DEEP) Protection Response: Geoff announced that Thayer Marine’s proposal to build a bulkhead on the shoreline has been tentatively approved. Public comment is due by July 19th. The proposed bulkheads had already been discussed by HMC in February 2015. He handed out information, including copies of the plans and draft permit, which were posted on the DEEP website. He spoke to a DEEP representative today regarding the permit requirements listed on the second page, item #5. The action of building bulkheads negatively affects fisheries resources, so Thayer’s has been asked to improve fisheries elsewhere along the watercourse. The proposed permit mentions the Tunnel Dam, Trading Cove Brook Dam and the opposite bank of the East Branch of the Yantic River as areas for improvement. The HMC has the opportunity to comment. Tucker noted he has discussed this with the Mayor and she has contacted Tim Sullivan at DECD for further comment. Discussion ensued. The HMC would like more details. Geoff suggested the HMC ask for clarification of the relationship between the bulkhead and suggested improvements suggested. The HMC would also like the opportunity to comment once they receive clarification, before final approval of the permit. The HMC also wants to understand the potential impacts of proposed projects. On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Dick Benoit, the HMC unanimously directed Geoff to compose a letter asking for further clarification of proposed projects. Geoff will send the letter to Jerry for comment and copy the Recording Secretary. 7. Old Business: a. Painting of caution area at boat launch: Jerry reported that this has not yet been done. b. Repainting of no parking area at end of boat launch: Jerry reported this has not yet been done. Harbor Management Commission, June 28, 2016  c. Approach parking commission about ticketing those who park in boat launch area: Tucker will attend the July 19th meeting of the parking commission and will raise the issue at the meeting. d. Permanent mooring capable of holding no wake buoy and Welcome to Norwich waterfront sign: Jerry reported the Welcome Norwich sign is pending. e. Downtown Policing: Sgt. Peter Camp was not present. f. CT Port Authority: Geoff reported he is organizing a meeting with director of new port authority. g. Kayak Trail Map Sign Installation: Jerry reported the large sign has been installed. He will inspect the installation. He also reported that Tucker found the small signs and they are now in the State’s hands, awaiting installation. Jerry thanked Tucker for his efforts on this matter. Tucker reported the small signs will be installed in the next two weeks. h. Harbor Cam: Jerry found a contractor to install cameras in the City. He will reach out to Scott Barbarossa, Alarming Design. There is City funding available for this project. i. Social Media: Josh was not present to report. 8. Citizen Comment: None. 9. Other: Jerry reported on the June 11th Kayak Tour led by Tucker. He thanked Tucker for the beautiful time. He took pictures which he will give to Josh for the Facebook page. Jerry reported that Rock the Docks will start after the Fourth of July. The dates are posted on the Chamber website. The Norwichtown Green will be host to the music on Friday nights this year. Jerry reminded the Commission that September 17th is the Taste of Greeneville Day. Homer reported on the letter from the Mayor in the Norwich Bulletin which noted the Fire Department boat needs replacing. Jerry reported the Police boat is available. Also multiple boats are available volunteer fire departments. Tucker noted the Public Safety Committee is working on replacing the Fire Department’s fire boat. 10. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Dick Benoit, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:56 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson, Recording Secretary Harbor Management Commission, June 28, 2016