Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 23, 2017 City Hall, Room 210, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT Alderman Gerald Martin Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, Jr. Josh Bakoulis Richard Benoit Mark Sicuso OTHERS PRESENT Geoff Steadman Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT Michael Gualtieri CITIZENS PRESENT Shiela Hayes Zechariah Stover 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 April 25, 2017: On a motion to accept by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Richard Benoit, the Commission unanimously voted to accept the minutes of the April 25, 2017 of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) as presented. 4. Community Policing: Officer Seidel of the Norwich Police Department (NPD) was not present. Alderman Martin noted that he had seen the police engaging persons at the waterfront. 5. Correspondence: a. The April HMC Financial Report was reviewed. On a motion by Josh Bakoulis, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the April Financial Report was unanimously accepted. 6. Harbor Master Report: Michael Valentine, Harbor Master, was not present. Harbor Management Commission, May 23, 2017 7. New Business: None 8. Old Business: a. Harbor Cam: Alderman Martin reported on the status of the harbor cam installation. He spoke with Scott Barbarossa who will coordinate with the City Manager for installation. b. Harbor Management Plan Review - Grant Status: Geoff Steadman reported on the SHIPP grant application to the Port Authority. If the grant is approved, this will be an investment of the Port Authority in Norwich. The Mayor’s office was supportive of the proposal. The grant request was $15,000 to update the Harbor Management Plan. Discussion ensued regarding potential projects for the next grant cycle. c. Hosting Port Authority Meeting: Alderman Martin reported on the City hosting the June 8th meeting of the Port authority. The date has changed again. The meeting will be held from 12 pm – 1:30 pm in Room #335 of City Hall. Due to time restrictions, lunch will not be served. The Mayor will also speak briefly. Geoff mentioned the Port Authority would like a 5-10 minute presentation at the meeting which includes the priorities of the HMC for the next few years. Alderman Martin mentioned the docks need repair. Geoff mentioned updating the Harbor Management Plan. Establishing a location for new boat launch was agreed upon as a third priority. d. Harbormaster Position: Alderman Martin asked if anyone had suggestions for Harbormaster. Dick reported he plans to speak to a potential candidate tonight. One more candidate needs to be added to the list before it can be submitted to DEEP. 9. Citizen Comment: Shiela Hayes reported an email request had been sent to Alderman Martin as Chair of the HMC for the Celebration of Diversity to be held at Howard T. Brown Park on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, from 5-8 pm. The event is sponsored by the Norwich Rotary Corps. The email request includes permission to close the boat launch for the event. This is a family-friendly event. On a motion by Dick Benoit, seconded by Alderman Braddock, the HMC voted unanimously to approve the event and closure of the boat launch for the event. 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Dick Benoit, seconded by Josh Bakoulis, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:38 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary Harbor Management Commission, May 23, 2017