Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 24, 2018 City Hall, Room 319, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Joseph DeLucia, Jerry Martin, & Zechariah Stover OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager John Salomone, Geoff Steadman & Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick, Harbor Master Richard Thayer, Josh Bakoulis, Michael Gualtieri & Mark Sicuso CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of minutes of March 27, 2018: On a motion to accept by Alderman Joe DeLucia, seconded by Jerry Martin, the Commission voted to accept the minutes of the March 27, 2018 meeting of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) as presented. 4. Community Policing: Norwich Police Department (NPD) was not present. Tucker will reach out to Chief Daley. 5. Correspondence: a. Tucker presented the March HMC Financial Statement. On a motion by Jerry Martin, seconded by Alderman DeLucia, the HMC unanimously accepted the March 2018 Financial Statement. Tucker reported that City Treasurer Mike Gualtieri did not receive the Port Authority funding. Geoff Steadman reported he spoke with the Port Authority. The funding will be distributed as a paper check, which has been written but not mailed. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. 7. New Business: 4th of July Fireworks: Tucker reviewed the plan for the 4th of July fireworks at the harbor. On a motion by Alderman DeLucia, seconded by Zechariah Stover, the HMC voted to support the 4th of July fireworks and recommend approval to the Mayor. 1  Long Island Blue Water Plan: Tucker reported that he and Geoff went to the West Haven workshop. Geoff gave an update. State law requires DEEP to prepare the Long Island Sound Blue Plan. UConn and the Nature Conservancy have partnered with DEEP on the formation of the plan. The plan will not be intended to interfere with municipal jurisdiction. .The guidance is for DEEP to issue permits in Long Island Sound for big aquaculture projects, running electric wires, or similar projects. Wind generated electricity proposals have already been received. The goal of the plan seems to be to cover planning for these types of projects. The plan applies to water along the sounds at a depth over ten feet, so that would come all the way to the Norwich Harbor. It also affects New York State. Since the application of the plan is unclear, the association of Harbor Commissions will continue to monitor the development of the plan. DEEP and partners are starting with asset mapping. Tucker said the goal is to keep the Sound the way it is now. He is in favor of aligning the updates of the Harbor Management Plan to the Blue Plan. Kayak Initiative: Jerry gave an update on the kayak fishing derby. The organizers are still working on a flyer. The HMC does not need to organize or run the event, but support is important. All city departments have been notified. Tucker noted that pictures of the event can be used to promote the harbor. The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce has contacted the Derek Williams, the organizer of the event. Alderman DeLucia mentioned that the Harbor Master should be made aware of the event. Jerry will let him know. Thayer’s Boat Show: Jerry received official city proclamations for two fishermen thanking them for promoting fishing in Norwich. These were very well received. 8. Old Business: Harbor Management Plan Review Update: As discussed at last month’s meeting, Geoff created a draft for a survey to be distributed to the general public. He will email it to Melinda to distribute to HMC members. Discussion ensued regarding having a public meeting to start the process. Geoff asked members to review the draft survey and be ready to discuss at next month’s meeting. Comments can be sent to Geoff in the meantime so he can update the draft. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: Three to five boats may be buoyed near Shipping Street. City Manager Salomone will look into it. Tucker will bring it up to the Harbor Master. All agreed that education should be undertaken with the owners of the vessels. John noted this should be added to the Harbor Management Plan Update. Geoff said there is a Harbor Master program on May 4, 2018 in Old Lyme at DEEP Headquarters. Tucker will remind Rich. 2  Tucker reported Chief Jenks will have the no wake buoy set by May 1, 2018. He delayed due to the high water from the rain. Geoff reported that the SHIPP Port Authority grants have not been announced but the improvements and permits for docks could be a fundable project. Geoff will keep everyone updated. Tucker raised the suggestion of moving the rowing shells, the truck, and trailer to the Yantic River near the Harbor. He spoke with Attorney Michael Driscoll so it may be possible to open one of the buildings for this use. Rowing clubs are popular throughout the region and could engage NFA students. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Alderman DeLucia, seconded by Zechariah Stover, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:57 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary 3