Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 25, 2018 City Hall, Room 335, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Joseph DeLucia, Peter Barber, Michael Gualtieri, Jerry Martin & Zechariah Stover OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Peter Nystrom, Alderman Sam Browning, Alderwoman Stacy Gould, City Manager John Salomone, Consultant Geoff Steadman & Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson, ask Geoff who came late from the Port Authority MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick & Mark Sicuso CITIZENS PRESENT: Several citizens present for the public presentation including John Blanchette, Kim O’Brien, Bob Randall, Wayne Silver, and Noank resident Kevin Blacker. 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. New Business: Presentation of Waterfront Vision Tucker Braddock introduced the Norwich Waterfront Vision. He explained the recent grant awarded to the City by the Connecticut Port Authority’s Small Harbor Improvement Project Program (SHIPP) to update the Harbor Management Plan. He voiced the Harbor Management Committee’s (HMC) hope that many citizens would take part in the Harbor Management Survey which is currently available in paper form and online at the City’s website. Consultant to the Harbor Management Commission Geoff Steadman gave a PowerPoint presentation. He began with a brief history of his experience as a consultant to the Norwich Harbor Management Commission since 1994 and the development of the Harbor Management Plan and Waterfront Vision over time. Geoff’s presentation reviewed the successes of the HMC as they used grant funding to improve the harbor. Goals of the current HMC were stated with the caveat that the results of public input could change the priorities of the HMC. Hard copies of the PowerPoint presentation were available for attendees. The Power Point will also be posted on the city’s website. Jerry Martin explained the concerns related to the current public boat launch at Howard T. Brown Park. The safety of pedestrians in the park and the necessitated closure of the boat launch during community events were explained. Chairman Braddock opened the meeting to public comment. Several topics were discussed. Public inquires included the status of the Shipping Street and New Wharf Road sites. Tucker 1  explained both properties are brownfields and would be expensive to develop. The federal and state governments fund brownfield assessment and remediation. A question was raised regarding gas service at the marina. Tucker responded that several opportunities exist including negotiating with potential new owners of the marina regarding availability of fuel. Comments included the need for beautification of the marina area to enhance and attract use. Tucker noted there is a high demand for fun, family-focused activities in Howard T. Brown Park but there is a downside of closing the boat launch concurrently. He said we share a beautiful, safe harbor; he agreed we need to find a way to maximize it. Tucker mentioned there are openings on boards and commissions throughout the city and people are welcome to apply through the City Manager’s Office. The potential for freight transport was raised to boost the economic impact of the harbor. Mayor Peter Nystrom reported increasing the bio mass of species of fish in the basin in cooperation with the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This has been improving the quality of the harbor overall. He noted that tourism is a piece of a successful puzzle. He noted that many elements in the harbor’s future are not within the scope of the Harbor Management Commission’s role. He pointed out that improving the harbor requires the city’s investment. A safer walkway from the parking garages was suggested. Jerry spoke to the year-round fishing and harbor cam. He reiterated that the biggest challenge is moving the boat launch. Alderman Sam Browning discussed the option of bonding for harbor improvements. 4. Other: No additional items were brought forward. 5. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Peter Barber, seconded by Zechariah Stover, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary 2