Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 25, 2019 City Hall, Room 319, 5:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Joseph DeLucia, Peter Barber, Michael Gualtieri, Jerry Martin, Mark Sicuso & Zechariah Stover OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Peter Nystrom and Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick, City Manager John Salomone and Harbor Management Consultant Geoff Steadman CITIZENS PRESENT: Donald Wallace of Americus Wharf 1. Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Peter Barber, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the April 23, 2019 meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. On a motion by Peter Barber, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the May 13, 2019 meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Community Policing Report: Officer Michael Lax of the Norwich Police Department was not present. Chair Braddock reported that he spoke with Chief Daley this morning to ensure attendance at the HMC monthly meetings. 5. Correspondence: Chair Braddock presented an invoice from Alarm Design for $180 for the harbor camera removal and reinstallation due to water appearing inside the camera on the lens. On a motion by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the HMC voted unanimously to pay the invoice from the HMC budgeted funds. Mark will follow-up on the actual repair that was performed on the camera and report back to the HMC next month. Mike reported on the financial report. He relayed the HMC expenses and balances as of May 31, 2019. On a motion by Peter Barber, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the May 2019 financial report was accepted. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. Chair Braddock reported that the buoy which has been placed in the harbor is not a regulation buoy so the HMC will have to think about funding a new buoy. Peter Barber reported there are spare buoys owned by NPU. He will follow- up. 1 7. New Business: a) July 4th Fireworks: Chair Braddock reported the fireworks will be held on July 3, 2019. There are three events that do not need HMC approval, namely the Winterfest Parade, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the 4th of July Fireworks. However, the fireworks directly affect the harbor so it is customary to be made aware of the event and hold a vote. On a motion by Jerry Martin, seconded by Mike Gualtieri, the HMC unanimously accepted the fireworks use of the harbor area and closing the boat launch for the purpose of the 4th of July Fireworks. b) Cultural Diversity Event: The event is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 16, 2019 with a rain date of Monday, September 23, 2019. This event would also close the boat launch. On a motion by Peter Barber, seconded by Jerry Martin, the HMC unanimously voted to approve this event and to close boat launch for this event. 8. Old business: a) Harbor Cam Repair Update: This is done and was covered earlier in the meeting under Correspondence. b) Osprey Nest Update: Tucker reported that he met with Kyle and his troop’s council. He will place two nests, one to the south of the police station and another in the marshy area on the east branch of the Yantic River below the falls. Rick Thayer has offered to take the provisions to the site to aid Kyle. c) Obstruction on east branch of the Yantic River Update: Tucker noted that this obstruction is still there and unmarked. It can be seen at low tide but not at high tide. The HMC recognizes that the obstruction should be marked. d) Harbor Management Plan Review Update: Geoff Steadman was not present. Chair Braddock reported that Geoff is drafting Chapters 5 and 6. Tucker also mentioned that he will sending an email to each HMC member for comments. e) CT Port Authority (CPA) Grant Opportunity Update: Chair Braddock reported that the grant proposal was submitted on the due date, June 12, 2019. Geoff Steadman and Keith Nielson worked on the grant proposal. The CPA has reported there were 19 submissions. The July CPA meeting has been canceled. The decisions should be made in August. The plans would make the docks ADA accessible. f) Police Station Nautical Flags Update: Mark Sicuso reported he is still working on the flag project. 2  Chair Braddock reported that he met with NPD Chief Daley. Tucker reached out to NPU and DPW with a request to have their summer staff help with the brush around the police station and that are of the harbor. He also reported that he spoke with Chief Daley about David Bishop, who wants to restore the mural near the police station. Chair Braddock also spoke to a railroad representative. The railroad will consider funding the project. 9. Citizen Comment: Donald Wallace of Americus Wharf reported that sea planes will land in the harbor four times on Saturday, June 29, 2019. The landings are planned at 9:45 AM, 11 AM, 3:30 PM and 5 PM. They will land at approximately the same times on Sunday, June 30, 2019. He plans to close off the center part of parking lot for the limousines that will transport the passengers to Mohegan Sun. He also reported that the pier at the end was fixed. C-dock will close until the planes come to a complete stop at the end of the dock. Mayor Peter Nystrom asked who was greeting the passengers when they disembark and offered to be there to greet passengers. Alderman DeLucia also volunteered to greet them. Tucker said The Day will cover the landings and the Bulletin has been notified. This flights are being made by the same company that spoke to the HMC. Donald noted that the planes will stay at the Groton-New London Airport overnight. 10. Other: Jerry Martin reported that the Boater’s Guide is a great reference. Jerry also raised the issue operating procedures for sea plane bases. Mark said that Geoff is working on it and has a PDF available. Discussion ensued on the HMC making themselves aware of the regulations and procedures in order to properly answer questions from the public and press. Alderman DeLucia noted that having one person to answer questions would be helpful and suggested the Harbor Master. Chair Braddock suggested that each HMC member receive a copy of the federal regulations. Donald noted that the marina has been designated MSCT – Marina Southeastern CT – as an airport identifier. The pilots will be on on channel 68 and once they are in the water, they are under the jurisdiction of the marina. Mayor Nystrom reported that the lease on marina will be rewritten. He noted the HMC recommendations will be taken into account. Tucker recommended that the lease stipulate that the buoy go in the harbor in April and be taken out in October as the responsibility of the tenant of the marina property. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Jerry Martin, seconded by Peter Barber, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:49 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson, Recording Secretary 3