Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 28, 2021 5:00 PM Hybrid In‐person/Zoom Virtual Meeting MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Mark Bettencourt, City Manager John Salomone, Michael Gualtieri, Mark Sicuso and Michael Aliano OTHERS PRESENT: Consultant Geoff Steadman and Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Peter Nystrom and Sofia LeWitt CITIZENS PRESENT: None Alderman Mark Bettencourt read the rules of a hybrid meeting. He clearly stated that the meeting would be recorded and would be posted on the city’s website. 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. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Alderman Mark Bettencourt, seconded by Michael Gualtieri, the July 27, 2021, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Community Policing Report: Norwich Police Department’s Community Policing was not represented at the meeting. 5. Correspondence: a) Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses and balances. On a motion by Alderman Mark Bettencourt, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 6. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. 7. New Business: a) Vote on reappointment of Harbor Master Rich Thayer: Chair Braddock opened discussion regarding the Governor Appointed position of Harbor Master. He noted that Rich Thayer has been function well in the role. E would like to put forth Mr. Thayer’s name for Harbor Master again. Geoff Steadman reported that he spoke to the Deputy Council Doug Delina and the statute states that only one name needs to be submitted now since it is a reappointment. On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the HMC unanimously nominated Rich Thayer as the name to go to the Governor for appointment of Norwich Harbor Master. 8. Old Business: a) Mural by David Bishop: Chair Braddock reported that David Bishop has completed repainting the mural near the police station along the harbor. He encouraged HMC members to go see it. He would like to recognize Mr. Bishop by placing a story board. He spent 40 days on the project and purchased the paint. The suggestion was  made to place the story board on Howard T. Brown Park. Discussion ensued on how to show the HMC’s appreciation. b) CPA Funding: Chair Braddock reported that the Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) contract is being executed. The purchasing agent is working on the Request for Proposal. Mr. Steadman noted that the CPA has asked the HMCs around the state to prepare additional projects for potential CPA funding. c) Harbor Management Plan (HMP) Update: Geoff Steadman spoke to the need of selecting priority projects for the HMP in Chapter 6. This may be an opportunity to add projects for CPA or DEEP funding. He suggested that the Executive Director and Joe Salvatore from the CPA may visit the Norwich Harbor to discuss potential project. Mike Aliano offered use of a boat for the visit. Mr. Steadman will send his draft of Chapter 2 to Alderman Bettencourt for review. He will update the photos in the HMP. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: Chair Braddock brought up the replacement of nautical flags at the police station. Mark Sicuso noted that the flag poles have been removed. Chair Braddock also mentioned lights for the mural. Mr. Aliano asked about a boat that recently sank near Shipping Street. Mark Sicuso noted that the Coast Guard is aware. It is in the channel. Chair Braddock will follow‐up. Mr. Aliano offered to have his graphic designer work up a draft of the story board for David Bishop and the mural. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Mark Bettencourt, seconded by Michael Aliano, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned via at 5:38 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary