Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 22, 2022 5:00 PM Hybrid In‐person/Zoom Virtual Meeting MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, Alderman Derell Wilson, Michael Gualtieri, Sofia LeWitt, Michael Aliano and Mark Sicuso (not in attendance from 5:01 PM to 5:57 PM) OTHERS PRESENT: Consultant Geoff Steadman and Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone CITIZENS PRESENT: None Alderman Derell Wilson 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 Derell Wilson, seconded by Michael Aliano, the January 25, 2022 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. Chair Braddock reported speaking with Chief Daley. He plans to have staff present or have a report prepared for HMC meeting going forward. 5. Harbor Master Report: Harbor Master Rich Thayer was not present. Chair Braddock reported that while the Harbor Master was not present, he had received a verbal report. The diesel fuel was removed from the sunken boat near Terminal Way by the U.S. Coast Guard. Michael Gualtieri noted there was an article about the sunken boat published in the Norwich Bulletin. Geoff Steadman reminded the HMC that the City can apply to DEEP for funds to removed the boat from the harbor. He reported there is a legal process that must be initiated by the Harbor Master. Then the City can get an estimate on the costs of removing the vessel. Then the City can apply to DEEP for the removal funds. 6. Correspondence: Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses and balances of the January 2022 report. On a motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Sofia LeWitt, the January 2022 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: None presented. 8. Old Business: a) Race Coastal Engineering: Chair Braddock reported that he received an email earlier in the day from Race. The email stated that their review of the pilings showed that 13 piling need to be replaced with 16” pilings to support the docks. The estimated cost is $14,000 ‐ $24,000 per piling, for a total cost between $205,000 and $369,000. Chair Braddock noted that this cost was not included in the current SHIPP grant from the CT Port Authority. Chair Braddock also reported that City Comptroller Josh Pothier confirmed that the City’s matching funds for the current SHIPP grant can be used to pay for the current estimating work performed by Race. Michael Aliano suggested the formation of a subcommittee to handle the dock repairs. Discussion ensued. On a motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by Machael Gualtieri, the HMC formed a three member subcommittee to to deal with the dock situation at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park. It was decided that Chair Braddock, Michael Aliano and Alderman Derell Wilson serve on the subcommittee. A meeting date will be determined at a later time. b) Docko Certificate of Application to DEEP: Geoff Steadman reported that Docko has until March 5, 2022 to supply additional information to DEEP for the permit. Chair Braddock reported that Docko told him the information has since been sent. Per Chair Braddock, the cost is approximately $3,200. c) CT Port Authority: Geoff Steadman reported that the new round of SHIPP funding has not been announced. Sofia LeWitt discussed ideas for the next set of projects for a SHIPP grant, including a boat launch on the Shetucket and a building and launch area for the rowing shells on Hollyhock Island. d) Rowing Shells: Chair Braddock reported he has a meeting scheduled with the Recreation Director about the rowing shells. Aerial pictures of Hollyhock Island were displayed on‐screen. Discussion ensued on the plans for the new sewage plan by NPU and the plans for housing the rowing shells. e) Harbor Management Plan: Geoff Steadman reported he plans to meet with DEEP next week. He suggests adding a policy that the recommendations of the HMC are biding upon DEEP. This is under dispute in the appellate court. A legislative change may be requested. f) Sunken Boat: Discussed earlier in the meeting. 9. Citizen Comment: None presented. 10. Other: None presented. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Mark Sicuso, seconded by Maichael Gualtieri, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned via at 6:03 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary