Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319, In Person/ Turbo Bridge MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, City Treasurer Michael Gualtieri, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, David Bishop, Michael Aliano, Sofia LeWitt, Mark Sicuso (via Turbo Bridge) OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone CITIZENS PRESENT: Tucker Gilbert 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 David Bishop, seconded by Michael Aliano, the June 27, 2023, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Harbor Master Report: On behalf of the Harbor Master Richard Thayer, Chair Tucker Braddock has nothing new to report. 5. Correspondence: Nothing to report. 6. Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses, and balances of the June 1st – 30th 2023 report. Mr. Gualtieri reports the $75.40 expenditure of the data line is for the Harbor Management Commission’s share of the harbor cam and $160.00 expenditure for two months of recording secretary fees. On a motion by Michael Aliano, seconded by David Bishop, the June 2023 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) NCDC – C.I.F. Grant: Chair Tucker Braddock states that a copy of the application was forwarded to Geoff Steadman. Both Mr. Steadman and Chair Tucker Braddock agree it was very well written and it included the interests of the Norwich Waterfront Revitalization Process. Chair Tucker Braddock will report back when further details are known. b) Mooring for Boats- Thames River: Chair Tucker Braddock expressed the ongoing concern of mooring of boats along the river. Geoff Steadman reiterates that the Harbor Management Plan highly discourages the mooring of boats. c) Car – Shetucket River: Chair Tucker Braddock states there was a car that went into the Shetucket River, that now sits in roughly 34’ of water. Chair Braddock also states that the party involved was located and is uninjured. Chair Braddock is in contact with Northeast Towing and a diver that will be involved with removing the car by the end of the week. Mark Sicuso entered the meeting. 8. Old Business: a) Request For Proposal (RFP) – Heritage Trail: Chair Tucker Braddock reports the RFP- Heritage Trail has a confirmed bid that is straight forward. The SHIPP grant of $45,000.00, that was previously approved, is also included to assist with costs. d)Income Sources: Michael Gualtieri states he has had conversation with Gerry Martin and Tom McAvoy regarding the planning and set up process needed for a Striper Tournament. Overall, a year in advance is needed for planning, boundaries set, stations and checkers, if live fish or returns, along with the help from other people. Michael Aliano asked about the status of “Taste of Italy”. It was stated that it was not happening this year. Mr. Aliano suggested maybe getting Harbor Management Commission (HMC) involved for the next time and part of the proceeds could be given to HMC. Possibly have a small firework display during this event as well. Chair Tucker Braddock states that while these are being looked into, that HMC members will continue looking into other income sources. e) Consultant – Geoff Steadman: Geoff Steadman states that he received the letter from Chair Tucker Braddock regarding the C.I.F. Mr. Steadman expresses the application is currently not publicly assessable, but it was well written on the Norwich Waterfront Revitalization Process. Mr. Steadman has talked to Kevin Brown President & Executive Director, in which was suggested to update the HMC presentation to include imaging and graphics in support of the application. Mr. Steadman reports his conversation with Robert Castronova regarding the Replacement of Docks, the Howard Brown Park RFP. Mr. Castronova is working with the contractor for the docks for boat launch, the boat launch is currently put on hold. Mr. Steadman also reports that Mr. Salvatore, which was HMC contact for DEEP relations, is now back in a position at the Department of Transportation and does not know the new contact at this time. Mr. Steadman states that HMC should make the proper amendments to the Harbor Management Plan (HMP) now that the Court Case of Susan Cohen vs DEEP has had a decision decided. The HMP will include the HMC credibility as it should be, and the draft can be completed and submitted. Mr. Gualtieri reports that Mr. Steadman’s invoice has been received and will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting. 9. Citizen Comment: Tucker Gilbert, the owner of “the boathouse” on the Thames River, states he is here to address concerns about the boat or actions that need to be taken. Chair Tucker Braddock asked if the boat in discussion is registered, Mr. Gilbert responded no. Chair Tucker Braddock states the first and foremost action is to have Mr. Gilbert register his boat and that Norwich currently has no areas for the mooring of boats along the Thames River. Mr. Gilbert discusses his concerns and thoughts of where his vessel is and for what reasons. Chair Tucker Braddock has received a document from Mr. Gilbert about “Abandonment Shipwrecks” in which he shall review to see if pertinent to the status of concerns regarding his boat but reiterated that Mr. Gilbert must register the boat. Mr. Gilbert states he is working on this and will be done before HMC’s next meeting. 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Michael Aliano, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:50PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary