Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319, In Person/ Turbo Bridge MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, City Treasurer Michael Gualtieri, David Bishop, 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, Alderman Grant Neuendorf, Michael Aliano CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1.Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:22 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 Gualtieri, the August 22, 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 reports that there has been more discussion of the mooring of Tucker Gilbert’s boat and the steps being taken to have it removed. 5. Correspondence: Nothing to report. 6. Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses, and balances of the August 1st – 31st 2023 report. Mr. Gualtieri reports the $74.40 expenditure of the data line is for the Harbor Management Commission’s share of the harbor cam and $240.00 expenditure for three months of recording secretary fees. On a motion by David Bishop, seconded by Sofia LeWitt the August 2023 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) – Community Investment Fund (C.I.F.) Grant: Chair Tucker Braddock restates that it’s been left to believe that an acceptance will not be made until October. The Harbor Management Commission (HMC) has submitted the revised waterfront presentation, and it has been viewed by the NCDC members. Chair Tucker Braddock will be reaching out tomorrow for any updates are available. 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. Chair Tucker Braddock states that the HMC very strongly discourages mooring and/or anchoring of boats along the Rivers and Coves. Consultant Geoff Steadman talked to Mr. Zawoy (DEEP contact) on what constitutes a “mooring”, “if a boat is tied to a structure, it constitutes as a mooring”. Mr. Steadman reads state statues to the HMC members, including ‘22A113R – …you cannot have a vessel moored without a permit …’. Mr. Steadman also read navigation state statutes including ’15-8 …. the Harbor Master has the power to station all vessels...’, 15-9 …. the Harbor Master has the authority to state removal of vessels…’. Mr. Steadman states he has reached out to the office of boating law division and has talked to Mr. Francis and Mr. Delgato and Chair Tucker Braddock will be having a discussion with them as well. c) Car Removal – Shetucket River: Chair Tucker Braddock states the car that went into the Shetucket River, still sits in roughly 40’ of water. Chair Braddock also states that this is being handled by rigs and divers from the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department. He states that this will be taking place soon and is a process. 8. Old Business: a) Request For Proposal (RFP) – Heritage Trail: Chair Tucker Braddock restates the RFP- Heritage Trail has been posted. Chair Braddock also reports a “cut-off date” for responses of interested parties will be this Thursday, September 28, 2023. He also discussed the citizen and city concerns of the magnitude of the project, which have been addressed. He states this is not a major project, it is a simple reconstruction of stones that are already there. d)Income Sources: Chair Tucker Braddock states that while previous ideas are being looked into and HMC members will continue looking into other income sources. He states that HMC may focus on a fishing derby/tournament in the year(s) to come. Michael Gualtieri and Chair Tucker Braddock will have a discussion with a few suggested people/businesses who may support it and report back. e) Consultant – Geoff Steadman: Geoff Steadman reiterates 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. He states his concerns regarding the CT Port Authority position and the future of them as well. Mr. Steadman states that HMC should make the proper amendments to the Harbor Management Plan (HMP) to include the HMC credibility as it should be, and to have language mimic that of the NCDC Grant to cover the projects under that as well. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: Discussion of future dates of the HMC meetings. It was collectively decided to continue with meetings every fourth Tuesday of every month. Those dates will be given to the proper city staff and a list of dates will be sent out to HMC members. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Sofia LeWitt, the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:44PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary