Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319, In Person/ Turbo Bridge MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Michael Gualtieri, Stacy Gould, Mark Bettencourt, David Bishop, Mark Sicuso (via Turbo Bridge) OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Kevin Brown (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary (via Turbo Bridge) MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone CITIZENS PRESENT: None 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 Stacy Gould, seconded by Mark Bettencourt, the March 26, 2024, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Harbor Master Report: Chair Tucker Braddock has been in contact with Harbor Master Richard Thayer and there’s nothing new to report. 5. Correspondence: None 6. Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses, and balances of the March 1st-31st 2024 report. Mr. Gualtieri states the expenditure of $75.40 for the commission’s share of the Harbor Cam, and the expenditure of $240.oo of professional services for recording secretary. On a motion by Mark Bettencourt, seconded by David Bishop the March 2024 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) Consultant Geoff Steadman- Authorization for Grants: Chair Tucker Braddock states this is authorization to Geoff Steadman for moving forward with application process regarding construction phase of the Heritage Trail Walkway project. Mr. Steadman states that he has been in contact with Mr. Hammond to discuss specific details of submittance of a grant application for this project. He states that until HMC receives the probable cost of this project from RACE then he cannot proceed with the application. He states that what is needed is probable costs of the project and the City can attest to their 20% cost share. b) Car – Shetucket River: Chair Tucker Braddock restates the car that went into the Shetucket River sits in roughly 24’ of water. He stated that he has been in contact with Patrick Kennedy for an estimate on the removal of the vehicle. HMC members discussed the responsibility of these costs. Chair Tucker Braddock stated that once an estimate is received, Paul Costner in conjunction with Michael Driscoll will reach out to the insurance company for the vehicle owner for payment options or reimbursement of those costs. c) Investigation of Lights-Police Station: Chair Tucker Braddock states that the lights in front of the Police Station are the responsibility of Norwich Public Utilities (NPU). Any repairs or costs are to be executed and approved through NPU. He states there has been a note sent over to Kevin inquiring for more information. 8. Old Business a) Boat on the Thames River: Chair Tucker Braddock restates the concerns and the lack of progress on this situation. b) Ribbon Cutting – Howard T. Brown Park: Chair Tucker Braddock states that the ribbon cutting for Howard T. Brown Park docks will be tomorrow, April 24th 2024 at 9”00AM rain or shine. He states that Mr. Hammond from the CT Port Authority will be attending and will talk about what is being done and the current round of grant application period. Mr. Steadman states that he has a good aerial view of the harbor which he can bring the photo of for the ribbon cutting. Kevin Brown states that the invitation has been extended to Katie Dykes, DEEP official to attend the event and encourages any other last minute invites. c) Status- Harbor Management Plan Completion: Chair Tucker Braddock discussed with HMC members that a date needs to be established for a cut off, in which the plan is a completed copy sent to the State of CT and then to City council for approval and acknowledgement. Mr. Steadman states that there is a plan in place but would like to add priority projects, any water dependent usage projects and any other harbor specific topics. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: HMC members asked for some more information on the CIF Grant received. Mr. Brown states that the original grant applied for was 11.7 million dollars, in which 2 million dollars was awarded. He states that the 2 million was awarded with the announcement for it to be used for Howard T. Brown Park improvements. He states that he has been in contact with Norwich State Representative Derrell Wilson, Mr. & Mrs. Dwyer and Melinda Wilson, CIF commissioner for the use of this grant money. They have agreed that part of those monies will be used to upgrade the fuel capacity in the harbor. Use of the grant monies will be discussed as needed in communications with the HMC on upcoming projects. HMC members asked if the Rotatory Clock was going to be done at Howard T. Brown Park still. It was commented that yes, that is still the intended plan, but the Rotary Members have not raised enough monies for the project as of yet. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Stacy Gould, seconded by Mark Bettencourt the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:41PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary