Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 5:00 PM Norwich City Hall, Room 319, In Person/ Turbo Bridge MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tucker Braddock, Michael Gualtieri, Stacy Gould, Michael Richardson, David Bishop, Mark Sicuso (via Turbo Bridge) OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Brittany Dwyer (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone, Mark Bettencourt CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1.Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Mark Sicuso, the March 26, 2024, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved with the correction of Item Line 10. “Rotatory Club Clock”. 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 April 1st-30th 2024 report. Mr. Gualtieri states the expenditure of $75.40 for the commission’s share of the Harbor Cam. On a motion by Stacy Gould, seconded by Mark Sicuso the April 2024 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) Consultant Geoff Steadman- Authorization for Grants: Geoff Steadman reminds HMC members that the Grant Applications have a deadline of July 1st, 2024, for submittance. He states that he has been in contact with Mr. Hammond to discuss specific details of submittance of a grant application for the Heritage Walkway project. He states that HMC received the probable cost of this project from RACE and now the next step is to obtain a certificate of permission for DEEP. Mr. Steadman states that what is needed for the Howard T. Brown Park Dock Continuance is documentation of job total, opinion of probable costs for the additional work and that the city can attest to their 20% cost share. He states he has reached out and left a message for Mr. Castronova regarding these documents and the guidance moving forward. Geoff Steadman informs the members of HMC that the CT Port Authority has hired a new person to take on the position and responsibilities of Mr. Salvatore. He also states that he sent out an email containing pictures of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Howard T. Brown Park Docks to the CT Port Authority contacts. Mr. Steadman states that he has been in contact with other Harbor Management Commissions throughout CT, and they are scheduled to hold a meeting together to discuss the state of HMC authority and position in correlation with DEEP within the Harbor Management Plans. This is an ongoing topic, and a new meeting is being coordinated within the next week or two. b) Fireworks Friday July 5th, Rain Date July 8th: Chair Tucker Braddock states the Annual Firework Event for Norwich over the Harbor is scheduled for July 5, 2024, with a rain date of July 8,2024. This event will include closing Howard T. Brown Park in the late afternoon. On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Stacy Gould, the Harbor Management Commission acknowledges and supports the Norwich Fireworks over the Harbor Event scheduled for July 5, 2024, and a rain date of July 8, 2024, was unanimously accepted on roll call vote. c) Grant- Heritage Walkway: Chair Tucker Braddock reiterates the status and progress previously discussed earlier in this meeting. d) Grant- Continuance Howard T. Brown Park Docks: Char Tucker Braddock reiterates the status, progress and next steps needed as previously discussed earlier in this meeting. e) Investigation of Lights-Police Station: Chair Tucker Braddock states that HMC member David Bishop and himself visited the lights in front of the Police Station. He states that both David and he took the time to inspect and clean up all lights and fixtures that are included and did a general assessment of the condition and what else is needed. HMC discussed the next steps for restoration, which include getting cost estimates for restoration and approval from the correct committees or councils responsible. f) Portable Toilets: Chair Tucker Braddock presents the idea of permanent toilets somewhere of use for the public. Discussion pursued with HMC members about these being part of the infrastructure of the community, the steps needed to proceed and where responsibilities for upkeep would lie. More information is needed and will be brought to future meetings. 8. Old Business a) Car – Shetucket River: Chair Tucker Braddock restates the car that went into the Shetucket River sits in roughly 24’ of water. He stated that there has been movement on possible costs and contractors able to proceed with the removal. HMC members discussed the responsibility of these costs. Chair Tucker Braddock stated that they have received a couple of estimates, 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. b) Ribbon Cutting – Howard T. Brown Park: Chair Tucker Braddock states that the ribbon cutting for Howard T. Brown Park docks that took place on April 24th, 2024, went well and had a very good turnout. Chair Braddock states many members of council, chamber of commerce along with citizens were present at the ceremony. c) Fundraiser Ideas: Michael Gualtieri is waiting to hear back from his contacts regarding a fishing tournament. A basic infrastructure is being worked on and more details will be shared as progress is made. Brittany Dwyer stated that they can support a reception before or after any event that HMC would like to put on in the future. HMC members discussed more ideas for potential fundraiser ideas in the future and any information they can provide will be brought to future meetings. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: None 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Stacy Gould, seconded by Michael Richardson the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:48PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary