Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, June 25, 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 Bettencourt OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone, Mark Sicuso CITIZENS PRESENT: None 1.Call to Order: Chair Tucker Braddock called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Stacy Gould, the May 28, 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: Michael Gualtieri reports that John Uyeke from Chelsea Groton Bank has reached out to him and set up a meeting for Wednesday July 17th @ noon to discuss details regarding support for a fishing derby fundraiser. 6. Financial Report: Michael Gualtieri reviewed the revenue, expenses, and balances of the May 1st-31st 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 Bettencourt the May 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 discusses 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. Stacy Gould presented minutes from the last council meeting that state the resolution and understanding of the city to attest to their 20% cost share. The probable cost from RACE for the total project is approximately $240,000.00. Geoff Steadman states the certificate of permission for DEEP is the last part needed to complete the grant application before the deadline of July 1st, 2024. 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. Chair Tucker Braddock stated they have received probable costs of approximately $600,000.00, provided by Pat McLoughlin. Mr. Steadman explains that what is needed next is a statement from city officials, to include the original amount of the SHIPP grant monies, what the monies were used for, that that work was completed and the 20% of the city’s cost share. 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. 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 they are still waiting for a response from DEEP for the next meeting. Mr. Steadman discussed possible ways to make corrections to Norwich Harbor Management Plan. This could include describing the HMC authority and the understanding of future plans for projects involving the marina and other NCDC projects. b) Grant- Heritage Walkway: Chair Tucker Braddock reiterates the status and progress previously discussed earlier in this meeting. c) 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. d) National Night Out Event- August 6th, 2024: HMC was notified of this event happening on August 6th, 2024 @6:00-9:00PM to take place at Howard T. Brown Park. The HMC understands that the Public Works Department has committed to supplying, establishing and taking down of barricades to close the parking lot of Howard T. Brown Park. HMC acknowledges and supports this event and their part, they also understand that Public Works will have to post signs of the closure and barricades for the event. Chair Tucker Braddock will reach out to the head of Public Works to confirm. 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 Paul Costner in conjunction with Michael Driscoll have reached out to the insurance company for the vehicle owner for payment options or reimbursement of those costs. The minutes that Stacy Gould had presented earlier in this meeting from the council meeting with resolution included this matter as well. It is understood that the insurance company will pay for the cost and they will take possession of the car or it will go to the scrap yard. e) Investigation of Lights-Police Station: Chair Tucker Braddock restates that HMC member David Bishop and himself visited the lights in front of the Police Station. He restates that both David and he took the time to inspect and do a general assessment of the condition. As of right now he has not heard back from Prime Electric for an estimate of repairs needed. Chair Tucker Braddock will reach out to them for a follow-up. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: Chair Tucker Braddock states that any member of the public is welcome at these meetings and can contribute their comments, concerns and suggestions. Michael Richardson made a suggestion of using blue lights in bathrooms, that was previously discussed in May’s Meeting. He also suggested making the lights on the docks a bit sturdier and possibly adding fishing pole holders. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Stacy Gould, seconded by Michael Richardson the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:49PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary