Harbor Management Commission

HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 23, 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, Mark Sicuso (via Turbo Bridge) OTHERS PRESENT: Coastal Area Planning Consultant Geoff Steadman (via Turbo Bridge), Kevin Brown (via Turbo Bridge), Brittany Dwyer (via Turbo Bridge), Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT: John Salomone 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 Mark Bettencourt, seconded by Michael Richardson, the June 25, 2024, meeting minutes of the Harbor Management Commission (HMC) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Harbor Master Report: Chair Tucker Braddock, on behalf of Harbor Master Richard Thayer, 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 2024 report. Mr. Gualtieri states the expenditure of $75.40 for the commission’s share of the Harbor Cam. On a motion by Mark Bettencourt, seconded by David Bishop the June 2024 Financial Report was unanimously accepted by roll call vote. 7. New Business: a) Consultant Geoff Steadman: Geoff Steadman reminds HMC members that the Grant Applications had a deadline of July 1st, 2024, for submittance. He discussed specific details of submittance of a grant application for the Heritage Walkway project. He states the Grant amount for Heritage Walkway Overlook was submitted as a total of $240,000.00, approx. $192,000.00(80%) Port Authority Grant and 48,000.00(20%) City Cost Share. Mr. Steadman states that what is needed for the Howard T. Brown Park Dock Completion Grant. Chair Tucker Braddock stated they have received probable costs of approximately $600,000.00, provided by Pat McLoughlin. Mr. Steadman states the Grant amount was submitted as a total of $600,000.00, approx. $480,000.00(80%) Port Authority Grant and 120,000.00(20%) City Cost Share. Geoff Steadman states that at this time the approval for Heritage Walkway has not been obtained but was submitted to DEEP as knowledge of intended approval. He states that there should be notification of approved and acceptance of funds for both Grants sometime in August 2024. Geoff Steadman reminds 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 restates 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 (HMP). This could include describing the HMC authority and the understanding of future projects involving the marina and other NCDC projects. The HMP is the next focus while HMC waits for Grant approvals. Stacy Gould enters the meeting. Mr. Steadman discusses the retirement of Ulyssis Grant as Interim Director for CT State Authority and possibilities of showing appreciation, such as a plaque, certificate or council proclamation. b) Grant- Heritage Walkway Outlook: Chair Tucker Braddock reiterates the status and progress previously discussed earlier in this meeting. c) Grant Completion- Howard T. Brown Park Docks: Char Tucker Braddock reiterates the status and progress as previously discussed earlier in this meeting. d) Fishing Derby Fundraiser Discussion: Michael Gualtieri reports that he has met with John Uyeke from Chelsea Groton Bank to discuss details regarding support for a fishing derby fundraiser. They offer support to an extent and offers to sit on a committee for this event. Central Bank also offers support of this event. Mr. Gualtieri would like to set up a committee for this event, at this time volunteers for the committee include Michael Gualtieri, Tucker Braddock, John Uyeke and Michael Richardson. He would like to invite Brittany Dwyer and Tom MacAvoy to join as volunteers. This is projected as an event for Fall of 2026. Michael Richardson suggested developing an educational aspect to this event as well to every age participating. Mr. Gualtieri asked Brittany Dwyer if it was possible for the Marina to host meetings for this committee of the Fishing Derby Fundraiser, to which she responded yes, she has a conference room available for this use. On motion by Michael Gualtieri, seconded by Stacy Gould, to set up a formal committee of up to 6 volunteers to include the above-mentioned participants and set the date for the event for Fall of 2024 was unanimously approved by roll call vote. 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 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. 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. The current estimates are approx. $6,000.00 to $32,000.00, this would include the divers, the locating of the vehicle/buoy marker and the removal of the vehicle. e) Investigation of Lights-Police Station: Chair Tucker Braddock states that Stacy Gould has reached out to Prime Electric for an estimate of repairs needed. Stacy shares the estimate given is approx. $24,746.00, this includes, but not limited to the replacement of lights, wiring, timers, and all new LED fixtures. Currently HMC does not have funds to move forward with the cost of this project, but we keep it in mind for a future project. 9. Citizen Comment: None 10. Other: Stacy Gould told HMC members that there’s plans for two permanent bathrooms are to be installed on the right side of Howard T. Brown Park. There has been discussion of other improvements in that area. Kevin Brown talks about the Marina at American Warf has rebranded from American Warf. The lieutenant governor was present there to reiterate the monies that were granted towards the improvements. Mr. Brown states that the first concern is to have the fuel tanks restored and the RFP has been sent out, hoping to hear within 2 – 4 weeks and possibly have the project done in late fall. The next round of CIF Grants is underway. The Marina Towers are another project, and the next step is to acquire funding. The submittance deadline was June 14th, 2024. Regarding this project there was a website link for public opinion for what to do with this site, as a demo or a restoration and is ongoing with these opinions being submitted. 11. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Stacy Gould, seconded by Mark Sicuso the Harbor Management Commission meeting adjourned at 5:58PM. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Griffiths Recording Secretary