TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Harbor Management Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3123 FAX (860) 395-3125
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 14, 2011 7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Ray Collins called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Old Saybrook
Harbor Management Commission to order at 7:05 P.M.
2. Roll Call
Ray Collins, Chairman
Les Bowman, Secretary
Dave Cole
George Wall
Scott Mitchell, Dock Master
Ruth Hockert, Clerk
Approximately 5 members of the public
3. Citizens with Business before the Commission- none
4. Old Business
North Cove Yacht Club Dock Application
Les Bowman recused himself at 7:03 p.m. and stepped outside of the room
Tom Klin, engineer for the project at North Cove Yacht Club, presented an overview of
the yacht club background. The club has two pressing needs; to deal with a 30 year old
bulkhead and to deal with inadequate dock space. The proposed application is to install a
new bulkhead outside the existing bulkhead, new dead men, tie-backs and leave the foot
print as it is. The southern side will consist of replacing dead men. Construction would
take less than two months and would take place outside of the boating season. The second
component is replacing the existing worn docks.
The new layout increases the distance from the riparian lines on both boundaries (north
and south) from the existing layout. In the survey process it was determined that Carroll
Hughes has a pathway right-of-way along the southern boundary. In response to the
Chairman’s question, the proposal is to use wood sheathing because the sheet pile is too
heavy. The application needs a structure and dredging permit from DEP and an Army
Corp permit as well as a review by the Harbor Commission.
Dick Goduti asked if the docks would impact on the north side channel. The club has
spoken with all the neighbors on Saltus Drive and they are aware of the project and have
no problem with the proposed dock layout. Dick referenced to Section 4-6 of the Harbor
Management Plan. Dick also mentioned Reference Appendex D- US Army Corp 25 foot setback from property lines.
Ray Collins spoke to Mr. Goduti asking him to reference the official Plan so people could find the references he made.
George Wall feels that the club cannot use a corner of the anchorage as a fairway.
Henry Bakewell spoke saying the yacht club dredges the area off the yacht club and that is what creates the fairway in front of the club.
Ray Collins spoke regarding the increased access to the water provided by this application which he believes is consistent with the Harbor Plan and the DEP guidelines.
David Cole asked about the possibility of shortening the southern most dock because of the proximity to the anchorage. The applicant spoke to the distance from the end of the docks to the anchorage.
The applicant spoke to all the neighbors for due diligence.
Motion – Ray Collins moved to approve the North Cove dock application
Dick Goduti seconded
2-2-0 motion fails, David Cole and Ray Collins in favor, Dick Goduti and George Wall against
Dwight Merriam, member of the subcommittee spoke. Attorney Merriam said that if the Commission wanted to designate a channel, the Commission would have to go to town meeting and document the channel. He does not believe the channel reference by Mr. Goduti is documented. Mr. Merriam feels that the guideline are guidelines and that the Commission could sign the consult form because it is in concurrence with the Plan and could explain Mr. Goduti’s and Mr. Wall’s concerns in the comment section. He reiterated that DEP is the final arbiter of the determination of a dock permit. Mr. Merriam asked if the Commission reconsider their vote and finding it consistent it with the Harbor Management Plan and include their concerns on the consult form so that the applicant could move forward with the dock application process.
Tom Klin asked the Commission if they would reconsider their vote.
Mr. Goduti and Mr. Wall would not reconsider their vote or position on the application going forward.
5. Minutes of previous meetings- February 14 Regular Meeting-
Motion – David Cole moved to approve the February 14, 2011 Minutes, Ray Collins seconded
4-0-0 motion approved unanimously
6. Clerk Report
Wait list renewals were mailed this week.
Mooring permits were mailed for beach areas, Connecticut River and the flats.
7. North Cove
Mooring update- there will be three mooring spaces not filled
Wait List update will be updated after the letters and checks come back, as per the direction of the Commission two boats in the 18 foot range were moved from the wait list into the harbor.
8. Ferry Road
Wait List- no changes
9. Harbor Master Report – none
10. Dock Master Report
Dan Rutan is putting an estimate together for installing some dolphins and fixing the existing piles. If necessary there will be a special meeting scheduled to vote to approve the repair expense.
11. Correspondence
Clothesline wait list check was sent in by Kathy Lambrecht after the last meeting when the wait list was posted. She was out of town for some time and involved with assisting a family member with a medical issue.
Motion - George Wall moved to accept Kathy Lambrecht’s check and to be put her back on the wait list the appropriate place, David Cole seconded
5-0-0 motion approved unanimously
12. New Business
Discussion - the future of North Cove; a plan for the future including alternatives and combinations - tabled
Dick Goduti expressed the opinion that channels should be identified in the North Cove anchorage.
A letter regarding Harbor Master will be hand delivered to Nancy Wyman
13. Old Business(continued)
Workshop update, proposed regulations, Clothesline, Ferry Dock and North Cove
Motion- George Wall moved to approve the Clothesline regulations, Les Bowman seconded
5-0-0 motion approved unanimously
If a special meeting is scheduled because of Dan Rutan’s estimate the proposed regulations for Ferry Dock and North will be added to the agenda
14. Payment of bills
Old Saybrook Printing
Ruth Hockert
Georgianne Neri
Ruth Hockert reimbursement
USPS
Motion – George Wall moved to pay the submitted invoices, Dave Cole seconded
5-0-0 motion approved unanimously
15. Adjournment
Motion- Les Bowman moved to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Hockert, Clerk
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