Meeting Minutes
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
October 9, 2018 Regular Meeting
ATTENDANCE
Regular Members Present: Mark Beatty (alternate), Robert Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, George Finley, Bill Harris, Teri Lewis (alternate), John MacDonald, Mike Magee, Jeff Meinke, Harry Plaut (ex-officio), Steven Ross, Richard Shriver (alternate)
Absent: Mike Mackey (ex-officio), Tom Myer
Guests: Keith Neilson, Mike Perez, Eric O’Sullivan
Chairman Steven Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Teri Lewis was seated for Tom Myer.
REPORTS
a. Clerk’s Report: Approval of Minutes
John MacDonald moved to accept the minutes of Meeting September 11, 2018, and Robert Falaguerra seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Correspondence
There was no correspondence to report on.
c. Treasurer’s Report: Approval of Report for September 2018
Bill Harris presented the Treasurer’s Report for September 2018.
Beginning Balance: $25,576.12, Interest / Dividends: $24.17, Receipts: $0, Disbursements: $0, Ending Balance: $25,609.29. Bill reported that an additional $1,425 had gone into the account on October 1. So far 133 mooring fees have been collected.
The Treasurer’s Report was accepted.
At this point Steven Ross asked Mike Perez if he had any questions for the Commission. Mr. Perez is the manager of Four Mile River Marina. He had two questions, one regarding moorings and certificates of insurance (this will be reviewed tonight) and the second question is, will he be allowed to pull out the moorings he dropped in the spring. Steven Ross told Mr. Perez that until a decision is made, that it is business as usual for him this year.
Eric O’Sullivan is on the Agenda for tonight and had no questions at this time.
George Finley moved to move Agenda item CURRENT BUSINESS d. Public Access Site – West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road, Recommendation to BOS of bid selected for awarding contract to this point in the Agenda. Bob Doyen seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Public Access Site – West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road
Recommendation to BOS of bid selected for awarding contract.
Steven Ross reported that the BOS had awarded the contract to Docko for the design and permitting portion of this project. Steven had a conversation with Bonnie Reemsnyder and Joe Salvatore of the CT Port Authority to detail the process moving forward. Although this is a small project, there are many elements. Steven stated that Joe said that anything you might consider, and any possible tests, surveys, etc. that could be required, need to be mentioned in the application submitted to him at the CT Port Authority in order to free up the money left over from the dredging project. Steven reported that he, John MacDonald and Bonnie had worked on this with Keith from Docko and came up with the amendment (Attachment A) that Steven had sent out to Commission Members. There was a
discussion.
Keith Neilson was pleased that this had come to the attention of the HMC at this time. The Town Attorney needs to draw up a contract based on the RFP and the bid with the attachment. When the contract is agreed upon, it will be submitted to the CT Port Authority in order to free up the money left over from the dredging project.
Keith Neilson expressed his concern for the overhead wires at the project location and the need for additional fencing i.e. safety handrails.
d. Matters Relevant to the HMC at the State Level
Discussed under last Agenda item.
APPLICATIONS FOR DOCKS
There were no applications.
CURRENT BUSINESS
a. Member Appointments
There are no openings on this Commission at this time. There will be one opening on January 1, 2019.
b. Pilgrim Landing – Mike Magee
Mike Magee reported that the town had placed a temporary porta-potty during swallow season. At first it was placed so that it took up a parking space, and it was relocated at his suggestion. Mike would like to get the stump ground up that takes up room in on the property. Public Works does not have the money in their budget. Mike suggested renting a stump grinder from Deep River Rent-All and doing it themselves. Steven Ross will talk to Bonnie Reemsnyder about this, including the expense to rent the machinery.
c. Dinghy Dock – Mike Mackey
Status of obtaining and installing new rollers and pins with bolts – Harry Plaut
Harry Plaut reported that he has the new rollers and pins for the Dinghy Dock. A bill of $154.66 will be submitted to the Town for reimbursement.
George Finley stated that the signage needs some work, and he volunteered to take care of this in the Spring.
d. Public Access Site – West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road
Recommendation to BOS of bid selected for awarding contract.
This item was moved in the Agenda and already discussed.
Steven Ross moved to move Agenda Item COMMITTEE REPORTS d. Claim against the Town of Old Lyme – Eric O’Sullivan loss of boat to this point in the Agenda. Jeff Meinke seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
d. Claim against the Town of Old Lyme – Eric O’Sullivan loss of boat
Steven Ross asked Eric O’Sullivan if he had any questions. Eric stated that he was only here to listen. Steven Ross stated that this matter could not be discussed due to the legal claim against the Town.
e. Harbor Master vs. Harry Plaut Environmental Inc. – how to eliminate confusion and conflict of interest
Steven Ross reviewed the duties of Harry Plaut as the State of CT appointed Harbormaster and what he does for his private customers as Harry Plaut Environmental Company. It was suggested that Harry give each of his private customers a letter that explains that when they contract with him, he is doing business as Harry Plaut Environmental and not Harry Plaut as Harbormaster. There was a discussion. Harry agreed to supplying each of his customers with a letter that confirms that he is acting as a private contractor performing a service, and that he is not acting as the Town of Old Lyme Harbormaster when doing said private work. He will draft a letter and present it to the Commission for review at November’s meeting.
Terri Lewis brought up some discrepancies on the Town Website for the Harbor Management Commission. John MacDonald stated that there are links that connect to incorrect pages and each link should be checked. The Harbor Master page (not HMC page) has out-of-date names on it. There was a discussion. Terri Lewis will identify the issues and work with Cathy Frank at Town Hall to clean up the website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Harbor Master Report – Harry Plaut and Mike Mackey
Harry Plaut reported that he had pulled one mooring that was in violation at White Sand Beach. He had previously stickered it with a violation warning. The owner will pay now have to pay a fine. Harry Plaut Environmental will receive a check from the owner for pulling the mooring and the fine will be paid to the Town.
Mr. Garvin paid for his moorings but both moorings were improperly labeled and the color was incorrect. Harry notified the Garvins of this.
John MacDonald asked Harry Plaut what had happened to the two Town moorings. Harry stated that he had removed them at the end of July because the balls were cracked. Harry admitted that he should have informed the Commission at the time he removed them, and that he should have taken care of them in a more-timely manner. At this time, they are still not in the water. Steven Ross requested that Harry submit a price to the HMC at the November meeting to replace the two mooring balls.
b. Late payment of commercial mooring permit fees – OL Marina and OL Dock Co.
There was a discussion of why mooring permit fees from Old Lyme Marina and Old Lyme Dock Company are late each year. Harry Plaut stated that he does his best to get these commercial companies to pay on time and it if time-consuming for him to have to chase them for it. It was determined that next year a letter will go to the owners from the HMC regarding mooring permits and fees and when they are due as stated in the Harbor Management Plan including a grace period. Harry Plaut will not have to get involved in this.
c. Draft of Mooring Inspection Checklist and required procedure – Mike Mackey
Item tabled until 2019.
d. Claim against the Town of Old Lyme – Eric O’Sullivan loss of boat
There is nothing new to report. The insurance company has been given related documents and is reviewing the claim. The documents are the mooring Application and parts of the HMC plan that state it is the responsibility of the mooring owner to use tackle that meets the specifications and for having an approved inspector complete the Inspection Report.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Mooring Inspectors – Discuss not requiring insurance certificates and issue of listing qualified inspectors
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
b. Appoint Kayak Launching and Storage Committee
The Commission reviewed the Kayak Launching and Storage Committee Outline of Matters to Research and a Committee of those who volunteered was appointed: Mike Magee, Richard Schriver, Jeff Meinke, Terri Lewis and George Finley. Mike Magee is willing to serve as Chairman. Steven Ross reminded these Committee members that they will report to the HMC only, and cannot conduct HMC business outside of meetings.
c. Other New Business
John MacDonald drafted the HMC information for the next Town’s Annual Report. He will email out a copy to all HMC members and asked them for comments.
John MacDonald reported on the last meeting of the Halls Road Improvement Committee. This Committee is very interested in the Lt. River Access Project and members were brought up to date on the progress. Members will review the concepts of the work scope and will give feedback to HMC. When plans are developed by Docko, they wish to see them and provide feedback.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeff Meinke moved, and Robert Falaguerra seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 PM.
SO VOTED.
The next meeting of the HMC will be on November 13, 2018.
Submitted by,
Mary Ellen Garbarino (Clerk)
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