Meeting Minutes
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
December 11, 2018 Regular Meeting
ATTENDANCE
Regular Members Present: Robert Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, George Finley, Teri Lewis (alternate), John MacDonald, Mike Magee, Jeff Meinke, Tom Myer, Harry Plaut (ex-officio), Steven Ross, Richard Shriver (alternate)
Absent: Mark Beatty (alternate), Bill Harris, Mike Mackey (ex-officio)
Guests: None
Chairman Steven Ross called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Teri Lewis was seated for George Finley.
Richard Shriver was seated for Bill Harris.
REPORTS
a. Clerk’s Report: Approval of Minutes
John MacDonald moved to accept the minutes of Meeting November 13, 2018, and Robert Falaguerra seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
George Finley arrived to the meeting and was seated instead of Teri Lewis.
b. Correspondence
Steven Ross reported that the DEEP had sent a tentative approval for dredging at the marina at Four Mile River.
c. Treasurer’s Report: Approval of Report for November 2018
Bill Harris was absent therefore Steven Ross presented the Treasurer’s Report for November 2018. Beginning Balance: $26,744.81 Interest / Dividends: $26.37, Receipts: $0, Disbursements: $9.61, Ending Balance: $26,761.57. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted.
d. Matters Relevant to the HMC at the State Level
Steven Ross and John MacDonald will attend the CT Port Authority event this coming Thursday.
APPLICATIONS FOR DOCKS
There were no applications.
CURRENT BUSINESS
a. Member Appointments
There will be one opening for an Alternate on January 1, 2019 when a present Alternate will replace Bob Doyen as a Regular Member.
b. Pilgrim Landing – Mike Magee
Mike Magee had nothing new to report since the November meeting.
c. Dinghy Dock – Mike Mackey
Steven Ross stated that the docks are out of the water and the new rollers and axles with bolts will be replaced when the docks go back in the water come the warmer weather.
d. Public Access Site – West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road
Status of Contract Draft with Docko for the design and permitting of Water Access Project
Steven Ross reported that Public Works had done a lot of clean-up after the volunteers worked. Public Works installed some barriers. Steven reported that he, John MacDonald, Bonnie Reemsnyder and Keith Neilson met Monday of last week and went over changes, additions, and reformatting that was needed in the contract (signage and a gazebo will be included). CT Port Authority informed them that it all needs to be in the design and planning stage, including construction drawings. The only thing in the construction phase will be the actual construction and construction oversight. This should be done by the end of the week, Bonnie will run it by the Town Attorney and Joe Salvatore. Once it is finalized, it will be formally submitted to the CT Port Authority.
There was a discussion regarding the Halls Road Improvement Presentation to the Town as to why this project was not included in the presentation made by Bonnie. The Halls Road Improvement Committee has been informed all along of the Public Access Site project.
e. Draft of Mooring Inspection Checklist and required procedure - table until 2019
f. Status of Website Review – Teri Lewis
Teri Lewis stated that the website and forms will be revisited in the Spring after the evaluation of the mooring issues, but at this time everything is good. Again, she thanked Cathy Frank for all her help.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Harbor Master Report – Harry Plaut and Mike Mackey
Steven Ross suggested that due to Mike Mackey’s time constraints with his various businesses, it might be a good idea to have another Commission Member volunteer to maintain the mooring records, thus taking this off of Mike’s plate. Tom Myer volunteered to take this over if needed and Steven Ross will contact Mike and see how he feels about it.
Harry Plaut reported that he had turned in a $70 fine he had received, and also a mooring permit application and check for 2019.
b. Review draft letter from Harry Plaut to state that mooring related services are performed by his privately-owned company, not as Harbor Master
Harry presented a draft of his contract when doing business as H.S. Plaut Environmental Company. The Commission reviewed the text and suggested one change under number 7. to add to the phrase (not Harry Plaut as Harbor Master) at the end. Harry was fine with the change.
Harry submitted information he gathered on replacing the two Town mooring balls. The price will be $369 plus shipping. This is the MB-38. There was a discussion, and the Commission was in favor of Harry’s recommendation.
George Finley moved to approve an expenditure not to exceed $900 for the purchase of two mooring balls, including shipping. Tom Myer seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
c. Clarification and restatement of policy letters from HMC to Harbor Master requiring insurance certificates from businesses doing inspections of moorings in Old Lyme
Steven Ross spoke of how this Commission could prevent any conflict of interest with Harry Plaut as Harbor Master and H.S. Plaut Environmental Company. If the Harbor Master feels a mooring should be pulled, the contracting to do the work has to come from the HMC, not from the Harbor Master. The HMC cannot allow Harry Plaut Harbor Master to send business to his own company. If work has to be done to a mooring, the Harbor Master will report to the HMC, and if there is no meeting for awhile, he would report to a designated member on the HMC. This would eliminate any conflict of interest. Mike Magee, as HMC Secretary, will act as the intermediary in these matters.
Harry Plaut was concerned about emergency situations. The HMC agreed that in emergencies, and when a charge would be involved, Harry would address the emergency and then promptly report it.
RE: Insurance Certificates
Harry Plaut reported that he had spoken to one of the contractors and agreed to call the owner of the South Lyme Marina and all the other inspectors by year-end.
d. Report from Kayak Launching and Storage Committee
Mike Magee reported that the Committee had met on November 20. He prefers to give a full report after their next meeting.
a. Nomination and Election of Officers for 2019
Jeff Meinke nominated the present slate of officers for 2019 and George Finley seconded the motion, Steven Ross (Chair), John MacDonald (Vice-Chair), Mike Magee (Secretary) and Bill Harris (Treasurer). There were no other nominations when requested by Steven Ross. Secretary Mike Magee cast one ballot in favor of the nomination for the slate of officers for 2019.
b. Harbor Master proposal: issue stickers to be affixed to mooring balls with approved permits
There was a discussion regarding mooring stickers for non-commercial use. Teri Lewis volunteered to do some research on stickers. Harry Plaut suggested that they be square.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
Robert Falaguerra moved to go into Executive Session at 8:06 PM to discuss a personnel matter, Jeff Meinke seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
Present at Executive Session: Robert Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, George Finley, Teri Lewis, John MacDonald, Mike Magee, Jeff Meinke, Tom Myer, Steven Ross, Richard Shriver and Harry Plaut as Harbor Master.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Steven Ross moved and Jeff Meinke seconded to come out of Executive Session at 8:29 PM.
SO VOTED.
ADJOURMENT
John MacDonald moved and Tom Myer seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM.
SO VOTED.
The next meeting of the HMC will be on March 12, 2019.
Submitted by,
Mary Ellen Garbarino (Clerk)
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