Minutes of a Meeting of
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
October 10, 2007
Attendance:
Members present –Bob Doyen, Brad Ficken, Tony Licitra, Mike Mackey, Mike Magee, Mike Moran, Steve Ross, Dave Zita.
Alternates present – Mark A. Rohrberg.
Absent – Charlie Delinks, Dave Frederiks, Norman Hewitt, Tom Kahrl, Jon Mittelman.
Guests – Gilbert Boro.
A quorum being present, Vice Chair Bob Doyen called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report
Tony Licitra stated that there is no Treasurer’s report for this month due to the continued audit of Town Hall records.
OLD BUSINESS
Member Appointments
Members were reminded that Tony Licitra will be stepping down as Treasurer as of 12/31/07. Anyone currently not an officer should consider whether they can volunteer for the position. Steve Ross reported that he had spoken to Jon Mittelman who is considering the position.
DEP Letter
No report this month.
Military Giveaway Program
No report this month.
Survey Requests—Pilgrim’s Landing
Mark Rohrberg reported that the neighbors at Pilgrim’s Landing have spoken to Angus McDonald regarding a survey of the area.
Pilgrim’s Landing Cleanup by Public Works
Bob Doyen reported that Charlie Delinks had called Ed Adanti at Public Works but didn’t know if the work had been done. Other members reported that it had not been completed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Harbor Master
Mike Moran reported that he had received three calls in response to the advertisement for bids for removal of abandoned moorings. After discussion, it was clarified that the company doing the removal is responsible for disposing of the mooring thus eliminating the problem for the Town and gives the hauler salvage or resale rights. Motion made by Steve Ross, seconded by Mike Magee that December 1 is the cut-off date for the earliest removal of abandoned moorings. Motion passed unanimously.
Dock Standards
Steve Ross reported that a cover letter and a copy of the draft of the dock standards were sent to each Selectmen as well as the Chairmen of Zoning, Planning, Conservation, Economic Development, Historic District, CT Gateway, CREPA and the Zoning Enforcement Officer. The cover letter indicated the purpose of the dock standards and asked them to review and comment by October 31, 2007. Steve reported that at the next meeting, members would vote to approve submitting the draft to DEP, DOT and Army Corps of Engineers. The standards are an amendment to the Harbor Management Plan and will not go to a Town Meeting.
Future Locations for Projects
Steve Ross reported that Tim Griswold has established a Landing Committee and that Chairman Delinks has attended its meetings. Members requested that at the next meeting Chairman Delinks explain the charge and status of the Landing Committee.
Black Hall Marina
Steve Ross reported that he had taken the three P & L and financial data from the marina’s owner to the accountant. After reviewing the information and taking a visual tour of the business, the accountant gave his conclusions to Steve Ross. A discussion of these conclusions followed:
1) Not to trust unaudited financial information; when given information not included with the tax return, such information should be dismissed. 2) None of the numbers match and there are glaring omissions from the P & L; 3) The physical assets are badly deteriorated.
2) In the opinion of the accountant, the business is worth the appraised value of the land.
3) Steve gave three possible scenarios in response to Brad Ficken’s question as to who would run the operation should the Town acquire the business: 1) a Town agency operates it 2) the Town creates an entity to operate it or 3) the Town sublets the operation out. There may be others but these are the obvious and simple possibilities.
4) Steve reported that the property would be best used for seasonal dockage, kayak rentals, launch for boats, kayak or canoes; parking for people who want to sit at water’s edge. He recommended that it not be used for winter storage or retail tackle sales.
Motion made by Steve Ross, seconded by Brad Ficken to go into Executive session to discuss the acquisition of Black Hall. Motion passed unanimously. A decision as to how to discuss the possible purchase with the Seller was discussed. Motion made by Steve Ross, seconded by Brad Ficken to return to regular session. Motion passed unanimously.
Harbor Management Plan
No report this month.
NEW BUSINESS
Dock Applications
A letter was received from Docko, Inc. requesting permission to reconfigure an existing dock at 30 Neck Rd. Mike Moran will review and comment at the next meeting.
DEP Violations
Chairman Delinks received no notices of violations this month. Guest Gilbert Boro reported to members that he had received a notice from the DEP that his 20+ year-old dock at 80-1 Lyme Street is in violation and should be removed within 30 days. He is contesting the violation and presented letters of support from Tim Griswold and Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts as well as a petition with 250 signatures. After discussion, a motion was made by Steve Ross, seconded by Brad Ficken that HMC schedule a site walk or individuals see the dock in person to discuss at next meeting and that the Chairman of HMC contact DEP to get further information regarding the matter. Motion passed unanimously.
Pilgrim’s Landing Usage
Brad Ficken suggested that parameters for site use, site maintenance and site cleaning be established for Pilgrim’s Landing. Discussion included having Public Works clean the site, having the HM to look into who owns the problem boat currently in use at the site and establishing rules for site use. The item will be placed on next month’s agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 PM.
Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk
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