Minutes of a Meeting of
The Old LymeHarbor Management Commission
September 9, 2008
Attendance:
Members present – Charlie Delinks, Brad Ficken, Mike Mackey, Mike Magee, Jon Mittelman, Mike Moran, Steve Ross, Dave Zita.
Alternates present –Ned Farman, Bill Harris.
Absent – Bob Doyen, Dave Frederiks, Tom Kahrl, Mark Rohrberg.
Guests—Jim McQuade, Harry Plaut.
A quorum being present, Chairman Delinks called the meeting to order at 7:34 PM. Chairman Delinks introduced the two guests: Harry Plaut, Board Member, Old Colony Beach Association (OCBA); Jim McQuade, Old Lyme resident.
Guest Topics
Harry Plaut presented various concerns and questions pertaining to swim lines, jet ski lines, enforcement of illegal moorings, floating docks and markers in the PlaceNameplaceBlack PlaceTypeHall PlaceTypeRiver. HMC members addressed these issues and advocated that OCBA apply next year for a mooring which would act as a jet ski line that is anchored to a pylon on the shore. Mike Moran, HM, will suggest to Pavilion owner, Frank Marrata, that he apply for 3 boat and 1 jet ski moorings next year.
Jim McQuade presented to HMC members his dock violations as noted by DEP employee, Carlos Esquerra, as well as a history of the existing dock purchased with his property at addressStreet39 Smith Neck Rd. After much discussion, the HMC suggested that the resident: 1) speak with Mr. Gil Boro regarding similar issues with his dock violations; 2) speak with State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano regarding his issue; and 3) speak to the DEP Commissioner in Hartford. Steve Ross will write a letter to Mr. McQuade on behalf of HMC noting that Mr. McQuade’s dock is a conforming dock and that Mr. Esquerra’s demands are unwarranted and make no sense; create greater problems than they solve; and create personal safety issues as well as disruptive visual impact which doesn’t currently exist.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted as submitted.
Correspondence
Steve Ross sent information regarding the Town mooring to Old Lyme Events and LymeLine.
Treasurer’s Report
Jon Mittelman presented the Treasurer’s report for the previous two months which was accepted for audit. Brad Ficken questioned the line item “Adjustments” which Jon will investigate. A copy of the report is on file with the minutes. Jon reported that he is still working to receive signatory power with the Bank on the checking account. Until then, Cathy Frank is writing checks to pay bills when asked by Jon. Motion made by Steve Ross second by Jon Mittelman for a recurring payment of $75 per month to the HMC Clerk be authorized by HMC until further notice. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Member Appointments
No action required at this time.
80-1 Lyme St./Boro
No new developments this month.
Pilgrim Landing
Ed Adanti of Public Works has been too busy this summer to place the pea stone at Pilgrim landing. Charlie Delinks will ask him to have it placed this fall. Mike Moran reported that he did not place violation stickers on boats in the dinghy rack that exceeded the ten foot length since they only exceeded the limit by two to three inches. Members concurred with Mike’s decision.
Dinghy Dock
Mike Moran noted that Mike Mackey had pulled up the boards and installed the plates on the dinghy dock. He reported that it did not have as much use this summer as in the past possibly due to a poor crab season. He noted that the picnic benches near the dock did receive constant use.
addressStreetSmith Neck Rd. Landing Launch
Charlie Delinks read a letter that was received from North Cove Outfitters (NCO) After discussion, it was decided that the Steve Ross would write a letter from HMC to NCO apologizing for the impression given
by the July minutes in that they failed to include that Tom Kahrl had qualified his comments indicating that he was not sure what company was involved and someone else suggested it might have been NCO (due to a prior situation at the same location) and that HMC regrets the omission.
DEP Letter to Remove Landings from DEP List
Steve Ross asked that he did not wish to write the letter to request removing the Town-owned access to Landings from the DEP’s website list. He would like members to access the DEP website and discuss the matter at the next meeting.
Ethics Form
Dave Frederiks is the only remaining member to sign the Ethics Form.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Harbor Master
Mike Moran reported his ongoing discussions with Pavilion owner, Frank Marrata, and Old Lyme Marina. A discussion followed regarding the HM plan’s deadline of February 1 for mooring renewals. Brad Ficken and Dave Zita noted that there is a fee for violations of $60 per Harbor Management Plan. Mike suggested that he could send a letter with the mooring renewals that would include Steve Ross’ ideas noting the February 1 deadline with a grace period until April 30 after which time there would be a late fee of $60. Mike noted that moorings that were abandoned would have to pay back the mooring fee as well as a fee of $60 for not having it. Mike said that he would try to inform all boat owners that if they are happy with their mooring location to take down their GPS coordinates and if they
are unhappy then he would try to accommodate them.
Mike contacted the placeStateNew York owner of a boat that sank at Point of Woods. He noted that the state of StateplaceNew York will not give ownership information for two days but Mike was able to contact the owner through the for sale sign on the boat.
Mike distributed an article regarding the Pawcatuck River Harbor Management Commission’s river management plan. He asked HMC members to read the article so it could be discussed at the next meeting.
Dock Standards
Steve Ross reported that Torrance Downes is trying to schedule a meeting with the Committee and DEP before the end of September.
Future Locations for Projects
Members reported that the Town mooring is being well used and receiving positive feedback. Members determined that they will re-evaluate in the spring as to whether to add more Town moorings. Charlie Delinks reported that Tim Griswold had given him information about benches that the Town had been purchasing and cost ~$400 each. Members discussed jurisdiction issues as well as purchasing picnic benches. Charlie will obtain the catalog from Public Works to use for discussion at next meeting.
Harbor Management Plan
Dave Zita reported that he had read through the Harbor Management Plan and that there would be more for him to accomplish than he was comfortable with. Motion made by Steve Ross second by Brad Ficken to authorize Dave Zita to contact Torrance Downes to see if it would be possible for him to assist in updating the Harbor Management Plan. Motion passed unanimously.
Dredging Machine Plan
Charlie Delinks said that it is moving forward but that he had no new information at this point. He distributed a Dredging Needs Survey from the Long Island Sound Dredge Material Management Plan. Dave Zita suggested that the HMC serve as coordinators of the survey to appropriate town parties and interests. Ned Farmer will contact the agency for deadline and other logistical information.
NEW BUSINESS
Dock Applications
Two applications were received this month from Mark Johnston and Jim McQuade.
DEP Violations
None received this month.
Duck River Dock In Works
Charlie Delinks reported that Merv Roberts had contacted him regarding a neighbor who had been conducting a survey of his surrounding neighbors to install a dock halfway across the placePlaceNameDuck PlaceTypeRiver. Charlie had received no dock application from this area. Merv thought that the person had gotten ahead of himself in trying to get approval without going through proper permitting and was meeting resistance.
Hawks Nest Beach Jetty
Charlie Delinks had a request for HMC input as to the placePlaceNameHawks PlaceNameNest PlaceTypeBeach jetty which needs maintenance. Member discussed the jurisdiction of this existing drainage issue and decided to defer the issue to the
Flood and Erosion Control Board which is already working on an effort to secure funds for the repairs through a State Hazard Mitigation grant. Note: Steve Ross is also on the F&E Board.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 PM.
Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk
Action Items:
ALL: access DEP website to review access to Town landings list; review placePlaceNamePawcatuck PlaceTypeRiver letter to discuss at next meeting
Delinks: Ask PW to place fill this Fall;
Farmer: Contact LIS dredging survey agency for further info
Frederiks: sign ethics form
Mittelman: investigate “Adjustments” in Treas. Report;
Ross: Letter on behalf of Mr. McQuade; letter to NCO
Zita: contact T. Downes on HM Plan
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