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Harbor Management Commission Minutes 03/12/2013
Minutes of a Meeting of
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
March 12, 2013

Attendance:
Members present Ned Farman, Mike Mackey, Mike Magee, Mike Moran, Harry Plaut, and Steven Ross.
Absent – Bob Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, Dave Frederiks, Bill Harris and Tom Meyer.
Guest: Randie Kahrl

Without a quorum being present, Chairman Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He noted that due to the lack of a quorum, the members could conduct a business meeting but would not be able to vote on any motions.

REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and will be accepted at the next meeting.

Correspondence
Steven Ross noted pieces of correspondence:
1) Invoice from Old Lyme Dock Company for removing the dinghy dock—this has been submitted to the Treasurer but not paid yet;
2) Invoice from Mike Moran for work as Harbor Master—this was submitted to and paid by the Treasurer; 3) Letter from FEMA noting that their flood hazard maps have been finalized;
4) Lower CT River Valley Council of Governments or River COG (formerly CRERPA) has received the questionnaire that the HMC completed last year and that their study is completed. The findings were passed around to members.

Treasurer’s Report
Steven Ross presented the Treasurer’s report, which was reviewed and will be accepted at the next meeting.  A copy of the report is on file with the minutes.

Presentation by and Request from Randie Kahrl
Randie Kahrl of 80-2 Mile Creek Rd. presented her plan for a 6’ x 14’ swim float, without a platform, that will not extend into any navigable channels on the Black Hall River. Steven Ross visited the site and defined that her plan does not fit into either the definition of a dock or mooring and thus requires no permit.  Members discussed and suggested alternate plans for securing the platform and if she has any questions, she can contact HMC members. Steven asked that Randie contact him when work is completed and he will report back to the Commission.  

OLD BUSINESS
Member Appointments
Steven Ross noted that there remain three vacancies for Alternate Members and that he had contacted one person regarding the position but they had passed. He notified Town Hall again that Tom Meyer was moved from Alternate to Regular Member to fill Charlie Delinks’ vacancy.

Pilgrim Landing
No report this month.

Dinghy Dock
No report this month.

Potential Public Access Site—West bank of Lt. River
Phase 2- Foot bridge across Lt. River—no action on this item until the dock/ramp specifications are resolved.
Phase 3- Dock application—Steven Ross had gathered information from two engineering firms about the design of a ramp/dock at the site especially in view of ADA laws. Keith Nielson of Docko Inc. suggested that there could be a ramp with no float and that he would review the site with Steven if he would like. After discussion of possibilities for design at the site, it was decided that Steven will find a date when Keith, Steven and Mike Magee can walk the site to discuss future design. All members will be contacted with the date and time and will be invited to attend as well.

Discussion of the Number of Regular and Alternate HMC Members
Members discussed briefly the possibility of changing the number of Regular and Alternate Members on the Commission, especially when compared to other Town Commissions. Steven had contacted the Town Attorney, Marilyn Clarke, who informed him that if any changes were made, that it would require a passing vote at a Town meeting by amendment to the Ordinance.  Members decided to table further discussion when there was a quorum of members.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Harbor Master
Mike Moran reported that he had attended a recent Harbor Master meeting which discussed primarily fishing quotas—no topics relating to HMC.  
Mike reported that his 2012 Mooring Report had been submitted to Steven Ross who had emailed it to members—please see attached report. There was a decline in moorings from 168 in 2011 to 143 in 2012.
Mike also contacted firms for pulling abandoned moorings and had received an offer from Four Mile River Marina to pull them for $125 per mooring. Discussion followed on reasons why moorings were abandoned and how best to serve the boating community when pulling the moorings.
Steven Ross noted that there has been a proposed bill 5806 that changes the responsibility for the Harbor Master from the CT DOT to the CT DEEP. The municipality would appoint the Harbor Master with oversight by the DEEP.  He will monitor the progress of this bill and report to members.

Dredging Study
Ned Farman reported that the Task 1.1, Historical Review has been completed at a cost of $3,018. Tasks 1.2 and 1.4, the Hydrographic Condition Surveys and Indentify critical Coastal resources and Conditions, have also been completed, $8.855.  Task 1.3, Determine Desirable Navigation Channel depths and Widths, will be drafted next and presented to the HMC for review and discussion.  Subsequent to completion of Task 1.3, we will set up a meeting with DEEP and others.

NEW BUSINESS
Dock Applications
Steven Ross noted that DEEP has approved the Romeo dock application on the Black Hall River.

DEEP Violations
None this month.

CT Statewide Port Authority/Long Island Council and Assembly
Ned Farman reported about the newly formed CT Statewide Port Authority focusing on New London, New Haven and Bridgeport, which has bonding power to initiate projects and has the backing of the maritime industry. The new Port Authority will include the CT Maritime Association which had been of great assistance in the Dredge Study last year. Ned’s question for members was what body will support the needs of the smaller towns.
Ned also reported on the new formation within the Long Island Sound Council and Assembly. Discussion followed regarding the organization which was formed in 1989 but does not report significant information to the HMC. Members decided that it was not the HMC responsibility to participate in any way with this organization.

RSVP for Absences at Future Meetings
Steven Ross asked the clerk when sending out the next month’s agenda to remind people to reply to her with any absences. This is to avoid not having a quorum for the meetings.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.


Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk