Minutes of a Meeting of
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
October 8, 2013
Attendance:
Members present – Bob Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, Bill Harris, Mike Magee, Mike Moran, Harry Plaut, and Steven Ross.
Alternate Member Present: Curt Rasmussen (seated for Dave Frederiks)
Absent – Dave Frederiks, Mike Mackey,
Excused Absences: Ned Farman, Tom Meyer.
A quorum being present, Chairman Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
REPORTS
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted as submitted.
Correspondence
Steven Ross reported that he had only one piece of correspondence regarding the DEEP land parcel which will be taken up under Old Business, item e.
Treasurer’s Report
Bill Harris presented the Treasurer’s report, which was accepted for audit. A copy of the report is on file with the minutes.
OLD BUSINESS
Member Appointments
Steven Ross noted Curt Rasmussen who has been formally appointed as an Alternate Member to the HMC. He reminded members that there remain two vacancies for Alternate Members.
Pilgrim Landing
Mike Moran reported that an adjacent neighbor has been cleaning the Pilgrim Landing area of any driftwood.
Mike Magee reported that there have been two oversize boats in the rack at the Landing. Mike Moran will supervise the area and tag any violators.
Dinghy Dock
No issues at present.
Potential Public Access Site—West bank of Lt. River
Phase 2- Foot bridge across Lt. River—on hold.
Phase 3- Dock application—Steven Ross reported that he and Ned Farman had met with Sue Bailey during the last month. It did not appear to them that Sue Bailey had not discussed the HMC’s site plan with Brian Thompson as she had indicated she would. She asked if we knew the location of the Coastal Jurisdiction Line and we replied we did not.
Steven called Angus McDonald who worked on the dock across from the potential public access site for Jim Graybill’s property. Angus will research information for the HMC regarding the Graybill application directly across from the site. After discussion, Steven Ross decided that he would call Sue Bailey and continue to ask for an answer to the original request for a COP as a modification to the bulkhead at the site. If not acceptable, members agreed that building a ramp up to the coastal jurisdiction line without a dock application could be an alternative. Steven noted that he is waiting for the brush to die back to show the lack of wetlands involved with any ramp placement. It will need to be determined if there is any tidal wetland.
Steven Noted that Bonnie Reemsnyder had sent a letter to Commissioner David Este requesting that the DEEP turn over their adjacent parcel to the Town of Old Lyme. There was a response from Land Acquisitions who sent an application for the request. Steven has completed a draft of this and given it to Bonnie Reemsnyder for her review. He noted that State Representative Marilyn Giuliano is supportive of the project and has contacted authorities with her endorsement.
Steven also noted that he has been observing the use of the site which has been primarily fishing and crabbing. He noted the need for people being able to access the water’s edge.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Harbor Master
Mike Moran gave a preliminary 2013 mooring report. Several adjustments are required to finalize which he will forward to the Chairman when completed.
Discussion followed as to which of these are permitted/unpermitted, which moorings still need pulling, which moorings have been pulled since the report as well as identifying which mooring holders to target for payment of mooring and necessary fees and/or fines. Members discussed ways to streamline the process but noted that next year will be simpler since it is not an inspection year. Mike will continue to finalize the report with the assistance of Bill Harris for next month’s meeting. Steven Ross noted the progress that Mike has made with this project.
Dredging Study
Steven Ross noted that he and Ned went to DEEP in Hartford for a presentation of the summary report by Coastal Consulting with Sue Bailey and others. She was very supportive and had no particular issues with the data and proposals. Phase One study ($19,000) is complete. Phase 2 has been started which involves taking samples for the benthic study and will involve months for analysis. He noted that Joe Salvatore (CT Bureau of Aviation and Ports/ Dredging Project Coordinator) is very excited about this entire project since it is the first dredging study supported by state funding in non-federal waters in the state of CT. Steven has been in contact with Merv Roberts of the Old Lyme Shellfish Commission who is supportive of the project as well.
Long Island Beacons
Harry Plaut and Bob Falaguerra reported information from Coast Guard regarding beacons for the OL river approaches. After discussion, members decided that they prefer unlighted, non-metallic reflective buoys that would be placed during April 1-October 31 and pulled thereafter. Harry and Bob will continue to work on these new items.
NEW BUSINESS
Town Report Write-Up
Harry Plaut volunteered to write a draft summary of the HMC actions during the previous fiscal year. Steven Ross will help finalize the draft and it will be presented to members at next month’s meeting.
Budget for next Fiscal Year
Steven Ross noted this year’s contracted versus actual budget items. Members proposed the following for the next fiscal year: $850 contracted services, $50 screws for dinghy dock and $50 for postage for a total of $950.
Dock Applications
Steven Ross noted that the application for the Fire Dock at Academy Lane has been submitted. There are no new applications.
DEEP Violations
Steven Ross noted that the Sedgwick violation remains outstanding but Keith Nielson has submitted the application for the new ramp/float. It should be approved imminently by Sue Bailey.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Submitted by:
Janet S. Cody, Clerk
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