Meeting Minutes
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
April 14, 2015
ATTENDANCE
Regular Members Present: Bob Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, Ned Farman, Michael Magee, Mike Mackey, Curt Rasmussen, Steven Ross
Alternate Members Present: John MacDonald, George Finley
Ex-officio Members Present:
Absent: Dave Frederiks, William Harris, Tom Meyer, Harry Plaut
Guests: Keith Neilson (Docko Inc.)
Chairman Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
John MacDonald was seated for Dave Frederiks and George Finley was seated for Bill Harris.
REPORTS
a. Clerk’s Report: Approval of Minutes of March 10, 2015
John MacDonald moved to accept the minutes of March 10, 2015.
George Finley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Correspondence
Steve Ross reported that the DEEP approved the application for the Academy Lane fire dock. He stated that there is money in the Town Treasury for this project and it will have no impact on the Town Budget. Keith Neilson stated that they will still have to get a Town permit and asked that the HMC write a letter in favor of this project. Mr. Ross will talk to Bonnie Reemsnyder about this and it will be put on next month’s HMC Agenda.
c. Treasurer’s Report – Bill Harris
Approval of Report March 2015
Bill Harris was not present so this was tabled until the next meeting. Mr. Ross did report that checks for permits had come in, including one from the Old Lyme Marina.
CURRENT BUSINESS
a. Presentation by Keith Neilson of Docko, Inc.
Application of Melissa Santos, 10 West End Drive for Gabion Retaining Wall
Application of Michael Gibson, 12-1 West End Drive for Gabion Retaining Wall
Application for Sloan Danenhower to install Beach Sand Retention Pipes at Hawks Nest Beach in front of 10 &12-1 West End Ave.
Steve Ross reported that both Gabion Retaining Walls have already been constructed due to an emergency authorization by the DEEP. Keith Neilson gave a history of what happened to cause the need to construct the new Gabion Walls and the need for the work that Sloan Danenhower has applied to do. Mr. Danenhower’s project is experimental only, and the DEEP is on board. If the project is deemed unsuccessful, all construction material will be removed. This project will not be done until the fall of this year.
Even though the Gabion Walls have been built, all three applications need to be supported by the HMC. A Consultation Conformity Form for DEEP would need to be signed for each application.
Steve Ross stated that he would be in favor of approving this, but stating in the approval that the exact location of the CJL is extremely difficult to determine as it is constantly changing in that area and that the permits to add sand in that area are going to bring these two walls easily within compliance.
The HMC would also want copies of all correspondence pertaining to the Danenhower project i.e. plans, as-builts and results.
Steve Ross reported that Keith Neilson is handling the Todd Application at 100 Mile Creek Road. The DEEP has issued a notice of insufficiency and are asking for more information.
b. Member Appointments
There is still one current opening for an Alternate Member.
c. Pilgrim Landing – Mike Magee
Mike Magee reported that some logs have washed up on the beach, and that the parking lot was covered with gravel. He will speak to Ed Adanti about cleaning it up.
d. Dinghy Dock – Mike Mackey
Mike Mackey reported that the dock should be in by the first week in May. Mr. Mackey will go look at the dock before it goes in the water to determine the repairs needed.
e. Potential Public Access Site – West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road
1. Phase 2 – Foot Bridge Across Lt. River Sub-Committee on Hold
2. Phase 3 – Proposed Ramp Application – Survey Bids
f. Lt. River Parcel from DEEP to Town – Waiting for Deed from State of CT
Steve Ross reported that the Deed is completed and should be delivered to the Town Clerk for recording any day now. He will check with Bonnie Reemsnyder.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Harbor Master Report – Harry Plaut and Mike Mackey
Harry Plaut was absent. Mike Mackey reported that all applications have been sent out.
b. Dredging Study – Ned Farman and Steven Ross
Steve Ross reported that the period for public comment on the applications has expired. The HMC had received a few questions by residents and they were addressed by Coastline Consulting with response letters being mailed today. Mr. Farman was not sure if the RFP had been reviewed by the Town Attorney yet. Once approved, the RFP will go out to dredging companies.
Ned Farman reported on the CHMA Legislative Alert regarding the Proposed Substitute Bill No. 6816: An Act Concerning the Connecticut Port Authority. This bill, now being considered during the 2015 Legislative Session will potentially affect all Connecticut harbors and State Harbor Masters.
George Finley expressed his concern over how shallow Four Mile River has become this year. He is seeing sand bars that he has never seen before. Steve Ross has noticed greater extremes with low tides being lower and high tides being higher.
Steve Ross stated that he had spoken to Sue Bailey just prior to the public comment period ending and she was extremely eager that we send a check for some outstanding amount. Neither the Town nor Coastline Consulting had received a bill for this.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Dock Applications – Steven Ross
Melissa Santos, 10 West End Drive for Gabion retaining wall
Michael Gibson, 12-1 West End Dr. for Gabion retaining wall
Sloan Danenhower, Beach Sand Retention Pipes at Hawks Nest Beach
Steve Ross moved to sign the Consultation Conformity for the Permit Applications for the Gabion Retaining Walls for Santos and Gibson but with the understanding that the CJL in the area of those two walls is frequently changing and approval is based on the fact that at the time that they were built they were above it and with the addition of sand being added to that beach, which has already been permitted, they will be well above it. Ned Farman seconded the motion. No discussion. SO VOTED by unanimous vote.
Robert Falaguerra moved to sign the Consultation Conformity for the Permit Application for Sloan Danenhower with the proviso that Mr. Danenhower sends the HMC copies of all documents that he sends to the DEEP. Bob Doyen seconded the motion. SO VOTED by unanimous vote.
Steve Ross will sign said documents and include wording that was discussed in the motions. He will mail the documents to Keith Neilson.
b. CHMA Banquet Status
Ned Farman reported that no date has been set for the CHMA Banquet yet.
c. Next Meeting of Harbor Management Commission
The next meeting of the Harbor Management Commission will be on May 12, 2015.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
Ned Farman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 PM. Curt Rasmussen seconded the motion.
SO VOTED.
Submitted by,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk
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