Meeting Minutes
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
December 8, 2015
ATTENDANCE
Regular Members Present: Bob Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, Ned Farman, Bill Harris, Mike Mackey (ex-officio), Michael Magee, Tom Myer, Harry Plaut (ex-officio), Steven Ross
Alternate Members Present: John MacDonald, George Finley
Absent: Dave Frederiks, Curt Rasmussen
Guests: Keith Neilson (Docko, Inc.), Sydney Williams (15 Smith Neck Road), Sydney Williams Jr. (Ely’s Ferry Road, Lyme)
John MacDonald was seated for Curt Rasmussen. George Finley was seated for Dave Frederiks.
Chairman Steven Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
REPORTS
a. Clerk’s Report: Approval of Minutes
John MacDonald moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting November 10, 2015 and George Finley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
b. Correspondence
Steven Ross reported that he had received an email from the DEEP regarding an approved COP to rebuild two walkways, a ramp and a float on the Williams property at 15 Smith Neck Road. Keith Neilson of Docko will present information about the COP and an additional application for a new section of walkway on the same property.
c. Treasurer’s Report for November 2015 - Bill Harris
Bill Harris gave the Treasurer’s Report for November 2015. The beginning balance was $19,905.15. Interest earned - $2.45, Cash Receipts - $75.00, Disbursements - $125.00. Ending balance was $19,857.60. The budget was accepted.
d. Presentation by Keith Neilson, Docko, Inc., for 5b Williams COP for existing walkway and dock rebuild plus a new section of walkway application at this location.
Keith Neilson of Docko, Inc. presented to the Commission and discussing the COP for existing walkway and dock rebuild plus the plans and application to build a new section of walkway on the same property at 15 Smith Neck Road. The Commission had questions and there was a discussion.
Robert Falaguerra moved and Ned Farman seconded to move Agenda item 5. New Business (b) to this point in the Agenda. SO VOTED.
NEW BUSINESS
b. New walkway application for Williams, 15 Smith Neck Road
John MacDonald moved to approve the application for a new walkway on 15 Smith Neck Road. George Finley seconded the motion. SO VOTED.
e. Article submitted for the Winter Edition of Old Lyme Events – Steve Ross and Ned Farman
Steven Ross reported that he and Ned Farman had written an article for the next edition of Old Lyme Events which focused on the Dredging Project and included several pictures.
f. Mooring inspection info on website updated – Harry Plaut and Steve Ross
Steven Ross reported that he and Harry Plaut had updated the mooring inspection info on the Town Website and asked Commission members to take a look at it. He noted that it was Harry Plaut who had pointed out the need for the update and Mr. Plaut created a new list of approved people for doing mooring inspections which was updated on the website.
g. Activity for fiscal year 2014-15 submitted for Town’s Annual Report – Ned Farman
Steve Ross stated that Ned Farman had created a report for the HMC for the upcoming Town’s Annual Report. Both Mr. Ross and Mr. Farman noted how busy the HMC has been and how much has been accomplished.
CURRENT BUSINESS
a. Member Appointments
Dave Frederiks’ term expires at the end of this year and he will not seek re-appointment. Curt Rasmussen has resigned from this Commission. Bill Harris’ term will end this year and he has agreed to be re-appointed in January. In January, the Selectmen will appoint both John MacDonald and George Finley as Regular Members.
b. Pilgrim Landing – Mike Magee
Mike Magee had nothing new to report except that a few dinghies are still on the rack.
c. Dinghy Dock – Mike Mackey
The Commission will do repairs on the dock in the Spring of 2016.
d. 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
There was a discussion on ways to improve access to the water’s edge. One solution is to build a stairway.
e. CHMA Status – Ned Farman
Ned Farman had nothing new to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Harbor Master Report – Harry Plaut and Mike Mackey
The status of moorings unclaimed that were pulled in 2013-14, eight are available to sell.
There were 152 moorings that were paid for and four more were questionable as to if they had been paid or not. These are with Old Lyme Dock Co. and Harry Plaut will contact them.
Mr. Plaut gave a report on items that had recently needed his attention. From now on Mr. Plaut will fill out an incident report for each incident that has to do with the Harbor Master. He will give said reports to Steven Ross.
Mr. Plaut reported that he had received an email from Scot Graham, Captain USGC (retired) stating that the US Coast Guard proposes to establish three special anchorage areas on the CT River in Old Saybrook. He shared the email with the Commission. Comments on the proposal must be received by 28 December 2015. There was a discussion and the Commission had no issues with this.
Mr. Plaut received a second email from the same regarding an Application Form to receive Nation Response Center Reports. This email was shared with the Commission and there was a discussion. Mr. Plaut will fill out an application to receive the reports.
Mr. Plaut reported that he has received a couple of phone calls about the dredging that is being done. He will direct questions in the future to Ned Farman.
b. Dredging – Ned Farman and Steven Ross
Steven Ross and Ned Farman reported that the dredging project is still underway and running very smoothly. It should be finished in January 2016. Members of the Commission and Harry Plaut were advised to direct questions from the general public about the project to Ned Farman.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Election of Officers
Tom Myer moved to nominate the Present Officers for 2015: Steve Ross (Chairman), Ned Farman (Vice Chairman), Bill Harris (Treasurer) and Mike Magee (Secretary) as officers for 2016. George Finley seconded the motion. Robert Falaguerra moved to close the nominations and Ned Farman seconded the motion. SO VOTED. The Commission voted in favor of accepting Tom Myer and George Finley’s motion of new officers for 2016.
b. COP Application and new walkway application for Williams, 15 Smith Neck Road
This item was moved in the Agenda.
c. Next meeting: March 8, 2016
The next meeting of the Harbor Management Commission will be on March 8, 2015.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Mooring permit applications will be sent out by the end of January 2016. Some wording will be added to the ones in Calves Island regarding the use of the dinghy rack. 2016 is a mooring inspection year, and all existing permit holders must submit a mooring inspection report with their application. A notice to this effect will be included with the mooring applications to be mailed. The Town website lists all authorized inspectors.
Steve Ross, on behalf of himself and Ned Farman, thanked the Commission Members for all their hard work this year. It was a very productive and busy year. He stated that each member made a great contribution to making it all work well. Steve gave special thanks to Ned Farman for all his work on the dredging project.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None
ADJOURNMENT
Robert Falaguerra moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 PM and Ned Farman seconded the motion.
SO VOTED.
Submitted by,
Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk
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