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Harbor Management Commission Minutes 07/12/2016
Meeting Minutes
The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission
July 12, 2016



ATTENDANCE


Regular Members Present:  Bob Doyen, Robert Falaguerra, Ned Farman, George Finley, Bill Harris, Michael Magee, Harry Plaut (ex-officio), Steve Ross

Absent: John MacDonald, Mike Mackey (ex-officio), Jeff Meinke (alternate), Tom Meyer

Guests:  Keith Neilson (Docko)

Chairman Steve Ross called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.  

REPORTS
a.       Clerks Report:  Approval of Minutes
Ned Farman moved to accept the minutes of Regular Meeting June 14, 2016 with one change requested by Harry Plaut.  The Drill that Harry Plaut attended was sponsored by the Coast Guard and not the City of New London.   George Finley seconded the motion.  SO VOTED.

b.      Correspondence
COP for Dock Reconstruction – Caulfield on Duck River
There was a discussion of a letter from Docko regarding COP Application for Dock Reconstruction to be done on the property of Chris Caulfield, 17 McCurdy Road.  No action is necessary on the part of the Commission.

c.       Treasurer’s Report:  Approval of Report for May and June 2016  
Bill Harris presented the Treasurer’s Report for May and June 2016.  
May 2016:  Interest / Dividends $7.06, Receipts $595, Ending Balance $21,177.60
June 2016:  Interest / Dividends $6.94, Receipts $150, Ending Balance $21,274.54
The Treasurer’s Report was accepted.

Steve Ross moved and Ned Farman seconded a motion to move Item falling under New Business (Permit Application for Meslow at Point O’Woods) presented by Keith Neilson of Docko to this point in the Agenda.  SO VOTED.

Application of Consultation DEEP Meslow Property - Keith Neilson of Docko
Keith Neilson of Docko presented plans for a removable 12 foot long by 2 feet wide aluminum ladder with adjustable feet, which will be used by the property owners to enter the ocean water from a concrete landing on the property to the ledge below.  This ladder will not extend into the water.  Ned Farman moved to indicate approval by the Harbor Management Commission on the Consultation Form which will be submitted to the DEEP and Mike Magee seconded the motion.  SO VOTED.

CURRENT BUSINESS
a.       Member Appointments- Alternate Position
Steve Ross was pleased to report that an application was received and approved by the BOS for Jeffrey Meinke to fill an Alternate Position.  Jeff could not attend tonight’s meeting but stated that he will be at the next meeting to be held in September.  

b.      Pilgrim Landing – Mike Magee
Mike Magee reported that the landing area will need some brush cut back soon.  Steve Ross suggested that although the Commission Members volunteer their time from time to time to clean up Pilgrim Landing, he would like to look into asking Public Works, or if need be hiring someone, to cut brush and clear away debris and trash approximately four times a year.  There was a discussion.  Ned Farman will draft a brief letter to First Selectwoman Reemsnyder regarding this matter with a suggestion that Public Works could schedule a clean-up four times a year, while pointing out the wider use of the Landing by residents.  In the letter he will include a proposed schedule and the duties.  The draft letter will be shared with Mike Magee for his input before it is sent to First Selectwoman Reemsnyder.  Harry Plaut will deal further with the stickered dinghies that appear to be abandoned on the racks.

Harry Plaut will look further into the abandoned dinghies on the racks that he had previously placed violation stickers.  After a couple weeks if the boats are still there, they should be removed.  

Harry Plaut also mentioned that it came to his attention that boaters and people are putting debris on the landing that they see floating in the river.

Mike Magee is still working on the mooring identification grid of the Pilgrim Landing area.
George Finley stated that he is almost finished with his identification of moorings at the beaches.

c.      Dinghy Dock – Mike Mackey
Mike Mackey was absent but Steve Ross reported that all is well at this time.

d.      Potential Public Access Site West Bank of Lt. River and Halls Road
Ned Farman and Steve Ross met with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to discuss this matter. She was receptive to the project and felt it tied in nicely with the Halls Road Improvement Plan.  She will draft a letter to the Commissioner of DEEP regarding steps to acquire funding.  

Foot bridge across Lt. River - John MacDonald liaison with Halls Improvement Committee
No Discussion
Discuss proposals requested for walkway & platform received from Docko & Coastline
No Discussion
Update on approach for obtaining funding
See above discussion with Bonnie Reemsnyder. (d)
                

COMMITTEE REPORTS
a.      Harbor Master Report Harry Plaut and Mike Mackey
Status of moorings unclaimed that were pulled in 2013-14 (6 available to sell)
This remains the same.
Harbor Master recap of activity since last meeting
Harry Plaut reported that he collected a check from Old Lyme Marina for $1,100 for 44 moorings.  This may or may not be the final count.  He also received a check from Old Lyme Dock Company for four moorings.   Harry met with Steve Ross over several issues and attended to the matter of the abandoned dock on the Lt. River which is tied up to a private dock for safe keeping.  No owner has been located and it will be given to the first person who has shown interest.  He has a week to take it and if not the second person will be made the offer.  On June 28 Harry removed the balance of the abandoned dock located on Pilgrim Landing and stickered four dinghies that were there.  On June 15 he visited Old Lyme Dock Co and collected payment.  Also dealt with an alarm going off in a boat at Pilgrim Landing.  Over the July 4 weekend, he dealt with numerous issues at Sound View Beach.  14 mooring permits were signed and he has not received a check from Frank Maratta, but has spoken to him several times.  Steve Ross instructed Harry to tell Mr. Maratta that he has to pay by the end of this week.  Harry performed numerous inspections.  

There was a discussion about the ongoing problems that are going on at Sound View and the frustrations of the residents with both the visitors and the policing.

Status of 2016 mooring applications and inspection reports
No report given.

Status of payments from Old Lyme Marina and Frank Maratta
Old Lyme Marina has paid and Harry Plaut will contact Frank Maratta.


NEW BUSINESS
a.              Consent Order for Black Hall Outfitters – status unknown
Steve Ross stated that the consent order has not been signed and the State has not done any other enforcement at this time.

b.              Discuss continued placement of marker at entrance to Black Hall River
There was a discussion that Black Hall Outfitters owner does not agree where the marker is placed and this has been an ongoing problem.  He would like a second marker placed also.  There was a discussion.
Steve Ross moved that after the 2016 season that the HMC will no longer place or maintain the marker at the mouth of the Black Hall River.  Ned Farman seconded the motion.  SO VOTED.

At a later date, the Commission will have a discussion about the notification and whether or not it will be donated or offered for sale to Black Hall Outfitters.  The mooring will need to be un-filed with the Coast Guard and filed by the new responsible party.  Bob Falaguerra will locate the paperwork to do so.

c.      Next meeting
The next meeting of the Harbor Management Commission will be on September 13, 2016.  There will be NO August meeting.


OTHER NEW BUSINESS
George Finley reported that Old Lyme Shores Beach Association, in conjunction with Old Colony and Fuss and O’Neill Engineering Company, are submitting a Certificate of Permission application to the DEEP to remove a longstanding Notice of Violation for adding rocks to the groin between Old Lyme Shores and Old Colony.~ These rocks were added years ago by unknown parties.~ The rocks will be removed and the groin will be restored to its original height and the Sheffield~Brook project will commence in the fall of 2016.~ When completed, a copy of the COP will be given to the Harbor Management Commission. Old Lyme Shores and Old Colony Beach will share equally any costs that occur beyond the Federal funding grants in order to make this a successful project to alleviate the flooding that has occurred for many years.  The Commission members were pleased to hear this and happy that the two Beach Associations were working together to solve the problem.

PUBLIC COMMENT


ADJOURNMENT
Robert Falaguerra moved and Mike Magee seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 PM.
SO VOTED.


Submitted by,


Mary Ellen Garbarino
Clerk