Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 05/06/2026

Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, May 6, 2026 
5:00 p.m. – Town Hall – Applebee Meeting Room

1.	Establish a quorum and call the meeting to order

Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order after establishing a quorum.

Present were Commissioners Hughes, Buths, Jr., DeRosa, Porter, Arfi, Wise and Jamroga.  Absent were Commissioners Crocker and Keatley and Harbor Master David Crocker.

2.	Pledge of Allegiance

3.	Approval of the April 1, 2026, regular meeting minutes

Motion made by Commissioner Jamroga, seconded by Commissioner DeRosa to approve the April 1, 2026, meeting minutes as filed.  All in favor, motion carried.

4.	Harbor Master report

Harbor Master Crocker was not present at the meeting to give his report, but Chairman Hughes did distribute a draft mooring contractor application for the Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission.  The Commission members reviewed the document that will be required for those that would like to become certified mooring inspectors for the Commission going forward.  This item will be placed on the June agenda for further discussion and input from the Harbor Master.

5.	Correspondence

a.	Appointment of Matthew Keatley to the Harbor Management Commission.  

Mr. Keatley was appointed to the Commission last month but was not present at this meeting.

b.	Correspondence from Chairman Hughes regarding FIFA World Cup/Amtrac

Chairman Hughes discussed a correspondence that included a proposal from Amtrac to close bridges during the FIFA World Cup.  Since then, the United States Coast Guard dictated that Amtrac will not dictate closures, and they will not move forward as originally planned as it would interrupt commercial fishing and boat traffic.  

6.	New Business

a.	Review of a Notice of Tentative Determination to approve structures, dredging and fill – Application No. 202506719-SDF located at 54 Shore Road, Waterford CT from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the purpose of dock restoration.  

The Commission reviewed the document and it was the finding of the Commission that this proposal is following the current Harbor Management Plan, and it will not adversely impact the immediate area.  Chairman Hughes will email the engineer to let them know of the Commission findings.

7.	Old Business

a.	Update regarding progress to date with the Town Attorney and the States approval of the amended Harbor Management Plan and maps.

Chairman Hughes has been in contact with the First Selectman’s office for an update and is waiting on a response regarding the status of the Plan.

b.	Update regarding the 2026 mooring and pulley pole applications to date.

Chairman Hughes reviewed the numbers with the Commission and stated that the process is moving along smoothly.  Currently most of the pending applications are waiting on their boat registrations or mooring inspection reports.  

8.	Public Comment relating to Harbor Management Commission business only.

There was no one present at the meeting to address the Commission.

9.	Adjournment

There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission.