Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 09/04/2024

Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes -Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Waterford Police Station Training Room
5:00 p.m.
1. Establish a Quorum and Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. after
establishing a quorum.
Present were Commissioners Hughes, Buths, Jr., DeRosa, Dutton
and Wise. Absent were Commissioners Crocker, Bunnell, Jamroga
and Porter. Also absent was Harbor Master Dave Crocker.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the August 7, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner DeRosa, seconded by Commissioner
Buths, Jr. to approve the August 7, 2024, regular meeting minutes
as filed. All in favor, motion passed.
4. Harbor Master Report
Dave Crocker was not present go give the Harbor Master report at
this meeting.
5. Correspondence

All relevant correspondence pertaining to Harbor Management
Commission business and events are forwarded to the Commission
members throughout the month to keep everyone as up to date as
possible in between meetings.
6. New Business
a. Presentation from DOCKO, Inc/Sound Engineering Associates
Company, Fairfield, CT Regarding the Mallari Seawall Return
Project for 6 Reed Avenue, Waterford, CT.
Keith Neilson from DOCKO, Inc/Sound Engineering Associates
Company discussed the proposed seawall with the Commission and
answered all the questions presented.
Motion made by Commissioner Buths, Jr., seconded by
Commissioner Wise to authorize Chairman Hughes to sign off on
the Mallari Seawall Return Project for 6 Reed Avenue, Waterford,
CT on behalf of the Waterford Harbor Management Commission
indicating there is no opposition from the Commission and that the
proposal will not have a negative impact to the area or to Harbor
Management business. All in favor, motion carried.
b. Presentation from DOCKO, Inc/Sound Engineering Associates
Company, Fairfield, CT Regarding a General Dock Permit for
Kathleen Coss located at 167 Oswegatchie Road, Waterford, CT.
Keith Neilson from DOCKO, Inc./Sound Engineering Associates
discussed and reviewed the proposal with the Commission members
and answered all questions presented.
Motion made by Commissioner Wise, seconded by Commissioner
Buths, Jr. to authorize Chairman Hughes to sign off on the proposal
on behalf of the Waterford Harbor Management Commission
indicating there is no opposition from the Commission and that the

proposal will not have a negative impact to the area or to Harbor
Management business. All in favor, motion carried.
Chairman Hughes asked Mr. Neilson about the Mago Point Dock
repair and Mr. Neilson stated the DEEP should have submitted a
letter to Harbor Management approving the dock repair, but the
Commission has not received notification from DEEP. Mr. Neilson
stated he will investigate the matter and get back to the
Commission with his findings.
c. Discussion Regarding Implementing a Mooring Inspection Plan
for 2024 to Include Volunteers from the Commission.
Chairman Hughes explained that it is time for the Commission to go
out to locate and mark moorings for removal that do not have a
2024 sticker and have not applied for one this season.
Commissioners Hughes, Buths, Jr. and Wise volunteered to go out
on the boat to mark delinquent moorings. A discussion was held
regarding protocol for marking the moorings and documentation
including photographs and mooring coordinates for the moorings
marked for removal.
d. Discussion Regarding the Merger of DOCKO, Inc. and Sound
Engineering Associates.
Tim DeBartolomeo, PE, and Donna DeBartolomeo, Director of
Operations from DOCKO were present to discuss the merger of
DOCKO, Inc., and Sound Engineering Associates. They explained
that business will continue as usual and that they are working
closely with Keith Neilson until the acquisition is completed over
time. They explained that they will maintain the same high-quality
standard of service provided by Keith Neilson over the past forty
years and they are looking forward to the joint adventure. Over
time, Keith Neilson will phase out into retirement, and they will
continue his legacy of DOCKO, Inc. and look forward to serving
their clients for years to come.

7. Old Business
a. Discussion Regarding Progress with Coordinating a Meeting with
Local Harbor Management Commissions.
Chairman Hughes has set up an informational meeting with the
Chairs of the local Harbor Management and Shellfish Commissions
to get to know each other and to discuss matters that they all share.
It is his hope to open the lines of communication and work together
going forward. He will give feedback from the meeting at the next
regularly scheduled Harbor Management Commission meeting.
b. Update regarding Progress with the 2024 Mooring and Pully Pole
Applications to Include Revenue Generated to Date.
Chairman Hughes stated the mooring and pulley pole applications
are slowing down for the season. So far this season a total of twelve
thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars has been collected
for one hundred and forty-five mooring permits to date. It has been
a busy season processing the permits with many satisfied mooring
permit applicants.
c. Discussion Regarding Creating a Sub-Committee for Updating the
Existing Harbor Plan.
Chairman Hughes has sent a copy of the latest Harbor Management
Plan on file at the Waterford Town Clerks office to all he
Commission members to review. He suggested that the Commission
members look through the document to pinpoint areas they would
like to amend for discussion at the next meeting.
d. Update Regarding Harbor Management Commissions
Participation in the Town Parade.
Chairman Hughes was presented with an award trophy at the

Waterford Town Parade for best non-profit participant in the parade
this year. He stated he will leave it in the Harbor Management
office, and he looks forward to next years parade.
8. Public Comment Relating to Waterford Harbor Management
Commission Business Only
9. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at
6:08 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Harbor Management Commission