Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 08/07/2024

Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, August 7, 2024
RECEIVED FOR RECORD
. WATERFORD, CT
Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes 2024 AUG -8 iP 3 20
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Waterford Police Station Training Room ATTESt: Ged Le
5:00 p.m. ~ TOWN CLER’
4. Establish a Quorum and Call the Meeting to Order
Acting Chairman Buths, Jr. called the regular meeting of the Harbor Management Commission
to order in the absence of Chairman Hughes, at 5:00 p.m. after establishing a quorum.
Present were Commissioners Buths, Jr., Hamsher, DeRosa, Dutton, Porter, Wise and Jamroga.
Absent were Commissioners Hughes, Crocker and Bunnell.
Also present was Harbor Master David Crocker and visitor with interest in joining the
Commission, Serge Arfi.
The Commission welcomed newly appointed member, Jerry Porter to the Commission and
everyone introduced themselves.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
All in attendance stood for and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
3: Approval of the June 5, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Wise, seconded by Commissioner Jamroga to approve the June
5, 2024, meeting minutes as filed. Voice vote, 7-0, all in favor, motion carried.
4. Harbor Master Report
Harbor Master Crocker discussed the enforcement phase for moorings in the water that have
not applied for 2024 Mooring Permits. He explained that the moorings will get tagged for
removal and if they are not removed the Commission will have them removed at the owners
expense.
5. Correspondence
There are two new dock applications for review at the September meeting.
6. New Business

Waterford Harbor Management Commission 2
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, August 7, 2024
7. Old Business
a. Discussion Regarding Progress with Coordinating a Meeting with Local Harbor
Management Commissions.
Chairman Hughes has indicated that he has contacted some who have expressed interest in
meeting with the Waterford Harbor Management Commission, and he will update the
Commission at the next meeting with any progress he has made. The Commission is hopeful
that the meetings will benefit all involved and look forward to meeting with them.
b. Update regarding Progress with the 2024 Mooring and Pully Pole Applications to Include
Revenue Generated to Date.
The permitting process is starting to slow down, with approximately two hundred permits sent
out to date with over ten thousand dollars in revenue. Emails have gone out to those that have
not applied for a permit this year but had one last year, explaining that the Commission is
currently in the enforcement phase for moorings that do not have 2024 stickers. Mooring
inspections and Certificate of Decal are holding up the remaining partial permits, but the
process is moving along. Discussions were held regarding how to best streamline the process for
next season. Overall, it has been a very productive couple of months processing mooring
permits with many satisfied customers securing their 2024 mooring permits.
On August 5, 2024, the Waterford Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved the rate
increase for the mooring permits from fifty dollars ($50) for a mooring renewal fee to seventy-
five dollars ($75) and a new mooring fee from seventy-five dollars ($75) to one hundred dollars
($100) effective January 1, 2024, as requested by and voted on by the Harbor Management
Commission to be in line with the Town of East Lyme rates. Both Commissions share the same
waterway and should have the same rates. The additional money also helps to offset the costs
of clerical support, office supplies, the Harbor Master boat repairs and usage, and any related
Harbor Management Commission expenses incurred throughout the year.
Cc. Discussion Regarding Updating the Existing Harbor Plan.
Commissioner Wise suggested the Commission look at amending the existing Harbor
Management Plan as it has not been updated since 2013. The Commission members are in
favor of reviewing and implementing changes where there is a need and Harbor Master Crocker
stated he will request the copy of the Plan that the State of Connecticut has on file and send it
out to the Commission members to use as the base line for the amendments.
d. Discussion Regarding Harbor Management Commission Participation in the Town Parade
Scheduled for August 10, 2024.

Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, August 7, 2024
There was no interest from anyone present to participate in the Town parade. Chairman
Hughes has previously stated he would march in the parade to represent the Harbor
Management Commission.
8. Public Comment Relating to Waterford Harbor Management Commission Business Only
Serge Arfi discussed how his father had once been a member of the Harbor Management
Commission and he has expressed interest in joining the Commission when a position becomes
vacant. He offered his help to the Commission with reviewing the Harbor Management Plan
and stated he will be back to attend future meetings.
9. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Harbor Management
Commission.