Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 12/03/2025

Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Police Department Training Room
Waterford Police Station – 5:00 p.m.
1. Establish a quorum and call the meeting to order
Chairman Hughes called the regular meeting of the Harbor
Management Commission to order at 5:00 p.m. after establishing a
quorum.
Present were Commissioners Hughes, DeRosa, Porter, Buths, Jr.,
Arfi, Wise and Jamroga. Absent were Commissioners Bunnell and
Crocker.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve of the November 5, 2025, regular meeting minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Buths, Jr., seconded by
Commissioner Jamroga to approve the November 5, 2025, meeting
minutes as filed. All in favor, motion carried.
4. Harbor Master Report
Harbor Master Crocker was not present to give his report at this
meeting.
5. Correspondence
The Commission received two new applications for pulley pole
permits.
Chairman Hughes discussed a piece of floating dock that has
washed up onto the shore of the Niantic River, and a discussion was
held regarding the best method to dispose of it.
6. New Business

Chairman Hughes discussed membership, stating that he,
Commissioner Buths, Jr. and Bunnell have expiring terms in
February, 2026. He stated he would like to renew for another term
and will send a letter to the First Selectman’s office stating so.
Commissioner Buths, Jr. also stated he will send a letter to renew
his term prior to the expiration date. Chairman Hughes will contact
the Town Clerk to update the website to reflect that Commissioner
DeRosa took over as Secretary for the Commission when
Commissioner Dutton resigned.
7. Old Business
a. Update/discussion with the Harbor Management Commission
Sub-Committee regarding the proposed amendments to the existing
Harbor Management Plan and vote to forward the document to the
proper authorities for review.
The subcommittee members discussed the maps and indicated that
once the maps are in place the document will be completed and is
ready to be sent to the Town Attorney for review.
A discussion took place regarding boundaries in the Niantic River
and the need for clear delineations for mooring fields and footprints
for property owners and the scope for areas for their moorings and
pulley poles within their riparian rights. Chairman Hughes will
check with the Harbor Master for clarification. Commissioner
DeRosa stated safety is a concern with congested areas and should
be addressed.
Motion made by Commissioner Buths, Jr., seconded by
Commissioner DeRosa to forward the amended Harbor Management
Plan to the Town Attorney for review. All in favor, motion carried.
Chairman Hughes thanked the members of the subcommittee for
their time working on the amendments for the Plan.
b. Update regarding the 2025 mooring and pulley pole application
process to date and a delinquent mooring update.
Chairman Hughes stated the 2025 season was a success with one
hundred seventy-four applicants applying for and receiving their

2025 stickers. There were two additional applications received for
pulley poles this week. Chairman Hughes will check with Harbor
Master Crocker for an update to the delinquent mooring removal
process.
c. Update regarding the progress with the mooring and pulley pole
fee increases for the 2026 season.
Chairman Hughes attended the RTM meeting where he presented
his proposal for fee increases to keep in line with the fees charged
by the Town of East Lyme in the Niantic River. The RTM passed the
request to increase the renewal fees from seventy-five dollars to one
hundred dollars and to increase the new mooring fees from one
hundred dollars to one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The new
fee structure will take place in the 2026 season. Chairman Hughes
will update the 2026 documents to reflect the price increases. The
increase will help to cover the costs of the repairs to the Harbor
Master boat and trailer, clerical expenses and general operations of
the Commission. The Commission anticipates a bill from the Town
of East Lyme for approximately two thousand dollars for boat
repairs and upkeep to be paid this year. The Commission splits the
cost of the boat and trailer with the Town of East Lyme annually.
8. Public comment relating to Waterford Harbor Management
Commission business only.
There was no one from the public present to address the
Commission at this meeting.
9. Adjournment
Chairman Hughes stated he will be away for the January and
February meetings and Commissioner Buths, Jr. volunteered to
Chair the meetings in his absence.
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at
5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford

Harbor Management Commission