Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 05/07/2025

Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Louise Applebee Conference 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.
Present were Commissioners Hughes, Buths, Jr., Porter, DeRosa and
Arfi. Absent were Commissioners Crocker, Wise and Jamroga.
Also present was Harbor Master David Crocker, First Selectman
Brule and Michael O’Connor of the CT Port Authority.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the April 2, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner
DeRosa to approve the April 2, 2025, meeting minutes as filed. All
in favor, motion carried.
4. Discussion with the First Selectman and the Executive Director of
the CT Port Authority.
First Selectman Brule introduced Michael O’Connor, Director of the
Connecticut Port Authority to the Commission members.
Mr. O’Connor stated he recently joined the Connecticut Port
Authority, and he is in the process of travelling to Connecticut
Towns to introduce himself and explain what his goals are going
forward and to promote the growing maritime economy. He
discussed wind farms, wind leases, the growing maritime economy,
Federal grants, sea routes, the expansion of Port opportunities, pier
upgrades, Ft. Trumbull, the State Pier, cruise ships, the small harbor
improvement program, dredging Jordan Cove and the shortage of
mariners. He stated the Port Authority website is a useful tool for

those who would like information and contact information.
Chairman Hughes thanked Mr. O’Connor for taking time to share
details of his position with the Waterford Harbor Management
Commission and state his insight, expertise, goals and background
will be a great asset to the State of Connecticut.
5. Harbor Master Report
Harbor Master Crocker stated that so far everything is going along
smoothly. There have been a lot of telephone calls, emails and texts
from mooring applicants with questions. A discussion was held
regarding two jet skis that broke loose in the Niantic River. The
Harbor Master boat is not in the water yet but should be in by
Memorial Day.
6. Correspondence
Chairman Hughes distributed to the Commission members a copy of
a LWRD License Application Pre-Submission Consultation Form
regarding a dock repair located at 54 Shore Road, Waterford. The
applicants are requesting a permit to rebuild a damaged dock. It
was the consensus of the Commission members that the work as
described in the application is consistent with the Harbor
Management Plan and authorized Chairman Hughes to sign off on
the project on behalf of the Harbor Management Commission and to
return the signed document to H&H Engineering Associates as
requested.
Chairman Hughes has been in contact with Commissioner Bunnell
who has expressed interest in help as much as she can do and that
she would like to remain on the Commission.
7. New Business
a. Discussion Regarding Implementing New Pulley Pole Permit
Applications.
It was the consensus of the Commission members to reinstate new
Pulley Pole applications for the 2026 season and to limit them to
property owners only. Chairman Hughes stated the Commission will

work on the wording for next season.
b. Update Regarding the April 15, 2025, East Lyme Harbor
Management/Shellfish Commission meeting
Chairman Hughes relayed the topics that were discussed at the
April 15th meeting with the Commission. Topics included Type II
Aquaculture, House Bill 6914, the Harbor Master boat and FEMA
cutbacks. He stated the minutes of the meeting have not yet been
filed.
8. Old Business
a. Update from Sub-Committee Regarding the Existing Harbor
Management Plan.
Commissioner Arfi stated they are moving forward and making
progress on schedule and are up to page 25 in their review. He
stated they are making notes for recommendations and noting
mistakes and grammar. There is a need for definitions as many
items are open for interpretation. The Subcommittee meets again
immediately following this meeting and they will report back next
month with their most recent findings.
b. Update Regarding Town Dock Repair Progress at Mago Point
First Selectman Brule stated the Town is in the process of applying
for a grant from the Port Authority to replace the Town Dock
instead of trying to repair the extensive damage. He will keep the
Commission updated with the progress.
c. Update Regarding the 2025 Mooring and Pulley Pole Application
Process
Chairman Hughes stated the process is moving along smoothly and
to date the Commission has processed ninety applications, this
number is about half of the number processed overall in 2024.
Many applications continue to come into the office and the process
is moving along smoothly.
9. Public Comment Relating to Waterford Harbor Management
Commission Business Only

No one came forward to address the Commission at this meeting.
10. Adjournment
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