Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 12/06/2023

Town of Waterford Harbor Management Commission
Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, December 6, 2023
5:00 p.m. – Waterford Police Station Training Room
1. Call to Order and Establish a Quorum
Chairman Hughes called the regularly scheduled meeting of the
Harbor Management Commission to order at 5:00 p.m. after
establishing a quorum.
Present were Commissioners John Hughes, John Jamroga, Fred
Wise, Robert DeRosa, David Crocker (Harbor Master), Joseph Buths
Jr, and James Hamsher. Absent were Commissioners Greg Crocker,
Richard Miller, Eva Bunnell and Robert Dutton.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
All in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the November 1, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Buths, seconded by Commissioner
Wise to approve the November 1, 2023 meeting minutes as
submitted. Voice vote, 7-0, all in favor, motion passed.
4. Harbor Masters Report
Commissioner Crocker discussed speed limits and restrictions in the
Niantic River and the need for signage depicting speed limits
between the bridges coming from both the north and the south to
enforce speeding in the 6 mph no wake area. The Town of East

Lyme has jurisdiction over enforcement of speed in the river and
without appropriate signage they are limited in enforcing the speed
limit. A discussion was held regarding protocol to install the
signage and permits that will be required to do so.
A discussion was held regarding the intent to employ Jeanette
Fisheries to pull ten to twelve of the delinquent, tagged and expired
moorings over the weekend.
A discussion was held regarding a proposal from the Police Chief to
relocate the Harbor Management Commission and Harbor Master
offices to the Public Safety Complex.
5. Correspondence
a. An invoice from Jeannette Fisheries was processed on November
28, 2023.
6. Old Business
a. Mooring and Pulley Pole 2024 Applications and Publication to
the Harbor Management Web page
It was the consensus of the Commission to send out the notifications
for applications for pully pole permits and moorings on March 1,
2024 with a return date of April 15, 2024 and to implement two
applications in the upcoming season, one for pully pulls and one for
moorings.
Chairman Hughes indicated that an additional inspector has been
added to the approved vendor list and the newly approved rates
will be implemented for the 2024 season.
b. Mago Point Dock Repair

There was a discussion regarding options for the dock repair, but
the proposal is still a work in progress.
7. New Business
a. Introduction of the new Recording Secretary for the Harbor
Management Commission, Audrey Ulmer.
The Commission members welcomed Audrey Ulmer to the
Commission.
b. Email all Current Mooring and Pulley Pole owners the new 2024
Applications
it was the consensus of the Commission members that mooring and
pulley pole owners will receive emails from the Commission for the
2024 applications on March 1, 2024 with a return date of April 15,
2024.
c. Consider DEEP LWRD Application #2023-03020-LISGP regarding
11 Baldwin Drive for Marissa Goldberg
The Commission has reviewed the application and would like to
speak with the representative for the project. It was the consensus
of the Commission members to contact the applicants and invite
them to the January 3, 2024 regularly scheduled meeting to answer
questions and discuss concerns of the Commission.
d. Discussion Regarding the January, February and March Regularly
Scheduled Meetings
Chairman Hughes indicated that he will be travelling during the
months of January, February and March and will be available

remotely. Commissioner Buths volunteered to Chair the meetings
scheduled for January 3, 2024 and February 7, 2024 in Chairman
Hughes absence.
General Discussion
The Commission members discussed the invasive spread of Hydrilla
that is invading the Connecticut River and how it is being spread
throughout the waters of Connecticut.
A discussion was held regarding the need to appoint someone to
empty the six fishing line containers as they are overdue for
cleaning.
A discussion was held regarding the Army Corp of Engineers
soundings in the Niantic River and the Connecticut River and it was
determined that dredging is not required at this time. A discussion
was held regarding the need for an area to dump the dredged
material should there be a need to do so.
Chairman Hughes asked the Commission members that have
expiring terms in January to forward their intent to continue to
serve on the Harbor Management Commission to him so that he can
forward their intent to the First Selectman’s office for re-
appointment at one of their January Board of Selectman meetings.
8. Public Comment
There was no one present to address the Commission at this
meeting.
9. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting was adjourned

at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Harbor Management
Commission