Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 10/07/2020

MINUTES 
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION 
REGULAR MEETING 
 
ZOOM Meeting Wednesday, October 7, 2020 
 
Present:  
Commissioners Jane Adams, Robert DeRosa, Robert Dutton, Philip Fine, Fred 
Wise (alternate) and Harbor Master David Crocker. 
 
Absent: 
Jim Hamsher, Eva Bunnell, Bryan Lynch, Greg Crocker (alternate) and Deputy 
Harbor Master Richard Miller 
 
1. 
The meeting was called to order at 5:01 pm and quorum established. Fred Wise will be the 
voting alternate for the meeting. 
 
2.   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.   
 
3.   Approval of the minutes 
 
Motion by Mr. Dutton, seconded by Mr. DeRosa to approve the minutes of the September 
2, 2020 regular zoom meeting, motion passed, vote 5-0. 
 
4. Harbor Masters Report  
 
a)  The current process of tagging derelict moorings and pulley poles has yielded high 
compliance from permittees.  The Harbor Master expressed the appreciation for the 
Commissioners’ assistance and is hopeful for a greater compliance with permitting and  
renewals of moorings and pulley pole permits in the future. 
 
b) There has been no additional information received regarding the project to remove the 
derelict piers across from the Sub Base. 
 
c)  A 36-38 ft. sailboat that was grounded after becoming loose in the Niantic River has been 
removed. 
 
5. Correspondence –  
 
a)  Chair Adams provided a draft annual report for FY 2019-2020.  Motion by Mr. DeRosa, 
seconded by Mr. Dutton to approve and submit to the Town of Waterford the Waterford 
Harbor Management Commission’s Annual Report FY 2019/2020 with one correction of a 
typo, all in favor, motion passed 5-0. 
 
 
 
6.  Applications - None 
 
 
7.  Old Business –  
 
a) Mr. Fine was in contact with Tighe & Bond regarding the GIS mapping undertaken on 
behalf of Harbor Management.  Of the 4 items to be addressed, the format of coordinates 
of moorings/pulley poles has been corrected for uniformity and the background colors have 
been modified.  A direct link to the GIS maps for placement on the WHMC webpage has 
been provided to the Town.  Information is still being sought for updating the coordinates 
for the shellfishing areas.  Ms. Tinker will reach out to Mark Geer in IT for assistance with 
the linking process on the WHMC webpage. 

 
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b)  Mr. Wise obtained clarification on a question raised in a previous Harbor Management 
Commission meeting about commercial aquaculture leases referenced in the 
DABA/WELSCO MOU.  He received an email from Peter Harris, Chair of WELSCO who said 
WELSCO has no authority to approve commercial aquaculture leases in the Niantic River 
that the language was believed to be standard for MOUs of that type.  
 
8.  New Business –   
 
a)  The Mooring inspectors have found some discrepancies with information included on 
inspections.  Mr. Adabbo will be removed from the inspectors list as he is now residing out 
of state. Jaxon Vibber will be the only inspector listed under Sound Marine. 
 
b)  There will be some clarifications to the Mooring Inspection process that will include:  
confirmation from the Harbor Master on approval of new moorings and coordinates prior to 
installation; clarification to the permittee that the inspector is not responsible for renewing 
moorings; clarification that the permittee must submit inspections directly to the 
commission during the renewal process; reminding the inspector and permittee that the 
current 4 digit number system must be used on all documents and mooring gear and that 
and removal of the previous 3-digit numbers on all mooring balls is required.  The Harbor 
Master may set up a brief meeting with the inspectors to go over the process. 
 
c)  Commissioner’s agreed to include a notation on the renewal/new application for a 
mooring or pulley pole permit that winter sticks are required to be removed no later than 
May 31 annually. Copies of current inspection forms will be provided by the Harbor 
Management Commission to inspectors to ensure that the current forms are used. 
 
d)  The 2021 meeting schedule of the Harbor Management commission was reviewed.  The 
members agreed to continue meetings on the first Wednesday of each month in 2021. Ms. 
Tinker will submit the schedule to the Town of Waterford and the Waterford Police 
Department. 
 
9. Adjourn 
 
There being no further business to come before the Commission, and upon motion by  
 
Mr. Dutton, seconded by Mr. Wise, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
 
 
Amy Tinker 
Recording Secretary