Harbor Management Commission - Minutes - 06/03/2020

MINUTES 
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION 
REGULAR MEETING 
 
  
 
 
 
ZOOM Meeting Wednesday, June 3, 2020 
 
Present:  
Commissioners Jane Adams, Robert DeRosa, Robert Dutton, James Hamsher, 
Philip Fine, Greg Crocker (alternate), Fred Wise and Harbor Master David Crocker 
 
Absent: 
Eva Bunnell, Brian Lynch and Deputy Harbor Master Richard Miller 
 
1. 
The meeting was called to order at 5:02 pm and quorum established. Greg Crocker will 
vote as alternate for this meeting. 
 
2.   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.   
 
3.   Approval of the minutes 
 
Motion by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Hamsher to approve the minutes of the November 7, 
2019 regular meeting, motion passed, vote 7-0. 
 
 
Motion by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Hamsher to reorder the agenda in order allow Item 6 
A- presentation Mills application by Keith Neilson of Docko. Inc.  All in favor, motion passed, 
vote 7-0. 
 
4. Harbor Masters Report  
a)  There is a large floating tree and a sunken catamaran in the Sandy Point area of the river.  
The Waterford Police Dept will use its drone to locate these items.   
b) Mr. Crocker has received 7 new mooring applications this year. 
c)  Mr. Crocker discussed the eligibility for mooring permits of owners of vessels that do not 
have CT registration or state decal. He observed that DEEP (per CGS Section 15-142) noted 
that out of state boaters may be issued a mooring in CT waters for not more than 60 days in 
certain circumstance; if the out of state boater seeks to keep the mooring for more than 60 
days, they must register their boat with CT DMV. 
d)  The 6 or 7 moorings whose coordinates are inaccurate will be contacted by Mr. Crocker  
to assure accurate locations on the GIS system. 
 
 
 
5. Correspondence –  
 
a)  Commissioners discussed the DA/BA notice on the proposed change in classifications to 
conditional shell fishing areas in the Niantic River.  It was agreed Harbor Management will 
continue stickering unpermitted, abandoned and derelict moorings. 
 
b)  The commission received copy of the COP for the Millstone Power station; there was no 
discussion. 
 
c)  Mr. Wise noted that in the Niantic Coastal Zone Soil Survey the items relating to the 
Niantic River include addressing the oyster, hard shells and eel grass soil areas.  The 
document is informational. 
 
d)  Ms. Adams noted the GIS map link is on the Town of Waterford website under the 
Harbor Management Commission page, however the link does not go directly to mooring 

 
2
locations. Mr. Fine noted there a few more steps to using the GIS mapping system on the 
website.  He will forward them to all the commissioners. An effort will be made to have the 
link directly on the Harbor Management page. 
 
6.  Applications - 
 
a)  Mr. Neilson of Docko Inc. reviewed the R. Mills dock application located at 27 Park Drive.  
There was discussion on the length of the pier, water depth, number and material used for 
pilings.  Ms. Adams noted that The SAV study was not included in the documentation.  Mr. 
Neilson agreed to forward the SAV study to Ms. Tinker who would distribute it out to all 
commissioners.  He stated there should not be anything in the SAV study that would 
compromise the approval of this application.   
      Motion by Mr. Hamsher, seconded by Mr. DeRosa to find the R. Mills application for 27 Park 
Drive consistent with the Harbor Management Plan subject to receipt of the SAV study 
confirming SAV would not be compromised by the dock.  All in favor, motion passed, vote 7-
0. 
 
 
7.  Old Business - None 
 
 
8.  New Business –   
 
a)  Mr.Wise discussed creating a subcommittee to review moorings as they relate to riparian 
rights, the need for and  the creation of mooring field, and the need to limit the number of 
moorings in the river.  Mr. Wise will gather more information and report on his findings at 
the next meeting; no subcommittee is necessary.  
 
       
9. Adjourn 
 
There being no further business to come before the Commission, and upon motion by  
 
Mr. Fine, seconded by Mr. DeRosa, the meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. 
 
Respectfully Submitted, 
 
 
Amy Tinker 
Recording Secretary