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| NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES |
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT MAYORS WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 27, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Tony Mobilia, Chairman; Tony D’Andrea; Jack Callahan; Jose Cebrian; Jason Farrow; Richard Ramsey; Pat Clark; Dr. John Pinto (7:53 pm)
STAFF: Derick DeMarche, Planning and Zoning
OTHERS: Geoff Steadman, Consultant; Michael Griffin, Harbormaster; Brad Simmons, Norwalk Yacht Club
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2005 AS PRESENTED.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
A. Letter to Gina McCarthy, DEP.
Mr. Mobilia mentioned that a follow up letter was sent to the Transportation Strategy Board asking for Ms. McCarthy to meet with them; no reply has been received yet.
B. Letter to Jack Karalius, ACOE.
Mr. Mobilia said a letter was also sent to Jack Karalius regarding the upland disposal site.
C. Letter to Senator Lieberman’s office.
Mr. Mobilia noted that a letter had been sent to Senator Lieberman’s office with a brief description of the dredging process.
D. Letter to Planning Commission
Mr. Mobilia indicated that a letter had been sent to the Planning Commission regarding the mid-harbor plan and all the comments that were made during the last meeting were incorporated in the letter. A letter was also sent to the Connecticut Harbor Management Association requesting assistance.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
A. Special committee to discuss the Mayor’s Water Quality Committee
Mr. Mobilia reported that there had been a special committee meeting held today chaired by Mr. Callahan.
Mr. Callahan indicated that the Plans and Recommendations committee had two meetings this month. He referred to the back-up material addressing the Mayor’s Water Quality Committee.
Mr. Mobilia said that he and Mr. D’Andrea had met with the Mayor to discuss the committee where they had stated their concerns and the Mayor was very receptive to them. The Mayor was not aware that the intern program had been testing up the river; he decided that he would call a meeting with this committee and other city agencies to discuss the direction of the Water Quality Committee. This would also determine where grants would come from and how best to coordinate those grants.
Mr. Ramsey said he had delayed the final budget and asked if they should use the figure they have been given in the past.
Mr. Mobilia said it was his feeling that they should go ahead with the previously used figure as the outcome of the upcoming meetings could change the direction of the committee or it may stay the same; he indicated that they did not have any firm meeting dates at this point.
Dr. Pinto joined the meeting at 7:53 pm.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Finance – Mr. Ramsey
Mr. Ramsey thanked Mr. Griffin for doing a great job. He went through the month’s financial activities. He noted that they had not received any funds from the city yet. He distributed a year-end report reflecting the consultant’s distribution of expenses.
Mr. Mobilia noted that he had received his check from the city regarding travel to Washington DC.
Mr. Ramsey reviewed the funds in the David S. Dunavan memorial fund.
B. Application Review – Ms. Clark
1. 2005-05 Robert Halmi, Jr and Lisa Weimer, 18 Rocky Point Road,
Rowayton
Ms. Clark noted that this application refers to a Certificate of Permission to CT DEP for work at the above address and is for the repair and reinforcement of an existing seawall. There will be no extensions seaward and will be in the same stone and mortar.
** MS. CLARK MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FIND APPLICATION TO CT DEP FOR A COP OF ROBERT
HALMI, JR. AND LISA WEIMER OF 18 ROCKY POINT ROAD IN ROWAYTON IS CONSISTENT
WITH THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION.
** DR. PINTO SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 2005-06: Norwalk Yacht Club, 19 Nathan Hale Drive, Norwalk
Ms. Clark said the second application is by Norwalk Yacht Club. The club has applied for a Certificate of Permission to CT DEP for a project that is really in three parts. The first and biggest is for the re-authorize a previously permitted mooring field up to 152 moorings in the waters of Wilson Cove. The previous permit for this had inadvertently been allowed to expire and so the club is asking to have it brought up to date. Regarding the rest of the application along the waterfront there are two others that are being included in the same Certificate of Permission. There is an area directly in front of the clubhouse where there is an existing pier, ramp and series of floating docks. The club is asking to relocate the two floating docks and to lengthen the ramp by a few feet and then to extend these docks in a more northerly fashion. The encroachment would not affect the mooring areas or the channel. The final part of the application is in the southern area that is currently used as a work area and for launching of boats. There is currently a launching platform, a ramp and some floating docks that were authorized in the past. The club is asking to move one of the ramps, extend the dock and to add a better launching deck and a small crane. None of these extensions will encroach on the mooring fields or the passages of boats going to the north of club.
** MS. CLARK MOVED THAT THE APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MOVES TO RECOMMEND THAT THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FIND APPLICATION TO CT DEP FOR A COP BY NORWALK YACHT CLUB, 10 NATHAN HALE DRIVE, SOUTH NORWALK FOR WORK AT THE SAME ADDRESS INVOLVING 1) THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF A PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED MOORING FIELD AND; 2) THE RECONFIGURATION OF FLOATS, RAMPS AND LAUNCH DECK IN EXISTING WORK AREAS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS DATED APRIL 13, 2005 IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. THAT AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MOORING FIELD BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE
YEARS AND MAY BE RENEWED EVERY FIVE YEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORWALK HARBOR
MANAGEMENT PLAN.
2. MOORINGS SHALL BE REMOVED IN OCTOBER AND BE REINSTALLED IN APRIL OF EACH
YEAR.
** DR. PINTO SECONDED.
Mr. Steadman gave some background information on the yacht club and previous applications.
Discussion ensued.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. 2005-07: CT Dept of Transportation work at Stroffolino Route 136 Bridge. Preliminary review of application to CT DEP for maintenance work
Ms. Clark noted that this is a preliminary review indicating that this is on the agenda to alert committee members of the application
4. 2005-08 Anne and Kurt Feuerman, 1 Rocky Point Road, Rowayton CT. To retain an existing seawall and construct a stairway off the seawall to the beach
Ms. Clark said that this is an application that they received late and has been brought forward to the Commission as the comment period expires on May 6, 2005. The application is to CT DEP for a proposal regarding the retention of an existing seawall and installation of some stairs and a landing area that will allow access from the private residence to a small beachfront area. The area is on the westerly side of Wilson Cover (she referred to a map and drawing).
Discussion ensued.
** DR. PINTO MOVED THAT THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FINDS APPLICATION
200301542-2S BY ANNE AND KURT FEUERMAN OF 1 ROCKY POINT ROAD FOR WORK AT THE
SAME ADDRESS TO RETAIN AN EXISTING SEAWALL AND INSTALL STAIRS AND LANDING IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION.
** MR. RAMSEY SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OTHER BUSINESS
CT DEP Permit SCEL-2005-04E, 200500737-KZ Emergency repairs to the Route 123 Bridge over the Norwalk River
Ms. Clark indicated that the committee had received a notice that work had been done on the Route 123 Bridge in March 2005 and this was done under the nature of emergency repairs.
CT DEP Permit 200303661-JW to Graham Bluff Realty, LLC for construction of a dock in Wilson Cove
Ms. Clark said this had been added to the agenda to make Commissioners away that Graham Bluff Realty had received a permit to build a pier, ramp and floating dock. This application generated a lot of public comment as the application specified the use was for employees only. DEP has sent a permit with some strongly worded guidelines including the fact that there may not be more than four recreational boats tied up to this small dock. She added that this still has to go through Planning and Zoning.
C. Web Page/Newsletter – Mr. Farrow
Mr. Farrow noted that Mr. Palau has agreed to write some articles for the newsletter. The next deadline for materials is August 31, 2005.
D. Boating and Harbor Safety – Mr. Farrow
There was no report this evening.
E. Water Quality Committee – Mr. D’Andrea
Mr. D’Andrea referred to the written copy of the report from the committee meeting.
F. Plans and Recommendations – Mr. Callahan
Mr. Callahan referred to the first three items regarding water quality. There were no additional questions.
Ms. Clark said regarding the bulkheads at 68 Water Street; they have on file a record with the DEP expressing their concerns also them for their comments on the situation.
Mr. Steadman said when he had last spoken with a representative from the DEP he/she had not heard back from the owners of 68 Water Street.
Discussion ensued.
G. Dredging – Dr. Pinto
Dr. Pinto said so far regarding the CHMA standpoint, they wrote a follow-up letter giving the impression from the Norwalk side. Other items remain at a status quo.
There was a discussion regarding financial aspects ensued.
H. Waterfront Facilities Advisory – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his written report.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Mobilia reported that Mr. Griffin had received a fax regarding a regatta to be held on the river this Sunday. All interested businesses on the river have been contacted.
Secondly, Mr. Mobilia referred to a waterways safety assessment meeting taking place on May 3rd and 4th, 2005 on Long Island in Port Jefferson from 9am – 5.30pm daily.
STAFF REPORTS
A. Planning and Zoning – Mr. DeMarche
There was no report this evening.
B. Harbormaster – Mr. Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his written report.
** MR. CALLAHAN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE HARBORMASTER’S REPORT DATED APRIL 27,
2005.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. Consultant – Mr. Steadman
Regarding the Harbor Management Plan, Mr. Steadman indicated that he had spoke with Ms. Balint (DEP) and hoped to have a report for the next month.
OTHER COMMENTS
Mr. Ramsey reported that the dragon boat races are Sunday June 5, 2005 and gave details on the event.
Mr. D’Andrea commended the Shellfish Commission regarding the sewage treatment
plant.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. RAMSEY MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. CALLAHAN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kate Kye
Telesco Secretarial Services
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