 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES |
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT MAYORS WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
CLICK HERE FOR HARBOR MANAGEMENT APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 24, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Anthony Mobilia, Chair; Jack Callahan; Tony D’Andrea; John Pinto;
Michael Griffin, Harbormaster; Pat Clark; John Romano.
STAFF: Geoff Steadman; Derick DeMarche, Planning & Zoning
OTHERS: John Frank, Chairman, Shellfish Commission; Diane Lauricella.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Mobilia called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
2. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Mobilia reported that the Commission sent out a few letters in the past month. One was to the Coast Guard concerning the repairs to the aids to navigation in the harbor; to the DEP for the Robert Bloom property at 120 Water St.; another to the DEP to Mr. McCarthy stating that the David Evans permit is in conflict with the Harbor Management Plan. Ms. Clark said she felt this was an absolutely terrific letter, very succinct and to the point, and she thought it illuminated all of their concerns very well. The Commission also sent a letter requesting forms to apply for funds from the boating registration account, although they have not heard anything yet as it is too soon.
Mr. Mobilia reported that he received a letter from the Army Corps listing dredging refunds; for the use of the CAD cell the City received some money back as did the South Norwalk Boat Club. He was unsure what that meant in the scheme of things, but evidently it did not cost as much as was expected. He said the Commissioners will recall this was for the two properties at NorWest and the South Norwalk Boat Club. Mr. Mobilia received a “cc” from the Army Corps to the DEP requesting a one-year extension on the dredging permits. Mr. Mobilia said he hoped they won’t need more than that, but if they do they will re-apply again.
Administrative Business
Mr. Mobilia reported on a meeting on the Long Island Sound Programs with the DEP about plan revisions that included himself; Mr. Steadman, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Pinto John Benoit (sp), and they discussed the shellfish portion of the plan. The DEP was in agreement with the plan but asked for additions to the paragraph concerning the shellfish and boats on the bottom, in order to clarify it just a little more. Mr. Mobilia said this will give the plan more teeth.
Mr. Mobilia reported on a meeting he attended with the Governor’s Boards & Commissions in which they mostly discussed procedures, and then got into the specifics of Norwalk. He said this committee was the third or fourth group of people since the Governor took office.
Dr. Pinto reported they met with the DEP and Mary P. Ann Board, the Director of Boards & Commissions in the Governor’s office, and Vanessa Ramirez, and Ms. Board was very receptive. He said Mr. Griffin gave an excellent overview of the State statutes and what they mean as far as Harbormasters and harbor management with communities that have a harbor management plan. Dr. Pinto said these are two new people who just came onboard about six weeks ago, and he and Mr. Griffin were able to educate them on what Harbormasters do, and how they integrate with the harbor management plans of each community. Dr. Pinto said they requested that the Commission update the appointments of Harbormasters. He said two years ago the Commission had put forth a document supporting the Deputy Harbormasters, and it was requested that this be updated and resubmitted.
Mr. Griffin commented that at the meeting of the Long Island Sound Programs Boards & Commissions, Norwalk was not represented but that Mr. Pinto was there as president of the Connecticut Harbor Management Association, speaking to issues and problems that all of the Commissions, that either have adopted a harbor management plan or not, are having difficulty with. Mr. Griffin said that Mr. Mobilia, being chairman of the Norwalk Commission, spoke on their behalf; and that he spoke from the point of view of being chairman of the Statewide Harbormaster Focus Group. He said it was really educational for both Ms. Board and Ms. Ramirez to sit and listen to the problems that these communities are presently having. He said there were a lot of issues that they were not aware of. For example, they were not aware that the Harbormaster program comes under the control and guidance of the Parks & Transportation, yet there is no funding for Harbormasters, and any training or education by State statutes, is an obligation of the DEP, and they have no funding in their program.
Mr. Griffin said this was pointed out to Ms. Board and Ms. Ramirez, and that the single most important part of the entire conversation was that, prior to 1984 and the Harbor Management Act, Harbormasters, in most cases, received the appointment because of campaign paybacks, party donations and so on. In 1984 when the law was passed, the Harbormaster was obligated to be part of the implementation process of the State-approved plan, and was required to take on more responsibilities.
Dr. Pinto said they thanked Ms. Board and Ms. Ramirez for meeting with them and taking the time to listen to them review and express their concerns about the office of State Harbormasters. He pointed out to them that Mr. Griffin was charged to help develop the next level of responsibilities as it relates to Harbor Commissions with State-approved harbor management plans. As more and more coastal municipalities require State-approved harbor management plans, the need to elevate the level of participation due to this knowledge and responsibility becomes critical, not only for water and boating safety, but also for port and harbor security. He said what they have also done is to help assist us in acquiring the attention and audience of those individuals in government who might help us move this along.
Dr. Pinto said they have the names of three Deputy Harbormasters which are to be submitted to the Governor’s office where they will choose one of the three, and they have to update the letter that was already sent. The last time the three names were sent, the names were Brian Griffin, Clyde Mount (sp) and Claude Parise Norman Maurice. Originally they had Vincent Pocrograno (sp) who had submitted his name but he is not a registered voter and was not acceptable to the Governor’s office so his name was removed. Dr. Pinto said they have to send a letter putting forward their candidates.
** DR. PINTO MOTIONED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SAME LETTER THAT WAS SUBMITTED
IN 2004.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Griffin said they expressed to Ms. Board and Ms. Ramirez that communities with harbor management plans have the right to submit three names to the Governor for her consideration, so it removes the decision from being a political one as it had been in the past. He said in the past names were submitted in a first, second, and third choice basis, but that the Governor is under no obiligation to select from this list.
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Application Review - Clark
1. 2006-08 SHOREHAVEN GOLF CLUB, 14 CANFIELD AVENUE. BILL BOULAY, MGR. COP APPLICATION TO CT DEP FOR WORK AT THE 17TH HOLE. SITE IMPROVEMENTS MAY INCLUDE MAINTENANCE REPAIR OF EXISTING DRAINAGE OUTLET FROMA SERIES OF 5 PONDS, VIA A 24” CONCRETE PIPE THAT EMPTIES INTO THE TIDAL WETLANDS WATERS OF CANFIELD CREEK. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HEADWALL AND 6x6 FT APRON AND PLANTINGS TO MITIGATE EROSION AND RUNOFF.
Ms. Clark said that Don Strait, landscape architect with Grumman Engineering, drew up all site plans. He realized that a maintenance repair for the drainage pipe was for Pond #5 only, as the other sections were already lost to erosion.
** MS. CLARK MOTIONED THAT THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FINDS APPLICATION TO CT DEP FOR COP BY SHOREHAVEN GOLF CLUB, 14 CANFIELD AVE., NORWALK FOR WORK AT SAME – WATERS ABUTTING CANFIELD CREEK INVOLVING RENOVATIONS AT 17TH HOLE – MAINTENANCE REPAIRS INCLUDING REPAIRS TO STABILIZE ERODING BANK BY CONSTRUCTING HEADWALL & 6x6 APRON AT EXISTING PIPE, AND INSTALL PLUGS OF SALT TOLERANT SWITCH GRASS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND FAVORABLE ACTION WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS:
1. THE CLUB SHOULD BE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO AVOID RUNOFF OF NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS INTO THE POND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MAINTENANCE OF A MINIMUM SETBACK DISTANCE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE POND WITHIN WHICH NO FERTILIZER, PESTICIDES, OR CHEMICALS WILL BE APPLIED AND MAINTENANCE OF A BUFFER OF UNMOWED VEGETATION AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE POND.
2. THE CLUB SHOULD PLANT APPROPRIATE VEGETATION IN THE AREA OF THE DRAIN PIPE INLET TO FILTER NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS.
3. THE COMMISSION RESERVES ITS RIGHT TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON ANY FUTURE MODIFICATIONS
TO THIS APPLICATION THAT MAY BE PREPARED.
** DR. PINTO SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 2004-18 DAVID EVANS, 11 SEASIDE PLACE – UPDATE OF PERMIT
Ms. Clark asked for the latest update. Mr. Franks updated Ms. Clark on the permit and said that the NHMC had approved it with the understanding that the DEP had approved it on May 18th. Discussion followed.
No action was taken on this item.
b) Finance – Cebrian
There was no report at this time.
c) Web Page/Newsletter – Farrow
There was no report at this time.
d) Boating and Harbor Safety – Farrow
There was no report at this time.
e) Water Quality Committee – D’Andrea
Mr. D’Andrea distributed copies of his report to the members and highlighted various points, including the recommendation of the re-hire of 2005 interns Sarah Forsyth and Lynn Strickrod.
f) Norwalk River Watershed Initiative Committee – D’Andrea
Mr. D’Andrea attended the May meeting with Mr. Mobilia and Mr. Romano
g) Plans and Recommendations – Callahan
There was no report at this time.
h) Dredging – Pinto and dredging committee (Mobilia, Griffin, Steadman)
Dr. Pinto reported that the Connecticut Maritime Committee requested a letter be submitted outlining issues to Charles Beck, and the letter has been sent, along with a wish list. Dr. Pinto read a part of the letter to the Commission. A discussion followed about whether it was better to leave the CAD cells capped or uncapped.
i) Waterfront Facilities Advisory – Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed his report and highlighted various points to the Commission.
4. STAFF REPORTS
a) Harbor Master - Griffin
Mr. Griffin distributed copies of his report to the members and briefly highlighted points.
b) Consultant – Steadman
Mr. Steadman had no report at this time.
c) Planning & Zoning – Greene/DeMarche
Mr. DeMarche had no report at this time.
5. APPROVAL OF APRIL 26, 2006 MINUTES
Corrections to the minutes of April 26, 2006 are as follows:
Page 1, Attendance, Others: Delete “Attorney David Waters.” Add “Peter Davenport,
The Hour
Newspapers.”
Page 1, Item #2, Chairman’s Report, 3rd paragraph, 5th line, change “Mr. Mobilia”
to “Mr.
Romano.”
Page 1, Item #2, Chairman’s Report, 3rd paragraph, 7th line, insert “Wilton”
before “City Hall.”
Page 2, 2nd paragraph from top; change 1st sentence to read, “Mr. Mobilia reported
on a post-
dredging meeting he attended with Mayor Moccia, the Army Corps, and members
of the
Dredging Committee.”
Page 7, Item F, Plans and Recommendations, change to read: “Mr. Callahan stated
that Mr.
Cebrian has established a budget that will cover expenses and asked Mr. Steadman
to
read aloud a letter regarding the surplus of funds in the boating account to
be signed by
the Chairman and sent to Hartford.”
** MR. CALLAHAN MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 29, 2006 MEETING
AS AMENDED.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. NEW BUSINESS / OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
There was no new business.
7. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. CLARK MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Hayes
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |