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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
CITY OF NORWALK
HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 28, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Tony Mobilia, Chairman; Dr. John Pinto, Tony D’Andrea; Patricia
Clark, Jack Callahan, Patrick Geraghty Jose Cebrian, (8:30 p.m.)
STAFF: Michael Griffin, Harbor Master (7:35 p.m.), Brian Griffin,
Assistant Harbor Master (7:35p.m.), Geoff Steadman,
Consultant (7:45 p.m.),
OTHERS: Gerald Frank, Norwalk Yacht Club, Patricia Harter
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Mobilia called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No one from the public wished to comment.
3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Mobilia introduced Mr. Gerahty as the newest member of the Commission. Mr. Gerahty then gave a brief overview of his background for the other Commission members.
Harbor Master Michael Griffin, and Assistant Harbor Master Brian Griffin joined the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Mr. Mobilia displayed a copy of a newspaper article about Harbor Master Griffin. He then informed the Commission that Harbor Master Griffin’s term had expired.
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO REAPPOINT MICHAEL GRIFFIN TO THE POSITION OF NORWALK
HARBOR MASTER.
** DR. PINTO SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Mobilia reported that he had met with the Mayor about the Harbor Commission’s grant and had expressed his disappointment to the Mayor about the small amount of money that was being allocated to the Commission. Mr. Mobilia also discussed the issue of Water Quality with the Mayor, who was very supportive. Mr. Mobilia stated that the City Grants Coordinator was present at the meeting and that she will be actively looking for funding for the Commission. However, this will take time. Harbor Master Griffin commented that Mr. Lewis from Finance had been very impressed with Dr. Pinto’s presentation to the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Mr. Mobilia informed the group that Mr. Cebrian was attending the Board of Estimate and Taxation public hearing, which was being held in City Hall during the Commission meeting.
Mr. Steadman joined the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Administrative Business – Correspondence
Mr. Mobilia stated that letters had been sent out regarding the following applications:
2007-04: John J. Moeling, 1 Seabreeze Place;
2007-05: Stuart and Jeanette Pertz, 12 Westmere Avenue, Rowayton; and
2007-06 & -07 Norwalk Cove Marina, 48 Beach Road
Mr. Mobilia also informed the group that letters regarding the dredging project
has been sent.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Application Review –
Dr. Pinto presented the Application Review to the Commission. He explained that due to an inadvertent duplication of Harbor Management Application numbers, the application numbers listed on the agenda were incorrect. Dr. Pinto distributed to the Commission an updated listing of the applications for review with the corrected numbers.
1. 2007-09: Coastal Permit Application, # 200501707-TS, Mr. Richard Girouard, 10 Woodland Road, Norwalk, Connecticut Construction of a seasonal private recreational small-boat docking facility. Proposed structure will be a piling-supported timber pier, with ramp and timber floating dock that will include a boat lift.
Dr. Pinto stated that this application had been before the Commission previously and that the Commission had determined this plan was not consistent with the Harbor Management Plan and recommended that the DEP not approve the application. The applicant modified the plan and placed the boat lift on the side. The applicant has also discussed this application with the Shellfish Commission. Ms. Clark commented that she had an email from Mr. Frank, the Chairman of the Shellfish Commission, regarding the length of the pier. A discussion ensued about the details of the application and it was determined that the Commission should table approval of the application until the official comments have been received from the Shellfish Commission.
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO TABLE APPLICATION 2007-09: COASTAL PERMIT APPLICATION, # 200501707-TS, MR. RICHARD GIROUARD, 10 WOODLAND ROAD, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT CONSTRUCTION OF A SEASONAL PRIVATE RECREATIONAL SMALL-BOAT DOCKING FACILITY. PROPOSED STRUCTURE WILL BE A PILING-SUPPORTED TIMBER PIER, WITH RAMP AND TIMBER FLOATING DOCK THAT WILL INCLUDE A BOAT LIFT PENDING
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. 2007-10: DEP Application #200700412. O & G Industries,112 Wall Street, Torrington, CT Work will be at 34 Smith Street; Repair of a 197’ deteriorated sheet pile wall with new steel sheeting. The proposed new sheet piling wall is to be installed closely to the existing bulkhead, causing minimal encroachment into the narrow channel at that section of the Norwalk Harbor. Concrete will be poured into gaps between new and old sheeting. New concrete cap with anchors to the new sheeting will be poured along the top edge.
Dr. Pinto reviewed the details of the application, which involve the replacement of a steel bulkhead at the Head of the Harbor. The site is the former Smith & Day Pottery and there are strong concerns regarding possible contamination from lead leaching into the harbor. There is a concrete cap located near the bulkhead, which was done by order of the DEP to contain such contamination. A discussion regarding the details of that contamination and concerns about bulkhead creep then followed. Mr. Steadman commented that it was important to recognize the potential problems with replacing the bulkhead without waterward creep and consider the amount of navigational room carefully. Ms. Clark observed that the applicant had not presented reasons why the repairs could not be made behind the current bulkhead and suggested that the Commission ask for further information regarding alternatives.
Mr. Cebrian joined the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
** DR. PINTO MOVED TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF APPLICATION 2007-10: DEP APPLICATION
#200700412. O & G INDUSTRIES,112 WALL STREET, TORRINGTON, CT WORK WILL BE
AT 34 SMITH STREET; REPAIR OF A 197’ DETERIORATED SHEET PILE WALL WITH NEW STEEL
SHEETING. THE PROPOSED NEW SHEET PILING WALL IS TO BE INSTALLED CLOSELY TO THE
EXISTING BULKHEAD, CAUSING MINIMAL ENCROACHMENT INTO THE NARROW CHANNEL AT THAT
SECTION OF THE NORWALK HARBOR. CONCRETE WILL BE POURED INTO GAPS BETWEEN NEW
AND OLD SHEETING. NEW CONCRETE CAP WITH ANCHORS TO THE NEW SHEETING WILL BE
POURED ALONG THE TOP EDGE PENDING ADDITONAL INFORMATION.
** MS. CLARK SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. 2007-11: Coastal Permit Application; Patricia Harter , 7 Gregory Court, Norwalk, Connecticut. Construction of a new private recreational boat dock. Dock will consist of a fixed pile supported 4’ x 45’ timber pier that will be connected to land directly above the steps of an existing seawall. Shoreline access steps will be connected to the pier through a non-vegetated area waterward of the seawall. The pier will have a 3’ x 25’ aluminum access ramp with an 8’ x 20’ wooden float and 2 float support piles. The float will be fitted with 4 float stop legs.
Dr. Pinto reviewed the application and stated that there were natural clam beds in the area. He also informed the Commission that because the design of the float allows the float to rest on the bottom at low mean water, the Shellfish Commission objects to this design. Ms. Clark commented that the Harbor Commission had committed to supporting the Shellfish Commission and that the Harbor Commission and that the Harbor Commission was obligated to support this objection.
Ms. Harter, who was present, introduced herself to the Commission and explained the reason that she had submitted a short pier and float was actually to keep the shellfish beds safe and also to prevent the shoreline from having long intrusions into the open water. She also commented that she could not interest any marine contractors in working on the project. Ms. Harter also informed the Commission that she had done some research on boat lifts and discovered that Rhode Island prohibits them because of the dangers they present during storm surges or high winds. Harbor Master Griffin commented that he did not recall this application being voted on at the last Shellfish Commission meeting.
** DR. PINTO MOVE TO TABLE APPLICATION 2007-11: COASTAL PERMIT APPLICATION; PATRICIA HARTER , 7 GREGORY COURT, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT. CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PRIVATE RECREATIONAL BOAT DOCK. DOCK WILL CONSIST OF A FIXED PILE SUPPORTED 4’ X 45’ TIMBER PIER THAT WILL BE CONNECTED TO LAND DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEPS OF AN EXISTING SEAWALL. SHORELINE ACCESS STEPS WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE PIER THROUGH A NON-VEGETATED AREA WATERWARD OF THE SEAWALL. THE PIER WILL HAVE A 3’ X 25’ ALUMINUM ACCESS RAMP WITH AN 8’ X 20’ WOODEN FLOAT AND 2 FLOAT SUPPORT PILES. THE FLOAT WILL BE FITTED WITH 4 FLOAT STOP LEGS PENDING.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. 2007-12 Application from the DEP to the EPA requesting approval for designating
portions of LIS, its harbors and tributaries as a NO DISCHARGE AREA (NDA) pursuant
to the Clean Water Act, Section 312(f)(3). Application discusses NDA from Greenwich
to Branford Coastal waters.
Dr. Pinto reviewed the application with the Commission. Ms. Clark observed that comments could be submitted up until April 9th and reminded everyone that this was the DEP making an application to the EPA.
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE APPLICATION 2007-12 APPLICATION FROM THE DEP TO THE EPA REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR DESIGNATING PORTIONS OF LIS, ITS HARBORS AND TRIBUTARIES AS A NO DISCHARGE AREA (NDA) PURSUANT TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT, SECTION 312(F)(3). APPLICATION DISCUSSES NDA FROM GREENWICH TO BRANFORD COASTAL WATERS BECAUSE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NORWALK HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. OTHER BUSINESS: COAST GUARD PUBLIC NOTICE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.
Mr. Mobilia explained that the Coast Guard Public Notice has to do with a bridge near the Erie Canal and that this item being included on the agenda was an error.
b. Finance
Mr. Cebrian informed the Commission that the IRS audited the City and that two areas related to the Harbor Commission were among those examined. He also said that there would be further meetings about additional finances for the Harbor Commission.
Mr. Cebrian also reported on the BET public hearing and said that Ms. Lauricella had spoken in favor of the work that the Harbor Commission does.
Mr.Cebrian then reviewed the finances for 2006 and said that the actuals will be ready next month.
c. Web Page/Newsletter –
Mr. Mobilia informed the Commission that articles are coming in. There was a discussion about how many copies this print run should be. It was agreed that the order would be for 500.
d. Boating and Harbor Safety –
No report.
e. Water Quality Committee –
Mr. D’Andrea explained that there were no more funds for Water Quality interns at this time.
f. Watershed Initiative Advisory Committee -
Mr. D’Andrea reported that the Coordinator for the Advisory Committee was leaving. This will have a serious impact on the future of the Advisory Committee, he believes. Two of the items that were discussed at the last meeting were obtaining a consensus on sewage treatment plants and the status of the I-95 bridge run off drainage.
g. Plans and Recommendations –
There was no report.
h. Dredging –
Dr. Pinto said that a meeting date with the Army Corps of Engineers was still pending.
i. Waterfront Facilities Advisory –
Harbor Master Griffin presented his monthly written report and reviewed it
with the Commission.
5. STAFF REPORTS
a. Harbor Master
Harbor Master Griffin presented his written month report and reviewed it with the Commission. He also informed the Commission that he had received a call about a recent issue regarding the State allowing dredged material to be moved from one area of the Housatonic River to another area. Apparently, a Housatonic River interest group is in the process of suing the State over this action.
b. Consultant –
Mr. Steadman stated that the amended Harbor Management Plan needs to be approved by the Common Council and he outlined the steps for this process.
c. Planning and Zoning
No report.
6. APPROVAL OF FEB. 28, 2006, MINUTES.
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBUARY 28, 2006 AS SUBMITTED.
** MR. CALLAHAN SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. NEW BUSINESS / OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Mobilia said that he would have the new committee assignment ready at the next meeting.
Harbor Master Griffin suggested that the Commission develop a list of line items that are still open and include them under OLD BUSINESS as a reminder. Mr. Mobilia agreed and requested that the Commission members send issues that they want included to him via email.
8. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. CLARK MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. D’ANDREA SECONDED.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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