Commissioners spent a substantial portion of the meeting on harbor operations and near-term maintenance needs, including moorings, grants and a safety concern about deteriorated navigational aids.

The commission reported positive feedback from DACWA, a transient-mooring reservation service, and discussed adding or testing a 100-square-foot floating dock "finger" that could accommodate two to four small vessels. Commissioners identified possible test locations in the East Basin and off the north end of the South Anchorage.

Operations update and sunken vessel: The harbor master and marine staff reported that a 30-foot vessel sank near Norwalk Yacht Club; it was boomed to contain any discharge, reported to have no gasoline aboard, and is scheduled to be raised and crushed. Commissioners said removal is planned for Friday and that the vessel cannot be returned to the water.

Grants and procurement: The commission confirmed it submitted a GRAMA grant application before Thanksgiving with additional funds for new transient moorings and harbor-master vessel maintenance. Commissioners noted a previously approved invoice for consultant Jeff Steadman (June–September work) was placed on hold by the purchasing/legal process pending contract drafting; the plan is to finalize the contract so payment can be issued.

Navigational buoys: Several members and staff raised public complaints about "can 3," a navigational buoy at the channel entrance off Tavern Island that is in disrepair. Staff reported the Coast Guard is backlogged and that replacement parts or a spare buoy of the correct type may not be available for eight to ten months. Commissioners discussed interim options and agreed to pursue phone calls and follow-up with the Coast Guard while avoiding unauthorized handling of aids to navigation because of liability concerns.

What’s next: Staff will seek quotes for the floating-dock test, pursue resolution of the held consultant invoice through purchasing and legal, coordinate the sunken-vessel removal with the Coast Guard and Norwalk Fire Department, and follow up with the Coast Guard on replacement of the degraded buoy.