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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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May 5th, 2005
CALL TO ORDER 7:10PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Pete Johnson, Jack Casagrande, & Dr Serena
Richard Bartoli, absent
Staff: Tom Closter
Police: Sgt LaPak sent message that they had been called out and could not
attend
Advisory: Captain Dave Hopp, Harbormaster Mike Griffin ….
Guests: Captain Doug Stabell, Captain Tim Pramer, Bud Raleigh
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Approved with no corrections by Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Dr. Serena
TREASURER
OPENING BALANCE 3/31/2005 $16,986.31
NAME DATE AMOUNT REASON
DEPOSITS
Interest (Mar.) $44.47
EXPENSE
Police OT 4/8/2005 ($237.83)
Police OT 4/15/2005 ($607.78)
Police OT 4/22/2005 ($475.66)
Police OT 4/29/2005 ($132.12)
Police OT 4/15/2005 ($607.78)
SBC (phone Co) April ($61.05)
All Seasons Marine ($332.76)
Silvermine Press ($299.00) print permits
Norwest Marine ($268.45)
PRESENT BALANCE 4/30/2005 $14,008.35 calculated
May 2004 Balance $16,510.50
May 2003 Balance $48,066.01
Balance reported by comptroller's office 4/30/2005 $14,616.13 comptroller
difference $607.78
Mr. Johnson reports Balance as of 3/31/05 was $16.986.31 Detail for March was not obtained, will be presented at next meeting. Difference between end of Feb and end of March ($18559.95 – $16986.31 = $1573.64) apparently represents expense over income for March. Mr. Johnson will clarify next month. Difference between calculated and reported balance unexplained, equals Police OT paid on 4/15/05, possibly incorrectly posted.
SECRETARY
Mr. Frank reports application by So. Norwalk Boat club to expand dock system.
Area has been developed for a long time and is not considered part of a shellfish
bed, DEP
will be sent comments indicating this commission has no problem with project.
Application by Mr. Gray for pier dock and float has resurfaced and still shows
float and any boat on bottom at low tide. Discussion of site indicates no
known commercial activity there, but some limited recreational. Comment was
sent to DEP…Applicant’s agent has responded and his response will be answered
Brief discussion on MACOORA organizational meeting. Literature distributed.
Joe Schnierlein has suggested industry should be represented. Capt Hopp will
have copies made and distributed and advise commission if any industry representative
decides to participate. Message was sent to DEP regarding funding for River
Watch/Harbor Watch, Dick Harris’ program for water testing and response received
that DEP was using restricted federal fund for this and can no longer justify
use in Norwalk River as enough data has been obtained and further monitoring
does not meet the federal requirements.
Advocate ran an editorial about water pollution being a local responsibility.
Chair responded with list of initiatives Norwalk has pursued. DPW, Harold
Alvord, was notified of commissioner observations of inoperative air scrubber
unit at Wastewater Treatment. His first response suggested we were mistaken.
Response assured him we were not and commissioner reported unit back in service
following day. Thank You note sent to Mr. Alvord. Copy of letter from AG’s
office, Ms Motherway, to DEP regarding some reimbursement for expenses preparing
case for trial has been received. Still have not heard from DEP about any
reimbursement..
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports rainfall in April of 3.29 inches, vs. 6.02 inches in 2004
and average of 3.83 inches, since 1988. 289 calls received. There was one
6 day closure, on 27th for sewage spill into five mile river…(Cooke’s grounds
only) Rain based closure on 3-28-05
lasted through 4-10-05. Four wastewater spills, at various locations, all
minor and contained, were reported.
4/07/05 UNK hrs/gals Brookside school private line
4/20/05 5 Gals Barjune Ave 5 Mins caught in catch basin
4/23/05 30 gals Bartlett Ave 2.5 hrs blockage cleared/contained 4/26/05 500-1000
gals CT & Richards 1.75 hrs Blockage Vactored by OMI
CL&P has reported to Health Dept. persistent leak in cable system, which
they have not found or repaired, no estimate of amount of oil spilled.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli absent. Previously reported air filtration unit problem has been
repaired after correspondence with Harold Alvord
WATER QUALITY
Mr. Casagrande has no report. Mr. Closter reports he has spoken with Mr D’Andrea
and Water Quality met on April 18th. Harbormaster Mr Griffen offers to become
commission liason with Water Quality as he routinely attends both meetings.
His offer gratefullyaccepted. He reported briefly on history of Mayor’s Water
Quality committee which has evolved into committee of Harbor Mgmt. Expenses
ran over Budget last year.
Donors were Norm Bloom and Sons $2500 & Shellfish Commission $2500. Health dept did not contribute funds last year, although they had in 03 & 04 ($1700/yr) Mr. Closter states Health Dept will plan on $2000 for this year. . Mr. Griffin states water quality plans to limit intern water quality sampling to Norwalk this year. There was some discussion about supervision and accountability. Chair states, with the support of the Commission, that Commission will continue same level of support, $2500/yr, but will not ask treasurer to transfer funds until it is clear what account will be handling expense this year, and who will be taking attendance, recording time worked, etc. Mr. Griffen will speak to Mr. D’Andrea, Water Quality Committee Chair, and report back.
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports he turned in $1380 to Treasurer tonight from Fisherman’s
world
POLICE
Sgt LaPak and marine police not present because of emergency callout just
prior to meeting. Arrest has been made on Bivalve working on natural bed off
Bailey Beach. Captain Boerst was charged with numerous violations.
ADVISORY
Capt Hopp reports water temperature is up to 50 degrees. Commercial clam transplant
permits will be needed by May 15th. He offers to sample some natural beds
for the Commission including Marvin Beach and invites any commissioners to
come along. He will report on sampling next month. Transplanting for city
into Betts Bay and to Calf Pasture will be scheduled, probably before next
meeting.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Mr. Griffin brings Thanks to Norman Bloom and Sons for their support. Norwalk
Yacht club permit has been approved to expand and reconfigure docks. DOT has
been approved for work on Stroffolino Bridge. Army Corps will be in town this
week, finalizing dredging plan, assuming project will go forward. Time constraints
require them to be able to put project to bid in June to get work done this
coming winter. He also passed out brochures on Broadwater, Liquified natural
gas processing plant which has been proposed for middle of Sound. Brief discussion
on that proposal in which some of the arguments against were presented, Navigation
hazard, Fire/explosion hazard, public trust property being used for a private
corporation, size of area that would be restricted around the site for security
reasons, etc. Mr Raleigh asked if City had any plans to pass a resolution
opposing it. Mr. Griffin pointed out that the only other offshore LNG processing
plant in the USA was in the Gulf of Mexico, 150 miles offshore of Houston..
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Pramer not prepared at this time to demonstrate that his bed off Wilson
Cove is properly marked. Comm. Johnson is convinced it is not and infringes
on Natural bed.. Chair cut discussion short, instructed both Mr. Pramer and
Comm. Johnson to come prepared to resolve this at the next meeting, or to
announce that it has been resolved outside beforehand.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, June 9th, 2005 Changed from 6/2/05 at request of chair.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
9:30PM by Mr. Johnson.
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