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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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August 11th , 2005
CALL TO ORDER 7:12PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Pete Johnson, Jack Casagrande, Dr Serena, & Richard
Bartoli
Staff: Tom Closter
Police:absent
Advisory: Harbormaster Mike Griffin, Capt. Dave Hopp ….
Guests: Captain Tim Pramer, Captain Doug Stabell
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Approved with no corrections by Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Dr. Serena
TREASURER
No report. Mr. Johnson working out of town, unable to get to comptroller’s
office,
Complete report will be filed at next meeting.
SECRETARY
Mr. Frank reports DEP permit was issued to Mr. Gray for pier, ramp and dock
at 30 Shorehaven road over the objections of the Commission and Harbor Management.
Objections were based on adverse effect on shellfish bed at site by dock and
any boat(s) resting on the bottom at each low tide. Permit being issued was
predictable, but cover letter by Charles H. Evans, Director of Long Island
Sound Programs contains statements, which are simply not true, demonstrating
that permit process is seriously flawed and calling for a response. Evans
states the pier terminates at mean low water. The application included photographs
with a drawing of the proposed pier, ramp and dock superimposed, showing the
outermost part of the project was a considerable distance from water at low
tide. Either he writes letters without looking at the file, or he is deliberately
misleading in his letter. After brief discussion, it was agreed that chair
should write to DEP commissioner expressing our concerns.
CL & P has filed a response to ACOE on comments on proposed cable replacement
project in which , among other things, the claim is made that trenches from
installation of present seven-cable system across Norwalk Harbor from Manresa
to Sheffield Island have filled over thiry years to the extent that there
is “no discernable difference in sediment type or biological communities over
the existing cable and not over the cables” This is not true and requires
a response. Chair will go over CL&P report very carefully and file response
to ACOE with copy to DEP.
Application of Richard Girourd for pier, ramp, and dock off property at 10
Woodland was reviewed at last meeting with no comment submitted, awaiting
return of chair. Chair will look at it and file comment with DEP. .
Floating dock off 7 Seaside, removed by order of DEP a few months ago has
been replaced and is apparently still not permitted and still lays on the
bottom at low tide. Harbormaster was informed during this meeting and Chair
will notify DEP.
Page 2 of 3
Brief discussion of dissatisfaction with the way DEP permit process for dock is operating with no apparent regard for protecting shellfish beds followed with Chair suggesting that local permit requirement would probably be required to give Commission any meaningful input in process. Earlier regulation, passed by the Commission several years ago, requiring permit from Shellfish Commission for any structure on Shellfish bed, was reviewed. Complaint letter from the same Mr. Evans caused commission counsel to suggest holding off on implementation while he (Counsel) reviewed the law and Mr. Evan’s arguments against local permits. It has been some time (over two years) and Mr. Frank will check with Counsel, Simon Sumberg for update.
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports rainfall in July of 2.24 inches, vs. 6.94 inches in 2004
and average of 3.15 inches, since 1988. Total year to date is 19.28inches…..1268
calls received. There was one 7 day closure, on 8th, for rain.
Two wastewater spills were reported.
7/18/05 100 Gals WWT Plant 30 mins thickener, contained.
7/19/05 300 Gals WWT Plant 10 mins thickener, approx 10 gals escaped to catch
basin
NB: Thickener is chemical additive used at plant. Spills did not include sewage.
Interns finished this week.
Dick Harris has asked for NO SWIMMING signs posted at Moody’s lane area on
the river as bacteria counts are too high for safe swimming.
Storm Drain sponge program, designed to trap oil in storm drains and prevent
runoff to harbor was briefly discussed. Sounds like good idea if properly
maintained and waste of money if not. Similar sponges are regularly used in
boat bilges and are quite effective.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli reports he is checking regularly, and doors are kept closed, air
filtration units are running and there have been no odor complaints brought
to his attention this year, an enormous improvement over last year.
WATER QUALITY
Mr. Griffin reports on recent history of intern program. This year expenses
were kept in budget. Water quality has questioned cost/benefit aspects of
intern program.
Mr. Casagrande asks what is going on with dissolved oxygen levels in the harbor
as there seems to be a lot of fish and low DO levels have resulted in fish
kills in the past. Discussion of low dissolved oxygen and effects followed
and chair states that DO levels have been dangerously low for short periods
almost daily and large schools of fish could be one of the oxygen consuming
causes. Low spikes seem to be generally just before dawn and rebound quickly
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports he has turned in $1357 from Fisherman’s World, 46 resident,
38 state. He still needs laminating sleeves and Mr. Johnson has not been able
to locate a supplier, but will keep trying. Chair suggests Staples might have
them.
Page 3 of 3
POLICE
No report. Capt Hopp reports Sgt LaPak planned to attend.
ADVISORY
Capt Hopp reports water temperature is up to 74 degrees outside the harbor,
probably warmer in the harbor.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Mr. Griffin reports meeting with ACOE to coordinate movement of dredge scows
with bridge closure schedule caused by repairs scheduled at the Washington
St bridge. ACOE is talking about taking material for capping CAD cells from
harbor south of Washington St. Bridge. He has argued for taking it from East
Norwalk channel as water depth there is so low and taking it from there would
be a big help. There has also been some discussion about plans for a commercial
dock south of the City Marina at Vet’s park.
Gray permit was issued over Harbor Management objections and it is felt that
Shellfish management plan needs to be strengthened. Harbor management consultant,
Jeff Steadman has offered to assist in reviewing current plan and donate his
service. If his help is required in re-writng the plan, he would then charge
for his service. There was discussion over shellfish management plan and Agriculture
commissioner has requested it be updated. Mr. Closter made copies for the
commissioners. Chair feels that is not the place to outline details of why
and how shellfish beds need to be protected from unreasonable attempts to
gain access to navigable water and reiterates belief that shellfish commission
and harbor management will continue to be ignored when there is disagreement
with DEP as people there feel they are the only qualified experts and don’t
like anyone disagreeing with them. Chair believes that a local permit needs
to be part of the process if we are to have any real voice in permitting decisions.
Chair also believes commission has clear statutory responsibility to protect
the shellfish beds.
Mr.Griffen attended a meeting last Monday at #5 & #7 Seabreeze on pending
applications to build docks there that would rest on the bottom at low tide.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Pramer bed off Wilson Cove is still under discussion and was scheduled
to be resolved at this meeting with some input from Sgt LaPak and the aquaculture
division. Sgt. Lapak was unable to attend and subject is tabled again, until
next month, at the request of Commissioner Johnson
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NEW BUSINESS
No new business
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, Sept..1st , 2005.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
9:15PM by Dr. Serena.
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