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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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Sept. 1st, 2005
CALL TO ORDER 7:12PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Jack Casagrande,
Absent (excused) Pete Johnson, Dr Serena, & Richard Bartoli
Staff: Tom Closter
Police: Sgt, Pete LaPak
Advisory: Harbormaster Mike Griffin
Guests: Captain Tim Pramer, Captain Doug Stabell, Officer Scott Pennoyer
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Approved with one corrections by Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Mr. Frank
Numbers on permits corrected to 46 local, 48 state (not 38)
TREASURER
Mr. Johnson is working at setting up at Oyster Festival. Mr. Closter has one
deposit slip showing $3104 deposited on 7-28-05
NAME DATE AMOUNT REASON
DEPOSIT Fisherman's world 7-28-05 $695.00 Permits
7-28-05 $820.00 Permits
7-28-05 $1,357.00 Permits
Doug Stabell 7-28-05 $20.00 Product
Doug Stabell 7-28-05 $30.00 Permit
Pramer 7-28-05 $92.00 Product
Pramer 7-28-05 $30.00 Permit
Bell's Shellfish 7-28-05 $30.00 Product
Bell's Shellfish 7-28-05 $30.00 Permit
TOTAL DEPOSIT $3,104.00
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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. Members of Harbor Management
Commission and Mr. Frank met with Dave Carey at aquaculture this morning to
discuss problems with permitting process. It was agreed that DEP needs to
get a more consistent message from us and a statement of policy for all three
agencies was adopted;
Page 2 of 3
“No water access project design should be approved (permitted)
that allows for structure and/ or attached vessels to rest on natural shellfish
bed during normal tide cycles.” This policy will be used in evaluating all
permits in Norwalk Harbor. We understand that
DEP will not refuse to issue permits for residential docks where applicant
has a right to reasonable access. We only ask that designs that fail to protect
the environment from the impact of routine grounding at low tide be returned
for design changes, as there are designs that allow access, at higher tides,
without the inherent environmental damage resulting from routine grounding
of floats and boats. Mr.Carey is hopeful that he can influence DEP policy
on such permits and cited a similar situation in Ash Creek at the Fairfield
/ Bpt. line, where he testified at a public hearing and believes a permit
will be issued with strict limitations on design and hours of use to protect
shellfish beds there.
At 42/44 Yarmouth Rd, where permits have been issued for docks and some seawall
repair, violations have occurred and been cited by DEP. One of the violations
involves a large amount of stone dumped below the high water line on a natural
shellfish bed adjacent to applicant’s property. Although two corporate names
were used in dock applications, to imply separate owners, ownership of both
properties has been quit claimed to one Thomas J St Denis. Chair has filed
a criminal complaint with the marine police, claiming a clear violation of
CGS 26-224, which calls for fines of up to $200 and or six months in jail
for every bushel of material dumped. Chair has spoken to DEP analyst Kevin
Zawoy, who issued the violation notice, and been encouraged to pursue criminal
charges against the property owner and his contractor. DEP has also assured
the chair that we will have input into approval of any procedure approved
for removal of this material without more damage.
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports rainfall in August of 3.42 inches, vs. 5.22 inches in
2004 and average of 4.25 inches, since 1987. Total year-to-date is 22.70inches,
vs annual 47.10 in 2004 and annual average of 43.66.…..1001 calls received.
There was one 7 day closure, on 13th, for ½ inch rain. And then another
on 14th for another 7 days for 1 ½ inches of rain
One report was received from a private individual clammer of what looked like
worms in clams he got. He did not submit a sample and there were no other
reports. Mr. Closter talked with Lori at Aquaculture and feels that this is
not a problem but a natural event that is not a health concern. NO wastewater
spills were reported.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli not present, also volunteering at Oyster festival setup. He reports
by phone he is checking regularly and there are no problems to report.
WATER QUALITY
Mr. Griffin reports on recent history of intern program. Same hot spots keep
being identified with no resolution. There is a llama farm in Wilton that
seems to be the source of considerable pollution over a period of years. Moody’s
lane is a recurring problem. Mr. Griffen thinks the weight of the Mayor’s
office should be brought into play to get some action out of the Wilton Health
Dept and our own DEP to solve both problems. Without adequate response, the
continuing support of the intern program, gathering data which gets ignored
seems like a waste of money.
Page 3 of 3
Mr. Casagrande asks what is going on with dissolved oxygen levels in the harbor
as there seems to be a lot of dead fish and low DO levels have resulted in
fish kills in the past. Brief discussion concludes that high water temperature
is a factor and only bunker seem
To be dying, probably because schools get chased upriver and suffocate before
they can get out. Larger fish, that chased them upriver, feed and leave. Big
fish eat little fish, etc.
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports he has turned in $2607 from Fisherman’s World, 66 resident,
99 state. 3books of seniors, 1 book of juniors no figures on out-of-state,
apparently not a full book yet.
POLICE
Sgt LaPak reports 18hrs patrol, all during regular duty hours, no OT charged
to commission in JULY or AUGUST. Reported briefly on progress of criminal
investigation at 42-44 Yarmouth Rd and showed pictures taken by the police
documenting the damage.
ADVISORY
Harbormaster reports concerns with water temperatures and Oxygen levels, discussed
earlier.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Mr. Griffen reports everything he has from harbor management has been covered
by others. In response to a question from Mr. Casagrande, dredging is still
very much in doubt as money known to be available is not even close to lowest
bids and time to award contracts is fast getting away this year. Army Corps
is firm on refusing to pay for capping they believe is not needed, although
DEP insists it is needed.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Pramer bed off Wilson Cove is still under discussion and was scheduled
to be resolved at this meeting. Chair advised Mr. Pramer that the next step
will be a surveyor, at his expense if he has not been able to establish proper
co-ordinates. Mr., Pramer indicates he is willing to agree to whatever boundaries
the commission will agree to and suggests that a straight line from the corner
of bed # 201 to bed # 261 would probably adequately define the bed he owns.
In the absence of a quorum, no action was taken, but that proposal will be
reviewed against the relevant documents and the coordinates of the adjacent
beds for our next meeting.
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NEW BUSINESS
No new business
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, Oct. 6th, 2005.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
8:25PM by Mr. Casagrande.
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