 |
 |
 |
|
SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
|
Nov. 3rd , 2005
CALL TO ORDER 7:12PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Jack Casagrande, Pete Johnson, Dr Serena, & Richard
Bartoli
Staff: Tom Closter
Police: Sgt, Pete LaPak
Advisory: Capt. Dave Hopp
Guests: Captain Tim Pramer, Captain Doug Stabell, Capt Doug Stabell, jr,.
Mrs. Hopp, Bud Raleigh
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Approved without corrections by Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Mr. Johnson
TREASURER
Mr. Johnson reports
NAME DATE AMOUNT REASON
BALANCE 9-30-05 $22,220.92
DEPOSIT interest September $65.59
Pramer Oyster Co. 10-06-05 $30.00 permit
Norm Bloom & Son 10-06-05 $160.00
Bell's Shellfish 10-06-05 $60.00
Stabell Oyster Co 10-06-05 $30.00
EXPENSE SBC ($64.20) phone
Police OT 10-21-05 ($219.85)
Norwest Marine ($393.74) boat maintenance
BALANCE 10-30-05 $21,888.72
10-30-04 $18,970.10
10-30-03 $53,663.34
SECRETARY
Mr. Frank reports meeting earlier today with Dave Carey and commercial cultivators
at City Hall over apparent change in language on closure of mooring fields.
Cultivators were very upset that word closed had been replaced by word prohibited
which has entirely different meaning and invokes a six month depuration period..
Mr Carey assured them that nothing had really changed and beds affected by
mooring fields would be open within about two week after boats were removed.
We have a meeting with DEP on docks that rest on shellfish beds on Monday,
Nov.14th . Spoke at State of the Harbor meeting. Attended Harbor Commission
association annual meeting. Met with harbormaster and others to coordinate
dredging. Found dredging company very
PAGE 2 OF 4
concerned with private shellfish beds. Mr Griffen called chair to report Mr Yosik at DPW felt mapping leased beds would be no problem.
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports rainfall in October of 12.92 inches, vs. 1.34 inches in
2004 and average of 3.73 inches, since 1987. Total year-to-date is 38.80inches,
vs. annual 47.10 in 2004 and annual average of 43.66.…..312 calls received.
There was one 26-day closure, on 8th, for rain.
Six wastewater spills reported,
9th 100 gal 43 Douglas Dr 5hr improper connection sewage in basement
15th 111,000 gal Keeler brook pump station 2hr power surge tripped 3 pumps
16th 1000 gal Karen Dr Pump station 20 minutes Broken hose and electric problem
22nd 100 gal Kossuth st 15 min line blockage
25th 900 gal Karen Dt pump station 1 hr power failure and generator failure
28th 100 gal 23 Hill St 50 min line blockage
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli reports, there have been no major problems Odor is back, probably
related to heavy rain. Doors have been kept closed. He will check on filters
Maintenance
WATER QUALITY
Mr. Griffin reports by phone to chair dredging is in progress
Sgt LaPak reports Cashman’s survey boat sank at the dock at Vet’s park, nobody
aboard.
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports permits are still selling, he expects to close out
outlets by the end of the month. He has ordered 06 permits. Has located supply
of charts will last for next season.
POLICE
Sgt LaPak reports 12hrs patrol, Busiest October for Marine div, ever. Boats
sinking, Rowing shells are real concern, No Lights, No Pfd’s hard to see in
late afternoon.
Still working on Yarmouth rd complaint
ADVISORY
Capt Hopp reports water temperature is 58 o, questions accuracy of his thermometer.
Seed Oyster boats working natural beds and doing very nicely, first time in
years.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Question raised about water sampling around dredging. None planned at this
time.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Pramer bed off Wilson Cove is still under discussion and was scheduled
to be resolved at this meeting. Failed to VOTE on CHANGES IN MGMT PLAN
(attached-2nd time)
PAGE 3 OF 4
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Johnson asks if Commission will host a dinner meeting, agrees to chair
planning committee.
.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, Dec 1st 2005
MOTION TO ADJOURN
8:39 PM by Mr. Johnson.
PAGE 4 of 4
NORWALK SHELLFISH COMMISSION
Management Plan
The Norwalk Shellfish Commission was established Feb. 9, 1971 by local ordinance passed pursuant to enabling legislation previously passed by the State of Connecticut. That ordinance is in the Norwalk Code as article 111 of Chapter 45 (sec 45-26) which deals generally with the Health Dept. and its responsibility to protect the public health through regulation and inspection of food supply practices. It is clear then, that the PRIMARY purpose of the commission is protection of public health, as an arm of the Health Dept, by regulation and inspection of the harvesting of shellfish from Norwalk waters under our jurisdiction. The Commission was given charge of all the shellfisheries and shellfish grounds in Norwalk designated as natural beds in Superior Court order of Dec. 12, 1882, not leased to others, and not controlled by the State Shellfish Commission (since succeeded by the Aquaculture Bureau of the State Department of Agriculture)
As part of that responsibility, the Norwalk Shellfish Commission relies on the Aquaculture Division and the Norwalk Health Dept. to determine when it is safe to harvest shellfish from the conditionally approved areas in Norwalk and when it is not, so the beds must be closed. The terms, procedures, and responsibilities covering this are enumerated in a document known as the memorandum of understanding, signed by officials of Darien, Norwalk, and Westport and incorporated here as part of this management plan
In addition to the primary responsibility regarding protection
of public health, the Commission has a responsibility for the protection and
propagation of shellfish under its control (26-257a, Ct Gen Statutes). To
this end, regulations are made and enforced to encourage sustainable harvesting.
The Commission works toward a long-term goal of:
1. Improving the growth of Shellfish in Norwalk waters
2. Increasing the area from which shellfish may be safely harvested
3. Preventing the abuse of local grounds by any means, including, but not
limited to, pollution, poaching, over-harvesting, poorly designed water access
projects, that allow floating structures and/or attached vessels to rest on
natural shellfish bed during normal low tide cycles, or encroach unreasonably
on shellfish beds.
4. Making clams more accessible to recreational clammers, by regular transplanting
from less accessible locations.
The Commission relies on its own research and experience and the knowledge of others to carry out this plan. It is always interested in learning how to improve its implementation.
The Commission maintains a program of commercial permits designed to achieve its goals
The Commission supports a program of enforcement, in cooperation with the Norwalk Marine Police unit, dedicated to the enforcement of shellfish laws and regulations
The Commission is interested in finding ways to make sections
of the harbor, which are now relatively inactive, viable for regular harvesting
and will listen to any proposal toward that end.
Rev: Oct. 2005
 |
 |