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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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April 13th 2006
CALL TO ORDER 7:10PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Pete Johnson, Jack Casagrande, Dr Serena & Richard
Bartoli
Staff: Tom Closter away, (death in his family)
Police: Sgt LaPak
Advisory: Mike Griffin, Capt. Dave Hopp….
Guest: Doug Stabell, Tim Pramer, Mark Errico, Tony D’Andrea,
Scott Klingenpeel & Steve Pinney (Norwalk Yacht Club)
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Approved with no corrections by Mr. Bartoli, 2nd by Dr. Serena unanimous
TREASURER
Mr. Johnson reports
OPENING BALANCE 2-28-06 $21,172,04
NAME DATE AMOUNT REASON
INCOME Interest Feb $75.11
EXPENSE SBC Phones $62.83
Hiller Bros Sleeves $228.69 Laminating
Police OT 3-24-06 $412.22
PRESENT BALANCE 03-31-06 $20,543.41
Balance 03-31-05 $16,986.31
Balance 03-31-04 $16,558.49
SECRETARY
Mr. Frank reports application from Bobby Bloom to rehabilitate the former
Lowndes Oyster Co/ Bell’s Boatyard by dredging, replacing old railway with
travel-lift pit, and replacing docks for use as commercial shellfish base.
Site has recently been marina run by Norman Maurice. Historically, site has
been developed area for many years. Impact on natural beds in area should
be minimal. Project is consistent with Commission management plan and commission
is on record with DEP as having no objection as long as dredging is restricted
to appropriate season.
Application at 53 Rowayton Ave, Five Mile river, by Mr.Gerster calls for 47
ft pier, 28 ft ramp and 7.5 ft x 12 ft floating dock with 20 ft berthing board,
apparently to handle longer vessel than would normally use that size dock.
Chart shows bottom uncovers regularly 120 ft out from applicant’s property,
dock and any vessel will rest on bottom at low tide. Mr Pramer advises that
area is worked for seed oysters in winter and any dock will inhibit that process.
Plan call for dock to be removed from Nov 15 to Apr 15. Commission has taken
a firm position against permitting docks on shellfish beds
Page 2 of 3
designed to rest on bottom, project is inconsistent with our management plan
and commission will go on record opposed to it.
Application from Gro Ely to reconfigure an existing marina at 95 Rowayton
Ave has been posted in the paper, but we have not seen plans. Mr Frank will
get request plans from Mr Bajek. Existing marina is historically developed
area.
A Mr Kolkman from 95 Five Mile river rd in Darien has asked about shellfish
on that side of Five Mile river as he wants to build a pier, ramp and dock.
Secretary will respond.
Harbor management will host a meeting nex Wednesday morning in the Community
room in City Hall. 10:30 AM, on the 2nd phase of the harbor dredging. We have
been asked to send a representative. Mr. Frank will attend, commissioners
are invited
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter is away because of a death in his family. There was no significant
rainfall to report. There were three sewage spills.
3-10 10 gallons 46 Eager Rd 40 minutes sewage backed up into basement
3-17 50-100 Main/Linden 24 hours Manhole blockage cleared
3-20 50 3 New Canaan Way vactored catch basin
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli reports serious odor problem again. He has checked and filter
unit seems to be running, doors on sludge building are being kept closed.
He understands there is a plan to change how the sludge is handled and compressed
or compacted. Mr Frank will contact Mr Alvord for some help in correcting
the problem.
Discussion followed over plant capacity to handle new construction planned
and/or being built. Both the plant capacity and the capacity of the harbor
to handle plant discharge have a direct effect on shellfish beds. No conclusions
were reached, but there are concerns.
WATER QUALITY
Mr. D’Andrea passed out copies of report on intern’s work last season and
spoke about serious problems reported at Moody’s lane, Daskam Lane and Cross
St. Identifying problem drains dumping into harbor is useless unless problems
are then corrected. These same hot spots have been reported year after year.
Also reports very high levels of bacteria found in water apparently from hobby
farm on Silvermine river where owner has not been cooperative with Wilton
sanitation officials.
Mr Frank will contact Mr Alvord, asking for some action in correcting offending
storm drains. Commissioners asked for results on storm drain filter project.
Mr D’Andrea has
no information, as Mayor’s water quality committee has not been included in
any part of that project. He understands that is being handled and monitored
entirely by DPW, and there does not seem to be any protocol for how often
filters are replaced, or checked.
Water quality again requests support for summer interns from the Commission.
Program gets support from the commission, from the health dept, and from Norm
Bloom. Motion to continue support at $2500 level by Mr. Johnson, 2nd by Dr
Serena. Unanimous.
Page 3 of 3
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports ordering new tide calendars from same supplier. There
was some discussion bout permits being issued with limitations for children
under 12 and how limitations are enforced. Sgt LaPak indicates it has not
been a problem, although limitations are not clearly posted on the permits.
POLICE
Sgt LaPak reports 18.5 hrs patrol, 1 verbal warnings, no arrests in February
,
18 hrs, no arrests in March..
Off Spagnuola has been transferred back to patrol, at his request, for personal
reasons. He and fiancé felt schedule was better for them in patrol.
Three new officers are assigned. Greg Scully, Doug Ebert, Matt Morelli.
ADVISORY
Capt Hopp reports water temps are being reported anywhere between 46 &
53 degrees. Asks for immediate transplant to Betts Bay. Will require closure
for two weeks, after water temp reaches consistent 50 degrees. Commission
agrees, will start as soon as possible. Mr Errico will handle permit process.
Sgt La Pak will handle closure enforcement, does not anticipate difficulty
this time of year. Mr Hopp suggests that commercial clam transplant permits
be discussed at next meeting.
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Mr. Griffin suggests a letter of appreciation for Off Spagnuola’s service
would be appropriate. Mr Frank will write to the chief
Sprite Island mooring fields, over leased beds, are being negotiated. Outline
of new footprint was shown and Mr Griffin asks for commission to review with
leaseholders.
Buffer zone around mooring field has raised concerns for the shellfishermen
and for the clubs. Norwalk Yacht Club has similar mooring fields. Agreement
between clubs and owners of shellfish rights will be in writing before mooring
permits are approved.
Norwalk Yacht club spoke of their concerns and continuing interest in maintaining
moorings with least possible impact on shellfishermen.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Mr Casagrande requests next meeting be moved to May 11th, 2nd by Mr Johnson,
unanimous.
NEXT MEETING Thursday, May 11th
MOTION TO ADJOURN
8:40PM by Dr Serena, 2nd by Mr. Johnson.
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