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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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February 1, 2007
Page 1 of 3
CALL TO ORDER 7:09 PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: Jack Casagrande, Pete Johnson, Dr. Serena, Richard Bartoli
Staff: Tom Closter
Police: Sgt LaPak
Advisory: Harbormaster Mike Griffin, Mark Errico
Guest: Tim Pramer, Doug Stabell
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
January minutes: Under Water Quality change meting to meeting.
Accept with one correction by Pete Johnson, 2nd by Dr. Serena
TREASURER
Mr. Johnson reports:
OPENING BALANCE 12-31-06 $24,174.59
NAME DATE AMOUNT REASON
INCOME Fisherman’s World 1-4-07 $764.00
Hiller Sports 1-4-07 $834.00
Pramer Oyster 1-4-07 $64.25 Product
Pramer Oyster 1-4-07 $70.00 Product
Pramer Oyster 1-31-07 $100.00
Bell’s Shellfish, LLC 1-31-07 $100.00
Norm Bloom & Son, LLC 1-31-07 $500.00
Interest Dec.-06 $96.00
EXPENSES POLICE OT 1-12-07 ($321.78)
Telephone ($62.44)
POLICE OT 1-29-07 ($184.36)
PRESENT BALANCE 1-31-07 $26,134.26
Year ago Balance 11 1-31-06 $22,826.62
Two year Balance 1-31-05 $20,330.99
SECRETARY
Commissioner Casagrande reports on a letter received from Sound School Aquaculture
Center. They would like to do some collaborative work with shellfish commissions
and are currently working on an effort with DEP to restore the lobster population
in Long Island Sound. The adult education program is planning workshops and
would like to extend an invitation for commission members to attend.
Page 2 of 3
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports 3.72 inches of rain in January vs. 5.51 last year and
average since 2002 of 3.30 inches. There were 265 calls in January. There
was a 15-day closure in CAA (.5) and an 8-day closure in CAA1DN (1.5) areas
starting 1/1/07 and continuing to 1/15/07. Aquaculture is now more involved
and states the trigger for closures according to the memorandum of understanding
will be when the rainfall event ends and not when reaching .5 or 1.5 inches
of rainfall. Mr Closter will also try to get clarification on which rain gauge
will be used, the one on the Norwalk Health Department roof or one that Aquaculture
is using.
There were four spill/bypass events in January:
1-11 1,000 gallons 57 Ward St 30 minutes sewage spill –grease blockage
1-23 100 gallons 134 Woodward Ave 30 minutes grease blockage
1-23 50 gallons 18 Martin Luther King 10 minutes grease blockage
1-29 50 gallons 7 Beach Rd 30 minutes rag blockage
WASTEWATERTREATMENT
Mr. Bartoli reports a meeting with Dick Harris regarding concern over the
proposed use of Zenon Wastewater Treatment Systems upriver by the YMCA in
Westport and ongoing development in Georgetown. DEP permits alternative treatment
technology and does not provide oversight or management of the systems which
leads to many concerns. Serious inflow/infiltration issues currently exist
at Zenon systems at Weston Schools, Mallory Brook Plaza and Brunswick School.
WATER QUALITY
Harbormaster Mike Griffin and Tom Closter report discussions centered on Broadwater
and Dick Harris presented concerns regarding Zenon Systems. Harbormaster Griffin
talked about I-95 bridge drain project and how volume of run off is much greater
because of other sources east and west of bridge from other neighborhoods.
Pollutants near Oyster Bend area were a result of auto emissions, tires and
spills. Further research required, however, no quick fix forthcoming because
of monetary constraints.
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports permits handed out. Tide charts had minor delay but
are being printed and will be available for next meeting.
POLICE
Sgt LaPak reports 16 Hrs patrol, no arrests. Keeping eye out for suspicious
vessels.
ADVISORY
Mark Errico reports water temperature at 38o
Page 3 of 3
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Harbormaster Griffin reports commission might do well to incorporporate same
new language in management plan that DEP accepted in Harbor Management Plan
for further protection of shellfish resources. State needs aggressive funding
for dredging and looking for Harbor Management support to meet with Army Corps
and DEP to figure dollar amount for channel and basin. Only federal money
available might be through Homeland Security for deep water ports. Harbormaster
Griffin also reports status of Tim Pramer’s application for aquaculture floats.
At last shellfish meeting, commission discussed application and John Frank
wrote to DEP, Aquaculture and Harbor Management stating the shellfish commission
supports the concept but has limited jurisdiction because the application
asks for activity limited to beds that Mr. Pramer controls. On 1-18-07 the
Harbor Management Commission reviewed application and supported modification
of permit which must be properly permitted by appropriate agencies. On 1-22-07
Bureau of Aquaculture discovered that Mr. Pramer failed to obtain a DEP OLISP
structure permit or COP Permit which was required. Subsequently, Aquaculture
must suspend certificate issued last year and floating raft must be immediately
removed. After reviewing notification from Aquaculture, on 1-31-07 the Harbor
Management application review committee changed their motion to read that
as the current structures are in violation of permitting procedures, no action
shall be taken. Mr. Pramer spoke briefly and stated he is submitting the necessary
application to the Office of Long Island Sound Programs in DEP.
OLD BUSINESS
Harbormaster Griffin requests commission roll over old business items from
previous month meeting. Items for discussion are sonar equipment from Police
committee report, language for management plan, odor at sewage treatment plant
and freedom of information request from C.L. & P. regarding leak in cable.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion centered on Broadwater. Commissioner Johnson and Harbormaster Griffin
talked about their concerns and John Frank’s letter and presentation to the
hearing committee. Overwhelming sentiment against Broadwater’s application.
Issues include safety from terrorist attacks including from the air, Coast
Guard needing more funding for security and safety measures including hazardous
material spill containment, noise, focus on Public Trust and denial of use
of a portion of long Island Sound to commercial and recreational boaters,
impact to water temperature and the added traffic of tankers coming into the
floating terminal.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, March 1, 2007
MOTION TO ADJOURN
At 8:15PM, by Dr Serena, 2nd, by Comm. Johnson
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