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SHELLFISH
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
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May 2, 2007
CALL TO ORDER 7:11 PM
ATTENDANCE
Commission: John Frank, Jack Casagrande, Richard Bartoli
Dr. Serena had prior commitment, Pete Johnson on emergency call will be late
Staff: Tom Closter
Police: Off. Scully
Advisory: Harbormaster Mike Griffin, Capt Dave Hopp
Guest: Tim Pramer, Doug Stabell, Bud Raleigh
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
April minutes: Accept by Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Mr. Bartoli
Mr. Casagrande pointed out absent Commissioners should be listed
TREASURER
Comm. Johnson has no report, comptroller’s office was not ready for change
in meeting schedule.
SECRETARY
Commissioner Frank reports meeting with Mr. Alvord and some of his staff,
re: communication problems between health dept/shellfish commission and WWT.
Alvord refuses to call recent incidents spills or bypasses, uses the term
solids excursions. Claims nothing got out of the plant untreated. That, of
course was not the issue. Some progress made on notification protocol, but
only time will tell. Chair was annoyed that OMI was not present at the meeting.
Alvord also made very clear that we are always welcome, anytime, at the WWT
plant, but must call and be met by OMI staff with necessary safety gear. Chair
put that to the test right after the meeting, found one person working at
the plant. That person said he had no instructions to allow anybody on the
property after hours.
Comm. Casagrande & Comm. Frank attended gathering of shellfish commissions
at Sound School in New Haven. Found program and discussion very educational.
Handout material covers a lot of information, still being digested. Grants,
restoration, aquaculture, etc. Norwalk has best
resource in the state, of the town represented. Travel expense reimbursement
request turned over to Mr. Johnson, by Mr. Frank.
Chair discussed DEP permit process for replacement cables for CL&P, Manresa
to Northport and lack of progress on any plan to minimize damage to shellfish
and shellfish beds. Permit is in final stages of process and final comment,
or petition for public hearing, period ends June 4th.
Discussion followed with Capt Hopp suggesting;
We should have copy of their surveys
Entire work area should be buoyed
Cultivators should have opportunity to remove shellfish form work area and
all area where there is risk.
Anchors should not be permitted inside the harbor, on shellfish beds.
All work inside the harbor should be closely monitored, at applicant’s expense,
by police officers knowledgeable about shellfish “shellfish constables”
Page 2 of 4
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Mr. Griffen suggested Commission should form a sub-committee
to focus on this project and prepare presentation for public hearing, if that
becomes necessary.
Process for removing oil needs to be carefully monitored. Integrity of present
cables doubtful, pressure of flushing process could cause leaking of cable
oil.
Comm. Frank met with Mayor Moccia and Corp Counsel Peter Nolin this week.
Mayor is taking an active role in getting issues dealt with. Meeting has been
set up, in his office, with CL&P and Shellfish Commission next week. If
no progress results, he will be first signature on petition for public hearing
Application plans for pier, ramp & dock at 12 Nathan Hale Dr.(O’Connor)
have been received showing proximity to leased bed #201 Project looks is reasonable
for the site, but looks to be a permanent encroachment on the bed. Owner of
the bed is believed to be Norm Bloom. Comm. Bartoli will get a response from
Mr. Bloom. It is a fair assumption that Mr. Bloom will not want to lose any
part of that bed to any encroachment. Plan drawings are not clear, as shellfish
bed and proposed pier, ramp and dock do not show on same drawing. Seasonal
removal is proposed, but present design shows four pilings at the dock.
DEP is running all day workshop on private docks and piers on Tuesday, May 22 at DEP marine Hqs in Old Lyme. Harbor management will be represented, Dr. Pinto will be on a panel. Chair believes Commission should attend. Commissioners will check calendars and reservations will be made. Commission will pay fee ( $10/each) and travel expenses.
COMMITTEES
HEALTH DEPT
Mr. Closter reports 11.04 inches of rain in April vs.8.10 last year and average
since 1987 of 5.19 inches. There were 292 calls in April. There was a closure
in CAA (.5) and starting 4/4/07 through 4/26/07. There was a closure in CAA1DN
(1.5) areas from 4/4/07 to 4/11/07 and another from 4/15/07 to 4/26/07 and
then closed again 4/27/07 and is still closed...
There were 30 spill/bypass events in April, most storm related.
Date Amount(gals) place Time(hrs) Result
4-2 1000 New canaan Ave unk sewage spill-private lateral
4-4- unk WWT 8 settling tank malfunction
4-5 unk Grayrock rd ¾ sewage spill-grease
4-15 unk 56 Beacon unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 10 Caruthers ln unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Westport ave pump station sewage-storm
4-15 unk Huckleberry pump station sewage-storm
4-15 unk 6-12 Orange St unk sewage-storm
4-15- unk 24 Friendly unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 6 Gwendolyn unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Sammis St pump station sewage-storm
4-15 unk Keeler Brook pump station sewage-storm
4-15 unk Trolley Way pump station sewage-storm
4-15 unk 34-40 Hollow Tree unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Ponus/Riverside unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Ponus/Lloyd unk sewage-storm
Page 3 of 4
4-15 unk 8 June Ave unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 42 Richmond Hill unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Williams/Maurice unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 7 Karen unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk Rowayton Ave unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 25 Shirley unk sewage-storm
4-15 unk 31-37 Emerson unk sewage-basement
4-15 unk 39 Saddle unk sewage-basement
4-15 unk 11 Fox Run unk sewage-basement
4-15 unk WWT ¾ settling tank loosing solids
4-15 none WWT Settling tank offline/repairs
4-16 none WWT Bar Rack Burned out
4-17 unk 22 Shirley & 29 arbor unk storm water surcharge
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Odor problem downwind of plant, thought cured, until last three days, seems
to have returned. Mr. Closter will contact Mr. Kolb. New system may be turned
off.
WATER QUALITY
Chair reports routine meeting. Intern program will focus on established hot
spots. Dick Harris reports Xenon package WWT plant has been permitted by DEP
for Westport Y, on the upper Saugatuck River. Of 12 systems in state, six
are failed.
Mr. Griffin asks, on behalf of water quality committee, for support in the
amount of $2500 for summer intern program. After some discussion, moved by
Mr. Casagrande, 2nd by Mr. Johnson, unanimous vote. Mr. Johnson will make
necessary arrangements with Comptroller.. .
PERMITS
Mr. Casagrande reports permits are moving slowly so far. He suggests Commission
should review price of permits before next season. Other commissions have
much different rates. Capt Hopp pointed out that a lot of other towns have
to buy product.
Mr. Casagrande comments that white flags were being replaced by Sgt LaPak
a couple of months ago and asks for progress report. Off Scully reports new
flags are in, there is a problem getting access to pole at Calf Pasture.
POLICE
Off Scully reports 21 hrs patrol, no arrests, one verbal warning for person
intending to clam at Vet’s park during closure..
ADVISORY
Capt. Hopp reports water temp up to 54 F. Mr. Bartoli reports that Norm Bloom
transplanted 400 bu. For the commission, 200 to Calf Pasture and 200 to Betts,
Mr. Casagrande asks about any new restriction on clamming at the beach. Mr.
Griffen will check with Mike Mocciae. Mr. Casagrande got inquiry from local
residents who heard clamming was prohibited at the beach . May be during weather
related closure.
Page 4 of 4
HARBOR MANAGEMENT
Harbormaster Griffin reports DEP has accepted language changes in HMC plan.
Revised plan is being reviewed. No negative comments have been made
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OLD BUSINESS
Police equipment, odor complaints from WWT plant, language changes in management
plan and FOI request on CL&P/LIPA cable leaks. Commercial clam relay permits
were discussed at length. Mr. Pramer got one about two weeks ago. Commission
had talked about waiting for result of survey of natural beds for clams. After
considerable discussion, survey will be done this weekend. Mr. Pramer will
take a Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bartoli out in his clam boat. Mr. Pramer is concerned
commission is planning to close harbor. Commission is concerned about over
harvesting. Chair points out commission has considerable latitude to manage
natural beds to avoid overharvesting. Mr. Griffin point out that, if commission
decides again to limit number of permits, some notice and possible lottery
process may be needed.
NEW BUSINESS
None
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, June 7, 2007
MOTION TO ADJOURN
At 9:40PM, by Mr. Johnson 2nd, by Comm. Casagrand
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