HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-14Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
February 0 at 5:00 p.m.
Conference Room, 2 Fairgrounds Road
Members present: Peter Brace (Chair), Chuck Connors, Wendy McCrae, Doug Smith
Members Absent: Michael Glowacki, Bill Blount, Dr. Peter Boyce
Marine Dept: Jeff Carlson
Natural Resources Dept. Sheila Lucey
Others: Bobby DeCosta, Rick Atherton, Libby Gibson
CALL TO ORDER
5:05
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Connors
and unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No minutes to Approve,
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
There is going to be a report on the estuaries project at 4:OOpm Thursday February 6th at 4
Fairgrounds road.
MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Sheila Lucey- The floating Pier is broken and will require more repairs, its not going to
be rebuilt this year, its going to get fixed temporarily until they can have it rebuilt.
Polpis Harbor will be dredged out either this fall or in fall of 2015, funds will come out of
the WWIF and it'll be the Barnstable county dredge doing the work. This concerns Ms.
Lucey because it's extremely shallow.
They are currently advertising for lifeguards and dockboys. This year they will be
guarding 9 beaches because Nobadeer was added.
Ms. Lucey stated that the MD is currently looking at housing options for the Lifeguards.
She will give a Report on the Police/MD program on March 4th.
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT
Jeff Carlson — Approximatly 12,000 Bushels thus far. Lost 10 days due to cold.
Seed is being reported in more areas, which is a good thing.
Ms. Riley will be back from her leave soon.
Leah Cabral will be a full -time assistant biologist.
Most likely the water quality biologist will be starting July 1st
The Boathouse will be getting a lot of renovations this year with a $350,000 from the
CPC pending town meeting approval and the town may be submitting another $500,000-
$550,000 from free cash to this as well.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES
REPORT
No Public comment
OLD BUSINESS
Changing HSAB to an appointed board — Discussion with BOS members Bobby
DeCosta and Rick Atherton — The below homerule petition wasn't renewed and the
BOS members are here to talk about options.
"It is the intent of the establishment of the Nantucket Harbor and Shellfish Advisory
Board to provide an advisory role for commercial fishermen and those who make a living
from the sea, to the Nantucket BOS, therefore to encourage such persons to participate in
this publicly elected advisory board, the members of the Board shall be exempt from
Chapter 268A subsections (a) and (c) of Section 17 of the Massachusetts general Laws
and from Chapter 268A Section 19(a) of the Ma. General Laws when participating in the
particular matter of providing advice and recommendations to the BOS regarding
shellfish fishing, harvesting, licensing and fishery standards"
The board discussed changes that will have to be made to HSAB concerning the conflict
of interest of commercial fishermen voting on an elected board. The BOS members
explained the issues with this to the HSAB and gave several options to be considered.
HSAB becoming a fully appointed board, HSAB become a hybrid board consisting of
both elected and appointed member (appointed member being commercial fishermen) or
remaining an elected board. It was explained by the BOS members that as it stands now
commercial fishermen cannot vote on anything related to the commercial fishing industry
and must excuse themselves from the table and not engage in any discussion related to a
vote. No action was taken at this meeting, HSAB will continue this discussion at the next
(February 18) meeting, when more members are in attendance.
NEW BUSINESS
Make up days for scalloping — Continued to next meeting.
Seed Violation — There was a recent BOS agenda item concerning a scalloping violation
that Mr. Brace was notified about by a member of the Selectmen. Mr. Brace asked that in
the future he be notified by someone about seed violations by NRD.
Melinda Gable's completion of her 40-day apprenticeship — Mr. Smith informed the
board about the progress of Ms. Gable's apprenticeship.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT
Matt Hen- Matt expressed his opinion that the Board should have three spots for
commercial fishermen.
RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
HSAB Board Changes
Ms. Gable's and other apprentices reviewed
Missed Days
ADJOURN
Motion Made by Ms. McCrae, seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved
Future Meetings:
February 18, 2014
March 4t" 2014
Respectfully Submitted
Chuck Connors, Secretary