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Home My WebLink About02-02-16Harbor and shellfish Advisory Board Minutes February 2, 2016 Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members Present: Peter Brace, Wendy McCrae (5:08), Peter Boyce, Bill Blunt, Kenneth Gullicksen and Andy Lowell Members absent: Michael Glowacki Marine Department: Sheila Lucey Natural Resources: Jeff Carlson Call to Order at 5:03 Agenda Approved Chairman's Report: candidate update- 2 new people have pulled papers, February 17 deadline for signatures. Over 60 license- May be on February 17 meeting of Selectmen. Seed violation procedure- potential revisions to protocol, was held for McCrae. Brace - suggest hold until after appeal. Lowell- can get report? Brace- have, will forward. 5:08- McCrae arrives. Marine Dept. report: Lucey: Putting ads out for lifeguards and dock workers. Headhunter back. Doing standard maintenance. Boat still in Madaket and harbor. Limited amount can do in winter. Last storm - lost 2 10x10 off end of pier. No other damage. Madaket ice buoys working out, but little ice. Having issue with seagulls on pier, may put up fishing line to deter. Natural Resources report: Carlson: Scallop season down from last year, catch and boats. About 4750 bushels, estimated, waiting for reports. Lost 4 days- temperature, opened late others. Uptick in fleet lately due to better weather. More boats moving back and forth between Madaket and harbor. Next Wednesday, BOS workshop on water quality. SMAST will present water quality and NR will present eel grass study. Storm water, sewerage, etc. will be discussed. Hatchery renovation- framing mostly completed, about on schedule, expect putting hatchery in May, complete by June. Starting to put together advertising for season, fully operational by June 17. Materials for BOS meeting on NR website, at least in summary form. Boyce: any openings for volunteers? A- might, with oysters or eel grass. Looking to revise seed stranding management. Sent out info to license holders, accepting volunteers. Boyce: getting catch reports? Yes. Gullicksen: getting catch reports from recreational license holders? Done when renew license. Lowell: with hatchery closed, time available for other things, e.g. study propagation of eel grass? Yes, Tara is working on. Public comment: none Old Business: Slip and Mooring Regulations: Gullicksen: concern with required timing of inspection before permit issues since payment due by year end. After discussion (including Lucey) decided to eliminate requirement of inspection within 30 days of payment, but no sticker until inspection. Gullicksen: cost of permits in line with cost of administering: Lucey- yes, $100,000 Harbor Master, $150,000 generated by moorings. Brace: have been issues from illegal moorings? Lucey: yes, shows after storm. Gullicksen: any procedure for mooring handlers (licensing, requirements)? Lucey: yes, do classes, have standards. Also option for harbor master to inspect, do about 300 /year. Report, Meeting with Town Administration: Boyce: meeting good start in improving communication and operation of Board; No discussion of Ames violation, but Board operation. Clear some things not stated (by Board) in best way. Need to be sure Board follows correct procedure. Must treat people with respect and be even handed. Also pointed out- town employees attending on overtime pay, costs town for people to meet outside of hours. Need to be aware of. And people have other duties that may prevent their attendance. Brace made clear feels Board has been left out of procedures. Agreed need to improve communication. Chief (Pittman) made suggestion- need to meet 2 times a month or once enough, with possible other meetings for special matters, like BOS workshop meetings? Brace: for public concerns- raised at meetings but should bet notice in advance so can be on agenda. Could have goals for year, perhaps after election (e.g.) no shellfish plan implementation committee. Lowell: where get additional information on implementation: A: website. As to one time per month, maybe town agency reps could attend every other meeting and submit reports for other meetings. Pittman: overtime issue may have been overstated. Will be available if necessary, but time may be able to be better focused. Perhaps one time /month general meeting, other meeting for specific issues. Q(Pittman) sending minutes? Town clerk likes on paper, should also be sent to helpdesk (helpdeskgnantucket.gov) New Business: none Public Comment: David Glidden: considering running for Board; Are town reps (Pittman, Lucey, Carlson) attending in official capacity: A: yes, arose from attendance by Dave Fronzuto as harbormaster. Since has been restructure of town agencies, but still need information. McCrae: pulled papers, may not return them. Recap/ items for next meeting; Brace to distribute information to Board for review. Will send minutes to proper place. Further discussion of meeting times and shell fish management plan. Soon all meetings will stream live. Next meeting February 16. The meeting adjourned at 6:50.