HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-16Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road
Members Present: P. Brace, B. Blount, Ken Gullicksen, Ken Kuntz, J. Lipuma, A. Lowell
and F. McClure
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Chief Pittman, Sheila Lucey and K. Shaw
Public: One member of the public attended (Kona)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order @ 5:02 PM
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The September 20th minutes were approved with B. Blount abstaining because he was
not at the September 20 meeting
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The presentation of gray seals has been postponed until a future meeting
The ad hoc committee on moorings (Sheila Lucey, Cormac Collier, Ken Gullicksen,
Charlie Gibson and Jeff Carlson) met today.
MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Harbormaster Lucey reported that the Town was preparing for potential storm Matthew;
The ad hoc committee on moorings has met and is focusing on the use of Eco Moorings
with a Dor -Mor anchor; They will be meeting again with mooring handlers in November
and are proposing to test the new mooring system next summer; The most critical areas
for mooring scarring is warren's Landing and Hulburt Avenue; The Marine Dept. has
also printed a wader safety card to be distributed with new scallop licensees and in
tackle shops; They will also be making presentations a various water related festivals;
The Town has received the required permits for dredging in Polpis harbor which will
begin in summer 2017 and for dredging at the Town dock; Recovered sand will be sold
to help pay for future dredging. The Jetties project should begin this fall.
Member Lowell asked about creation of mooring field outside the Jetty and dredging in
the middle of the upper harbor channel. The Harbormaster responded that launches
would not operate outside of the Jetty and that studies have shown that upper harbor
dredging would not be effective.
Member Gullicksen suggested that the Town might consider a dingy dock at Easy Street
Basin.
Member Kuntz commented that we should review the alternative systems used on the
Vineyard.
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT
K. Shaw reported that the Town Lab at Brant Point is almost finished; The ponds will be
opened October 17th; there are new monitoring stations for the pond and the Town will
monitor water quality before and after the openings.
She then presented "2016 Preliminary Water Quality Update" which is also available on
the Town website. The report included Nantucket and Madaket harbors and tested for
Nitrogen and Oxygen levels covering the period 2010 -2016. The testing utilizes several
monitoring stations in both harbors. The inner harbor in Madaket was particularly
effected during that time period - all eelgrass disappeared. In Town there was a 30%
loss of eelgrass especially in the deeper areas and outside Coatue and the Jetties. The
"rust tide" in the upper harbor has affect growth of the oyster due to low light levels,
lower oxygen and high nitrogen levels. The high nitrogen levels in Polpis should be
improved with sewering. See Town Website for complete report.
Member Lowell asked about the water quality in Long Pond and whether it is affected by
the landfill. Ms. Shaw responded that a the Long Pond Report is online.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES
REPORTS
Kona asked if the Town laboratory would be available for propagation this year and Ms.
Shaw said not until next year.
OLD BUSINESS
Continued discussed of environmentally friendly mooring systems will be deferred until
later date. Member Lowell ask about the use of salt on sidewalks and roadways and
suggested that a letter be written to local business to discourage use of non - friendly
applications.
NEW BUSINESS
The FY16 HSAB Report was reviewed and approved by the Board.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT
None
RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Ask K. Shaw to attend next meeting and report on use of salt etc. on roadways.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned @ 7:07 PM.
NEXT MEETING - October 18th.