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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.