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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-6-18Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board June 18th 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members present: Peter Brace (Chair), Chuck Connors, Doug Smith, Wendy McCrae, Michael Glowacki, Dr. Peter Boyce Members Absent: Bill Blount Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley Others: CALL TO ORDER 5:05 P.M. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Unanimously approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 21St HSAB meeting minutes were unanimously approved (Mr. Glowacki Abstained) June 4th HSAB Meeting minutes were unanimously approved (Mr. Connors Abstained) CHAIRMAN'S REPORT SBRW workgroup update — The last two meetings didn't make quorum. Next meeting will be about eels and blue crabs. August 6th HSAB meeting — Mr. Brace informed the board that he will not be attending the August 6th HSAB meeting. SPWG — Michael Glowacki The SPWG has been meeting monthly since October and Mr. Glowacki gave the Board an idea of what's been happening with that. He mentioned that the Civic League news letter is encapsulating what the SPWG is working on currently. The sea level and the sewer beds were discussed, and talk of what an outfall pipe 10 miles out will possible do was also brought up. MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Sheila Lucey — The buoys marking the entrances to Polpis Harbor, Nantucket Harbor, Madaket Harbor and Eel Point have been placed. Tuckernuck — The channel marker buoys leading into Tuckernuck Island have been removed due the presence of a shoal that has formed where the channel once was. Ms. Lucey said; they cannot keep the buoys in the water because it could be a liability to the town, if a boater were to use them to navigate into Tuckernuck Lagoon and find themselves in trouble, either run aground or capsized. The MD is working with property owners on Tuckernuck to find an alternative place for emergency services to go if need be. In the case of a medical emergency, a helicopter is the only resource they can use as of now. Life Guards — Surf school stared for the LG's on the 17"' and they will be training all week with it. They will begin boat training next week. ATV's have been added to the life guards equipment this year, so that they may patrol the beaches in between the ones that have life guards on duty. NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT Tara Riley — Aquaculture - The Board of Selectman has allowed the DMF to come out and survey aquaculture sites to be used for over - wintering of oysters. Hatchery — Tara Riley said that the hatchery has been spawning bay scallops approximately every 4 days, thus far the quality of the spat isn't great but Mrs. Riley expects it to improve. Oysters are being acclimated to a salinity equal to that of Sesachacha pond and will then be released into the pond. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT No Public comment OLD BUSINESS Seasonal Town Biologist — Future Funding for possible year- round position and formation of subcommittee — discussion. The Natural Resources Departments "5 year statigic plan ", which was adopted by the BOS calls for the hiring of a year round Biologist who specializes in water quality. HSAB discussed how we could work with the NRD in getting the position filled by making a resolution for hiring a full time water quality Biologist. Also creating a resolution that would let the BOS know that we appose the taking of money from the WWIF to fund this position was discussed and agreed to by the board. A motion was made to have a draft letter written explaining our resolution and asking the BOS to include funding for the hiring of a full time water quality biologist, as the NRD "strategic plan" asks for. The motion was made by Dr. Boyce, Seconded by Ms. McCrae and unanimously approved A motion was made to write a letter to the BOS explaining our resolution regarding funding sources and asking them to find alternative funding (rather then the WWIF) for the hiring of a full -time Water Quality Biologist. The Motion was made by Dr. Boyce, Seconded Ms. McCrae and was unanimously approved by the board. NEW BUSINESS Increasing number of moorings in eelgrass beds — discussion Sheila Lucey told the board that is a moratorium on the amount of mooring allowed in Nantucket Harbor and the number of moorings has not increased. She said that moorings may be being moved from year to year but the actual number has not increased. A concern that the amount of moorings placed in front of water front properties is being abused was also brought up. Ms. Lucey said there is a maximum number of 2 moorings allowed per water front property. What was talked about was that some of these homes have more then two, some as many as 5 was discussed. Several areas in particular were discussed, the "Rock Garden ", Fulling Mill Road especially are said to have more mooring then before. The concerns were that of the degradation of eelgrass that occurs when moorings are added or placed in different places then they have been in previously. The board decide to keep this on the agenda. A motion to continue the mooring discussion was made by Ms. McCrae, Seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT No public comment AP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Discussion of the 3 mile limit Conch trap limit for Harbor Draft Letters to the BOS - WWIF Money and Town water quality Biologist. SPWG update ADJOURN Future Meetings: July 2 "d, August 6"'