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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-16Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board October 16`h 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members present: Chuck Connors, Bill Blount, Wendy McCrae, Peter Brace, Michael Glowacki, Dr. Boyce Members Absent: Doug Smith Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley Others: Police Chief Pittman, Matt Herr, Ted Lembrech, Dwayne Dougan, Bruce Murray, Rhoda Weinman CALL TO ORDER 5:00 P.M. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion passed 5 to 1 Mr. Glowacki was apposed because of the Old Business matter of Bruce Murray's aquaculture permit. Mr. Glowacki stated that we already voted on this item. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Unanimously approved CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Latest Shellfish Management Plan up Mr. Brace told the board that the Latest shellfish management plan was up on the towns website and we should all read it and possible schedule a time to discuss it at an upcoming meeting. Civic League's meet the Articles Mr. Brace let the board know that October 20`h at 10:00 to 12:00 pm the Civic League's meet the articles is taking place at 4 Fairgrounds. MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Sheila Lucey said they have done interviews for a new assistant Harbormaster but have not notified the candidates yet. They will be starting on October. 29th. Ms. Lucey stated that they have sold approximately 1,600 recreation permits not including non - residents or temporary. They have been checking 75 -150 people a day and are still in the "education mode" which will be ending soon. Most of the recreational scallopers have been seen in Madaket. NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT Ms. Riley gave the report and stated that they are still evaluating there summer research. Dive surveys done in Nantucket harbor are complete, as well as Shimmo Bend, P Bend and 5th bend. She stated that they are waiting for a couple of good weather days to finish up in Madaket. Ms. Riley said that they received a $1,000 donation in support of the propagation effort from people who went out and enjoyed scalloping PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT OLD BUSINESS Murray permit. Mr. Carlson wanted to keep us in the loop regarding the ongoing matter of Mr. Murray's aquaculture lease. Mr. Carlson provided a copy of the response letter the Mr. Murray provided. Mr. Murray's attorney Rhoda Weinman asked the board to reconsider our letter to the BOS that stated our recommendation to revoke Mr. Murray's lease due to inactivity. Ms. Weinman spoke of the personal problems Mr. Murray has faced during the past years including the loss of his wife and his diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Boyce made a motion that we reaffirm our previous motion that recommended to the BOS that Mr. Murray's lease be revoked due to inactivity, Mr. Blount Seconded the motion. During discussion of the motion Ms. McCrae noted that we were advised to reconsider this matter by Libby Gibson and we shouldn't ignore her request. Mr. Brace said that what were doing here today is reconsidering the matter and the discussion ended. The vote to reaffirm our previous motion passed 3 -2 with Mr. Brace, Dr. Boyce and Mr. Blount in favor and Mr. Connors and Ms. McCrae apposed. Mr. Glowacki abstained from voting. NEW BUSINESS Water Quality Funding talking points Dr. Boyce wanted share some talking points to be brought up on the October 17t' BOS meeting during the public comment section. 1. We understand that you have directed that a budget be prepared in which expenses will stay within income. 2. We believe that the water quality issue is critically important. The increase of the black, slimy algae this summer indicates we can not put this off. 3. We sent you a letter outlining the rationale for a new staff person to work on water quality issues, and for paying for analysis of WQ samples from the Town budget. 4. Where are you in discussing this recommendation? We would like to be involved in the discussion when it comes up. Can you advise us when it comes up? 5. If adopting these recommendations requires taking it to the voters, we stand ready to help you. 6. Tara Riley is making great progress in restoring our bay scallop population. We need to be able to take advantage of the Town's investment in the hatchery. Tara does not have time to do Water Quality as well. 7. Aquaculture and farming of oysters is growing rapidly in Nantucket Harbor and Coskata Pond. Monitoring water quality is important for aquaculture. 8. Many family scallopers have commented on the growth of the algae this fall. This will threaten our tourist industry if it continues to grow. Monitoring Water Quality is critical to being able to know if solutions we adopt are working. Dwayne Dougan's Scallop license request. Mr. Dougan is asking the board for a letter of support to obtain a commercial scalloping license that would allow him to start in November rather then December. Mr. Dougan stated that because he was employed by the Marine Department as the towns shellfish warden before the deadline expired to purchase your commercial scalloping license allowing you to fish during the month of November (March 31St 2012). His job at the time did not allow him to purchase the license. Dr. Boyce stated that he would be willing to support a recommendation to the Marine Department to allow Mr. Dougan to get a license to start scalloping in November. The board wanted to make clear that this letter of support is being given because Mr. Dougan did not have the ability to purchase this license before the March 31St deadline because his job did not allow him to do so and it was not given because of hardship. Ms. McCrae Made a motion to support the recommendation seconded by Mr. Connors and was unanimously approved. Green Crab Survey Mr. Brace said that at the Harbor Plan Implementation Committee (HPIC) meeting, during a discussion on predators he brought up the idea of having scallopers give an idea of what the number of green crabs being caught in the harbor is. Mr. Brace isn't looking for an exact number, just a general idea of what was being caught in the dredges. Mr. Brace asked if the board thought that people would be willing to do this. Matt Herr stated that if it was put out there to the scallopers that he would get some information from them. Mr. Herr also said that after a very cold winter the number of green crabs is usually lower the following year. Dr. Boyce mentioned that during his dive surveys they do note the number of green crabs they see. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT No public comment RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Emma's branding efforts ADJOURN Unanimously approved Future Meetings: Nov. 6th, Nov. 20tH Respectfully Submitted, Chuck Connors, Secretary