HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-3Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
December Yd 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road
Members present: Chuck Connors, Bill Blount, Dr. Boyce, Peter Brace
Members Absent: Doug Smith, Wendy McCrae, Michael Glowacki
Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey
Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson
Others: Police Chief Pittman, Rich Turer
CALL TO ORDER
5:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the November 20'' HSAB meeting
Unanimously approved
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Grant for Shark tracking and signage
Nantucket is one of 12 towns being lead by Orleans that are in line to get a possible grant
for the tagging of Great White Sharks and the posting of signs on beaches warning of the
presents of sharks. Sheila Lucey said that we (HSAB) will be kept in the loop on the
progress of this grant proposal.
December 18'h meeting
Talks pertaining to new shellfish regulations will be continued until the December 18th
meeting in an effort to have more board members present for the discussion.
MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Scallop season update — Sheila
Most boats are fishing in Nantucket harbor, there where around 38 boats today in
Nantucket Harbor with only a handful remaining in Madaket.
Bushel count: Approximately 7,176 bushels have been harvested commercially so far
during the 2012 season.
Madaket: The Marine department is looking closely at the scallops in Madaket. They
are small both in shell size and in meat size and are being studied to learn why.
The Cut in Madaket has shifted significantly due to the last Nor'easter we had.
Tuckernuck: The lagoon entrance is closed off because of shoaling.
Polpis Harbor: The Barnstable County Dredge will be used to deepen the channel
leading in to the Harbor. An exact date was not mentioned.
Shanty's being Checked: Dr. Boyce asked if the Shanty's have been visited by the
wardens. Ms. Lucey reported that they have indeed been periodically checking the
shanty's, and said if anyone suspects that someone is taking seed or in violation of the
rules to notify the Marine Department and they will check it out.
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT
No Report Given
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES
REPORT
No Public comment
OLD BUSINESS
Preparation for the December 5th BOS meeting — Town administration budget
recommendations — need people to attend
In the future we would like to see the town hire a full time employee dedicated to water
quality testing. We spoke about this issue and touched on some good points. We will
present our argument at the December 5t' BOS meeting.
Currently the town budgets $34,000 annually for water quality testing that's done over a
six month period. We also budget approximately $17,000 for a marine technician to do
water quality sampling.
Town Pier: The town pier had a walk -over study performed by an engineering firm and
they confirmed that there is significant damage and there is a need for a major repair or
complete replacement of the fixed dock.
The engineers said that our floating dock is not strong enough for the foul weather
conditions we so frequently have. The firm said that the dock design we have is better
used in lakes. So far approximately $45,000 was already spent to repair the floating dock
this year and the repaired sections were snapped in half during the recent nor'easter. A
floating concrete pier is what is recommended for use as a new, stronger floating dock.
These docks are much stronger and are made to withstand thousands of pounds of
pressure. Requests for proposals have been put out and during the winter months we
should have estimates on the costs involved in revamping the dock.
Boat House Dock Repair: There is $75,000 in the budget for improvements of the dock.
It is a town administration recommended projects.
NEW BUSINESS
Fish totes for Natural Resources Department: The need for more totes was discussed
with Mr. Carlson. Mr. Carlson stated he has no problem with having more totes and that
he could certainly store them. But he also stated that until a better procedure in which we
handle strandings is developed we won't know for sure what we really need. After which
time a plan is in place we can then determine if the need for more totes is necessary. Mr.
Carlson noted that during the recent stranding a big problem he observed was the lack of
boats to transport the totes off the beach.
Bushel Boxes and Ice: Beginning next year the town will not be selling ice or bushel
boxes due to the fact that those two items are the only retail products the town sells and it
raises issues with sales tax. They are looking for a vender to handle it for next year.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT
No public comment
RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Shellfish By -law regulation talks
ADJOURN
Unanimously approved
Future Meetings:
Dec. 18th (5:OOpm)
Respectfully Submitted,
Chuck Connors, Secretary