GUILFORD SHELLFISH COMMISSION MINUTES August 14, :30 P.M. Town Hall, second floor, Selectmen's Meeting Room

Transcription

1 1 GUILFORD SHELLFISH COMMISSION MINUTES August 14, :30 P.M. Town Hall, second floor, Selectmen's Meeting Room Commissioners: Absent: Wardens: Commercial : Chair TR Brysh, Vice Chair Stephen Goldschmidt, Allyn Brown, Eric Mull, George Beauvais, Bob Gould, Anthony DeLucia Bob Gould None Dan Snyder / Bob Mitchell, Shellfish Partners, LLC Guests: Michael McNiff, Sachem's Head Yacht Club (SHYC) Peter Johnson, resident Cesare Sorio, resident, 144 Trolley Road Alison Varian, liaison : Harbor Management Commission (HMC) At 7:35 pm Chair TR Brysh called to order the regular meeting. 1. Public Forum There were no public comments. 2. Public Hearings A. Shellfish Partners, Lot 50, Southwest of Chaffinch Island - To Be Tabled Chair TR Brysh announced that Shellfish Partners would like to withdraw the Public Hearing for Lot 50 at this time and revise coordinates. George Beauvais moved to table the public hearing for Lot 50, seconded by Allyn Brown. B. Shellfish Partners, Lot 49, South and West of Great Harbor Chair Brysh read the following legal notice: NOTICE is Hereby given that the Guilford Shellfish Commission will hold a Public Hearing at its regular meeting, August 14, 2013 to hear the following application for a commercial shellfishing license agreement : Daniel R. Snyder, General Partner, Shellfish Partners, LP, 47 Griffing Pond Road, Branford, CT 06405, for Lot# 49, South and West of Great Harbor, for cultivation and harvest of shellfish, for a five year term from August 14, 2013 to August 14, 2018 : Latitude and Longitude (degree + min & sec) Clockwise from NE 41 15'22.5"N 72 42'49.921"W 41 15'20 "N 72 42'49.921"W 41 15'20 "N 72 43'1"W 41 15'23.4"N 72 42'54.63"W

2 All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written communications will be received for entry into the record. 2 T.R. Brysh Chair Discussion followed. The number of moorings in this proposed area is unknown, as well as, whether the moorings are registered or not. GSC reviewed a map and the distance from houses. Stephen Goldschmidt moved to close the Public Hearing,seconded by George Beauvais. Carried - Stephen Goldschmidt, Allyn Brown, Eric Mull, George Beauvais, Anthony DeLucia C. Shellfish Partners, Lot 48, South of Little Harbor and Southwest of Shell Beach Chair TR Brysh read the following legal notice : NOTICE is Hereby given that the Guilford Shellfish Commission will hold a Public Hearing at its regular meeting, August 14, 2013 to hear the following application for a commercial shellfishing license agreement : Daniel R. Snyder, General Partner Shellfish Partners, LP, 47 Griffing Pond Rd., Branford, CT for Lot# 48, South of Little Harbor and Southwest of Shell Beach for cultivation and harvest of shellfish, for a five year term from August 14, 2013 to August 14, 2018 : Latitude and Longitude (degree + min & sec) Clockwise from NE 41 15' " N 72 43' " W 41 15' " N 72 43' " W 41 15' " N 72 43' " W 41 15' " N 72 43' " W 41 15' " N 72 43' " W 41 15' " N 72 43' " W All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written communications will be received for entry into the record. T.R. Brysh Chair Discussion followed reviewing a map and the requirement that markers be used when working the shellfish grounds. Stephen Goldschmidt moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Eric Mull. D. Shellfish Partners, Lot 47, West River Chair TR Brysh read the following legal notice : NOTICE is Hereby given that the Guilford Shellfish Commission will hold a Public Hearing at its regular meeting, August 14, 2013 to hear the following application for a commercial shellfishing license agreement :

3 3 Daniel R. Snyder, General Partner Shellfish Partners, LP, 47 Griffing Pond Rd., Branford, CT for Lot# 47, approximately 700 feet in the Upper West River above RR Bridge, for the cultivation and harvest of shellfish, for a five year term from August 14, 2013 to August 13, 2018 : Latitude and Longitude (degree + min & sec) Southern Boundary 41 16' 26.39"N 72 41' 5.64"W Northern Boundary 41 16' 27.3"N 72 41' 12.1"W All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written communications will be received for entry into the record. TR Brysh Chair Discussion reviewed the location of Lot 47, as north of the railroad bridge, 50 feet from Lot 3, which is currently licensed to Riverpoint Shellfish. Stephen Goldschmidt moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Eric Mull. 3. Minutes of July 10, 2013 Upon review, Motion : George Beauvais moved to approve the July minutes, seconded by Allyn Brown. Carried - Brown, Goldschmidt, Mull, Beauvais, DeLucia 4. Commercial Activity and Licenses - Stephen Goldschmidt Stephen Goldschmidt reported that payments had been received from Rick Seiden, Bear Neck Shellfish and Chris Walston, C.W. Shellfish. A. Shellfish Partners Request for License Lot 49, South and West of Great Harbor Upon review, George Beauvais moved to approve a commercial license agreement (Shellfish Partners LP) for Lot 49, seconded by Stephen Goldschmidt. B. Shellfish Partners Request for License Lot 48, South of Little Harbor and Southwest of Shell Beach Upon review, Stephen Goldschmidt moved to approve a commercial license agreement (Shellfish Partner LP) for Lot 48, seconded by Allyn Brown.

4 4 At this point, Stephen Goldschmidt moved to add to agenda 4. E. Shellfish Partners, Lot 47, West River, for a vote, seconded by Eric Mull. Discussion was held with Dan Snyder, Shellfish Partners. He informed GSC that the intention of his company is to lease Lots to raise aquaculture, not to harvest shellfish currently on those grounds. Chair Brysh advised that the DEEP licensing now only requires an application to the BoA, instead of additional applications to the DEEP and Army Corp. of Engineers. Mr. Snyder requested that, though GSC had just approved his commercial license agreements, GSC should delay invoicing his company until he receives DEEP approval of licenses, if not he would not sign the agreements at this meeting. Chair Brysh advised that the licenses approved at this meeting are due and payable upon signature and must be retracted if Shellfish Partners will not sign the approved license agreements. Mr. Snyder advised that he would need time to contact BoA, David Carey, in order to be willing to sign agreements. Chair Brysh advised that Mr. Snyder must contact him in two days to let him know if Shellfish Partners will sign the approved license agreements or not. Mr. Snyder only agreed to pay for Lot 46, which Shellfish Partner is already working on, and the legal notices on all his requested Public Hearings. C. Meridian/SHYC mooring codification mapping SHYC, Mike McNiff, advised that GSC and SHYC have received coordinates for Lot 43 (which has a section overlaying a portion of the Sachem Head Yacht Club (SHYC) mooring field, situated south of Great Harbor). Originally, GSC coordinates for Lot 43 and commercial licensee Dr. Lee did not reflect this issue. - coordinates of moorings and Lot 43 must be agreed upon by GSC, SHYC, and commercial licensee. - Ben Geitsch, working for Dr. Lee, recommended that SHYC move a few moorings, and that Dr. Lee's operation proposes use of under water gear. - Mike McNiff advised that he had met with Ben and Dr. Lee on August 9, 2013 to work on ways to coexist. At that time, Mr. Geitsch was unwilling to negotiate. - Mike explained mooring attachment with a ball and chain to make a chain last longer which would not interfere with Dr. Lee's operation and offered to move moorings into a straight line. Ben requested moving three moorings for aquaculture near Dr. Lee's house. Discussion included : - GSC is in support of both parties' resolving use of this area. DEEP will determine the outcome if all cannot come to an agreement. - SHYC has a short boating season. Boats are removed in the winter. - reviewed the size of the mooring field and Lot a GSC January letter advised that there would be no impact to shellfish grounds if both the SHYC and Dr. Lee agreed to work together.

5 5 At this point, guest Peter Johnson requested permission to make a statement of apology to the all present. He had sent an on this issue to Mike McNiff intended solely for him and had mistakenly sent it to the GSC. He has no issue with the GSC. It was decided that ongoing discussions will take place with all concerned with Chair Brysh advising that the previous GSC letter of support to the SHYC still stands and that he will be speaking with DEEP, Dave Carey, on this issue. D. Shellfish Partners, Lot 50, Discussion During discussion of commercial license agreements for Shellfish Partners including Lot 50, Mr. Snyder requested that GSC change its procedures to accommodate his company. Chair Brysh advised that all commercial fisheries have followed the current process between state and local agencies without an issue. There is no need for a Public Hearing for Lot 50 at this time. Eric Mull moved to table a legal notice for a public hearing (commercial license agreement) for Lot 50, seconded by George Beauvais. 5. Bills and Correspondence Bills Eric Mull reported : George Beauvais - mileage sampling $ Warden Bob Kazden $ Warden Wayne Vetre $ Recording Secretary Judy Anderson Castellano $ Data Entry - Laurie Kelly $ C.W. Shellfish - stocking $ 1, Stephen Goldschmidt - mileage sampling $ boat $ 8.50 Brown's Boatyard - boat fuel $ Shore Publishing - Public Hearing Notices $ Total : $ 2, Vote : Anthony DeLucia moved to approve paying the bills, seconded by Stephen Goldschmidt. Correspondence - DEEP OLISP notice : permit application for Chittenden Park Trailhead. *Chair Brysh will review. - DEEP OLISP notice : permit application for Peter Besmer, 21 Spencer Avenue, to improve a waterfront structure.

6 6 Chair Brysh advised that he had ed members regarding the resignation of Warden Peter Beauvais, due to starting a new job with the State of CT. Chair Brysh expressed GSC congratulations to Mr. Beauvais on the new position and appreciation for his good work the last few years, for the Town of Guilford, as GSC Warden. 6.. Wardens' Report - Pete Beauvais Chair Brysh reported : - Wardens Wayne Vetre and Bob Kazdan will assume Warden Beauvais' responsibilities during the winter months. - Warden reports and monthly bills will be submitted to GSC. 7. Subcommittees A. Recreation - Stephen Goldschmidt /Bob Gould 203 recreational shellfish licenses were sold this month by vendors and GSC. - Approximately 873 were sold this year. - George Beauvais advised that he resupplied the Town Clerk who ran out. He will give sales figures to Bob Gould to record annual resident, 16 seniors, 84 nonresident, 14 daily, 5 replacements. - North Branford Cub Scouts Clamming Day : 33 special daily licenses at $1.00 per person. B. Water Sampling / Stephen Goldschmidt / George Beauvais George Beauvais and Stephen Goldschmidt reported : - GSC conducted sampling tests this month as well as the Bur. of Aquaculture (BoA) this week.. - all test results are good, except location #23-9 which tested high again. This may be bird impact. Stephen requested Town Health Department to check for septic problems. - Alison Varian advised that a local news article concerned the desire by some to decrease shellfishing which GSC encourages. Chair Brysh will research article. C. Boat - George Beauvais George Beauvais reported : - the Guilford Rescue Squad had responded to calls with the GSC boat and he has refueled the gas tank. - GSC used minimal fuel this year. Chair Brysh reported that he submitted the West Marine credit line application to the Town Finance Dept. Eric Mull requested a credit line with Enterprise car rental service, to be used to rent a van to pick up seed clams at Intercoastal Fisheries in New Jersey. D. Stocking Eric Mull / TR Brysh / Bob Gould / George Beauvais / Allyn Brown Chair Brysh reported that he will contact Chris Walston, C.W. Shellfish, regarding stocking before Labor Day.

7 7 Eric Mull reported : - he had contacted Intercoastal Fisheries in New Jersey, which informed him that seed clams can be planted into early October. They will be available at millimeters. E. Finance - Eric Mull/ Bob Gould Eric Mull advised that he had not received the August Operating Statement from the Town Finance Dept. for GSC also none since June. He will to GSC when he receives these reports. Two boats will be needed to conduct the stocking F. Special Projects Eric Mull / Allyn Brown Allyn Brown reported : - under his direction, North Branford Cub Scouts had a successful educational day of clamming, Sunday, July 14, approximately 50 children and adults had a wonderful time, brought lunches. - plans will be made to hold this event again next year. G. Signs - TR Brysh / Allyn Brown Allyn Brown reported : - signs are in good condition, yet due to salt air the locks are seizing and not lasting as long as the brass locks. - he will install a master lock at Grass Island, which is locked all the time and will contact the Master Lock company for a more durable locking system. Discussion was held on several possibilities to rectify the seizing locks. H. Website- TR Brysh 8. Updates Chair Brysh advised the GSC webpage has been updated to include new member Tony DeLucia. A. Land Acquisition Commission (LAC) Liaison Stephen Goldschmidt advised that the LAC is looking for property near open space land Town property. Stephen requested that if GSC members know of land for sale to advise him. B. Sea Grant Advisory Board (SGAB) SGAB liaison and CT Shellfish Commission Representative, Stephen Goldschmidt reported : - he had ed GSC information on three public input meetings to be held in Milford on recreation, commercial use and protection of seacoast resources, land and long term plan. This will address the SGAB project to create a Shellfish Management Plan for Connecticut. The plan will provide policy guidelines for federal, state, and local aquaculture, recreation, and restoration efforts.

8 C. Harbor Management Commission (HMC) 9. Old Business 8 Former GSC Chair Alison Varian remains the GSC liaison to the HMC. She advised that the HMC is monitoring the discussions between the Sachem's Head Yacht Club and shellfish grounds commercial licensee, Dr. Lee regarding joint use of the shellfish grounds and mooring field in the same location. Currently, there are no boats on the moorings. Suggestions were made to shift portions of Lot and moorings to accommodate both parties, as a middle ground is needed. Since SHYC applied earlier this year to register their moorings, they have been paying the fees. GSC approved the shellfish Lot prior to SHYC mooring field application, though the unlicensed mooring field has been there since the 1800's. GSC supports both the mooring field and the commercial fishery and would like them to come to an agreement. The DEEP may have issues with boat discharge near commercial grounds. These waters are conditionally approved and shellfish would be grown out elsewhere. A. Steve McGuire request to video on sampling run 10. New Business At the last GSC meeting, it was agreed that Steve McGuire will videotape a sampling session to be used for public education. It is difficult to schedule due to short notice and rainfall status. Stephen Goldschmidt will try to schedule this month. There was no new business. At 9:10 pm, Eric Mull moved to adjourn, seconded by Stephen Goldschmidt. Carried Unanimously Respectfully submitted, Judith Anderson Castellano Recording Secretary