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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaterways Minutes 2.13.2025MINUTES YARMOUTH WATERWAYS AND SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING February 13, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julian Mallett (Chairman), Rick Crawford, Bob Churchill, Ellie Lawrence, Mike Dunbar STAFF PRESENT: William Bonnetti, Kathryn Brooks, Casaundra Healy OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Ojala, Kieran Healy, Roger Cahoon Jr., Jimmy Warrama, Joel Bois, Joe Britt, the Kelly’s _______________________________________________________________________________ At 5:37 p.m. the Director of Natural Resources, Bill Bonnetti, read the open meeting law and explained the meeting audio was going to be recorded. Agenda: Public Comment: Joe Britt voiced his concerns about shellfish propagation in the Twon of Yarmouth. Mr. Britt inquired about where the seed goes, where does the money go, what is being done for propagation? He said it does not seem like there is much help for the commercial shellfish industry and that other Towns seem to be doing more for commercial people. Continued Notice of Intent Kieran Healy, BSC Group, 146 Mayflower Terrace, proposed pier, ramp and float Kieran and the homeowners, the Kelley’s, came back with revised plans for their dock. The pier was longer at the last meeting and is now being proposed at 80’, within regulation, but now they need a depth variance. Ms. Lawrence asks about float stops and Mr. Healy said they will be implemented to keep the float 1’ off the bottom. Mr. Crawford said he was pleased to see the length taken in. Mr. Crawford makes a motion to recommend this plan as is. This motion is seconded by Mr. Churchill, and the motion passes 5-0. Notice of Intent Dan Ojala, Down Cape Engineering, 222 Blue Rock Road, proposed pier, ramp and float Presented by Dan Ojala, this is a new notice for an old pier. No changes or new construction, just looking to permit what is there now. The dock has been here since roughly 2007. Ms. Lawrence clarifies they are only looking to update the Chapter 91 License to the current configuration, and Mr. Ojala confirms this and says there has been no change in the pier for 18+ years. Ms. Lawrence makes a motion to recommend this project as is. This is seconded by Mr. Churchill and the motion passes 5-0. Wayne Tavares, 2 Buttercup Lane, proposed pier, ramp, float Mr. Tavares and the homeowner, Alex, were in attendance, but the project was presented by Brian Wall, an attorney from Sandwich, MA. Changes to the plan include new information was not previously on the plan. The dock is proposed at 80’ with 3’ at mid tide. There was no shellfish between 0’-40’ and beyond 40’ the shellfish numbers were seen as insignificant. Mr. Wall proposed removing all the shellfish from the area prior to construction and contribute $3,000 to the shellfish fund. Mr. Tavares added there is only 1.46’ at low tide and float stops would be implemented. Float stops were not shown on the plan before the WWSAC but would be on the plans going before Conservation. Ms. Lawrence said they cannot make a recommendation on a plan we don’t have. Mr. Wall said the float stops on the plan are 2.5’ above the substrate as DMF had directed. Director Bonnetti summarized the proposed project at 10 Buttercup since that project recently went through the committee and was recommended to Conservation. While the committee said they would not design the dock for 2 Buttercup, Mr. Mallet suggested possibly reviewing the project at 10 Buttercup for ideas. Mr. Wall asked the committee for a continuance. Mr. Crawford made the motion to continue, seconded by Ms. Lawrence. The motion passed 5-0. Approval of Meeting Minutes 1/9/25 Ms. Lawrence motioned to accept the meeting minutes as written. Mr. Crawford seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0. Committee Discussion & Division Updates Constable Healy did not have any updates to share but was open to questions and comments. People can come to her or the Director at any time. Mr. Britt said in the past he was told certain things were going to happen and they never did. He would like to be on the agenda to discuss where to plant seed instead of putting it in areas that it wont grow. He suggested getting more people involved and he wants to see the water get cleaned up and the commercial industry saved. Mr. Mallet said financial constraints limit the propagation, which the Constable agreed with, and solidifying a plan to bring before the selectmen to get more money would be great. The Director said applying for grants and Town funds are a good idea and having a concrete plan can help get money. Constable Healy said she is working with the Director and Assistant Director on a 5 and 10 year propagation plan and that previous details about propagation are in the Town report. The idea of having a meeting outside of the regular committee meetings to discuss propagation was floated and had positive feedback from those in attendance. The door is always open at DNR for comments and ideas and stopping into the office could be a good, informal way to discuss propagation. Once these comments are processed, the Town can bring them back to the WSAC meetings as an agenda item. Mr. Bois said he would not mind a small platform at 2 Buttercup since it would limit the impact to shellfishing. He said that area is a really good area for people just starting out with commercial shellfishing and its good to protect it. Mr. Bois asked about the status of upgrading this area to a no dock no mooring zone. Director Bonnetti and MR. Crawford met with Conservation and nothing has been done yet, but the conservation has been started. There’s no formal process for this. Constable Healy said the Mass Oyster Project collected 4 tons of shell last year and will be going to ARC to age for 1 year before being used for remote set. She also mentioned seed season is coming up and she will be working on that gear and getting those pumps in the water. April 10th is also an invasive species presentation by the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. The Director said the Town has finished dredging Bass River and is working to permit the upper reaches for dredging. While some federal funding may be impacted due to the current administration, most tof the projects at DNR are state funded and our funds should not be impacted. Mr. Crawford motions to adjourn the meeting, which is seconded by Ms. Lawrence. The motion passes 5-0 and the meeting ends at 7:08 p.m.