Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWW draft minutes 11.20.2025On //2024, on a motion by committee member , seconded by committee member , the Waterways & Shellfish Advisory Committee voted to approve these minutes as written. YARMOUTH WATERWAYS AND SHELLFISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES November 20, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT: Julian Mallett (Chairman), Mike Dunbar, Ellie Lawrence, Bob Churchill STAFF PRESENT: Dave Condon, Kathryn Brooks, Casaundra Healy OTHERS PRESENT: Neal Morris, Joe Britt, Christian Hayes, Bob Perry, Dan Ojala, Mr. Serijian, Andy Baler _______________________________________________________________________________ At 5:30 Dave Condon, Director of Natural Resources, read the open meeting law and explained the meeting audio was going to be recorded. Agenda 1. Public Comment: Joe Britt Said he has had a hard time keeping in contact with shellfish and the department, he reaches out and nobody gets back to him. He would like to set up a meeting. He would like to voice his ideas and knowledge and have his voice be heard. Mr. Britt mentioned this is the shellfish advisory committee in addition to waterways, but we only ever discuss docks. He would like to see shellfish goals and have meetings to discuss shellfish. 2. Notice of Intent c. Cape Cod Engineering Inc., 56 Pleasant Street, replacement of an existing licensed marine bulkhead Bob Perry had to be in Dennis for another meeting so his project was heard first. The bulkhead project would be replaced in the same footprint. Ms. Lawrence made a motion to approve the plan, seconded by Mr. Churchill. The motion passed 4-0. a. Down Cape Engineering Inc., 53 Aunt Dorah’s Lane, for an existing pier, ramp, floats, and pilings with modification to the decking over the marsh Dan Ojala presented on the project and the homeowner was present as well. The dock was replaced without Conservation permitting, and is now different than what was permitted previously. Director Condon clarified this project was heard in July. Mr. Ojala explained they would like to increase the spacing between the planks instead of raising the whole dock. The minutes from the July meeting were read aloud by Director Condon. Mr. Ojala says they will leave what is there and no more piles as was mentioned in the previous plan. The floats will be anchored to one another, and it is smaller than what was there before. Mr. Ojala said they would like to continue with the existing license and argues no variance is needed because there is an existing license. He continues that the floats were replaced because they were breaking apart and he understands rebuilding needs to adhere to current regulations. Mr. Ojala claims there will be no disturbance to the area, and redoing the project would require pounding in new piles, which is disturbance. On //2024, on a motion by committee member , seconded by committee member , the Waterways & Shellfish Advisory Committee voted to approve these minutes as written. Chairman Mallett questioned what was different from the original plan that was submitted. Mr. Ojala responded there is no more ramp and float, and the floats are smaller than previously. Ms. Lawrence asked why change the plan before going to Conservation? Mr. Ojala said they want to get variances instead of having to redo the whole dock, there will be no more concrete pad, so it is an improvement on what was there before. Mr. Baler, neighbor at 29 Aunt Dorah’s, is fine with the dock but voiced his concerns with beach walking. He wanted to make sure he can walk along the beach without crawling under it. It was explained the dock will have a walkway over/through it. Floats would be removed from the water but the dock still prevents shellfishing within 5’ of it. Ms. Lawrence motions to accept the plan with no concerns for navigation, fewer concerns for shellfish than with a fixed pier, but acknowledges variances will be needed. The motion is seconded by Mr. Churchill and it is tied 2-2 as it moves to Conservation. b. Down Cape Engineering Inc., 232 Blue Rock Road, for existing fixed dock with pilings, and current float configuration, with proposed float modification Mr. Ojala says the dock is wider, a lot shorter, and the floats will be smaller than what is currently in place. They will also be licensing the seawall. It was confirmed a piling will need to be moved. The shellfish survey notes seed and chowder sized quahog in the area. On behalf of Joel Bois, Mr. Dunbar says Joel is concerned abut this project and does not want to see the dock extend further out and no more pilings. Mr. Ojala again says the pile will move, but the dock is shorter and wider and the floats will be removed in winter. Ms. Lawrence motions to recommend that the floats are not moved further seaward than current conditions. This is seconded by Mr. Churchill and passes 4-0. 3. Request for Commercial Shellfish Permit outside permitting window- Neal Morris 4. Christian Hayes Shellfish Aquaculture Lease License 5. Approval of Meeting Minutes: 9/11/2025 6. Committee Discussion & Division Updates