Westport Island Shellfish Committee

January10, 2006 meeting minutes

 

The following is a summary of discussions held at the January 10, 2006 Shellfish Committee meeting.

                                    

The Committee met at 6:00PM in the town office.  Committee members in attendance were David Bertran, Clem Sledge, John Nelson, Mike Muchmore, and Jerry Bodmer.  Ron Aho area biologist for DMR attended as a committee adviser.  Also attending the meeting was Forest Smith.

 

Minutes:  A motion was made to accept the minutes as read and was seconded.  The motion was approved by the members of the Committee.  After signing the minutes by Committee members, a copy of the minutes will be given to the town selectmen and a copy will be posted at the town office.

 

Status of New Flat Openings:  David had rcvd a vague response (regarding a time table for completion of the analysis of the data taken between Squam Creek and Heals Pond) from Amy Fitzpatrick on Jan. 09, 2006 to which he forwarded a reply that Jan Barter probably would need manpower for our flats analysis to get done in a timely manner. He emphasized his response by the question “if it would help to speak with her boss or the Governor”. 

Ron advised that the Governor recently signed a bill to allow $26,000.00 from the supplemental budget for water quality sampling and Bio-toxin (sampling and analysis). David felt that he should discuss this with Amy Fitzpatrick or the Governor as it could relate to our needed analysis.

With concurrence from the Committee, David said that he would follow-up by the week’s end (1/14/06) and keep the Committee posted.

                                            

Annual Shellfish Management Review :  The Committee discussed what the review statements responses should be for 2006 and Jerry took notes to provide to Donna for implementation into the electronic copy which Ron Aho will send to both her and Jerry. 

Mike agreed to provide the Wardens report to Donna for input.

After Donna inputs the data she will provide the Review electronically to Committee members for consideration and with their comments will provide for final approval at the next Committee meeting in February.

           

Other Items:

 

  1. David said that Amy Fitzpatrick had met our request to provide the water sample analysis raw data that he had requested. John had researched the results and found several question areas that David agreed to try to follow up on after the Committee sees the final results of the above analysis.
  2. David discussed Committee appointments and will speak to Selectman George Richardson about recruiting new Committee members that will potentially be needed if current members decide to leave after their term.

 

  1. David discussed changes to the DMR policy regarding closure and opening notices and provided hard copy to Mike for his consideration.

 

  1. David discussed the information rcvd from Selectman George Richardson regarding the Maine Sea Grant Program and how a grant might be used for flat seeding. Clem was to look into the program to determine how to proceed and Ron was to send a file (PDF) with seed info to Clem for his consideration. Clem was to report on his findings at the next meeting or prior to the grant closure date.

           

  1. Ron will provide electronically to David the form letter (Municipal Shellfish License Allocation Application) that should be used to request for 2006 licenses. Jerry will forward David the 2005 request for his consideration.

 

  1. Ron advised that this year’s “Shellfish Forum” is to be held at the Samoset on March 2. The agenda will include discussions on the Red Tide and water quality issues.

 

  1. Jerry briefly discussed a license form correction and addition blank forms needed by Linda. This will be further discussed at the February meeting.

 

 

Next Meeting:  February 7, 2006 6pm at the Town office

 

 

Chairman – Dave Bertran                 _______________________________

 

Vice Chairman – Mike Muchmore               _______________________________

 

Member– Jerry Bodmer                               _______________________________

 

Secretary – Joe Donohue                              _______________________________

 

Member – John Nelson                                 _______________________________                                                             

                                                                                   

Member – Clement Sledge                           _______________________________

 

Alternate Member – Donna Curry              _______________________________

 

                                                                                                 Signatures

 

 

Submitted by Jerry Bodmer for Joe Donohue - Secretary