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MATTAPOISETT SELECTMEN'S MEETING

Oyster Aquaculture Proposal Considered Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen By Anne OÕBrien-Kakley A regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Jordan C. Collyer on March 9, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall Conference Room. Also in attendance were Selectmen Paul A. Silva and George Randall, Town Administrator Michael Gagne, and Assistant to the Selectmen Melody Pacheco. After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for those who are serving and have served our country, the Board approved the minutes of the February 23, 2010 meeting, both open and executive session. Although the end of the snow season is approaching, a snowstorm is still possible through April, so the Board voted to authorize snow and ice deficit spending if necessary for the balance of FY10. Mattapoisett resident Tim Smith presented the Board with a restored photograph of three Mattapoisett selectmen from the middle part of the 20th century: Manuel Linhares, Lester Crampton and George White. ÒOne of my pleasures is playing with photography and restoration work,Ó Mr. Smith said as he handed the Board a framed copy of the old photograph that had originally been gifted to George Randall from Mattapoisett resident Richard Walker. The Board thanked Mr. Smith for his work and said that the picture will hang prominently in the town hall. In their first appointment of the evening, the Board held an aquaculture public hearing for town resident Jim OÕDowd at 7:05. A crowd of over 50 abutters attended the public hearing to voice concerns about the eastern oyster farm aquaculture permit for which Mr. OÕDowd applied. The application involves a 2-acre space of water in the area of Brant Island Cove. The project would involve the cultivation of eastern oysters, which were once plentiful before being over-fished in the shallow cove. Mr. OÕDowd selected Brant Island Cove as a location for his proposed oyster farm since it provides the correct depth at low tide (three feet), it is rich with phytoplankton and other ÒgreenÓ foods for oysters, and is protected. In addition, the cove is free from eel grass, which is a requirement for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to approve the grant. Before opening up to public comment, the Board allowed Mr. OÕDowd to present his application. Mr. OÕDowd showed examples of the black polyethylene mesh ÒbagsÓ that would contain the young oysters. The bags would occupy no more than a 2000 square-foot space at maximum capacity, would be changed as needed and checked monthly. In the first year, there would be 40 bags over 400 square-feet. Each year, the space needed and the amount of bags would increase until 1600-2000 square-feet was occupied. In the third or fourth year, Mr. OÕDowd said that he would request mooring for culling and cleaning oysters. ÒIÕve heard some scuttlebutt around town about the impact this will have on navigation and pollution,Ó said Mr. OÕDowd. ÒOysters will be basically cleaning up the coveÉ they remove nitrogen from the water.Ó He cited Òlarge drivesÓ on the east coast to encourage oyster aquaculture for the purpose of cleaning water. ÒI love oysters,Ó he continued, Òand they have been disappearing all over town.Ó As far as visual impact, Mr. OÕDowd said that only the eight buoys would be visible in the cove. He said that the bags would take up relatively little space and recreational water-goers, like kayakers, would be able to navigate around the buoys. While the Board was receptive to the idea of encouraging aquaculture, the consensus from the Board was that the location was not ÒworkableÓ. The cove is seen as a recreational area, and they were concerned with some of the safety and logistical problems that a private oyster farm would present to the activities in the cove. ÒI donÕt have my heels dug in on this [location] at all,Ó said Mr. OÕDowd. ÒAquaculture is a great way to go,Ó said Selectman Silva. ÒHowever, there are few places in Mattapoisett that is really appropriate for small boats.Ó The abutters present expressed concern about the safety of the location for kayakers and small boats. Attorney Robert Feingold of New Bedford was at the meeting to represent several abutters, and he noted that the platform Mr. OÕDowd would need to use in the oyster farm area would be tempting for children to use as a diving spot in shallow waters. Furthermore, he said that the 1995 Massachusetts Coastal Zone Maintenance ÒWhite PaperÓ study showed that oyster farms produce 20 metric tons of fecal matter each year. He said the abutters were concerned that this fecal matter would not flush out of the cove and thus degrade the water quality. ÒPeople swim there. There are wells there,Ó said Mr. Feingold. Mr. OÕDowd noted that the ÒWhite PaperÓ study was quite dated, and Shellfish Officer Kathy Massey countered the claim that the oysters would dirty the water. She noted that a nearby oyster farm run by Bobby Fields has produced clean water even when other beds have to be closed, and has generally improved the water quality. ÒIÕm not a money-grubbing capitalist with no concern for the environment,Ó said Mr. OÕDowd, who again noted that he was willing to consider other locations. Other concerns from the audience included the fairness involved with Mr. OÕDowd gaining a mooring spot without spending time on the waiting list and the other possible side effects of oyster culturing, like smell and the horseflies it could draw. ÒThereÕs a lot of horseflies down there as it isÉ and you canÕt grow dead oysters. If I get a smell of dead fish from there, IÕve got a problem,Ó said Mr. OÕDowd. While most of the abutters argued against the location for oyster aquaculture, Paul Osenkowski defended the applicant, saying that the cove was not as densely traveled as some of the abutters were suggesting, and that he applauded Mr. OÕDowd Òfor producing something instead of buying from China.Ó Abutter Kimberly Field encouraged the oyster aquaculture venture, but not in the proposed location. ÒI would love to keep this in Mattapoisett. I just donÕt want to put my friends, my family and my guests in danger,Ó she said in reference to the decreased navigation in the rocky area of the cove. ÒMy goal is to find a home for you and your business,Ó said Selectman Silva to Mr. OÕDowd. ÒIt would be good for Mattapoisett and for the environment.Ó Mr. OÕDowd agreed to withdraw the application and will come up with three alternative locations in time for an April 13 special Board of Selectmen meeting at the Center School at 7:00 pm, where all abutters will get the chance to weigh in on the alternatives. In the second appointment of the evening, the Board heard from Mary OÕKeefe, who wished to inform the public that the April 13 switch would affect 12 channels, including Home and Garden, E! Entertainment, Lifetime, the Food Network and the Weather Channel. By May 11, everyone in Mattapoisett will need a digital converter box to receive a signal. The Board took a moment to recognize VeteranÕs Agent Barry Denham and VeteranÕs Secretary Paula Butterfield for receiving their Òcertificate in trainingÓ for their annual VeteranÕs Service training. In Notes and Announcements, Ms. Pacheco informed the Board that the next Board of Selectmen meeting would be on Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. Also, she noted that the Old Colony School Committee is looking for a new member to serve a three-year term. Those interested can learn more by calling the SelectmenÕs Office at 508-758-4100 ext. 4. In the Town AdministratorÕs report, Mr. Gagne informed the Board that both Mattapoisett and Rochester are waiting to hear back from the Boards of Health on the bidding of the solid waste and recycling curbside pickup. There being no more business to attend to, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:05 pm.