12/8/2015 WATERWAYS COMMISSION Minutes

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MASHPEE WATERWAYS COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE December 8th, 2015 MEETING Chairman Ken Bates called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM at the Mashpee Town Hall in the Popponesset Meeting Room Present: Don Barton, Ken Bates, Stanton Healy, Don MacDonald, Bill Taylor, Al Wickel, Shellfish Warden Rick York, Town Conservation agent Drew McManus and DPW Chief Catherine Laurent Absent: Tim Leedham Minutes of the November 10, 2015 Meeting: Motion made by Stan Healy to approve minutes, 2nd by Don MacDonald, and unanimously approved. Communications & Correspondence: Amendments to county dredge and town contract increasing the total dredged material from 2600 cubic yards to 3600 cubic yards. This increase is being funded by contributions from the organization of Save Popponesset Bay. Harbormaster Report: Rick York contributed information concerning harbormaster duties as the town evaluates the position and its job description before advertising for applicants. He said the town would be advertising the harbormaster and water quality technician positions soon. It was hoped that the positions could be filled so that required training could be accomplished before the summer season. It was not clear if the town administrator has written the position description at this time. Mr. Bates noted that the input the Waterways Commission members sent to the Town noted the emphasis of the position as a Harbormaster and training requirements completed under Chapter 422 and 501 CMR 16.00 should be a part of the applicants review/evaluation process. The safe boat he reported is planned to remain in the water at the Little River harbormaster facility. A shellfish boat will remain in the Popponesset waters as long as the ice conditions allow. Shellfish Constable Report: Rick reported that the water temperatures still remain well above average for this time of year. He said temperatures were still in the upper 40 degree range and that Quahogs and Oysters begin to slow down as the water temperatures approach 40 degrees. He mentioned it has been an excellent year for our seeding programs. 2.3 million Seed have grown to at least one inch in size and have been released. "Survival and growth were outstanding" he said. The scallop season was still under way. Well over 600 bushels of scallops have been harvested and he felt it was very possible to see over 1000 bushels taken by season's end. Planning for the utilization of the approved $250,000 towards next year's propagation was underway.