6/4/2018 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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7 Board of Selectman Minutes June 4, 2018 Public Hearing: Aquaculture Grant—Thomas F. Smith, Great River Oyster Company Selectman Sherman, a resident of Monomoscoy Island recused herself from the referenced Public Hearing. Vice-Chairman Cahalane presided. The Board of Selectmen opened the Public Hearing on the application of Great River Oyster Company, Thomas F. Smith, Founder, 226 Monomoscoy Road in request of a Shellfish Aquaculture License (Shellfish Grant) for a 2.5 acre parcel in Lower Great River adjacent to Monomoscoy Island to grow eastern oysters. Demarcation buoys will be at least 15" round standard yellow balls, anchored at the corners of the site. In accordance with posting procedures, the hearing notice was read aloud into the record. Thomas Smith and his son Nicholas were in attendance to discuss the proposed Aquaculture Grant with the Board of Selectmen and interested public. Nicholas Smith discussed the logistics of the 2.5 acre grant proposal to be situated in a lightly travelled area on Lower Great River. The site location was assessed as the most optimum area for oyster growth using a floating system as the bottom of the river is covered with mucic and is heavily concentrated with nitrogen. The Smith's held a forum on the proposal last year at the Mashpee Public Library. Approximately 40 interested citizens attended. One of the main concerns voiced at the forum was traffic. It was explained the goal of this project is to not increase traffic, but to focus on sustainability while lessening the appearance of a commercial application. Potential solutions were noted to be vetted with the Harbormaster. An additional concern was aesthetics. Mr. Smith indicated the most favorable method to outweigh the negatives is to recognize the benefits the oysters would bring to water quality. This conforms to a goal of the Town of Mashpee to remove nitrogen from the waters. It is hopeful this operation would be a part of Mashpee's initiative in this area. In concern to aesthetics, the Board of Selectmen asked the applicant if the oysters can be submerged. As this option was considered, Richard York, Department of Natural Resources Director indicated that floating aquaculture is not the only method to grow oysters. The Town of Mashpee is in the forefront with respect to aquaculture and the Town is currently growing oysters in a mucked area in the Mashpee River and the oysters are growing fine. This project which began in 2004 is highly successful with no fish kills in the river. In considering this proposal, the Board of Selectmen made note of a previous violation; Notice Number 1384; No person shall plant, transplant or introduce seed or adult shellfish into Mashpee waters without first obtaining a permit from the Director of the Massachusetts Division of Marine fisheries.