Shellfish Commission

Regular Meeting

Norwalk, CT · July 10, 2025

Minutes

CITY OF NORWALK NORWALK SHELLFISH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 10, 2025 ATTENDANCE: Steve Bartush, Chairman; Pete Johnson; Nick Sacchinelli; Mark Hiller STAFF: Bill Mooney, Assistant Director of Health OTHERS: Alan Kibbe, Norwalk Harbor Management; John Pinto, Norwalk Harbor Management; Tom Ryder; Jim Bajek; Sgt. Justin Bisceglie CALL TO ORDER Chairman Bartush called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. There was a quorum present. ROLL CALL A roll call of those present was performed. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES REGULAR MEETING: JUNE 5, 2025 ** MR. SACCHINELLI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF JUNE 5, 2025, AS SUBMITTED. ** MARK HILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no Public Participation at this time. REPORTS TREASURER Mr. Mooney came forward to deliver his report. He reported there were no transactions during the month; the balance remains at $29,292.00. SECRETARY Chairman Bartush came forward to deliver his report. He mentioned making a remark at last month’s Norwalk Harbor Management Commission meeting concerning the lack of regulatory City Of Norwalk Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 1 of 3 oversight regarding the removal of oil tanks on Manresa Island. He has contacted Mr. Ray Frigon at DEEP to inquire about the regulatory process. A meeting is being arranged, potentially to include Chairman Kibbe, Dr. Pinto, and Mr. Steadman, to gain clarity. Mr. Bartush emphasized that the Commission supports progress but believes proper review by local experts is necessary. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Mr. Mooney came forward to deliver his report. He advised that the rainfall for June was 2.22 inches. There have been two closures. There were no bypasses reported. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT There was no report at this time. PERMITS There was no report at this time. POLICE Sgt. Bisceglie came forward to deliver his report. He advised that there was not much to report on the shell fishing front. ADVISORY Sgt. Bisceglie reported that the water temperature is around 71 to 70. HARBOR MANAGEMENT Mr. Kibbe came forward to deliver his report. He said that the transit moorings are really busy again this year. Boaters are coming into Norwalk and spending a good amount of time. He hasn’t received a report yet on the resident moorings. Mr. Mangles is shepherding a project with the Eagle Scouts out on the islands to improve the sanitary conditions. Mr. Pinto advised that some people have reported trash and possible fires being set on Simmons Island. Sgt. Bisceglie confirmed they haven’t noticed and fires but they will increase their presence and frequent the island more. ** MR. SACCHINELLI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS AS PRESENTED. ** MR. JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. OLD BUSINESS City Of Norwalk Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 2 of 3 26 SHOREFRONT PARK Mr. Bajek came forward to discuss this matter. He reported they’re waiting to receive a letter from The Boat Club so they may revise the plans. Then they will share with everyone and proceed with forwarding that to the state. 18 MARION AVENUE Mr. Ryder welcomed any questions the Commission may have. Chairman Bartush advised that they will approve the application pending a visit, which he has already completed. He informed Mr. Ryder to check his email for the following steps. 66 CALF PASTURE BEACH ROAD Chairman Bartush reported communication with the agent, Mr. Hiltz, has been tabled by the agent/applicant pending additional information. NEW BUSINESS SHELLFISH STATUS CALL LINE Mr. Mooney presented a proposal from the Health Department IT staff to create a web page for shellfish status reports, currently communicated via a call-in line that received 474 calls last month. Commissioners discussed the possibility of offering both options to accommodate all users, especially among seniors. Additional ideas were discussed, such as online clamming permit sales through the new system, mass text notifications for shellfish bed closures, and maintaining existing in-person payment options for those who prefer this method. Aquaculture supports the web-based system and will be involved. Mr. Mooney will work with staff on initial development and present a draft to the Commission later this year. ADJOURNMENT ** MR. JOHNSON MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. HILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Zulma Roundtree City Of Norwalk Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting July 10, 2025 Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

REGULAR MEETING – SHELLFISH COMMISSION AGENDA JULY 10, 2025, 6:30 PM BY ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING To allow public access, anyone may access a meeting by telephone and/or Zoom, or a recording in the City of Norwalk YouTube channel. Specific instructions and links can be found at norwalkct.gov/meetings. Members of the public may call in to participate. Callers will not be able to see the meeting participants. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, dial *9 on the phone and you will be called on by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide "live comments" may also use the Zoom meeting platform. All participants will be muted upon entering the meeting. To speak, click the “raise your hand indicator” and you will be called by the host of the meeting during the public comment section. All speakers must state their name and address. Comments must be on a topic on the agenda, and are limited to three minutes. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting, including by using threatening, hateful, or sexually-explicit language, will be removed. Please find the information using the link above. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment are encouraged to submit those via email in advance of the meeting. For these comments to be included into the record, they must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please email William Mooney at wmooney@norwalkct.govwith the subject line “Public Comment” to provide written public comment prior to the meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES A. Regular Meeting: June 5, 2025 IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION V. REPORTS A. Treasurer B. Secretary C. Health Department Page 1 of 6 D. Wastewater Treatment Plant E. Water Quality F. Permits G. Police H. Advisory I. Harbor Management VI. OLD BUSINESS A. 26 Shorefront Park 18 Marion Ave. 66 Calf Pasture Beach Rd. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Shellfish Status Call Line at Health Department VIII. DISCUSSION IX. ADJOURNMENT UPCOMING MEETINGS A. August 7, 2025 Page 2 of 6 CITY OF NORWALK SHELLFISH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 5, 2025 ATTENDANCE: Steve Bartush, Chair; Mark Hiller; Pete Johnson; Jonathan Pageler; Nicholas Sacchinelli (6:44) OTHER: Bill Mooney; Tom Ryder; Justin Bisceglie; Jim Bajek; Alan Kibbe, Harbor Management Commission; John Hilts CALL TO ORDER Chair Bartush called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. There was a quorum present. ROLL CALL A Roll Call of those present was performed. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES REGULAR MEETING: APRIL 3, 2025 ** MR. JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2025 AS SUBMITTED. ** MR. PAGELER SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no Public Participation at this time. REPORTS TREASURER Mr. Mooney came forward to deliver his report. He said that the expenditures remained unchanged. SECRETARY There was no report at this time. HEALTH DEPARTMENT City Of Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2025 Page 1 of 4 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Mooney came forward to deliver his report. He reviewed the rain totals and stormwater incidents for April and May. WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT There was no report at this time. WATER QUALITY The Water Quality Committee has been suspended. PERMITS Mr. Mooney came forward to deliver his report. He said he had trouble getting the number of permits sold. They are expecting a busy season this year. Water temperatures were reviewed. POLICE There was no report at this time. ADVISORY There was no report at this time. HARBOR MANAGEMENT Mr. Kibbe came forward to deliver his report. He said they were working to get Habor Master Lovallo’s reappointment underway. They are up to 8 transient moorings and he reviewed other notable moorings. The city has obtained a grant to rebuild the Veteran’s Park Marina. A suggestion was made to rename the Marina as well. The importance of the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative was also stated. Mr. Sacchinelli joined the meeting at 6:44 P.M. Further discussion and review of the Watershed Initiative followed. There has also been a meeting of the 2025 Long Island Sound Summit which was reviewed. Mr. Johnson left the meeting at 6:50 P.M. ** MR. SACCHINELLI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS AS PRESENTED. ** MR. HILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. City Of Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Page 4 of 6 OLD BUSINESS 26 SHOREFRONT PARK Chair Bartush came forward to discuss this item. He said paperwork had been submitted to DEEP regarding it being tabled. 163 GREGORY BOULEVARD Mr. Ryder came forward to discuss this item. ** MR. PAGELER MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR 163 GREGORY BOULEVARD WITH STANDARD LANGUAGE PENDING A QUICK REVIEW BY MR. JOHNSON. ** MR. SACCINELLI SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS CANFIELD ISLAND BRIDGE REPAIR Mr. Bajek came forward to discuss this item. The project is to reinforce the existing pilings that are holding up the bridge and the crossmembers underneath the bridge. He provided details regarding how they would be reinforced. There is a recreational shellfish area that goes up to the bridge. The history of the bridge and its permits was provided. Chair Bartush suggested that this be a winter project. Mr. Bajek said that he felt there would likely be pushback due to the cold. The Harbor Commission has no issue with this application so long as the applicant consult with emergency services and the consult with the Bureau of Aquaculture. ** MR. PAGELER MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR CANFIELD ISLAND BRIDGE REPAIR ** MR. SACCINELLI SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 18 MARION AVENUE Mr. Ryder came forward to discuss this item. Photos of the property and proposed dock were provided. It will be a basic recreational dock for residential use. The Harbor Commission has previously approved this application. Chair Bartush said they’d look at it and vote next month. 66 CALF PASTURE BEACH ROAD City Of Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Page 5 of 6 Mr. Kibbe said Harbor Management had discussed the application. He said they had tabled it for a month due to how significant the project is. Aquaculture has not yet commented on this application. Discussion followed. Mr. Hilts came forward to discuss this item. He said the Harbor Commission had said they would get back to him with questions. He said that, when the wave wall had been created, the marina had not extended as far as it currently did. It was decided to table this item till next month. DISCUSSION There was no discussion at this time. ADJOURNMENT ** MR. SACCINELLI MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. HILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 P.M. Respectfully submitted Ian A Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services City Of Norwalk Shellfish Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2025 Page 4 of 4 Page 6 of 6