TOWN OF MOUNT DESERT
SHELLFISH COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes December 8, 2011
Vice Chairman John Stanley called the meeting order at 4:00 p.m. Also present were committee members Steve Boucher, Jock Crothers, Earl Moore, and Barry Thomas; Warden Shawn Murphy; DMR Biologist Hannah Annis; and members of the public.
II. Report on sales of licenses
Town Clerk Joelle Nolan reported that 33 Resident and 10 Non-Resident Recreational licenses have been sold since October 1, 2011.
III. Commercial licenses, continued discussion
Discussion started with how commercial diggers have their town licenses renewed each year. Hannah Annis said some towns use a point system for license renewal. The commercial digger earns points by performing such tasks as monitoring the flats for X-amount of hours, attending committee meetings, and participating in the re-seeding of flats. However, to have a point system, someone needs to monitor it. As for the initial sale, the lottery system appealed to members more than the “1st come, 1st serve” method.
Some committee members expressed concerns that some residents might purchase a commercial license and not use it, thinking they were “saving” the flats and clams. Other members focused on the importance of making licenses available to those who are already digging commercially.
The number of licenses and cost of licenses were also talked about. Hannah explained that the non-resident license fee could not be more than twice the resident fee. The suggested number of licenses varied; however the consensus was to keep the number on the low side. Hannah said the fees range anywhere from $100 to $400 each. And, she reminded members that once commercial licenses are made available, any resident licenses not sold within 90 days become available to non-residents.
Which flats to open and length of the season were also talked about. David Dunton, a Bar Harbor resident, said some towns thought it a good idea to keep at least one easy access clamming area limited to only a peck. This keeps the area available to senior citizens. Earl Moore suggested the town sell licenses to senior citizens at a reduced fee. After a thorough discussion, it was decided the ordinance would need a definition for senior citizen. Shawn and Jock agreed that opening all flats with some restrictions might be a good idea.
Conservation closures were discussed. These require approval by the Board of Selectmen and DMR.
Vice Chairman Stanley suggested members were ready to make motions.
MOTION: Barry Thomas moved, seconded by Earl Moore to sell commercial licenses. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
MOTION: Barry Thomas moved, seconded by Jock Crothers, to limit the number of commercial licenses sold this year.
DISCUSSION: after a thorough discussion and review of the pros and cons of selling too many or too few, members agreed it would be easier to modify up (selling more) rather than down (reduce the number available for sale).
MOTION: Barry Thomas moved, seconded by Jock Crothers, to amend his previous motion to limit the sale of commercial licenses to three residents and 2 non-residents, with the understanding that any resident licenses not sold after 90 days become available to non-residents. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
MOTION: John Stanley moved, seconded by Jock Crothers, to set the commercial license fees at $150 for residents and $300 for non-residents. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
The next discussion focused on the process for accepting applications, for issuing licenses, and the term of the licenses. After a comprehensive review of many options, to following was decided:
MOTION: John Stanley moved, seconded by Jock Crothers, to accept applications, only in person, for a commercial license lottery beginning the first business day in April 2012 up until 2:00 p.m. on the last business day of April 2012 with names being drawn at 3:00 p.m.; winners have 5 business days to purchase the license, if winner defaults, another name is drawn from the lottery of applicants; licenses are effective May 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
MOTION: John Stanley moved, seconded by Jock Crothers, to extend the term of resident and non-resident recreational licenses from April 30, 2012 to December 31, 2012, at no extra fee. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
MOTION: Jock Crothers moved, seconded by Steve Boucher, to declare all flats open within the Town of Mount Desert for recreational and commercial harvesting of soft shell clams, subject to the Town of Mount Desert Shellfish Conservation Ordinance and Maine Department of Marine Resources rules. The vote was unanimous in favor, 5-0.
IV. Revised Ordinance review
A. Proposed amendments for May 7 – 8, 2012 Annual Town Meeting
1. D. Limitation of Diggers, 3. [language regarding Notice needs to be coordinated with opening of flats date]
2. E. License Expiration Date [consider changing to License Term]
These items to be addressed at a future meeting.
V. Other business
None presented.
VI. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
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