At its December meeting the Norwalk Shellfish Commission received routine reports and several regional updates affecting harbor and shellfish resources.

Treasurer Bill reported a balance of $28,650 and said there were no expenditures during the period. In the Department of Health update Bill reported November rainfall of 1.55 inches (compared with last year’s 4.14 inches and a historical average of 3.49) and said two closures occurred on Nov. 26 and Nov. 30 in the Cook's Ground area after rainfall exceeded the 0.5-inch threshold for that area.

The police representative reported one enforcement action tied to a shellfish regulation violation: an arrest of an individual identified as Michael Orvis, who posted bond and has a court date scheduled after the new year.

Commissioner Jeff Stedman provided a detailed regional briefing, noting that other towns’ harbor and shellfish commissions (including Sanford/Stanford) are trying different governance and testing arrangements. He highlighted the Connecticut Port Authority’s grants for harbor improvements (citing East Norwalk Veterans Park Marina), and said the bond commission meeting on Dec. 12 could change how funds are allocated — proposing that available funds be pooled for the Port Authority to distribute rather than individually approved project-by-project.

Stedman also flagged an upcoming public hearing on the Seaview Avenue project (Dec. 11) with written comments due Dec. 23 and expressed concern that DEEP’s changed evidentiary-hearing rules under Public Act 25-84 affected a petition by the East Norwalk Bow Club. He called attention to a Greenwich test case that may set precedent on whether petitions by harbor/shellfish commissions or their members can compel evidentiary hearings.

On Manresa Island Stedman said the DEEP stewardship-permit comment period closed Oct. 30 and the commission is waiting for DEEP’s decision; he reported the Bureau of Aquaculture director had discussed the project with a consultant and expressed cautious optimism that the remediation permit will address contaminants in marine sediments but that detailed remedial action plans remain to be developed.

Stedman said the commission plans to engage on updating the Connecticut Harbor Management Act in the next legislative session, with meetings being scheduled with DEEP and legislators to clarify municipal harbor management authority and the statutory role of shellfish commissions.

The commission also heard that the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative will hold a public meeting on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Comstock Center in Wilton to discuss an updated watershed-based plan; commission water-quality policies will be submitted for endorsement during that update.

The chair noted the state shellfish commissions’ annual gathering on Jan. 24 and asked members to notify him if they plan to attend; staff will coordinate ticket purchases.

The meeting closed with scheduling notes that the next commission meeting will be Jan. 8 (second Thursday of January) and brief holiday greetings.