The Norwalk City Shellfish Commission received reports on water-quality conditions, enforcement, regional programs and state-level policy developments during its December meeting.

Department of Health representative Bill reported November rainfall of 1.55 inches—below last year’s 4.14 and the historical average of 3.49 inches. He said two closures occurred on Nov. 26 and Nov. 30 in the Cook’s Ground area because the exceedance threshold is 0.5 inches; otherwise no bypasses were reported.

The police sergeant reported an arrest in a shellfish-regulation case. The arrestee was identified in the record as Michael Orvis; he was charged in relation to shellfish regulations, posted bond and has a court date after the first of the year.

Commissioner Jeff Stedman briefed members on regional developments. He described Stamford’s approach—using volunteer committees and third-party testing (the SoundWaters group) after the local health department reduced in-house testing—and noted examples of state support, such as Bureau of Aquaculture programs that have helped create new shellfishing businesses in other towns. Jeff also described Connecticut Port Authority grants that have funded harbor improvements (including East Norwalk Veterans Park Marina) and said the bond commission is scheduled to meet Dec. 12 to consider allocating grant funds.

Jeff flagged a public hearing on the Seaview Avenue project scheduled for Dec. 11 with written comments due Dec. 23 and emphasized harbor-management consistency as an issue to watch. He also updated the commission on the Manresa Island DEEP stewardship-permit process: the public comment period closed Oct. 30; DEEP described the permit as relatively simple but detailed remedial action plans remain to be completed. Jeff said the Bureau of Aquaculture director had a recent discussion with a consultant on the project and expressed cautious optimism the remediation would address contaminants in marine sediments.

Jeff asked the commission to raise the impacts of Public Act 25-84 at the upcoming state shellfish commissions’ annual meeting (Jan. 24), noting the act changes evidentiary-hearing procedures and may affect a commission’s ability to petition for hearings.

Chair and staff noted the state-wide annual gathering on Jan. 24 and asked commissioners to email staff if they wish to attend; Bill will coordinate ticket purchases. The commission accepted committee reports and adjourned. The next meeting was set for Jan. 8 (second Thursday of the month because Jan. 1 is a holiday).