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Home My Public Portal AboutNatural ResourcesGENERAL FUND FY2018 FY2019 NATURAL RESOURCES FY2017 DEPT HEAD TOWN ADMINISTRATOR % CHANGE YR / YR $ CHANGE YR / YR EXPENDED EXPENDED APPROPRIATED REQUEST #1 RECOMMENDED WAGES: Full Time 249,969$ 266,111.82 $ 340,729 $ 282,557 -17.1% $ (58,172) Part-time 1,646$ 1,762.52 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 0.0% $ - Overtime 2,337$ 2,734.54 $ 4,172 $ 4,172 0.0% $ - Longevity 321$ 4,050.00 $ 4,350 $ 4,650 6.9% $ 300 Clothing Reimbursment (Taxable)3,750$ 0.00 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 0.0% $ - SUB TOTAL 258,023.00 274,658.88 352,751$ 294,879$ -$ -16.4% $ (57,872) GENERAL EXPENSES; R & M Buildings 513$ 36,815.36 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 0.0% $ - R & M Boat 908$ 1,228.22 $ 2,200 $ 2,200 0.0% $ - R & M Beaches and Landings (New 2019)-$ $ 30,000 $ - -100.0% $ (30,000) Physicals (New FY2019)74$ $ 450 $ 450 0.0% $ - Safety Clothing / Boots -$ 264.99 $ 900 $ 900 0.0% $ - Monitoring/Sampling 132$ 1,364.79 $ 6,300 $ 6,300 0.0% $ - Monitoring - Ponds 5,981$ 5,626.00 $ 5,200 $ 5,200 0.0% $ - Printing 247$ 0.00 $ 550 $ 550 0.0% $ - Supplies 8,277$ 8,705.19 $ 7,000 $ 7,000 0.0% $ - Mooring Expenses 1,462$ 1,257.96 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 0.0% $ - Professional Supplies 1,192$ 1,320.81 $ 1,300 $ 1,300 0.0% $ - Monitoring/Golf 5,232$ 2,449.03 $ 2,700 $ 2,700 0.0% $ - Conservation Land Management (New 2019)-$ $ 10,950 $ 10,950 0.0% $ - Conservation Maintenance 5,120$ 1,048.78 $ - $ - $ - Meetings 807$ 1,081.91 $ 800 $ 800 0.0% $ - Mileage 365$ 782.21 $ 700 $ 700 0.0% $ - Additional Equipment -$ 1,825.81 $ 1,450 $ 1,450 0.0% $ - Dues/Membership 1,264$ 725.99 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 0.0% $ - SUB TOTAL 31,574.00 64,497.05 78,200$ 48,200$ -$ -38.4% $ (30,000) SHELLFISH PROPAGATION: Summer Program 12,000$ 11,028.00 $ 12,000 $ 12,000 0.0% $ - Oyster Program 2,500$ 2,999.98 $ 3,064 $ 3,064 0.0% $ - SUB TOTAL 14,500.00 14,027.98 15,064$ 15,064$ -$ 0.0% $ - GRAND TOTAL 304,097.00 353,183.91 446,015.00 358,143.00 $ - ` $ (87,872) Note: FY2019 request for a new position and a new line item for Physicals. Health Insurance and Medicare Tax Impacts are included in the Fringe Benefit Budget. FY2020 Natural Resources 3/1/2019 Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 FY 20 BUDGET QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT: Natural Resources (incl. Conservation, Harbormaster, Shellfish) 1. What are the differences between the FY19 and FY20 proposed budget? Removed beach repair line item to become an annual article as in past practice. Other contractual changes related to salary, longevity. Our approved new hire from FY19 was removed from our budget. 2. What are the reasons for any increases or decreases? Increases are due to contract negotiation, longevity. R&M Beaches and Landings line item moved to an annual article. 3. Are you adding/reducing any personnel or programs? We were approved for a new position at last years annual town meeting but a hiring freeze prevented filling the position. We are asking to fill that position this year; we have attached details to our narrative, but the funding for the position is not listed in this years budget. We will have a slight reduction in the hours for our part time staff as minimum wage is increasing to $12/hour but our line item is unchanged. This is about 8 hours, or two to three recreational shellfishing events that we will have to cover with full time staff. 4. What are your top budgeting priorities for FY20? Maintain similar levels of service; water quality sampling, shellfishing propagation and management, open space protection, staffing for meeting and permitting. 5. Are there any expenses that could be deferred? What would be the impact? Our budget is dominated by salary costs. Other items include sampling, shellfish propagation and the related costs of gear and equipment maintenance. There is little left to cut. Office of: Select Board Town Administrator 6. Recap of revenues and their sources? Conservation: Wetland fees FY18 $24,470 Shellfish fees: Commercial $1637.50; Residential $12,400; Non-Residential season $1,395, Non-Residential Weekly $3,265. Total FY18 $18,697 Mooring fees: $8,395 in FY 18 We help manage the beaches (fresh and salt) so a portion of the beach sticker revenue supports our operations. 7. Are any pricing/fee changes proposed? No 8. If your budget was level funded what would be a few major impacts to your operations? Our current level of services in the Natural Resources/Shellfish/Harbormaster division is not sustainable at the current level of funding. A level funding budget would require a substantial cut in services to cover contractual salary obligations. 9. Are any revolving fund or receipts reserve changes proposed and for what reason? No Department of Natural Resources & Conservation The Conservation Department consists of the Director, Chris Miller, plus the Conservation Administrator, Noelle Aguiar, and the Senior Department Assistant, Carol Spade. The Department works with the Conservation Commission to manage wetland resources and filings for the town. The Commission meets twice monthly on Tuesday evenings, with a typical meeting being about 2 hours. They also schedule several work meeting per year to update regulations and handle administrative proceedings. The Natural Resources Department consists of the Director, Chris Miller, and Natural Resources Assistant, Ryan Burch, plus the part-time Shellfish wardens Sam McGee and Dennis Morris. The Department also includes an AmeriCorp intern, CJ Pettinger, who works one and one-half days per week in the Department, for a total of approximately 460 hours. We also have an intern Connor O’Brien who assists with various task about 10 hours per week (approximately 100 hours in FY19). Over the summer we had Derek Brudahl, a former AmeriCorp intern, as an intern assisting with various shellfish and land management tasks, for a total of approximately 630 hours. This year Margot Fitsch has been assisting with processing mooring permits and other tasks as part of the Senior Tax Abatement program, for about 45 hours. We have had to cut back on summer interns due to the amount of time it takes us to manage these students. The Department manages our extensive open space properties, beaches and landings, shellfish propagation and harvest, and moorings and harbormaster duties. We conduct weekly water quality testing of all public fresh and saltwater swimming landings in town for the health department, as well as monitor our water bodies for harmful algal blooms. We are also required to monitor open and closed areas for shellfish harvest and inspections of our private aquaculture grants in cooperation with the State Division of Marine Fisheries. We assist Recreation with deploying and maintaining 32 safety buoys in Long Pond, and install/maintain the swim floats at Long Pond and the sailing docks in Upper Mill. We coordinated the Beautify Brewster cleanup event the week prior to Brewster in Bloom, several full-town beach cleanups in spring and fall including the Coastsweep event, a part of a national program to clean up beaches. Together with Brewster Conservation Trust we put on the seventh annual Brewster Conservation Day environmental fair in July at Drummer Boy Park. In addition to our AmeriCorp placement, we also conduct AmeriCorp group projects in town. Each project brings in from 6 to 24 people for an entire day. Examples of these projects include wildfire fuel source reductions in the Punkhorn, field habitat restoration at several conservation properties and Wing Island, shellfish propagation, invasive species removal, beach cleanups, beach and dune restoration and plantings, and other maintenance of conservation properties. Altogether, AmeriCorp provided a total of 2,300 hours of free skilled service to the Town in 2018. The Department has also organized an extensive volunteer program to help with Department needs. The FLATS group (Friends of Lands, Aquaculture, Trails and Shellfish) consists of approximately 200 people who regularly help with projects ranging from beach cleanups, to shellfish propagation, to invasive species management, water sampling, and community events. These volunteers provided over 400 additional hours of free service to the Town last year. Our volunteer efforts added together amounts to over 3,935 hours of service to the Town last year. WAGES Full time: Director (Chris Miller) Assistant Natural Resources Officer/Conservation Administrator (Noelle Aguiar) Natural Resources Assistant (Ryan Burch) Senior Department Assistant (Carol Spade) Overtime: (4 hrs/biweekly for evening Conservation Commission meetings) Part Time: Assistant Shellfish Constables (Sam McGee, Dennis Morris), monitoring recreational special events. Recreational Shellfishing special events: Spring/summer quahog stocking program Thursdays and Sundays at Saints Landing, spring/fall Littleneck program at Ellis rockbeds (8 days each event), fall Oyster Sundays at Ellis rockbeds (7). Average 3 hours per tide, one or two tides per day. Hours (approximately): 100 for summer quahog program, 60 hours for spring and fall littleneck program, 31 hours for fall oyster program. We typically staff these programs with two people, one paid Assistant Shellfish Constable, one volunteer or town staff. Total shellfish program hours: 191. Current funding almost covers the hours for one Assistant Shellfish Constable, no funding for a second person. Longevity: Contractural Clothing Reimbursement: Contractural/taxable GENERAL EXPENSES R&M Buildings Repair and maintenance to buildings and properties (Natural Resources building, Mattot house, Spruce Hill, Quivett garage) R&M Boats and Equipment Repair and maintenance to boats and equipment (13’, 17’, 18’, 24’ boats, weed harvester barge, motors, Kubota tractor and attachments, mowers, chainsaws, trailers, canoe and dingy, associated equipment) R&M Beaches and Landings Project work at the town’s fresh and salt water landings. Moved from Budget to annual article. Safety Clothing Allowance (Director, Conservation Administrator, Natural Resources Assistant) Steel-toe boots, uniform shirts and jackets, coveralls and related work wear. Monitoring/Sampling Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Cape Cod Commission mandated sampling, analysis, and reporting for pesticides, chemical, bacterial, and water quality at the following locations: Landings and swimming areas (weekly sampling in season) Shellfishing areas Cranberry bogs Monitoring – Ponds Pond and Lake Steward pond sampling 2x per year, 26 ponds, plus follow up monitoring monthly on Long Pond (alum treatment) and Walkers Pond (weed harvesting). Printing Licenses, permits, signs, maps, regulations, reports, trail brochures. Supplies Laboratory and sampling equipment, tools, fittings, shellfish propagation equipment, safety equipment, lumber, maintenance supplies. Mooring Expenses Mooring tags, stickers, and equipment. Professional Supplies Office and professional supplies, photography. Monitoring – Golf Captains Golf Course (new and old courses) Conservation Maintenance See next line item. Conservation Land Management Larger project related work on open space and conservation properties Meetings Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions annual meeting and training courses (staff and conservation commission members), professional development for staff, Massachusetts Shellfish Officer Association meetings, C&I Harbormaster meetings, required annual training. Mileage and travel related expenses Reimbursement when town vehicles are not available or are not suitable for use. Additional Equipment: Tools and equipment needs Dues/Membership Includes Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners [7 commissioners, 1 alternate, 2 staff members], MA Harbormaster’s association dues, MA Lake and Ponds Association, MA Shellfish Officer Association Shellfish Propagation Summer stocking (quahogs). We stock an area off Saint’s Landing weekly in June, July and August for public harvest on Thursdays and Sundays. This includes grow out in an upweller maintained in Sesuit Harbor. Supplemented with fundraising efforts by staff and volunteers. Oyster program We raise oysters from seed to maturity in several aquaculture grants, one off Mants Landing, and another off Ellis Landing, and in the upweller in Sesuit Harbor. We are also working to establish an oyster reef off Breakwater Beach. Oysters are provided for public harvest on Sundays in October and November. Supplemented with fundraising efforts by staff and volunteers. Please note that last year we were approved for a new hire, but a hiring freeze was implemented and the position was not filled. This year the new hire has been pulled from our budget. Supporting documentation from last year for the new hire follows this document. Request for new staff The Department of Natural Resources is requesting one full-time Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level II, Personnel Bylaw) to assist with increasing Federal and State recreational and commercial shellfish monitoring standards; actively managing existing and additional acres of conservation land; processing and monitoring fresh and salt water moorings; monitoring salt and fresh water bathing beaches according to MA DPH standards; improving water quality through aquatic vegetation removal; and assisting with community events. With the current staff of one department head and one field person (see chart 1), the department is failing to meet the minimal standards of compliance required by Federal, State and local agencies that ensure public safety, sustainable resource management, and public education. When compared to surrounding Towns, Brewster has the equivalent to one field person performing the same duties as four or more people ( See chart 2). To maintain current practices with existing staff means to fall short of the minimum required to be in compliance. As commercial shellfishing activities increase, conservation property and trails are added, number of moorings increase and water quality monitoring increases, the gap between what can be done and what needs to be done will widen. The Department of Natural Resources is split into two offices. The Conservation Office is located at Town Hall, supported by the Conservation Administrator and Senior Department Assistant. The conservation staff manage the town’s wetlands protection bylaw filings and support the conservation commission. The Shellfish / Harbormaster / Land Management / Water Quality Office is located at 1708 Main Street, supported by the Director of Natural Resources and the Natural Resource Assistant. The additional staff member is needed to assist with shellfish, harbormaster, land management, and water quality responsibilities. Chart 1- Current Personnel: Name Position Hrs per Week Yearly Salary as of 6/30/18 Chris Miller Director 35 91,194 Noelle Bramer Conservation Administrator 35 61,220 Ryan Burch Natural Resources Assistant 40 59,280 Carol Spade Senior Department Assistant 35 54,686 Various Assistant Shellfish Warden (As needed) $11.12/hour, $2000 appropriation Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 Requested Position: • Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level II personnel by-law) 40 hrs per week, Yearly salary range $51,979-$83,158 Equivalent position in the Town of Dennis – • Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level III SEIU) 40 hrs per week, Yearly salary range $52,689 – $84,301 Town of Dennis job description and FY19 grade and pay range attached. Chart 2 compares the Town of Brewster with the Towns of Eastham, Dennis, and Orleans. In summary, Brewster has one person responsible for all shellfish activities, all harbormaster activities, all land management activities, and all water quality activities. Eastham has 4 people for the same duties, Dennis has 4 people with 10 seasonal staff, Orleans has 3 people with 3 seasonal staff in charge of shellfish and harbormaster duties with their parks and recreation staff handling all conservation property. Brewster has the only Department Head who assists with field work. All other Cape Department Heads serve an administrative role. Chart 2 - Town by Town Personnel Comparison Town Dept. Head Shellfish Officer Harbormaster Land Manager Water Quality Brewster 1 1- person for shellfish, harbormaster, land management, and water quality 2-part time shellfish wardens Eastham 1 4 – people for shellfish, harbormaster, land management Dennis 1 1- person shellfish 2 - seasonal 2-people harbormaster 6-seasonal 1 –person land management 2-seasonal Orleans 1 2 –people for shellfish, harbormaster 1 –person natural resources 3-seasonal part time Parks and recreation staff Natural Resource Dept. Secret to Success and recipe for disaster In 2016 the Natural Resource Department relied on 2,100 volunteer hours from AmeriCorps, summer interns, and community members to fill the gap on personnel short falls. In 2016 Ryan Burch carried over 80 hrs of vacation time because he didn’t have time to take it. In 2016 Chris Miller accumulated 500 hrs of compensatory time that expired, carried over 105 hrs of vacation time and 105 hrs of sick time because he didn’t have time to take it. Based on a 40 hr week, minus holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days, a Town employee works 1,792 hrs. Based on the number of volunteer hours and hours lost or carried over, the Natural Resource Department could have used 2 more staff members. Failure to meet minimum standards Shellfish: Brewster’s Shellfish Department has failed to meet the minimum requirements set by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Department of Health, and National Shellfish Sanitation Program to enforce shellfish aquaculture harvest regulations, monitor closed and conditional closed areas, and enforce commercial shellfish harvesting regulations. The State has drafted an agreement between Massachusetts Environmental Police, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and local Shellfish Departments in the Commonwealth to conduct the following shellfish regulatory activities: • Patrolling shellfish growing areas (opened and closed) • Ensure compliance of harvest, tagging and transport of shellfish under the NSSP and FDA • Ensure compliance of the Vibrio Management Plan for the harvest and handling of oysters • Maintain current shellfish postings at closed areas • Maintain and submit a routine log of all activities outlined in this agreement and submit to MA Division of Marines Fisheries Taking into consideration Brewster’s unique shoreline and various shellfishing activities, the Department established a minimum time required to meet the State’s compliance standards. Inspecting closed areas due to contamination (Quivett Creek, Paines Creek, Freeman’s Pond, Namskaket Creek) • 1 time per week at 52 weeks at 3 hrs = 156 hrs Inspecting seasonally closed areas (Ellis Landing to Crosby Landing) • 1 time per week at 52 weeks at 3 hrs = 156 hrs Inspecting Commercial Wild Fishery • 1 time per week at 35 weeks at 1 hour = 35 hrs Inspecting Commercial Aquaculture Fishery ( Non Vibrio season ) • 2 inspections for 9 grant holders at 2 hours = 36 hrs Inspecting Commercial Aquaculture Fishery ( Vibrio season ) • 5 inspections for 9 grant holders at 2 hrs = 90 hrs TOTAL = 473 hrs needed to meet the minimum compliance levels In order to meet the State’s compliance standard, the Department needs qualified, experienced and trained personal to effectively enforce the agreement. This means, the Department’s Assistant Shellfish Wardens are primarily used for special events and are not eligible to perform above patrols and inspections. Under Chapter 130 Section 98 the State outlines the requirements for Shellfish and Deputy Shellfish Constables. This position requires (see attached sheet): • Qualifications by experience or training • Successfully completed the 5 week shellfish warden training The Shellfish Department has a healthy shellfish propagation program to help decrease pressure on wild stock, improve water quality, and enhance populations. The Department has failed to utilize the upweller to grow juvenile oyster and quahog seed because of personnel short falls. Failure to utilize shellfish nursery (upweller) to grow juvenile shellfish Since 2002, the Dept. has operated a floating upweller to improve survival rates of juvenile shellfish. Due to time restraints, the upweller did not run in 2016. As a result, we experienced higher than normal “runts” and increased mortality. Time needed to run the upweller for 6 months (May-Oct.) • 5 days per week at 24 weeks at 2 hrs = 240 hrs The propagation program relies heavily on volunteers to provide assistance with the summer quahog program and the fall oyster program. Many times, volunteers replace staff members who are unable to attend. Without our dedicated volunteers, the services we provide would be reduced. Volunteer hours used in the summer quahog program Time needed for two volunteers to assist with summer quahog stocking • 1.5 days per week at 12 weeks at 3 hrs = 54 X 2 people = 108 hrs Volunteer hours used in the fall oyster stocking program Time needed for 4 volunteers to assist with fall oyster stocking • 1 day per week at 7 weeks at 3 hrs = 21 X 4 people = 84 hrs Brewster’s commercial shellfishery is expanding Shellfish aquaculture has the potential to grow with both existing grants and newly added ones. • Requests by current grant holders to expand have been submitted • Requests to open additional shellfish grants have been submitted. Currently there is a 10 person wait list. • Numerous requests have been made to open a commercial razor clam fishery. Town by Town Shellfish Responsibilities Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. head # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1- year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Eastham 4,956 4-year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 250K quahogs 20K oysters 300 bushels contaminated relay 21 1,800 130 16 Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1-year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Dennis 14,207 1- year- round 2 seasonal 350 remote set 150K softshell 250K quahog 25K oyster 31 965 12 8 Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1- year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormast er & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Orleans 5,890 2-year round perform shellfish & harbormast er duties. 3 seasonal ,1 DNR 500k quahog 50K oyster 18 1,200 250 25 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh & salt ) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Eastham 4,956 4-total year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) ½ of Rock Harbor 320 125 30 30 5 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh & salt ) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Dennis 14,207 2-total year-round 6-part time (Perform only harbormaster duties) Sesuit, Bass River 360 + 272 dock slips 18 65 340 4 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh &salt) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Orleans 5,890 2-year round perform shellfish & harbormaster duties. 3 seasonal ,1 DNR ½ of Rock Harbor 1,300 0 55 37 10 Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1- year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Eastham 4,956 4-total year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 200 5 N/A 3 4 N/A Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Dennis 14,207 1- year-round 2-part time(Perform only land mgt. duties) 864 12 50 9 40 11 Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1- year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Orleans 5,890 Orleans DPW, Parks & Rec. manage properties 250 5 N/A 14 N/A 2 per yr Other duties • Cut and remove aquatic vegetation from Walkers Pond ( 80 hour/year) • Take weekly bacteria samples from eight salt water landings & 4 fresh water ( MA DPH mandated) • Maintain signage and posting information at these sample sites • Maintain cyno bacteria postings • Maintain No Dogs, No smoking signs at all Town Landings • Maintain ( install & remove ) bike racks for Town Landings • Monthly Long Pond Alum Follow-up samples (April-October) • Monthly Walkers Pond post weed harvesting and flow rate samples • Regular monitoring of great pond water quality and other issues Request for new staff The Department of Natural Resources is requesting one full-time Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level II, Personnel Bylaw) to assist with increasing Federal and State recreational and commercial shellfish monitoring standards; actively managing existing and additional acres of conservation land; processing and monitoring fresh and salt water moorings; monitoring salt and fresh water bathing beaches according to MA DPH standards; improving water quality through aquatic vegetation removal; and assisting with community events. With the current staff of one department head and one field person (see chart 1), the department is failing to meet the minimal standards of compliance required by Federal, State and local agencies that ensure public safety, sustainable resource management, and public education. When compared to surrounding Towns, Brewster has the equivalent to one field person performing the same duties as four or more people ( See chart 2). To maintain current practices with existing staff means to fall short of the minimum required to be in compliance. As commercial shellfishing activities increase, conservation property and trails are added, number of moorings increase and water quality monitoring increases, the gap between what can be done and what needs to be done will widen. The Department of Natural Resources is split into two offices. The Conservation Office is located at Town Hall, supported by the Conservation Administrator and Senior Department Assistant. The conservation staff manage the town’s wetlands protection bylaw filings and support the conservation commission. The Shellfish / Harbormaster / Land Management / Water Quality Office is located at 1708 Main Street, supported by the Director of Natural Resources and the Natural Resource Assistant. The additional staff member is needed to assist with shellfish, harbormaster, land management, and water quality responsibilities. Chart 1- Current Personnel: Name Position Hrs per Week Yearly Salary as of 6/30/18 Chris Miller Director 35 91,194 Noelle Bramer Conservation Administrator 35 61,220 Ryan Burch Natural Resources Assistant 40 59,280 Carol Spade Senior Department Assistant 35 54,686 Various Assistant Shellfish Warden (As needed) $11.12/hour, $2000 appropriation Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources 2198 Main Street Brewster, Massachusetts 02631-1898 (508) 896-3701 Requested Position: • Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level II personnel by-law) 40 hrs per week, Yearly salary range $51,979-$83,158 Equivalent position in the Town of Dennis – • Natural Resource Officer (Grade Level III SEIU) 40 hrs per week, Yearly salary range $52,689 – $84,301 Town of Dennis job description and FY19 grade and pay range attached. Chart 2 compares the Town of Brewster with the Towns of Eastham, Dennis, and Orleans. In summary, Brewster has one person responsible for all shellfish activities, all harbormaster activities, all land management activities, and all water quality activities. Eastham has 4 people for the same duties, Dennis has 4 people with 10 seasonal staff, Orleans has 3 people with 3 seasonal staff in charge of shellfish and harbormaster duties with their parks and recreation staff handling all conservation property. Brewster has the only Department Head who assists with field work. All other Cape Department Heads serve an administrative role. Chart 2 - Town by Town Personnel Comparison Town Dept. Head Shellfish Officer Harbormaster Land Manager Water Quality Brewster 1 1- person for shellfish, harbormaster, land management, and water quality 2-part time shellfish wardens Eastham 1 4 – people for shellfish, harbormaster, land management Dennis 1 1- person shellfish 2 - seasonal 2-people harbormaster 6-seasonal 1 –person land management 2-seasonal Orleans 1 2 –people for shellfish, harbormaster 1 –person natural resources 3-seasonal part time Parks and recreation staff Natural Resource Dept. Secret to Success and recipe for disaster In 2016 the Natural Resource Department relied on 2,100 volunteer hours from AmeriCorps, summer interns, and community members to fill the gap on personnel short falls. In 2016 Ryan Burch carried over 80 hrs of vacation time because he didn’t have time to take it. In 2016 Chris Miller accumulated 500 hrs of compensatory time that expired, carried over 105 hrs of vacation time and 105 hrs of sick time because he didn’t have time to take it. Based on a 40 hr week, minus holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days, a Town employee works 1,792 hrs. Based on the number of volunteer hours and hours lost or carried over, the Natural Resource Department could have used 2 more staff members. Failure to meet minimum standards Shellfish: Brewster’s Shellfish Department has failed to meet the minimum requirements set by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Department of Health, and National Shellfish Sanitation Program to enforce shellfish aquaculture harvest regulations, monitor closed and conditional closed areas, and enforce commercial shellfish harvesting regulations. The State has drafted an agreement between Massachusetts Environmental Police, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and local Shellfish Departments in the Commonwealth to conduct the following shellfish regulatory activities: • Patrolling shellfish growing areas (opened and closed) • Ensure compliance of harvest, tagging and transport of shellfish under the NSSP and FDA • Ensure compliance of the Vibrio Management Plan for the harvest and handling of oysters • Maintain current shellfish postings at closed areas • Maintain and submit a routine log of all activities outlined in this agreement and submit to MA Division of Marines Fisheries Taking into consideration Brewster’s unique shoreline and various shellfishing activities, the Department established a minimum time required to meet the State’s compliance standards. Inspecting closed areas due to contamination (Quivett Creek, Paines Creek, Freeman’s Pond, Namskaket Creek) • 1 time per week at 52 weeks at 3 hrs = 156 hrs Inspecting seasonally closed areas (Ellis Landing to Crosby Landing) • 1 time per week at 52 weeks at 3 hrs = 156 hrs Inspecting Commercial Wild Fishery • 1 time per week at 35 weeks at 1 hour = 35 hrs Inspecting Commercial Aquaculture Fishery ( Non Vibrio season ) • 2 inspections for 9 grant holders at 2 hours = 36 hrs Inspecting Commercial Aquaculture Fishery ( Vibrio season ) • 5 inspections for 9 grant holders at 2 hrs = 90 hrs TOTAL = 473 hrs needed to meet the minimum compliance levels In order to meet the State’s compliance standard, the Department needs qualified, experienced and trained personal to effectively enforce the agreement. This means, the Department’s Assistant Shellfish Wardens are primarily used for special events and are not eligible to perform above patrols and inspections. Under Chapter 130 Section 98 the State outlines the requirements for Shellfish and Deputy Shellfish Constables. This position requires (see attached sheet): • Qualifications by experience or training • Successfully completed the 5 week shellfish warden training The Shellfish Department has a healthy shellfish propagation program to help decrease pressure on wild stock, improve water quality, and enhance populations. The Department has failed to utilize the upweller to grow juvenile oyster and quahog seed because of personnel short falls. Failure to utilize shellfish nursery (upweller) to grow juvenile shellfish Since 2002, the Dept. has operated a floating upweller to improve survival rates of juvenile shellfish. Due to time restraints, the upweller did not run in 2016. As a result, we experienced higher than normal “runts” and increased mortality. Time needed to run the upweller for 6 months (May-Oct.) • 5 days per week at 24 weeks at 2 hrs = 240 hrs The propagation program relies heavily on volunteers to provide assistance with the summer quahog program and the fall oyster program. Many times, volunteers replace staff members who are unable to attend. Without our dedicated volunteers, the services we provide would be reduced. Volunteer hours used in the summer quahog program Time needed for two volunteers to assist with summer quahog stocking • 1.5 days per week at 12 weeks at 3 hrs = 54 X 2 people = 108 hrs Volunteer hours used in the fall oyster stocking program Time needed for 4 volunteers to assist with fall oyster stocking • 1 day per week at 7 weeks at 3 hrs = 21 X 4 people = 84 hrs Brewster’s commercial shellfishery is expanding Shellfish aquaculture has the potential to grow with both existing grants and newly added ones. • Requests by current grant holders to expand have been submitted • Requests to open additional shellfish grants have been submitted. Currently there is a 10 person wait list. • Numerous requests have been made to open a commercial razor clam fishery. Town by Town Shellfish Responsibilities Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. head # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1- year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Eastham 4,956 4-year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 250K quahogs 20K oysters 300 bushels contaminated relay 21 1,800 130 16 Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1-year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormas ter & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Dennis 14,207 1- year- round 2 seasonal 350 remote set 150K softshell 250K quahog 25K oyster 31 965 12 8 Shellfish Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # Shellfish Purchased to grow (Annually) # of Shellfish Grants # Rec. Licenses sold # Com. Licenses sold Landings to patrol (includes closed areas) Brewster 9,820 1- year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormast er & land mgt.) 75K quahogs 175K Oysters 300 bushels quahog stocking 250 bags remote set 9 707 + 617 senior life-time 18 12 Orleans 5,890 2-year round perform shellfish & harbormast er duties. 3 seasonal ,1 DNR 500k quahog 50K oyster 18 1,200 250 25 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh & salt ) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Eastham 4,956 4-total year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) ½ of Rock Harbor 320 125 30 30 5 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh & salt ) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Dennis 14,207 2-total year-round 6-part time (Perform only harbormaster duties) Sesuit, Bass River 360 + 272 dock slips 18 65 340 4 Harbormaster Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads Harbor # of Moorings # of Kayak Rack spots Navigation/ Safety buoys Docks Boat Ramps (fresh &salt) Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) None 395 81 34 14 5 Orleans 5,890 2-year round perform shellfish & harbormaster duties. 3 seasonal ,1 DNR ½ of Rock Harbor 1,300 0 55 37 10 Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Eastham Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1- year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Eastham 4,956 4-total year- round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 200 5 N/A 3 4 N/A Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Dennis Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept.heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1-year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Dennis 14,207 1- year-round 2-part time(Perform only land mgt. duties) 864 12 50 9 40 11 Land Management Duties Brewster vs. Orleans Town Pop. Staff *Does not include dept. heads # of acres Cons. property # of Miles Hiking trails # of Acres for hunting # of kiosks # of acres mowed # of acres For wildfire prevention Brewster 9,820 1- year-round (Perform duties for shellfish, harbormaster & land mgt.) 1,500 13.8 100 6 50 20 Orleans 5,890 Orleans DPW, Parks & Rec. manage properties 250 5 N/A 14 N/A 2 per yr Other duties • Cut and remove aquatic vegetation from Walkers Pond ( 80 hour/year) • Take weekly bacteria samples from eight salt water landings & 4 fresh water ( MA DPH mandated) • Maintain signage and posting information at these sample sites • Maintain cyno bacteria postings • Maintain No Dogs, No smoking signs at all Town Landings • Maintain ( install & remove ) bike racks for Town Landings • Monthly Long Pond Alum Follow-up samples (April-October) • Monthly Walkers Pond post weed harvesting and flow rate samples • Regular monitoring of great pond water quality and other issues