North Haven hears state testing data, board urged to form local committee to target clam-flat openings

Jeremiah, speaking to the Select Board, summarized recent outreach with state agencies and coastal partners about widespread fecal-coliform closures around North Haven and urged the town to form a small, local testing committee to prioritize one pilot area and gather baseline data.

"There's just not enough data on a regular basis," Jeremiah said, describing DMR testing that now happens about six times a year and typically stops after October. He told the board that without year-round, locally coordinated sampling it is difficult to identify whether elevated counts come from fresh-water streams, failing septic systems, straight pipes or animal sources.

The presentation pointed to several hot spots cited in state maps — notably Southern Harbor and areas near Indian Point — and said those closures have prevented clamming and other aquaculture activities for roughly a decade. Jeremiah said state staff recommended targeting a single, manageable site to test intensively, then using that model to expand work if the pilot succeeds.

Jeremiah relayed state staff recommendations that a community group work with DMR/DP to become certified to do testing, and that the town coordinate septic inspections with the plumbing inspector to update outdated lists of homes needing repairs. He also noted that Pamela Parker (as described during the presentation) indicated a floating pump-out station could be feasible to reduce boating sewage inputs if the board decides to pursue one; that option would require additional coordination with mainland contractors to empty and service the unit.

Board members and residents said the approach of picking a target site and seeking small grants and volunteer-certified testers was practical. Several participants suggested reaching out to neighboring island communities that had done similar work and to state grant programs that fund community monitoring and design/scoping for water-quality projects.

Why it matters: shellfishing closures affect local tradition and potential small-scale economic activity. The town does not yet own the regulatory authority to reopen flats; reopening requires documented, sustained water-quality improvements and coordination with state agencies. The Select Board did not adopt a formal ordinance or appropriation at the meeting but expressed support for forming a working group, identifying a pilot location and pursuing grant and training resources.

Next steps: staff said they will forward the state materials and links to board members, contact the plumbing inspector about septic checks, and circulate model flowcharts for forming a community monitoring committee. If a committee forms, the board and staff said they hope to have a working plan to present to the DMR when state sampling resumes in May.