Advisory board postpones one island opening, clears another and buys 200 relay totes

The Childish Advisory Board voted on three operational items at its June 30 meeting: it postponed the opening of one relay island for the season, approved opening the West Branch relay area when water tests clear, and unanimously approved purchasing 200 relay totes to reduce daily hauling.

The actions followed reports from the board’s director on relay logistics and market conditions. The director told members the shellfish propagation fund balance stood at $312,440.85 and outlined constraints from a 61‑day quarantine/exemption window that limits when relays can be opened. Citing market volatility and timing, the chair moved to postpone opening the relay island discussed in the meeting; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Board members then considered the West Branch of Pompeo (north of Toms Point). The chair said that area is a conditional approved zone and proposed opening it once laboratory water testing confirms safety. The board voted in favor and directed staff to move navigation markers and post the change publicly.

On equipment, a committee member moved to buy 200 durable relay totes to reduce daily trips and gasoline costs; the board approved the purchase unanimously. The director and members discussed cost estimates (participants referenced approximately $3 per box as a potential bulk price) and raised concerns that wet or muddy boxes could add weight and affect contract compliance: the board noted the contract specifies 40 pounds per box as the allowable harvest weight. The board did not record individual roll‑call tallies in the minutes; votes were taken by voice and noted as carried.

The meeting record shows these votes and motions were made on the floor; formal documentation and posting were promised by the chair and staff. The next procedural step noted during the meeting was to post any changes to open areas once water tests return and to move buoys accordingly.