By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At their meeting on Thursday, 9/15, the Fairhaven Marine Resources Committee met with Taylor Cultured Seafood Inc. to discuss new owner Jian Sun’s plans for the company, and to discuss the changes to the Aquaculture rules and regulations.
Committee Chairperson Frank Coelho invited a representative from Taylor’s to speak about the company’s plans for the future. Drew Burgess, who is responsible for managing the day to day work at Taylor, represented the company at the meeting.
The company was founded by Rodman Taylor, and leases 44 acres in Fairhaven waters, north of West Island. According to a variety of sources, Mr. Taylor sold shares in his company and then got removed from his post as president when Mr. Sun bought out the other investors.
The website no longer has information about scallop growing in Fairhaven. The state database shows Jian Sun as the President, Secretary and Director; and Haidong Wang as Treasurer, Vice President and Director.
Mr. Coelho said his main concern with the new ownership was making sure plans moved forward with the clean-up process of the property on Goulart Memorial Drive.
Mr. Burgess explained that they have cleaned a lot already and have begun clean-up of the nets, broken lines, and cages.
“We are working hard to keep the site clean, be good to our neighbors, and run a successful small business,” said Mr. Burgess.
Mr. Coelho also questioned Mr. Burgess on his work experience, asking about is history in the seafood industry, as well as what the future plans for the business are.
Mr. Burgess said he has worked for three seafood companies, including when he worked for Mr. Taylor. Mr. Burgess also used to work at an oyster farm.
He said they plan to continue the clean-up, and then focus on oyster farming. The company plans to start phasing out scallops to focus more on the oysters.
“I think you guys are off to a good start, but there’s room for improvement,” said Mr. Coelho.
He explained that although the business has cleaned up a lot, there is still more to be done.
Mr. Burgess explained that they had started cleaning up, and then business got busy.
“Once the season slows down, we will clean the rest,” said Mr. Burgess. “All the wood and nets will be out of there by the winter.”
Mr. Coelho also asked Mr. Burgess if the bonds and insurance were up to date. Mr. Burgess explained that he had made sure everything was current.
Harbormaster Timothy Cox complimented Mr. Burgess on the way they handled the recent storm.
Both Mr. Cox and Mr. Coelho also said they were impressed by how Mr. Burgess handled the storm because there was not much of a mess. Mr. Coelho explained that in the past when there were storms Mr. Taylor would receive a lot of complaints because things fell into the water.
Mr. Coelho thanked Mr. Burgess for coming to the board, adding, “You are off to a fine start and if you need anything I would be glad to help.”
Board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson said, “Since you have taken over I have seen a big improvement. You are moving in the right direction and I appreciate that.”
In a related matter, the committee discussed the changes to the rules and regulations for aquaculture farms in Fairhaven.
The committee did not discuss what the actual rule changes were at the meeting. Most of the discussion was regarding the syntax of the rules. The committee agreed to present the changes to the Selectboard on 9/19. (See related story on page 4.)
Mr. Coelho was concerned about the new aquaculture fees. He asked Town Administrator Mark Rees if they would be discussing the fees at Monday’s Selectmen meeting.
Mr. Coelho said he wanted more time to decide on the fees before they discussed it with the Selectboard, and the committee agreed.
Mr. Cox discussed some news about Round Cove. He said it only has to test clean two more times and it will open next year for quahogging. He said it looks promising.
He and Mr. Hobson brought up the issue of parking. They both agreed that a lot of people do not park in the lots near the boat ramps because they can park on the street for free
The neighbors near the Seaview Avenue boat ramp and the Pease Park boat ramp have complained about big trailers and cars parking in front of their houses.
The committee discussed the possibility of putting no parking signs on the street or maybe not allowing trailers to park on the street.
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