Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 11/12/2024

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7:00 p.m. – Waterford Town Hall
1. Establish a Quorum and Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman Francolino called the regular meeting of the Waterford
Shellfish Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a
quorum.
Present were Commissioners Francolino, Calkins and Healy. Absent
were Commissioners Drennen, Porter and Jamroga.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the October 1, 2024, Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner
Francolino to approve the October 1, 2024, meeting minutes as
filed. All in favor, motion carried.
4. Correspondence
Chairman Francolino indicated that he has been forwarding all
relevant correspondence to the Commission members as he receives
them throughout the month to keep everyone as up to date as
possible in between meetings.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Chairman Francolino reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the

Commission members in the absence of Commissioner Porter as
depicted in the financial report generated by the Town’s Finance
office dated September 30, 2024.
Motion made by Commissioner Healy, seconded by Commissioner
Calkins to approve the Treasurer’s Report as reviewed. All in favor,
motion carried.
6. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Francolino stated that the recreational shell fishing areas
are currently open. The Commission will administratively close the
areas for the 2024 season on December 31, 2024, with a tentative
opening date of April 1, 2025, pending satisfactory water and meat
samples.
7. New Business
a. Discussion/Draft the FY26 Budget for the Waterford Shellfish
Commission.
The Commission members reviewed the revenue and expenditures
for the Commission over the past fiscal year and determined the
Commission will request two thousand twenty-nine dollars
($2,029.00) for the FY2026 budget for operating costs. The
Shellfish Commission generated more than half of its operating
costs from the sale of shell fishing permits and the lease of bottom
land to a commercial grower and this money was deducted from the
overall operating cost resulting in the Shellfish Commission
requesting less than half of its overall operating costs. The State of
Connecticut requires that all towns with recreational shell fishing
and commercial leases maintain a Shellfish Commission to oversee
regulations and mandated testing.
Motion made by Commissioner Healy, seconded by Commissioner

Calkins to approve the FY2026 budget request for $2,029.00 and to
forward the budget request to the appropriate agencies for review.
All in favor, motion carried.
b. Approval of the 2024 Waterford Shellfish Commission Annual
Report.
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner
Healy to approve and forward the 2024 Shellfish Commission 2024
Annual Report to the appropriate agencies as requested. All in
favor, motion carried.
8. Old Business
a. Update Regarding Progress to the Shellfish Resource Management
Plan and Maps.
Commissioner Drennen was not present to discuss the Plan with the
Commission.
b. Update Regarding the Final Re-stock for the 2024 Recreational
Shell Fishing Season.
Chairman Francolino thanked all the members that helped with the
distribution of the second restock of certified little neck and top
neck clams. He stated the Commission was able to secure and
purchase an additional thirty bags of one hundred count certified
product and that they have been distributed into the recreational
shell fishing areas with the help of Commission members and use of
their boats. He hopes the Commission will have access to additional
product next season so that the Commission can continue to restock
for those who purchase permits to harvest clams and oysters in the
recreational shell fishing areas.
9. Public Comment Regarding Items Specifically Relating to

Waterford Shellfish Business.
10. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at
7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission