Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 07/02/2024

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, July 2, 2024
7:00 p.m. – Waterford Town Hall
1. Call to Order
Chairman Francolino called the regular meeting of the Waterford
Shellfish Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a
quorum.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Francolino, Drennen, Porter and
Jamroga. Absent were Commissioners Calkins and Healy.
4. Approval of the June 4, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner
Drennen to approve the June 4, 2024, regular meeting minutes as
submitted. Voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
5. Correspondence
Chairman Francolino stated he will continue to forward all
correspondence he receives electronically regarding Waterford
Shellfish Commission business throughout the month in between
meetings to keep everyone as current as possible.
6. Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Porter reviewed the Treasurer’s Report generated
from the Finance Department at Town Hall with the Commissioners.
He indicated that he had not received the most recent report as of
the day of the meeting. He reviewed the expenditures and revenue
generated and stated the Commission has received payment for the
leased areas of bottom land and the budget request should have
been deposited into the Waterford Shellfish account this month. The
Commission is hopeful that permit sales will increase once the
recreational shell fishing areas have been restocked for additional
revenue.
Motion made by Commissioner Drennen, seconded by
Commissioner Jamroga to accept the Treasurer’s Report as
reviewed. Voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
7. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Due to over and inch and one half of rain, the recreational shell
fishing areas are currently closed pending the return of satisfactory
meat and water sampling.
8. New Business
Chairman Francolino stated that he has installed the signage on
Reed Avenue and the Boat Launch for Areas A and G.
9. Old Business
a. Update Regarding Progress to the Shellfish Resource Management
Plan and Maps.
Commissioner Drennen stated he has not heard anything recently
from the State but stated he will contact them after the holiday for
an update on the revisions to the maps and report back to the
Commission with his findings.
b. Update Regarding Re-stock for the 2024 Recreational Shell
Fishing Season.

Chairman Francolino has been in touch with suppliers to secure top
neck cherry clams and four-inch oysters for re-stock for the season
and will contact the suppliers this week to confirm. He has been to
the Finance Department to request a purchase order for the
transaction and does not foresee a problem securing one once he
knows how much he will need to pay the supplier. He stated the
only set back may be securing boats to help broadcast the product
into the water. The Commission members will work on contacting
people with boats to help the Commission put the clams and oysters
in the water. It is estimated the Commission will need the help of
two or three boats for the day.
A discussion was held regarding the best locations for the product
to ensure the best survival rate.
It is the hope of the Commission to establish oyster beds in the
recreational waters again.
10. Public Comment Regarding Items Specifically Relating to
Waterford Shellfish Commission Business.
There was no one present to address the Commission at this
meeting.
11. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the Commission adjourned
the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission