Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 11/09/2021

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Waterford Town Hall
1. Call to Order
Chairman Lawson called the regular meeting of the Waterford
Shellfish Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a
quorum.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone in attendance at the meeting stood for the pledge of
allegiance and Chairman Lawson asked for a moment of silence in
memory of former Selectman Dan Steward.
3. Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Calkins and
Malley. Absent were Commissioners Havens, LeBelle and Drennen.
4. Approval of the September 7, 2021 regular meeting minutes.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Malley to approve the September 7, 2021 regular
meeting minutes of the Waterford Shellfish Commission as filed.
Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.

5. Correspondence
Chairman Lawson stated that he has been forwarding all
correspondence he receives throughout the month relative to
Waterford Shellfish business.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the expenditures and revenues
from the report generated by the Town of Waterford Finance
Department through November, 2021. Expenses over the past
month included secretarial support and an invoice for thirty five
hundred dollars for the oysters that were distributed into the
recreational shell fishing areas in September. Revenues included
permit sales and bottom land lease revenue.
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner
Malley to approve the Treasurer’s Report as discussed. Discussion,
none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
7. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are
currently closed after heavy rain fall and will re-open when
satisfactory samples are returned. He also mentioned that the 2021
recreational shell fishing areas will be closing on December 31,
2021 and will re-open pending satisfactory water and sample tests
on April 1, 2022.
8. New Business
a. Consider and act on the 2022 Waterford Shellfish Commission
meeting schedule and submit approved schedule to the Town Clerk
as requested.

The Commission members reviewed the proposed 2022 meeting
date schedule as follows;
The Waterford Shellfish Commission will continue to meet on the
first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall with the
exception of the July meeting that is scheduled for the second
Tuesday of the month due to the Fourth of July holiday falling on
the first Tuesday.
January 3rd , February 7th , March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd , June
6th, July 11th, August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd , November
1st and December 5th.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Malley to approve the 2022 Waterford Shellfish
meeting dates listed above and to file the approved dates with the
Town of Waterford Town Clerk as requested. Discussion, none,
voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
b. Consider and act on the Waterford Shellfish Commission Annual
Report and submit the approved document to the Finance Office
prior to November 18, 2021 as requested.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to approve the following document titled
“Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission Annual Report for the
2021 Recreational Shell Fishing Season”.
This season the Waterford Shellfish Commission maintained Areas A
and G in Jordan Cover and Area C on the East side of Waterford
Island also known as Bay Point. Recreational shell fishing permits
were sold at the Town Hall and Riverside Grocery
throughout the recreational shell fishing season. Permits were sold
on a daily, monthly and seasonal rate to adapt to the needs of the
public. Permit fees are structured to accommodate senior citizens,

residents and non-residents of the Town of Waterford. Permits are
available for purchase April 1st through December 31st of each
season without restrictions and are good valid for the season and
duration of time in which they are purchased. The Waterford
Shellfish Commission opted to keep the prices of recreational shell
fishing permits the same as last year for this season. Over this past
year the Commission was able to maintain leased areas of
Waterford bottomland and is currently working on an additional
area for commercial use to continue generating income for the
Commission. The Commission continues to maintain and oversee
three commercial shell fishing leases in the Waterford waters.
This season the Commission was able to secure forty bags of two
hundred count two to three inch mixed oysters for restock into the
recreational shell fishing areas in the month of September. The
Commission spent a total of thirty five hundred dollars ($3,500.00)
on product for restock into the recreational shell fishing areas for
those who purchased permits to harvest during the 2021 season.
The Commission continues to patrol Jordan Cove utilizing the
Wardens of WELSCO (Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission)
as well as the services of the members of the Waterford Shellfish
Commission. State regulations dictate that after one and one half
inches of rainfall the recreational shell fishing areas are to be closed
until water samples are taken on the fifth day following the rainfall
and lab results are received on the eighth day. After two inches of
rain the recreational shell fishing areas must close for five days after
which time the meat and water samples must be delivered to the
lab for testing; this process takes eight to ten days on average.
During the 2021 season there were a total of forty nine permits
recreational shell fishing permits sold, this is a significant decrease
over the one hundred and eleven permits sold during the 2020
season. The forty nine permits sold generated $954.40 (nine
hundred and fifty four dollars and forty cents) in revenue for the
Waterford Shellfish Commission. Additional revenue was also
collected in the amount of one thousand four hundred fifteen
dollars and ninety seven cents $1,415.97) for a commercial lease of

bottom land. The revenue from permit sales and lease fees helps to
offset operating costs of the Waterford Shellfish Commission. Permit
sales were significantly down this season and the Commission will
be looking into selling a separate oysters only permits for the
upcoming season to generate additional income for re-stock and
operating expenses. It is the hope of the Waterford Shellfish
Commission that in the future they will generate enough income
from permit sales and leased areas that the Commission will not
require funding from the Town of Waterford for operating costs.
Future Goals
The Waterford Shellfish Commission will continue to restock
certified little neck and top neck clams as well as oysters as they are
available and will continue to meet once a month to discuss matters
pertaining to shell fishing business in the Town of Waterford and
will continue to monitor the opening and closing of the recreational
shell fishing areas in the upcoming year. The Commission will
continue to lease bottom land to commercial harvesters and will
remain active in participating in meetings with local and State shell
fishing Commissions to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of
the shell fishing programs throughout the State of Connecticut.
c. Discussion regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget request.
The Commission members discussed the needs for the Waterford
Shellfish Commission for the 2023 Fiscal year and the Commission
concluded that it will only request the bare minimum to offset costs
to employ Wardens to patrol the recreational shell fishing areas,
State mandated water testing and the cost of secretarial support.
The Commission came up with a request of two thousand seven
hundred and twenty dollars and sixty two cents, less than half of
the operating costs required for yearly expenses. The Commission
generates income from permit sales for recreational shell fishing
and lease payments from commercial fisherman who lease bottom
land for a fee. Because of the money generated the Commission is in

a position to request less than half of what it needs to function from
the Town of Waterford.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to submit the 2023 Fiscal Year budget
request in the amount of $2,720.62 (two thousand seven hundred
twenty dollars and sixty two cents). Discussion, none, voice vote,
4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
d. Review and consider an application for a private residential dock
float project proposed for 11 Wilson Avenue, Quaker Hill, CT
Mr. Mark Jackson was present to represent the homeowner to
answer questions from the Commission regarding the proposed float
project. He explained the dock modification and floating dock
proposal and history of the property to date. The modifications are
in Mamacoke Cove and were originally constructed in 1960.
It was the consensus of the Commission that this proposal will not
negatively impact shell fishing in the immediate area.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commission Malley to authorize Chairman Lawson to sign off on
the proposal and to fill out the required form stating the Waterford
Shellfish Commission has reviewed this project and has deemed that
it will not negatively impact shell fishing activities in the area.
Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
e. Discussion regarding implementing an oyster only permit for the
upcoming recreational shell fishing seasons.
The Commission members discussed the possibility of adding a
separate oyster only permit to the permits already in place. After
discussing various alternatives and comparing pricing with

neighboring shell fishing permits it was the determination of the
Commission to look into this topic further. Discussions were held
regarding combination permits, pricing and availability. This item
will be added to the December agenda for further discussion.
9. Old Business
a. Update regarding progress to the Waterford Shellfish Plan
Chairman Lawson indicated there has been no progress on this
matter.
b. Update regarding oyster re-stock into the recreational shell
fishing areas.
Chairman Lawson stated that he was successful in purchasing and
distributing forty two hundred count bags of oysters into the
recreational shell fishing areas. He explained that with the water
temperatures currently at or below fifty degrees that the window
for any further restock this season has ended. He stated he plans to
contact as many distributors of oysters and clams as he can in the
upcoming season to maximize the amount of restock that can be
secured for the upcoming season.
10. Public Input Regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission
Business Only.
There was no one present to address the Commission.
11. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, motion carried and the meeting

adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by;
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission