Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 09/07/2021

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 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
The Commission members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Calkins, Malley
and Havens. Absent were Commissioners LeBelle and Drennen.
4. Approval of the July 6, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to approve the July 6, 2021 meeting minutes
as submitted and reviewed. Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all in
favor, motion carried.
5. Correspondence

Chairman Lawson reviewed correspondence he received addressed
to the Waterford Shellfish Commission since the last meeting and
stated that he has been forwarding all correspondence in between
meetings to keep the Commission members up to date.
Chairman Lawson discussed the violation ticket found on the
Waterford Shellfish Commission demarcation buoy from the
Waterford Harbor Management Commission. He stated he logged
into a Zoom meeting held by the Waterford Harbor Management
Commission to inquire regarding protocol for the demarcation buoy
but was not allowed to speak regarding the matter because it was a
special meeting with no public input. He explained the buoy has
been there in excess of ten years when Areas A and G split and it
has not been a problem to date. The buoy goes in the water on April
1st of each year and is removed at the end of October or early
November. The State of Connecticut requires that the demarcation
buoy is displayed and is depicted on the Shellfish Regulation map
that everyone who purchases a permit for recreational shell fishing
receives for clarification. He stated he put the buoy back out in the
waters
and is hoping it will not get tagged again as it is essential to mark
the areas for clarification. He stated he will look into the ticketing
process further and request guidance from the First Selectman if
necessary.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Commission Treasurer Francolino reviewed the information
received in the financial document from the Town of Waterford
Finance Department through June 30, 2021. He stated the report
reflects money received from recreational shell fishing permits,
yearly lease agreements and the budget request for this fiscal year.
Motion made by Commissioner Malley, seconded by Commissioner
Havens to approve the Treasurer’s Report as reviewed and
discussed. Discussion; none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion

carried.
7. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are
currently closed after the entire State of Connecticut received very
heavy rainfall in the past week. He will keep the Commission
posted regarding openings and closings throughout the month and
in between meetings.
8. New Business
There was nothing to discuss this month under New Business.
9. Old Business
a. Update regarding progress to updated Waterford Shellfish Plan
Chairman Lawson stated he was hoping for an update regarding the
Plan but his calls have not been answered as of the meeting night
but he will keep trying.
b. Update regarding certified little neck clam/oyster re-stock
Chairman Lawson stated that he has been unable to secure certified
little neck clams for re-stock but has been able to secure oysters. He
explained that he can get two hundred count bags for less than
wholesale and inquired as to what the Commission members
thought about putting them in the waters for recreational shell
fishing. Discussions were held regarding the number of bags to
order, where and when to distribute them once they are received,
whether or not they will be picked up or delivered and the best day
and time to distribute them to ensure their survival. It was the

consensus of the Commission members that re-stocking oysters
would be beneficial and the Commission will continue its search for
little neck clams in the meantime. A discussion was held regarding
the shortage of little neck clams and potential reasons behind the
shortage.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to authorize Chairman Lawson to purchase
forty bags of two hundred count, two to three inch mixed oysters
for eighty dollars a bag and to request a purchase order for thirty
two hundred dollars for the oysters to distribute into the
recreational shell fishing areas. Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all
in favor, motion carried.
Chairman Lawson stated he will keep the Commission updated
regarding delivery of the oysters and he stated he will ask for the
Commission members help with distribution of the oysters into the
waters when they arrive.
10. Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business
Only
11. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Calkins to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion carried and
the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish

Commission
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Waterford Shellfish
Commission will be on October 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Waterford Town Hall.