Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 03/02/2021

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Page |1
202) WAR -3 PH L: O01
Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 — 7:00 p.m.
Remote Meeting via Zoom
1. Call to Order
Chairman Lawson called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. after establishing a quorum.
De Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Drennen and Havens. Absent were Commissioners
LeBelle, Calkins, and Malley.
Also logged into the meeting were Fred Wise and Tim Londregan.
4. Approval of the November 10, 2020 Zoom Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Drennen to approve the
November 10, 2020 meeting minutes as submitted. Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion
carried.
3. Correspondence
Chairman Lawson stated that he has been forwarding all relevant correspondence relating to shell fishing
activity to the Commission members as he receives them in between meetings. He stated he hopes to
have information regarding the rain gauge MOU (memorandum of Understanding) for discussion next
month.
6. Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the Waterford Shellfish Commission Treasurer’s Report through
February 5, 2021. Chairman Lawson indicated he submitted a bill in the amount of seven hundred dollars
for payment of Wardens fees and water testing.

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Page [2
Motion made by Commissioner Drennen, seconded by Commissioner Havens to approve the Treasurer’s
Report as reviewed. 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. He stated the water
sampling is up to date and the areas are scheduled to open for the 2021 season on April 1" pending
satisfactory water samples.
8. New Business
a. Discussion regarding a proposal to split the cost of a SeaGrant Responsible Lawn Care
advertisement with surrounding shell fishing cominissions
Chairman Lawson discussed the proposal he received via email to share the expense of running a
responsible lawn care advertisement again this year in the New London Day. Discussions were held
regarding the cost if all of the entities share the expense. At this time the Commission is not sure how
many have committed to sharing the expense but it was the consensus of the Commission members to
commit to paying a portion as they did last year. The advertisement is geared toward keeping
contaminants and pesticides out of the waters by educating home owners about pesticides use near
waterways.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Havens to authorize the
Waterford Shellfish Commissions portion of the payment toward the publication titled “Sea Grant
Responsible Lawn Care” advertisement in the New London Day. with the amount to be determined by the
number of Commissions committing to cost sharing. Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor,
motion carried.
9. Old Business
a. Status update of the Waterford Shellfish Commission FY22 Budget Request
Chairman Lawson stated he has a budget meeting on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom to answer
questions regarding the Commissions budget request. He will keep the Commission updated on the status
of that meeting.
b. Update regarding the Waterford Shellfish Plan
Chairman Lawson stated he had hoped to hear something regarding the Waterford Shellfish Plan from the
Town Attorney by now but he has not. He will reach out again for information and will get back to the
Commission if he receives an update.

Town of Waterford Shelifish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Page |3
c. Update regarding lease renewals
Chairman Lawson stated the Town Attorney has indicated he is working on the lease renewal and will
contact him when it is finalized.
d. Discussion/update/suggestions for reopening the Waterford Shellfish Commission
recreational areas on April 1, 2021.
The Commission members discussed the opening for the 2021 season. This year the Commission will
sell permits out of the Town Hall and Riverside Grocery. A discussion was held regarding the possibility
of online permit sales. It is the intent of the Commission to continue to restock and sell permits to do so.
10. Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business Only
Tim Londregan of Niantic Shellfish Farm spoke with the Commission regarding permit sales and offered
his store front to sell permits to the public for the Waterford Shellfish Commission. It was the consensus
of the Commission members to take Mr. Londregan up on his offer and Chairman Lawson will speak to
him regarding the protocol for permit sales prior to opening the 2021 recreational shell fishing season.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Havens to authorize Tim
Londregan d/b/a Niantic Shellfish Farm as an outlet to sell recreational shell fishing permits for the
Waterford Shellfish Commission going forward. Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion
carried, The Commission members thanked Mr. Londregan for offering the service and agreed it is a good
outlet for sales as he is open on weekends and gives the public more options for purchasing a permit.
Mr. Londregan discussed his application for a lease of bottom land in Bay Point, stating he applied over
three years ago and has no response from the First Selectman or Board of Selectman regarding his
request. He indicated he has sent three letters and made five telephone calls asking for a response but his
requests have gone unanswered. He stated his due process is being ignored and he asked the Commission
for guidance and help in getting answers. He requested a letter depicting the process for approval of a
lease so that he can comply with the process. Commissioner Drennen suggested inviting the First
Selectman and the Town Attorney to a meeting to discuss Mr. Londregan’s lease proposal and the process
for obtaining a lease from the Town of Waterford. Chairman Lawson stated the Bay Point lease has the
support of the Waterford Shellfish Commission and they hope to get answers for him regarding moving
forward with the lease process and an answer as to why he is being ignored.
The Commission asked Dave Campo if he could help out with the process by reaching out to the First
Selectman and he stated he will do what he can to help Mr. Londregan and the Waterford Shellfish
Commission with the lease process and will forward the concerns expressed by the Commission to the
First Selectman’s office in an attempt to get information that will direct the Commission in the proper
direction to get answers regarding the lease protocol. He also stated he thinks an additional site for permit

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Page |4
sales will be beneficial for those who would like to purchase a permit on the weekends or when his office
is unavailable.
ll. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Havens to adjourn the meeting at
7:40 p.m, Discussion, none, voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission