Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 04/02/2024

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 2, 2024
7:00 p.m. – Waterford Town Hall – Board of Education Meeting
Room
1. Call to Order
Chairman Francolino called the regularly scheduled 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 and Porter.
Absent were Commissioners Jamroga, Calkins and Healy.
4. Approval of the March 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner
Drennen to approve the March 5, 2024 meeting minutes as
submitted. All in favor, motion carried.
5. Correspondence
Chairman Francolino stated he will continue to forward all
correspondence he receives for the Waterford Shellfish Commission
in between meetings to keep the Commission members as up to
date as possible.

6. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Porter reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the
Commission, stating the Commission paid out Warden’s fees and
Clerical fees over the past month.
Motion made by Commissioner Drennen, seconded by
Commissioner Francolino to approve the Treasurer’s Report as
reviewed. All in favor, motion carried.
7. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Francolino stated the recreational areas have not re-
opened for the 2024 season due to heavy rains and pending
satisfactory meat and water samples required by the State. He will
contact the Warden to collect samples and send them to the lab for
testing.
8. New Business
There was nothing to discuss under New Business this month.
9. Old Business
a. Update Regarding the FY2025 Social Services Funding Request
for the Waterford Shellfish Commission.
Treasurer Porter stated the process is moving forward and he does
not anticipate opposition to the proposed budget request. The next
budget meeting is scheduled for May 1st.
b. Discussion regarding progress to the Shellfish Resource
Management Plan and Maps.

Commissioner Drennen has been in contact with the State to
determine who has the maps program and he is still waiting on a
response so that he can get the maps updated as requested. The
updated maps are the final step in completing the Shellfish
Resource Management Plan. Once the maps are updated the
Commission can then forward the Plan and Maps to the Town
Attorney for review and approval.
c. Discussion regarding re-stock for the 2024 Recreational Shell
Fishing Season/2024 permits.
Chairman Francolino has been in contact with Jim Markow from
Mystic Oysters regarding purchasing hard shell clams and oysters
for restock this season. Mr. Markow has indicated that he will do
his best to provide product for the Commission. The Commission
members discussed the best areas to distribute the oysters that
would give them the best chance of survival.
Commissioner Porter picked up the 2024 Recreational Shell fishing
permits from the printer at the Town Hall, and he will distribute
them to the Waterford Town Clerk and to Riverside Grocery once it
is open for the season. Permits can be purchased by anyone who
would like to harvest hard shell clams and oysters in the
recreational shell fishing areas between April 1st and December
31st at the Waterford Town Hall and Riverside Grocery. This season
Chairman Francolino will have a book of permits at his home for
anyone who would like to purchase a permit out of regular business
hours.
Commissioner Drennen discussed the lack of signage at Pleasure
Beach and Reed Avenue. The Commission will try to locate the
signs and if needed will replace them.
10. Public Comment Regarding Items Specifically Relating to
Waterford Shellfish Business.

11. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at
7:45 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Waterford Shellfish
Commission will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at
the Town Hall.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission