Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 06/04/2020

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, 04 June, 2020
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 4:00 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Eric Kanter, Tom Bowlen, and Marcia
Benvenuti
Members absent: Paul Spakowski, Larry Tytla
Guests: Dave Campo, Kim Allen, Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule
1) The meeting was called to order at 4:04 pm and a quorum established.
2) Review and approval of previous meeting mihutes:
a. Feb 2020 Minutes - Approved following a motion by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Ms.
Benvenuti, voice vote 5-0.
Mar 2020 — no meeting was held due to the Covid 19 pandemic
Apr 2020 - no meeting was held due to the Cavid 19 pandemic
May 2020 Special meeting minutes held via Zoom due to Covid 19 pandemic ~
Approved following a motion by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Bowien, voice vote 5-
0.
nor
3) Review.and approval of previous meeting financials
The financial reports available to date were reviewed and approved on a motion by Mr. Kanter,
seconded by Mr. Bowlen, voice vote 5-0.
4) Diseussion and potential action on purchase of shellfish stock fram Commercial Aquaculture
suppliers : Mr. Harris will contact CT commercial shelffish growers and obtain pricing
information on surplus shelifish stock created by the Cavid 19 pandemic. Mr. Harris will bring
information to the next meeting.
5) Update on récreational shelifishing area reclassification by DA/BA: Lengthy discussion
ensued. regarding potential shellfish Classification change, Also discussed was WELSCO's
ability to sell permits considering the Covid 19 pandemic. A recreational permit disclaimer was
drafted by the commission to be included with future permits regarding the potential
reclassification of the Niantic River shellfish beds by DA/BA. This disclaimer would be
reviewed by the Waterford town attorney prior to distribution. The disclaimer text was
approved on a motion by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Kelly, voice vote = 5-0.
Disclaimer text:
The Bureau of Aquaculture is currently conducting a periodic review of the number of moorings
and boats in the Niantic River. This review may impact, in the near future, the size and location
of the shellfish beds Seasonally Open from May 1 - November 14. Also, due to high boat traffic
on July 4% weekend and Labor Day weekend, at the request of the Bureau of Aquaculture,
WELSCO wil) close the Niantic River to shellfishing on those days {July 4" weekend and Labor
Day weekend, Friday sunrise - Sunday sunset). FILED
Shellfish status line = 860-444-5812 ” . mre
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EAST LYME TOWN CLERK

6) Updata on transfer of financial respansibilities to Town of Vi rd
updated the commission on the effort to transfer account | responsibilities to the
‘Town of Waterford. Transfer is proceeding as expected.
7) Public Input: none
8) The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 pm ona motion by Ms. Benvenutl, seconded by Mr.
Bowilen.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris