Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 05/21/2020

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Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
wa Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 4:00 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Eric Kanter, Tom-Bowlen,- Larry Tytla,
Elizabeth Gelinas, and Marcia Benvenuti : . a —_
Members absent: Paul Spakowski = cm ED
Guests: Dave Campo, Kim Allen, Alissa Dragon, David Carey, Robert Avena, Ri¢h Chmiel
oF :
1) The meeting was called to order at 4:03 pm and a quorum established. a
2) Options to conduct WELSCO_accountina/financial_activities: Three potential accounting-
financial service options were presented by Mr. Harris. The 3 options were the Town of
Waterford, Premier Accounting, and Michelle Penn. Kim Alien was available to answer
questions regarding the proposal from the Town of Waterford. A discussion ensued and a
motion was made by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla to select the Town of Waterford to
conduct WELSCO’s accounting and payroll responsibilities. Motion was approved on a voice
vote of 5-1, Ms. Gelinas opposed and Mr. Kanter recused himself as he is related to Michelle
Penn. Mr. Harris and Mr. Kelly will work with Kim Allen to transfer accounting responsibilities
to the Town of Waterford as soon as possible.
3) Reclassification of recreation shellfishing areas in the Niantic River: Alissa Dragan and David
Carey from DA/BA presented information related to a recent decision by DA/BA to change the
recreational shellfishing areas due to number of boats and moorings in the Niantic River. A
discussion ensued and a compromise was agreed to with DA/BA that the current recreational
shellfishing areas would remain with WELSCO collecting boat and mooring data in the next
few months for DA/BA. Closure of shellfishing areas on Jul 4" and Labor Day weekends
would occur due to the high population of recreational boating in the Niantic River on those
weekends. Waterford and East Lyme Harbor Management Commissions would also be
informed of this potential reduction in recreational shellfishing area if mooring number/location
modifications are not implemented. Mr. Harris thanked DA/BA for working with WELSCO to
find the least disruptive solution to this issue.
9) Public Input—
Doug Lawson, Waterford Shellfish Commission — supported efforts by DA/BA to work with
shelifish commissions and also recommended WELSCO support local aquaculture companies
that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by purchasing surplus shelifish stock for
seeding of their recreational beds. David Carey of DA/BA commented that a list of
aquaculture companies would be available describing surplus shellfish stock available to
shellfish commissions in June.
10) The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm on a motion by Mr. Tytla, seconded by Ms. Gelinas.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris