Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 10/17/2024

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     Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission

                                                  Meeting Minutes
                                       Thursday, Oct 17, 2024

                                     Waterford Town Hall, 7:00 pm


      Members present:  Peter Harris, J Patrick Kelly, Larry Tytla, Marcia
      Benvenuti, Paul Spakowski, Tom Bowlen, and Fred Wise.
      Members absent: Rick Kanter
      Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel, ex-officio Don Mackenzie

   1) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm and a quorum established.

   2)  Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
           Aug 15, 2024 Regular Meeting minutes approved on a motion by Mr.
           Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla, vote 7-0.


   3) Review and approval of treasurer’s report
           Mr.  Kelly  reviewed  the  Treasurer’s  report  sent  by  e-mail
           earlier.  Report was approved on  a  motion  by  Mr.  Spakowski,
           seconded by Mr. Wise, vote 7-0.




         4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Chief Warden Chmiel gave his report to
            the commission.


   5) Old business:  Oysters  were  distributed  in  late  September.    Mr.
      Harris thanked Chief Warden Chmiel, Mr. Tytla, and Mr.  Wise  for  the
      oyster distribution that day.

   6) New Business
        a.  Dock  application  for  82  Quarry  Dock  Rd,   Niantic.    Mr.
           DeBartolomeo from Docko presented the project to the commission.
            Mr. Spakowski made a motion that this project  would  adversely
           impact shellfishing, the motion was not seconded.  Mr Wise  made
           a motion that this  dock  project  would  not  adversely  impact
           shellfishing, seconded by Ms.  Benvenuti,  motion  approved  5-1
           (Mr. Spakowski opposed, Mr. Bowlen abstained).
        b. Discussion and  potential  action  on  a  scallop  season.   The
           commission heard from several people  from  the  public  (listed
           below in Public Comment  section)  all  in  favor  of  having  a
           scallop season.  Discussion ensued.   Motion  was  made  by  Ms.
           Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Spakowski to hold an  annual  scallop
           season from Nov 15 to Jan 31 from 8 am to sunset  on  each  day.
           Motion approved 7-0.   Mr.  Kelly  will  work  to  have  permits
           printed and Mr. Harris will work on the public  announcement  if
           deemed necessary.
        c.  Discussion  and  potential  action  for  combining  East   Lyme
           Shellfish areas and WELSCO shellfish areas.  Discussion  ensued.
           Motion made by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Ms. Benvenuti  to  not
           combine the areas, motion passed 7-0.   Mr.  Harris  will  relay
           this  decision  to  the  Chair   of   the   East   Lyme   Harbor
           Management/Shellfish Commission.
        d. Discussion and potential action on annual funding  request  from
           East Lyme and Waterford.  Motion made by Mr. Kelly, seconded  by
           Mr. Spakowski to request $1 from each town.  Motion passed 7-0.


   7) Ex-Officio comments: Mr. Mackenzie discussed the Fair rent  commission
      and a potential open space land purchase.



   8) Correspondence : Mr. Harris communicated to the commission by the Town
      of Waterford the request for the Annual report from each commission.
      Mr. Harris will prepare the report and present to the commission at
      the next meeting prior to submission to the town.



   9) Public Comment : The following individuals spoke in favor of a scallop
      season:
        a. Mike Stepsky, 892 Vauxhall Ex, Quaker Hill
        b. Glen Andrews, Niamanda Court, Montville
        c. Anthony Semiterro, 22 5th St, Waterford
        d. Henry Appleton, 16 Bird Ave, East Longmeadow MA
        e. Michael Wadsworth, 11 Locust CT, Waterford
        f. Tim Londregan, 39 Grenada Terr, New London

  10)  Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm on a motion by Ms.
      Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, motion approved 7-0.


Respectfully submitted,


Peter Harris