Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 05/19/2022

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
                      Meeting Minutes
       
                Thursday, May 19, 2022
      
                      East Lyme Town Hall, 7:30 pm
Members present:  J. Patrick Kelly, Marcia Benvenuti, Larry Tytla, Eric Kanter, and Paul 
Spakowski,  Tom Bowlen.
Members absent: Peter Harris, Fred Wise
Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel, ex-officio Dan Cunningham
1) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm and a quorum established. 
2)  Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
April 21, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes – Minutes approved following a motion by Mr.
Spakowski, seconded by Ms. Benvenuti, vote 4-0 with 1 abstention (Mr. Bowlen). Mr.
Kelly arrived after the vote.
3) Review and approval of treasurer’s report
Treasurer’s report submitted by Mr. Kelly prior to the meeting was reviewed by the
commission.
Treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Mr. Spakowski,
seconded by Mr. Kanter, vote 5-0.  Mr. Kelly arrived after the vote.
4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Chief Warden Chmiel gave the warden report to the commission.
5) Old business:
a.
None
.
6) New Business
a.
Motion was made by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, to honor Mr. Kelly and 
his 47 years or service to WELSCO by naming the WELSCO warden boat after Mr. 
Kelly.  This would include the current boat and any subsequent vessel purchased in 
the next 5 years.  Motion approved 4-2, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Benvenuti in opposition.
b.
Nomination for Treasurer, a call for nominations for treasurer was made, no 
nominations were put forth.  A discussion ensued that any future WELSCO 
commission appointees have relevant experience to serve as treasurer.
c.
Restoration Grant discussion – a general discussion took place regarding eelgrass 
restoration took place.
d.
A motion was made by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, to hire Seward and 
Monde to conduct a review engagement of all WELSCO financials for the fiscal year 
July 1, 2021 – July 1, 2022 for an amount not to exceed $3000.  Motion approved 6-0.
7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio discussed the Dominion building on Main Street in Niantic for
public use, possible purchase of composting bathrooms for Hole-in-the-Wall beach, and the 
ongoing Amtrak fence replacement discussions between Amtrak and the Town of East Lyme.
8) Correspondence : No correspondence was received that had not already been forwarded to 
commission members.

9) Public Comment :
No public comment
10)  Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr.
Bowlen, motion approved 6-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris