Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 02/03/2026

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. –
Waterford Town Hall
1. Establish a quorum and call the meeting to order
Chairman Francolino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. after
establishing a quorum.
Present were Commissioners Francolino, Jamroga, Porter and
Darling. Absent was Commissioner Calkins.
The Commission members welcomed newly appointed
Commissioner, Anne Darling to the Commission.
Commissioner Francolino stated that he will be stepping down as
Chairman of the Commission after this meeting as he prepares to
move out of state. The Commission members thanked him for his
service to the Shellfish Commission and stated he will be missed,
and they wished him success with his move and retirement.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the December 2, 2025, meeting minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Jamroga, seconded by
Commissioner Porter to approve the December 2, 2025, meeting
minutes as filed. All in favor, motion carried. (Commissioner
Darling abstained)
4. Correspondence
Chairman Francolino forwards all correspondence he receives in
between meetings to the members. He indicated that he would
begin to notify those agencies who are in regular contact with the
Commission of the change of officers as he receives them and will
continue to forward correspondence to the Commissioners as he
receives them.
5. Treasurer’s Report

a. Review of the monthly Treasurer’s Report generated from the
Finance Department
Commissioner Porter reviewed the most recent activity depicted on
the spreadsheet from the Finance Department for the Waterford
Shellfish Commission.
b. Review of expenditures and revenue generated.
Commissioner Porter offered suggestions to get the word out to the
public that recreational shell fishing permits are available for
purchase. Suggestions were made regarding avenues to get the word
out to boost permit sales going forward.
Motion made by Commissioner Jamroga, seconded by
Commissioner Francolino to approve the Treasurer’s Report as
reviewed. All in favor, motion carried. (Commissioner Darling
abstained from the vote)
c. Update regarding budget meetings
Commissioner Porter indicated that the budget meetings are going
well with no issues regarding the Commission’s budget request. He
will attend the meeting scheduled for February 4, 2026, at 4:00
p.m. at the Town Hall to answer any additional questions regarding
the proposed Shellfish budget request and report back to the
Commission.
d. Update regarding the Annual Shellfish Gathering.
Commissioner Porter attended the Annual Shellfish Gathering and
stated that the event was educational and worth attending. He
enjoyed the discussions and meeting others in the same field.
Discussions included the implementation of online purchase of
permits for easier access to the permits and convenience for those
who are unable to purchase during regular business hours,
implementing plastic covered permits that are color coded to easily
identify the current year permits to the Wardens on patrol, and
advertising outlets that indicate where permits are available for
purchase. Commissioner Jamroga stated that the library has
implemented online access to purchase library cards and that the

Shellfish Commission could potentially do the same with
recreational shell fishing permits.
Commissioner Porter stated he would like to register for the
upcoming sampling training course offered by the State to those in
the recreational shell fishing industry.
6. Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
The recreational shell fishing areas are currently administratively
closed due to limited access to the area for State mandated water
and meat sampling. There is a tentative opening date of April 1st
after the return of satisfactory water and meat samples.
7. New Business
a. Discussion regarding permanent storage for the Commission’s
demarcation signage.
Chairman Francolino has been in contact with Public Works and has
secured a spot in the Public Works yard to store the demarcation
signs. The Commission unanimously agreed to purchase a large
storage container or deck box to place at Public Works to store the
signs. Once the signage is moved to the Public Works site it will
only be accessible during regular business hours.
b. Vote to appoint officers to serve the Waterford Shellfish
Commission (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer)
Commissioner Jamroga nominated Commissioner Porter as
Chairman of the Commission. Commissioner Porter accepted the
nomination.
Motion made by Commissioner Jamroga, seconded by
Commissioner Darling to appoint Commissioner Porter as Chairman
of the Commission. All in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Porter nominated Commissioner Jamroga as Vice
Chairman of the Commission. Commissioner Jamroga accepted the
nomination.
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner

Darling to appoint Commissioner Jamroga as Vice Chairman of the
Commission. All in favor, motion carried.
Commissioner Porter nominated Commissioner Darling as Treasurer
of the Commission. Commissioner Darling accepted the nomination.
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner
Jamroga to appoint Commissioner Darling as Treasurer of the
Commission. All in favor, motion carried.
8. Old Business
a. Discussion regarding progress with the lease agreement from the
Town Attorney
Commissioner Francolino gave the signed lease agreements that the
Commission has had to date to Chairman Porter and stated the
Town Attorney has not reviewed the lease agreement and sent it
back to the Commission as of today. A check in with the First
Selectmen’s office confirmed that the leases have not yet been
approved by the Town Attorney, but their office will contact the
Town Attorney to get an update. Once it is approved by the Town
Attorney the lease can be signed by all parties involved. The
updated lease agreement will be used to renew the lease of the
commercial grower that is going to expire in the spring/summer for
an additional five years.
9. Comments from the public regarding items relating to Waterford
Shellfish business
10. Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the meeting adjourned at
8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission