Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 09/05/2023

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
7:00 p.m. at the Waterford Town Hall
Call to Order
Chairman Lawson called the regular meeting of the Waterford
Shellfish Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a
quorum.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Jamroga and
Porter. Absent were Commissioners Drennen, Calkins and Healy.
Approval of the June 6, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Jamroga to approve the meeting minutes of June 6,
2023, as submitted and reviewed. Voice vote, 4-0, all in favor,
motion carried.
Correspondence

Chairman Lawson reviewed various correspondence he received
pertaining to Waterford Shellfish Commission over the past months
and stated that he will continue to forward emails as he receives
them to keep everyone up to date. A discussion was held regarding
the dangers of Vibrio in the waters and the State’s efforts to control
it and educate the public regarding its dangers.
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the Treasurer’s Report received
from the Town’s Finance Department dated August 11, 2023. The
Commission discussed the revenues and expenses over the past
months. Chairman Lawson stated he has collected permits from
Town Hall and Riverside Grocery for the time period of April 1,
2023, until June 31, 2023. A total of fifteen permits were sold at
Town Hall and eleven permits were sold at Riverside Grocery. It is
the hope of the Commission to re-stock this season with the hope of
increasing permit sales. Chairman Lawson stated that Hillyer’s is
now selling permits this season as well. Chairman Lawson stated he
will collect permits again at the end of October.
Motion made by Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner
Jamroga to approve the Treasurer’s Report as reviewed. Voice vote,
4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are
currently open. He stated the one-and-a-half-inch rainfall trigger
has resulted in less closures, giving those with permits better
opportunity to harvest shellfish in the permitted recreational areas.
New Business

There was nothing for the Commission to discuss under New
Business this month.
Old Business
Discussion regarding updates to the Shellfish Resource Management
Plan
Chairman Lawson stated he has sent the Plan to Dave Carey for
review and is waiting on a response before he sends the document
to the Town Attorney for final review. It was the consensus of the
Commission members that the new Shellfish Resource Management
Plan is long overdue with the last one implemented in 2006.
Discussion regarding re-stock options for the remainder of the
season.
The Commission discussed the best options for securing hard shell
clams and oysters for re-stock prior to the end of the season. It was
the consensus of the Commission members to purchase re-stock out
of Norwalk and to have the certified clams and oysters delivered in
a refrigerated truck for distribution into the recreational shell
fishing areas. Chairman Lawson stated the Commission will not
receive a discount on the product this year and will have to pay
retail price due to a shortage of stock and a high demand from
restaurants and retail businesses. The price will be approximately
forty-five cents for each certified little neck clam and the
Commission is hoping to secure sixty bags containing two hundred
clams per bag.
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Jamroga to authorize Chairman Lawson to secure
and purchase certified little neck and hard-shell clams and oysters
of various sizes for re-stock into the recreational shell fishing areas
this season with a dollar amount not to exceed forty-one hundred

dollars (4,100.00) Voice vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
Chairman Lawson will keep the Commission members updated with
his progress and will coordinate high tides and the use of boats
once the product is secured.
Public Input Specifically Regarding the Waterford Shellfish
Commission
There was no one in attendance to address the Commission at this
meeting.
Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by
Commissioner Porter to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Voice
vote, 4-0, all in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission.