Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 02/04/2020

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 
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Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. 
Waterford Town Hall  
 
 
1. 
Call to Order 
 
Chairman Lawson called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a quorum. 
 
2. 
Pledge of Allegiance 
 
3. 
Roll Call  
 
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Malley, Drennen and LeBelle.  Absent were 
Commissioners Havens and Calkins.   
 
4. 
Approval of the January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes 
 
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Drennen to approve the January 
7, 2020 regular meeting minutes as reviewed, Discussion; none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion 
carried. 
 
5. 
Correspondence 
 
Chairman Lawson reviewed various correspondences he received over the past month including agendas 
and minutes from Town Commissions and Agencies as well as notices of openings and closings of the 
Town of Waterford recreational shell fishing areas and the administrative closure of the recreational shell 
fishing areas effective January 1, 2020 through April 1, 2020.  He explained he has been forwarding all 
emails he receives during the course of the month to all of the Commission members to keep them up to 
date regarding relevant topics relating to the Waterford Shellfish Commission between regular meetings.  
He reviewed correspondence from the First Selectman’s office regarding the final budget hearing for the 
Waterford Shellfish Commission on April 5th at 7:00 p.m.  A discussion was held regarding an article in 
the New London Day newspaper regarding a Cease and Desist Order in the Niantic River.  Chairman 
Lawson stated there is currently only one warden taking samples and patrolling in the Waterford waters 
and he indicated there is a need for one additional warden if anyone is interested in the job or knows of 
someone who is.  
6. 
Treasurer’s Report 
 

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 
2 | P a g e  
 
 
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the Commission through January7, 2020.   
He reviewed the expenditures and revenues on the Financial Report generated by the Finance Office at 
the Town Hall.  Chairman Lawson indicated he has submitted bills over the past month for Wardens 
hours, conference dues and secretarial support.   Motion made by Commissioner Drennen, seconded by 
Commissioner LeBelle to approve the Treasurer’s Report as discussed.  Discussion; none, voice vote; 5-0, 
all in favor and the motion carried. 
 
7. 
Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report  
 
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are currently closed on an Administrative 
Closure.  He explained the areas are very difficult to access in the winter months prompting the closure of 
the recreational areas until April 1, 2020 pending the return of satisfactory water samples. 
 
8. 
New Business 
 
Chairman Lawson stated he does not have anything to discuss under New Business at this meeting. 
 
9. 
Old Business 
 
a. 
Update regarding restock in the recreational shell fishing areas for the 2020 season. 
 
Chairman Lawson discussed a correspondence from the DA/BA regarding a concerned citizen who 
contacted the DA/BA with concerns regarding the depuration of clams from the Thames River. A 
discussion was held regarding the time frame and the process for relocating and depurating the clams 
from the designated relay area in the Thames River into the Jordan Cove recreational shell fishing areas 
and the best possible time to do so in order to open the recreational areas by Memorial Day.  Chairman 
Lawson will keep the Commission members updated as he receives additional information and he will be 
in contact with the individuals who will help out with the process.  He explained there is a limited amount 
of time to get this done and he will work on a schedule and organize help to do so. 
 
 
b. 
Discussion regarding the 2020 Annual Shellfish Gathering 
 
Chairman Lawson reviewed the information he received at the Gathering and stated it was a very 
informative and interesting meeting with well informed and informative speakers.  Interesting discussions 
at the meeting included hazardous algae bloom (HAB) and what causes it, shellfish growing and shell 
formation. Chairman Lawson stated he has submitted the requested reports to UConn as requested. 
 
10. 
Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business 
 
There was no one present from the public to address the Commission at this meeting. 
  

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 
3 | P a g e  
 
 
11. 
Adjournment 
 
There being nothing further to discuss there was a motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded 
by Commissioner LeBelle to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:45 p.m.  Discussion, none, voice vote5-0, 
all in favor, motion carried.   
 
Please note that the next regularly scheduled Waterford Shellfish Commission meeting is scheduled for 
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Waterford Town Hall. 
 
Respectfully submitted by: 
 
Audrey Ulmer,  
 
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission