Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 01/07/2020

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 
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Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, January 7, 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, Havens, Malley, Drennen, LeBelle and Calkins.   
 
4. 
Approval of the December 3, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes 
 
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Drennen to approve the 
December 3, 2019 regular meeting minutes as reviewed, Discussion; none, voice vote, 7-0, 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 as of January 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.   
Chairman Lawson distributed copies of Wrack Lines published by Sea Grant for the Commission to 
review. 
6. 
Treasurer’s Report 
 
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the Treasurer’s Report with the Commission through January, 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 and secretarial support.   Motion made by Commissioner Havens, seconded by Commissioner 

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 
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Drennen to approve the Treasurer’s Report as discussed.  Discussion; none, voice vote; 7-0, 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 the 2020-2021 Waterford Shellfish Commission budget request. 
 
Chairman Lawson stated he and Commissioner Drennen attended the budget hearing to present the 
proposed budget and there did not seem to be any opposition to the 2020-2021 budget request from the 
Board.   
 
b. 
Update regarding the administrative closure of the recreational shell fishing areas and goals for 
the 2020 season. 
 
A lengthy discussion was held regarding transferring clams from the Thames River to the recreational 
shell fishing areas in April of 2020.  Chairman Lawson explained that if there is a relay between the last 
week in April and the first week of May the clams will only need to be in the water for two weeks after 
the water temperature reaches fifty degrees after which time a clam sample will be required to re-open the 
recreational shell fishing areas.  This could potentially allow the opening of Jordan Cove for recreational 
shell fishing by mid May dependent upon water temperatures and the return of satisfactory water and 
meat samples.  Chairman Lawson reviewed the maps of the Thames River area currently classified as a 
relay and correspondence between the Commission and the Bureau of Aquaculture and Laboratory, 
Connecticut State Department of Agriculture regarding the transfer of the clams the Thames River into 
Jordan Cove before the areas are changed from Relay to Prohibited.  He explained it would greatly benefit 
the recreational shell fishing areas with stock from the Thames River while the opportunity is available to 
do so.  A discussion was held regarding logistics of the operation, including how to best transport the 
materials and the need for manpower for distribution of the product into the waters. Chairman Lawson 
stated he will keep the Commission updated with any additional information he receives over the course 
of the month.  The Commission agreed that if the possibility exists to transfer clams from the Thames 
River to Jordan Cove the Commission would not have to worry about securing certified little neck clams 

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission 
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 
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from outside sources in the upcoming season.  Due to the shortage of clams last year the Commission was 
unable to restock.   
10. 
Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business 
 
There was no one present from the public to address the Commission at this meeting. 
  
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 7:55 p.m.  Discussion, none, voice vote 7-0, 
all in favor, motion carried.   
 
Please note that the next regularly scheduled Waterford Shellfish Commission meeting is scheduled for 
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Waterford Town Hall. 
 
Respectfully submitted by: 
 
Audrey Ulmer,  
 
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission