Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 09/16/2021

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     Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission

                                                  Meeting Minutes
                                       Thursday, Sep 16, 2021

                                       East Lyme Town Hall, 7:30 pm


      Members present:  Chair Peter Harris, Eric Kanter, Marcia Benvenuti,
      Larry Tytla, Paul Spakowski, Tom Bowlen, and Fred Wise
      Members absent: J. Patrick Kelly
      Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel, Ex-Officio Dan Cunningham


   1) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm and a  quorum  established.
      Mr. Harris noted the room capacity of 32 with total occupants  at  the
      meeting being 13.

   2)  Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
           19 Aug 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes –  Minutes  with  correction
           approved following a motion by Mr. Spakowski,  seconded  by  Mr.
           Tytla, vote 7-0.




   3) Review and approval of treasurer’s report
            Treasurer’s  report  emailed  by  Mr.  Kelly  reviewed  by   the
            commission.  Approval of Treasurer’s report was  approved  on  a
            motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Kanter, vote 7-0.


         4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Mr. Chmiel  gave  the  report  to  the
            commission.

   5) Old business:


        a. Update on insurance policies and workers comp (WC) coverage –
           Mr. Wise and Mr. Harris are having difficulty making progress
           but continue to work on this.


        b. Mr. Harris reported to the commission that the financial review
           is progressing.



        c. Mr. Wise updated the commission that clams will not be available
           this year but has obtained a quote for oysters from Niantic Bay
           Shellfish Farm.  The funding allocation of $4000 previously
           approved for clams and oysters was adjusted to allow for that
           amount to be spent on the purchase of oysters from Niantic Bay
           Shellfish Farm.  The motion made by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by
           Mr. Spakowski was approved 7-0.

        d. Discussion on the repair plan of the Waterford town dock
           continued.  Mr. Harris updated the commission on the dock repair
           status.  Mr. Harris and Chief Warden Chmiel met with a
           contractor to obtain a quote on the repair or replacement of the
           finger pier.  Mr. Harris will contact Docko again for a possible
           quote.


        e. Discussion on strategies to maintain shellfish populations in
           the Niantic River.  Ms. Benvenuti presented the commission with
           a revised pricing structure for the permits as well as oyster
           limits and permit revisions.  Discussion ensued and Ms.
           Benvenuti will incorporate those edit suggestions to the draft
           and present at the next meeting.  Potential strategies to
           bolster the clam population in the recreational areas were
           discussed.  Mr. Harris will contact DA/BA about regulations for
           clam dredging and Mr. Wise will contact UCONN to discuss
           environmental pros and cons of clam redistribution specific to
           the Niantic River.





   6) New Business
           none




   7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio Cunningham briefed the commission on
      East Lyme’s decision to help fund a new pump-out boat for Save The
      River-Save the Hills using Federal Rescue America Plan Funds.  Mr.
      Cunningham suggested WELSCO discuss with the Town of Waterford the
      potential of using the Federal America Rescue Plan funds to pay for
      repairs to the Town dock.  Mr. Harris will inquire.

   8) Correspondence : Mr. Harris received a dock application project from
      Docko late Thursday afternoon Sep 16, 2021 and this will be discussed
      at the next regular meeting.



   9) Public Comment :
           Lou Bull, Niantic CT - cautioned against publishing an article
           on recreational oysters until the oysters have reached legal
           size.



  10)  Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 8:43 pm on a motion by Mr.
      Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Tytla, motion approved 7-0.


Respectfully submitted,


Peter Harris