Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 08/19/2021

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     Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission

                                                  Meeting Minutes
                                       Thursday, Aug 19, 2021

                                       East Lyme Town Hall, 7:30 pm


      Members present:  Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Marcia
      Benvenuti, Larry Tytla, Paul Spakowski, Tom Bowlen, and Fred Wise
      Members absent: Eric Kanter
      Guests: none


   1) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm and a quorum established.

   2)  Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
           15 Jul 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes – Minutes approved following
           a motion by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, vote 7-0.




   3) Review and approval of treasurer’s report
            Treasurer’s report given by Mr. Kelly.  Approval of  Treasurer’s
            report was tabled on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by  Ms.
            Benvenuti, vote 7-0.


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

   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. Kelly reported to the commission that the financial review
           is progressing.



        c. Mr. Wise updated the commission that clams will not be available
           this year.  Also, oysters are available from Niantic Bay
           Shellfish Farm and Mr. Wise will get more details on cost,
           quantity, and potential delivery dates.

        d. Discussion on the repair plan of the Waterford town dock
           continued.  Mr. Harris updated the commission on the dock repair
           status.  No meeting occurred following his request but he did
           discuss with the town planner about potential solutions.  Mr.
           Harris discussed with the commission the idea of repairing the
           finger dock to maintain the current dock configuration.  Mr.
           Harris will obtain quotes from dock engineering firms on repair
           options.


        e. Discussion on strategies to maintain shellfish populations in
           the Niantic River.  Ms. Benvenuti will work on permit revisions
           to update fees and/or oyster limits to promote sustainable
           shellfish populations and be comparable with other shellfish
           commissions in the area.





   6) New Business
           none




   7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio not present

   8) Correspondence - none



   9) Public Comment :
        a. Lou Bull, Niantic CT described a recent clamming permit issue.
        b. John Hughes, Waterford CT spoke positively about the lawncare
           company he uses for his residence related to responsible use of
           fertilizer.

  10)  Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm on a motion by Mr.
      Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Bowlen, motion approved 7-0.


Respectfully submitted,


Peter Harris