Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 12/18/2025

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     Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission

                                                  Regular Meeting Minutes
                                       Thursday, Dec 18, 2025

                                     Waterford Town Hall, 7:00 pm


      Members present:  Peter Harris, Larry Tytla, Rick Kanter, and Paul
      Spakowski.
      Members absent: Pat Kelly, Marcia Benvenuti, Fred Wise, Tom Bowlen
      Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel, Ex-Officio Cindy Collins, Dave Simpson,
John Gawlak

   1) The meeting  was  called  to  order  at  7:05  pm  and  a  quorum  was
      established.

   2) Secretary’s minutes from Nov 20, 2025 regular meeting was approved, on
      a motion by Mr. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, motion vote 4-0.



   3) Treasurer’s report sent by Mr. Kelly prior to the meeting was approved
      on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Tytla, motion vote 4-0.



   4) Chief Warden’s comments –. Chief Warden Chmiel gave his  report.   The
      scallop season is still open although the population  of  scallops  is
      decreasing.  Clams and oysters are available with Area A  and  Area  B
      north and south open.  The power tilt on the motor will  be  fixed  in
      early January.  Chief Warden Chmiel is stepping down as well as Warden
      Keltonic.  Their service to the commission over the years  is  greatly
      appreciated.



   5) Old business –
        a. Discussion on future of present warden boat : any needed repairs
           will occur in the spring.
        b. Discussion and potential action of  hiring  additional  wardens.
           Mr. Harris detailed discussions he had with 3 warden  candidates
           regarding their relevant experience.  Mr. Simpson and Mr. Gawlak
           were present at the meeting.   Motion  made  by  Mr.  Spakowski,
           seconded by Mr. Tytla to hire the 3 wardens,  Mr.  Simpson,  Mr.
           Nelson, and Mr. Gawlak, motion passed 4-0.
        c. Schedule of meetings and time of meeting – Mr.  Harris  informed
           the commission that there was a room conflict in  Waterford  and
           our meeting time for 2026 would remain at 7:00 pm.




   6) New business
        a. Annual Shellfish Gathering, Jan 24, 2026 – Mr. Harris  discussed
           the  upcoming  shellfish  gathering  and  requested   interested
           individuals let him know and he will register the group.
        b. A discussion ensued about the current WELSCO rain gauge,  it  is
           currently not functioning.  DA/BA did communicate a  rain  gauge
           was available to replace our current gauge  but  the  status  is
           unknown.  Commission  members  will  inquire  at  the  Shellfish
           Gathering in January.




   7) Ex-officio comments – East Lyme ex-officio  Cindy  Collins  introduced
      herself and is looking forward to learning more about the commission.

   8) Correspondence - any correspondence rec’d  was  discussed  during  the
      meeting.
        a. Mr. Harris did  send  another  e-mail  to  the  Waterford  First
           Selectman regarding the Waterford  Town  dock  finger  pier,  no
           reply was rec’d.



   9) Public comment – no public comment



  10)  Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm on  a  motion  from  Mr.  Spakowski,
      seconded by Mr. Tytla, motion approved 4-0.



Respectfully submitted,


Peter Harris