Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 11/20/2025

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     Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission

                                                  Regular Meeting Minutes
                                       Thursday, Nov 20, 2025

                                     East Lyme Town Hall, 7:00 pm


      Members present:  Peter Harris, Tom Bowlen, Larry Tytla, Rick Kanter,
      Marcia Benvenuti, and Fred Wise.  Mr. Kelly arrived at approximately
      7:15 pm
      Members absent: Paul Spakowski
      Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel

   1) The meeting  was  called  to  order  at  7:00  pm  and  a  quorum  was
      established.

   2) Secretary’s minutes from Oct 16, 2025 regular  meeting  was  approved,
      with a revision, on a motion by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by Mr.  Tytla,
      motion vote 6-0.



   3) Treasurer’s report was approved on a motion by Mr. Tytla, seconded  by
      Ms. Benvenuti, motion vote 7-0.
        a. CW Shellfish provided additional clams for seeding at a cost  of
           $280 above what was  originally  approved  during  the  previous
           Special meeting.  This additional  expense  was  approved  on  a
           motion by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Tytla, motion approved 7-0



   4) Chief Warden’s comments  –.  Chief  Warden  Chmiel  gave  his  report.
      Scallop season has started and skilled scallopers  have  been  getting
      their limit.  The tilt/trim on the warden boat is not working and will
      be repaired in early January.



   5) Old business –
        a. Discussion on future of present warden boat  :  Mr.  Tytla,  Mr.
           Kanter will look into repairs when weather permits
        b. Clam stock purchase update – clams were received and  placed  in
           the Niantic River




   6) New business
        a. Annual Report – Annual Report due to Waterford  drafted  by  Mr.
           Harris was reviewed with some edits.  Revised Annual Report  was
           approved on a motion by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. Kelly,  vote
           6-1, Ms. Benvenuti opposed the motion.


        b. The amounts requested from the towns of East Lyme and  Waterford
           for the following fiscal year were discussed.  A motion was  put
           forth by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Ms. Benvenuti to request $1 from
           each town, motion approved 7-0.


        c. Chief Warden Chmiel has decided to step down as Chief Warden  in
           the near future.  Warden Keltonic will also resign in a  similar
           time frame.  Commission discussed hiring 3 additional wardens to
           replace Mr. Chmiel and Mr. Keltonic.  Mr. Harris  will  consider
           learning the water sampling methods to act as a  back-up  during
           the transition.



        d. Mr. Kelly discussed the recently completed Financial Review,  no
           issues were discovered, Mr. Kelly will provide a  copy  to  each
           town.  No action taken.



        e. Following an e-mail from the  town  of  Waterford,  the  meeting
           schedule will need to be  submitted  for  2026.   Meetings  will
           remain on the 3rd Thursday of  each  month  alternating  between
           East Lyme and Waterford town halls.  A motion by Ms.  Benvenuti,
           seconded by Mr. Wise to change the meeting time to 6:30  pm  was
           approved 6-0, Mr Kanter abstained.    Mr.  Harris  will  confirm
           with the town clerks if meeting rooms at 6:30 pm are available.


   7) Ex-officio comments – ex-officio not present

   8) Correspondence - any correspondence rec’d  was  discussed  during  the
      meeting



   9) Public comment – no public in attendance



  10)  Meeting was adjourned at 7:59 pm on a motion from Mr. Kelly, seconded
      by Mr. Wise, motion approved 7-0.



Respectfully submitted,


Peter Harris