Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 09/06/2022

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of September 7, 2021
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T o w n 
 o f 
 W a t e r f o r d 
 S h e l l f i s h 
 C o m m i s s i o n 
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.
Waterford Town Hall
1.
Call to Order
Chairman Lawson called the regular meeting of the Waterford Shellfish Commission to order at 7:00 p.m.
after establishing a quorum. 
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Commission members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, Calkins, Malley and Havens.  Absent were 
Commissioners LeBelle and Drennen.
4.
Approval of the July 6, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Calkins to approve the July 6, 
2021 meeting minutes as submitted and reviewed.  Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion 
carried.  
5.
Correspondence
Chairman Lawson reviewed correspondence he received addressed to the Waterford Shellfish 
Commission since the last meeting and stated that he has been forwarding all correspondence in between 
meetings to keep the Commission members up to date.  
Chairman Lawson discussed the violation ticket found on the Waterford Shellfish Commission 
demarcation buoy from the Waterford Harbor Management Commission.  He stated he logged into a 
Zoom meeting held by the Waterford Harbor Management Commission to inquire regarding protocol for 
the demarcation buoy but was not allowed to speak regarding the matter because it was a special meeting 
with no public input.  He explained the buoy has been there in excess of ten years when Areas A and G 
split and it has not been a problem to date.  The buoy goes in the water on April 1st of each year and is 
removed at the end of October or early November. The State of Connecticut requires that the demarcation
buoy is displayed and is depicted on the Shellfish Regulation map that everyone who purchases a permit 
for recreational shell fishing receives for clarification.  He stated he put the buoy back out in the waters 

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of September 7, 2021
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and is hoping it will not get tagged again as it is essential to mark the areas for clarification.  He stated he 
will look into the ticketing process further and request guidance from the First Selectman if necessary.
6.
Treasurer’s Report
Commission Treasurer Francolino reviewed the information received in the financial document from the 
Town of Waterford Finance Department through June 30, 2021.  He stated the report reflects money 
received from recreational shell fishing permits, yearly lease agreements and the budget request for this 
fiscal year.  
Motion made by Commissioner Malley, seconded by Commissioner Havens to approve the Treasurer’s 
Report as reviewed and discussed.  Discussion; none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion carried. 
7.
Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are currently closed after the entire State of 
Connecticut received very heavy rainfall in the past week.  He will keep the Commission posted 
regarding openings and closings throughout the month and in between meetings.
8.
New Business
There was nothing to discuss this month under New Business.
9.
Old Business
a.
Update regarding progress to updated Waterford Shellfish Plan
Chairman Lawson stated he was hoping for an update regarding the Plan but his calls have not been 
answered as of the meeting night but he will keep trying.
b.
Update regarding certified little neck clam/oyster re-stock
Chairman Lawson stated that he has been unable to secure certified little neck clams for re-stock but has 
been able to secure oysters.  He explained that he can get two hundred count bags for less than wholesale 
and inquired as to what the Commission members thought about putting them in the waters for 
recreational shell fishing.  Discussions were held regarding the number of bags to order, where and when 
to distribute them once they are received, whether or not they will be picked up or delivered and the best 
day and time to distribute them to ensure their survival.  It was the consensus of the Commission 
members that re-stocking oysters would be beneficial and the Commission will continue its search for 
little neck clams in the meantime.  A discussion was held regarding the shortage of little neck clams and 
potential reasons behind the shortage.

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of September 7, 2021
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Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Calkins to authorize Chairman 
Lawson to purchase forty bags of two hundred count, two to three inch mixed oysters for eighty dollars a 
bag and to request a purchase order for thirty two hundred dollars for the oysters to distribute into the 
recreational shell fishing areas.  Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion carried.  
Chairman Lawson stated he will keep the Commission updated regarding delivery of the oysters and he 
stated he will ask for the Commission members help with distribution of the oysters into the waters when 
they arrive. 
10.
Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business Only
11.
Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Calkins to adjourn the meeting at
7:55 p.m.  Discussion, none, voice vote, 5-0, all in favor, motion carried and the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer
Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Waterford Shellfish Commission will be on October 5, 2021 
at 7:00 p.m. at the Waterford Town Hall.