Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 05/03/2022

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
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Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
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 7:01 p.m. after establishing a quorum.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
All in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Drennen, Calkins, Jamroga and Healy.  Absent was
Commissioner Francolino.  
Chairman Lawson welcomed and introduced recently appointed Commission members 
Jamroga and Healy to the Commission. 
4.
Approval of the April 5, 2022 regular meeting minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner Drennen to approve
the April 5, 2022 regular meeting minutes as submitted and reviewed, Discussion, none, 
voice vote 5-0, all in favor, motion carried. 
5.
Correspondence
Chairman Lawson explained that he forwards all Waterford Shellfish Commission 
correspondence he receives in between meetings to the Commission members to 
review.  He asked if anyone has questions or comments regarding the correspondence 
sent over the past month.   
6.
Treasurer’s Report
Chairman Lawson reviewed the financial statement from the Town of Waterford 
Finance Department through April 6, 2022 in the absence of Treasurer Francolino.  

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
P a g e  | 2
7.
Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson stated the recreational shell fishing areas are currently open and he 
has put the disc signs out on Reed Avenue and the Dock Road boat launch for the 
season.
Chairman Lawson explained the opening and closing procedures to the new members 
for clarification.
8.
New Business
Commissioner Lawson stated there is nothing to discuss under New Business this
month.
9.
Old Business
a. 
Discussion regarding the Waterford Shellfish Commission FY2022/2023 budget 
request
Chairman Lawson indicated that he received the notice regarding the budget hearing for
the Waterford Shellfish Commission and it is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 
7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.  He explained that he will be unable to attend due to a 
family commitment but is hopeful that if there is anything that the committee needs to 
clarify for the budget request approval that they will contact him. 
b. 
Update regarding certified little neck clam and oyster restock
Chairman Lawson has been in contact with Jim Markow who is willing to dig clams out 
of his leased area in the Thames River, bag them and clean them and bring them to the 
Jordan Cove recreational shell fishing area for depuration.  He stated this will require 
the Commission to shut down the recreational areas for thirty days to allow the clams to
depurate per State of Connecticut regulations.  Once satisfactory samples are returned 
the recreational shell fishing areas will be allowed to re-open.  Chairman Lawson stated 
there is protocol from DABA that states a representative must be present when the 
clams are delivered and distributed into the waters.  It was the consensus of the 
Commission members that this will most likely be the only opportunity to restock the 
areas this season because of the shortage of certified little neck clams from any other 
distributor in the State of Connecticut.  The clams could potentially be delivered by the 
end of May when the waters are above the fifty degrees required to ensure their 
survival.  

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
P a g e  | 3
A discussion was held regarding the need for extra warden patrols during the time the 
areas are shut down to ensure that no one gets sick from illegally harvesting clams while
they are depurating.   A suggestion was made to put up extra signage indicating the 
areas are closed and to post signage at the locations where recreational shell fishing 
permits are sold and to clearly post the information regarding the closure on the Town’s
website.  A suggestion was made to post the recreational shell fishing areas on the 
Town’s website as well as handing out the map with the purchase of a recreational shell 
fishing permit to avoid confusion.  
Chairman Lawson will continue to work on securing the little neck clams for restock and 
keep the Commission members updated with his progress.  
c.
Discussion regarding progress made to the Waterford Shellfish Resource 
Management Plan if any.
Chairman Lawson explained the last time the Plan was updated was in 2005, he 
explained he submitted a request and a template to the Town Attorney over two years 
ago and there is still no progress.  A discussion was held regarding the Commission 
members reviewing the document themselves and offering insight and suggestions for 
updates and passing it along to the proper agencies for review.  A copy of the Plan can 
be found on the Town’s website if Commission members would like to review it on their 
own between meetings.
10.
Public Input specifically regarding business pertaining only to the Waterford 
Shellfish Commission.
Mr. Mark Alexander was present and he stated he is a Waterford resident who is 
interested in learning more about the role of the Waterford Shellfish Commission.  
Chairman Lawson gave a brief overview of the role of the Commission and its duties.  
Part of the discussion included the need to clarify on the Town’s website that there are 
three separate shell fishing commissions and a suggestion was made to add Jordan 
Cove, Smith Cove and Thames River as the only areas governed by the Waterford 
Shellfish Commission to avoid confusion. There have been several occasions where the 
public has attended a Waterford Shellfish Commission meeting only to discover they 
were at the wrong meeting.  
11.
Adjournment

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
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There being nothing further to discuss the Waterford Shellfish Commission meeting 
adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by;
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission