Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 03/01/2022

Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2022
P a g e  | 1
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, March 1, 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 7:15 p.m.
after Commissioner Francolino was sworn in to his re-appointment on the Commission by the Town 
Clerk and after establishing a quorum.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Roll Call
Present were Commissioners Lawson, Francolino, and Calkins.  Absent were Commissioners Drennen, 
LeBelle and Malley.
4.
Approval of the December 7, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Calkins to approve the December
7, 2021 regular meeting minutes as submitted and reviewed.  Discussion; none, voice vote, 3-0, all in 
favor, motion carried.
5.
Correspondence
Chairman Lawson reviewed correspondence sent to the Commission over the past month and stated he 
will continue to forward material to the Commission members as he receives it throughout the month and 
in between meetings. He explained that Commissioners Drennen and Francolino were re-appointed to the 
Commission with terms to expire January 4, 2026.  Commissioner Havens did not opt for re-appointment 
and there are now two vacancies to fill on the Commission.  The Commission members present stated 
they will reach out to help find interested parties to fill the vacancies.
6.
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Francolino reviewed the financial statement generated from the Town of Waterford 
Finance Office at Town Hall for expenses and revenues pertaining to the Waterford Shellfish 

Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2022
P a g e  | 2
Commission.  He reviewed the expenditures paid throughout the previous month and explained the 
statement reflects little activity over the past month as expected due to the lack of permit sales and lease 
revenue while the recreational areas are administratively closed.
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner Lawson to approve the Treasurer’s 
Report as reviewed.  Discussion, none, voice vote, 3-0, all in favor, motion carried.
7.
Monthly Monitoring and Sampling Report
Chairman Lawson indicated that the recreational shell fishing areas are currently closed administratively 
for the months of January, February and March with a tentative date of re-opening on April 1, 2022 
pending satisfactory water and meat sampling.
8.
New Business
a.
Discussion regarding printing permits to reflect new rates for the 2022 recreational shell 
fishing season.
Chairman Lawson stated he will submit the revised permits to the print shop at the Town Hall this week 
so that the updated permits are available to anyone who wishes to purchase one for the 2022 recreational 
shell fishing season by April 1, 2022.  
b.
Discussion regarding goals for the 2022 recreational shell fishing season beginning on 
April 1, 2022.
Chairman Lawson and the Commission members discussed options for a successful season and how to 
generate more permit sales this season.  
c.
Discussion regarding re-stock of certified little neck clams and oysters for the 2022 
recreational season.
Chairman Lawson stated it has been very difficult to secure certified little neck clams from distributors 
over the last couple of years due to a supply shortage during the pandemic but it is his hope that the 
Commission will locate and secure enough restock this year to distribute into the recreational shell fishing
areas.  He hopes if he starts speaking with suppliers early that the Commission will have a better chance 
of securing the restock. Discussions were held regarding distribution of the product and options for little 
neck clams as well as oyster restock.  Chairman Lawson stated he is worried the oysters distributed into 
the recreational shell fishing areas last season may have been buried over the winter months.  The 
Commission members agreed to go out on the sandbar to assess the situation. 
9.
Old Business
a.
Update regarding progress to the Waterford Shellfish Plan

Town of Waterford
Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of March 1, 2022
P a g e  | 3
Chairman Lawson stated that to date he has not received an update regarding the Waterford Shellfish Plan
from the Town Attorney but he will continue to reach out for a progress report.  
b.
Update regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget meetings.
Chairman Lawson stated there have been two budget meetings to date, one via Zoom and the other in 
person regarding the budget request.  There is a Board of Finance meeting scheduled for March 7, 2022 
that includes the Waterford Shellfish Commission budget request and a representative from the 
Commission will be present if the Board of Finance requests an agency representative to answer any 
questions regarding the proposed 2023 budget request.
10.
Public Input regarding Waterford Shellfish Commission Business Only
There was no one present to address the Commission at this meeting.
11.
Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Francolino, seconded by Commissioner Calkins to adjourn the meeting at
8:23 p.m.  Discussion, none, voice vote, 3-0, all in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission