Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 04/15/2021

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Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, Apr 15, 2021
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 7:30 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Marcia Benvenuti, Larry Tytla, Fred
Wise, Paul Spakowski, and Eric Kanter
Members absent: Tom Bowlen =
Guests: Ex-officio Dan Cunningham, Keith Neilson, David Provencher, Michelle Williams, and
Terry Lineberger 7
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The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm and a quorum established.
Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
18 Mar 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes — Minutes approved following a motion by Mr.
Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Tytla, vote 7-0. crt
Review and approval of treasurer's report
Treasurer's report given by Mr. Kelly. Treasurer’s report was approved on a motion
by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Wise, vote 7-0. Ms. Benvenuti will forward the
permit printing invoice to Mr. Kelly to initiate payment. Ms. Benvenuti also gave a
report on her recent collection of sold permits.
Chief Warden's Comments : Chief Warden Chmiel gave a report to the commission. The
Niantic River continues to see very active clamming activity. Some oysters are also
available. A report of a Niantic property owner arguing with clammers about
shellfishing off her property was discussed, Mr. Chmiel will investigate.
Old business:
a. Update on insurance policies and workers comp (WC) coverage — Mr. Wise is
continuing to work on the WC coverage.
b. Mr. Harris updated the commission on the SeaGrant Responsible Lawn Care
publication in the New London Day that occurred Mar 28, 2021. This publication was
also posted on websites/social media managed by the Niantic River Advocacy
Coalition and Save the River-Save the Hills.
c. Review of accounting firms that could perform our yearly audit. Mr. Kelly reported to
the commission the potential of two accounting firms that could perform the WELSCO
audit. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic restrictions, a traditional audit may not be
possible, Mr. Kelly will check with the Town of Waterford to see if a “financial review”
would be acceptable under these circumstances.
d. Discussion and potential action on purchase of clam and/or oyster stock. Mr. Wise
reported to the commission his communications with multiple commercial shellfish
growers. A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded Ms. Benvenuti to authorize Mr.
Wise to purchase $3000 worth of clams and $3000 worth of oysters respectively for
each. Motion approved 6-1 (Mr. Kanter opposed). Terry Lineburger will discuss with
The Niantic River Advocacy Coalition interest in partnering with WELSCO on future
shellfish purchases.

e.
E-mail to Waterford 18 Selectman regarding WELSCO dock condition. Mr. Harris
showed a picture of the remedy that was done to the finger dock where the WELSCO
warden boat is docked. This fix was discussed and deemed inadequate and unsafe.
Mr. Tytla offered to draft a follow-up letter to the Waterford First Selectman to request a
proper repair be performed.
6) New Business
a. Dock Application, Docko Inc, Hughes, 52 Niantic River Rd, Waterford. This dock
application was discussed and a motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Ms.
Benvenuti that this dock application would not adversely impact shellfish. The motion
was opposed on a vote of 4-3 (Harris, Spakowski, Tytla, and Kelly opposed the
motion).
Dock Application, Coastline Consulting, Baskin, 44 Niantic River Rd, Waterford
Discussion took place regarding this dock application and a motion was made by Ms.
Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Wise that this dock application would not adversely impact
shellfish. The motion was opposed on a vote of 4-3 (Harris, Spakowski, Tytla, and
Kelly opposed the motion).
Michelle Williams of the East Lyme Planning Commission discussed the recently
approved Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD). Ms. Benvenuti has
volunteered to represent WELSCO at future PoCD subcommittee meetings to aid in
plan implementation.
7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio Cunningham briefed the commission on East Lyme matters
which included funds expected from the Federal Pandemic Rescue Plan.
8) Correspondence
Correspondence was discussed relevant to each agenda during the meeting, no additional
correspondence has been received.
9) Public Comment : none
10) Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 9:58 pm on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr.
Tytla, motion approved 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris