Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 03/18/2021

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, Mar 18, 2021
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 7:30 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Marcia Benvenuti, Larry Tytlad Fred
Wise, Paul Spakowski, Tom Bowlen, and Eric Kanter
Members absent: none ;
Guests: Ex-officio Dan Cunningham nm
1) The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm and a quorum established. as
2) Review and approval of previous meeting minutes: =
18 Feb 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes — Minutes approved following a motion by Ms.
Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Spakowski, vote 8-0.
23 Feb 2021 Special Meeting minutes. This item was added to the agenda on a
motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Ms. Benvenuti, motion approved 8-0.
23 Feb 2021 Special Meeting Minutes approved following a motion by Ms. Benvenuti,
seconded by Mr. Spakowski, vote 8-0.
3) 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. Tytla, vote 8-0.
4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Mr. Harris had a conversation with Chief Warden Chmiel prior to
the meeting. Chief Chmiel has had the warden boat out of the water recently due to
the frequent winter storms in the region. It was requested a more formal report be
obtained from the Warden when he could not attend the meeting. Mr. Spakowski
commented that the river was quite busy with clammers when he went clamming
recently.
5) Qld business:
a. Discussion and potential action on recreational oyster regulations: Further discussion
ensued on the number of oysters it takes to reach a limit (2 gallons) and potential
regulations that could be adopted to prevent overfishing. No action taken at this time.
b. Discussion and potential action on clam permit fees. Ms. Benvenuti and Mr. Wise
presented the final version of the revised clam permit along with their proposal on the
map and regulation handouts. Quotes from the Town of Waterford to print the permits
were presented. Having the town print the permits has significant cost savings
compared to other printing services. A motion was made by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded
by Mr. Spakowski to print 1000 permits at a cost of up to $600 by the Town of
Waterford, motion was approved 8-0.
c. Review of insurance policy and coverage. Mr. Harris presented the e-mail from the
East Lyme First Selectman regarding obtaining Workman’s Comp coverage for the
Wardens through the town. Further discussions with town officials are needed. Mr.
Cunningham will discuss with the EL First Selectman as well. In the interim, purchase
of a Worker’s Comp policy to ensure coverage, through a private insurance company,
at a projected cost of $1800 per year was proposed. This was passed on a motion by
Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Tytla, approved 8-0.

d. Discussion and potential action on funding publication of SeaGrant Responsible Lawn
Care announcement. Mr. Harris described the current funding for the Responsible
Lawn Care ad, Five other groups (East Lyme Harbor Management/Shellfish,
Waterford Harbor Management, Waterford Shellfish, Niantic River Watershed
Committee, and The Niantic River Advocacy Coalition), have agreed to contribute
equally to funding the ad. With WELSCO contributing, each group will pay $203.63, for
a total of $1221.80. The ad will run in the New London Day on Sunday Mar 28, 2021.
A motion was made by Mr. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Kanter to approve up to $250 for
this ad, motion approved 8-0.
6) New Business
a. Review and potential action on identification of an accounting firm to perform our audit.
Ms. Benvenuti obtained quotes form 2 CPA’s that could perform our annual audit. Mr.
Kelly will contact those CPA’s to further discuss the audit requirements. It was also
discussed that a 2 year audit would be appropriate at this time.
b. Purchase of clams or oysters in 2021. Discussion took place regarding purchase of
additional clams and/or oysters to ensure adequate shelifish stock are in place to meet
the demand. Mr. Wise will contact the commercial growers from last year to obtain
quotes for this year.
c. E-mail to Waterford 1% Selectman regarding WELSCO dock condition. Mr. Harris
briefed the commission that the Waterford First Selectman has not replied to his
e-mails about the condition of the town dock. The commission requested Mr. Harris
e-mail the Waterford Chief of Police for assistance with this issue as it presents a
safety and liability risk.
7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio Cunningham briefed the commission on East Lyme matters
which included continued discussions with the Town of Waterford regarding the town
boundary in the Niantic River as well as funding of the police boat.
8) Correspondence
Mr. Harris presented a letter from the East Lyme Planning and Conservation Commission
regarding the POCD document and if a WELSCO commissioner would be interested in
working with them to help implement the plan. Ms. Benvenuti volunteered and will contact the
Planning and Conservation Commission.
9) Public Comment : none
10) Adjournment : Meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr.
Tytla, motion approved 8-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris