Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 01/21/2021

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Rw Meeting Minutes ww
Thursday, Jan 21, 2021
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 7:30 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Tom Bowlen, Marcia Benvenuti, Larry
Tytla, Paul Spakowski, and Fred Wise }
Members absent: Eric Kanter
Guests: Chief Warden Chmiel, Ex-Officio Dan Cunningham
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1) The meeting was called to order at 7:33 pm and a quorum established.
2) Review and approval of previous meeting minutes: o
17 Dec 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes — Minutes approved following a motion by Mr.
Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla, vote 7-0.
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. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Harris, vote 7-0. Mr. Wise will review WELSCO
insurance policies to ensure appropriate coverage as he has insurance expertise.
4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Chief Warden Chmiel gave a report on the current shellfishing
status in the Niantic River. Clamming in the river has been very active. The oyster
seed is growing and some may reach legal size this year. Juvenile scallops are
occasionally retrieved by clammers indicating a natural set last year.
5) Old business:
a. Report on funding request to the Town of Waterford : Mr. Harris briefed the
Commission on the Waterford Grant Meeting. The request from WELSCO for $5000
was reduced to $2500.
b. Discussion and potential action on recreational oyster regulations. Discussion ensued
to determine if the current oyster regulations and permit fee needs to be updated.
Potential quantity limit or a moratorium was discussed. No action taken at this time.
Mr. Harris will confirm with the Town Attny the public notice requirement related to any
changes made.
6) New Business
a. Discussion and potential action on clam permit fees
The Commission discussed the clam permit fees and regulations. The complications
of having a dual permit with the East Lyme Shellfish Commission was discussed. No
action taken at this time. Mr. Harris will e-mail the East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Chair to discuss. Ms. Benvenuti and Mr. Wise will draft an updated permit to be
discussed at the Feb meeting.
b. Nomination and election of WELSCO Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer
Mr. Harris was nominated and elected to Chair on a motion by Mr. Kelly, seconded by
Mr. Tytla, approved 6-0, Mr. Harris abstained. Mr. Tytla was nominated and elected to
Vice-Chair on a motion by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Wise, approved 6-0, Mr.
Tytla abstained. Mr. Kelly was nominated and elected to Treasurer on a motion by Mr.
Tytla, seconded by Mr. Harris, approved 7-0.

7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio Cunningham briefed the Commission on East Lyme Town
matters.
8) Correspondence
Mr. Harris briefed the Commission on 2 correspondence he received, the first being a survey
and future meetings by the CT National Estuarine Research Reserve, the second being the
Annual Gathering of Shellfish Commissions to be held virtually this year.
9) Public Comment —Terry Lineberger of Niantic River Rd, Waterford, voiced her support of the
pump-out boat and offered to champion a letter writing campaign to town officials if needed to
ensure this program is funded. Ms. Lineberger also would provide perspective on the oyster
seeding at a future meeting. Ms. Lineberger also supported WELSCO's efforts to update the
shellfish regulations and website.
10) Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Tytla, motion
passed 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris