Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 10/15/2020

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, Oct 15, 2020
Virtual meeting held via Zoom, 7:30 pm
Members present: Chair Peter Harris, J. Patrick Kelly, Eric Kanter, Tom Bowlen, Marcia
Benvenuti, Larry Tytla, Paul Spakowski, and Fred Wise
Members absent: none
Guests; Deborah Moshier-Dunn, Ex-officio Dan Cunningham
4) The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm and a quorum established.
2) Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:
17 Sep 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes — Minutes approved following a motion by Mr.
Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla, vote 7-1, Ms. Benvenuti opposed.
3) Review and approval of treasurer's report
Treasurer's report given by Mr. Kelly. Treasurer's report approved on a motion by Mr.
Tytla, seconded by Mr. Bowlen, vote 8-0.
4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Mr. Kelly gave the Warden's report following a discussion with
Chief Warden Chmiel.
5) Qld business: .
a) Discussion and potential action on purchase of shellfish stock from Commercial
Aquaculture suppliers: Mr. Harris updated the commission on the purchase and
distribution of the oysters and clams approved at the Sept 2020 meeting. Oysters
were distributed on 25 Sep and clams distributed on 28 Sep 2020.
od : ~) Discussion and potential action on funding of Save the River/Save the Hills pump
\ out boat: Mr. Harris briefed the commission on a meeting between Mr. Harris, Mr.
Tytla, and Mr. Kanter with East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson and
Waterford First Selectman Robert Brule on 09 Oct 2020. A lengthy discussion
Ss ensued related to the value of the pump out boat, town funding, WELSCO
vo ’- expenses, etc. Deb Moshier-Dunn of Save the River-Save the Hills (STR-STH)
_ was recognized by Mr. Harris to provide information related to the pump-out boat
program. A motion was made by Ms. Benvenuti ta donate $6500 to the pump out
boat program (STR-STH), motion was not seconded. Further discussion ensued
followed by a motion by Ms. Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Harris to donate $4000 to
STR-STH for the pump-out boat program. Motion passed 6-2, Mr. Kelly and Mr.
Kanter opposed.
c) Discussion and potential action on 2020-2021 scallop season: A brief discussion
occurred regarding the lack of scallops being reported by recreational clammers
and a motion was made by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla to not have a scallop
season this year, motion passed 8-0.

d) Discussion and potential comments to be submitted to the East Lyme Planning
Dept. regarding their 2020 Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD) for the
Town of East Lyme: Consensus was obtained on comments to submit to the East
Lyme Planning Commission on their draft 2020 PoCD document. A motion was :
made by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Kanter to submit the comment below. Motion
passed 8-0.
After reviewing the POCD document, WELSCO supports all of the points and proposals that
will benefit the Niantic River Watershed with the emphasis on shellfishing, aquaculture, the
number and placement of moorings, and point and non-point source pollution.
6) New Business
No new business was introduced at this meeting.
7) Ex-Officio comments : Ex-Officio Cunningham expressed appreciation for the Commission's
thoughtful discussion and comment to be submitted to the East Lyme Planning Commission
PoCD document. Mr. Cunningham also updated the commission on the East Lyme Public
Safety building funding. .
8) Correspondence
Correspondence from East Lyme First Selectman Nickerson was discussed during agenda
item - Old Business B (pump-out boat funding).
9) Public Comment —Deb Moshier-Dunn (STR-STH) expressed appreciation to WELSCO for
their contribution to the pump-out boat program.
10) Meeting adjourned at 9:01 pm on a motion by Mr. Spakowski, seconded by Mr. Bowlen,
motion passed 8-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Harris