Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 07/16/2020

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission         
 
 
              
                      Meeting Minutes 
        
 
 
                Thursday, July 16, 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, and Fred Wise 
Members absent:  Paul Spakowski 
Guests: Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule, Keith Neilson 
 
  
1) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm and a quorum established.   
 
2)  Review and approval of previous meeting minutes:  
04 Jun 2020 Special Meeting Minutes – Approved following a motion by Mr. Tytla, 
seconded by Mr. Kelly, voice vote 7-0. 
 
3) Review and approval of previous meeting financials 
The approval of the financial report was tabled to a future meeting on a motion by Ms. 
Benvenuti, seconded by Mr. Tytla, voice vote 7-0. 
 
4) Chief Warden’s Comments : Mr. Harris relayed the chief wardens comments in his absence.  
 
5) Old business:   
 
a. Dock Application, Mills/Kelly, 27 Park Drive, Waterford CT.  Dock addition project was 
reviewed by Mr. Neilson, Docko, Inc.    The project was determined to not adversely 
impact shellfish with a motion by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. Kelly, voice vote 5-2, Mr. 
Harris and Mr. Tytla voted against the motion.  DEEP application will include the 
comment that although WELSCO finds this application will not adversely impact 
shellfish, WELSCO is not in favor of the tie-off piles and the tie-off piles may impact 
shellfshing. 
 
b. Mr. Harris discussed with the commission that he sent out inquiries by e-mail to 
commercial shellfish companies about purchasing shellfish stock for the Niantic River 
and rec’d no responses.  Mr. Kanter suggested contacting the companies by phone.  
Mr. Harris will try again. 
 
c. DA/BA is moving forward with reclassification of the seasonally approved shellfish 
areas in the Niantic River due to high boat traffic and high mooring numbers.  Chief 
Warden Chmiel has set up demarcation buoys, new maps and area description 
changes are in final stages.  Mr. Harris will contact the New London Day newspaper in 
hopes of having the change reported in the New London Day. 
 
d. Transfer of financial responsibilities to Waterford Finance department continues with 
challenges faced related to bookkeeping duties.  First Selectmen Brule encouraged the 
commission to meet with the Finance department to resolve the issues.  First 
Selectmen Brule will set up meetings to facilitate this. 
 
e. Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer positions were voted on and will be in effect for the 
remainder of the year.  These nominations and votes were delayed due to the 
suspension of town meetings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   Mr. Harris was 
nominated for the position of Chair by Mr. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Kelly, nomination 
was approved 6-0, Mr. Harris abstained.  
      Mr. Kanter was nominated for the position of Vice-Chair but declined the nomination.          

Mr. Tytla was nominated for the position of Vice Chair by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. 
Bowlen, Mr. Tytla accepted the nomination with reservations, nomination was 
approved 6-0, Mr. Tytla abstained. 
      Mr. Kelly was nominated for the position of Treasurer by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. 
Kanter, nomination was approved 6-0, Mr. Kelly abstained. 
 
6) New Business 
Mr. Kelly proposed new hourly compensation rates for Chief Warden and Warden in addition to 
hiring of a warden which is currently vacant.  Chief Warden Chmiel has identified a qualified 
candidate and Mr. Harris will inform the Chief Warden to extend an offer.  An hourly 
compensation rate for the Chief Warden and Warden of $27.50 and $22.00 per hour, 
respectively, was approved on a motion by Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Kanter, vote 7-0. 
 
 
7) Ex-Officio comments : no comments, Ex-Officio absent 
 
8) Correspondence 
 
a. DEEP letter regarding dock applications – The commission discussed the letter from 
DEEP describing WELSCO’s authority to comment on dock applications and the 
response sent to DEEP by Mr. Harris.  No further action will be taken unless DEEP 
replies to Mr. Harris’s reply. 
b. NBSF shellfish sale offer – no offer was received by NBSF 
 
 
9) Public Comment – Agenda item added on a motion by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Tytla, 
motion passed 7-0.  No public comment. 
 
10)  Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm on a motion by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Bowlen, motion 
passed 7-0. 
 
   
Respectfully submitted,  
  
 
Peter Harris