Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 04/07/2026

Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission
Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall
1.	Establish a quorum and call the meeting to order.
Chairman Porter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. after establishing a quorum.  
Present were Commissioners Porter, Calkins and Darling.  Absent was Commissioner Jamroga.
2.	Pledge of Allegiance
3.	Approval of the February 3, 2026, meeting minutes
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner Darling to approve the meeting minutes as filed.  All in favor, motion carried.
4.	Correspondence
a.	Workshop invitation regarding Alewife Cove identifying the issues, solutions and criteria
Chairman Porter attended the meeting and gave an overview for the Commission members regarding a potential scope of work to include dredging, core samples, breakwater flow and materials distribution.  There will be additional meetings going forward and he will report back to the Commission regarding progress.  There is a grant in place to conduct studies for the project.
b.	Ethics Notice update for Commissioners
The Commission members reviewed the updated Ethics Notice sent to the Commission.
5.	Treasurer’s Report
a.	Review of the monthly Treasurer’s Report generated from the Finance Department to include revenue and expenditures.
Commissioner Darling reviewed the Treasurer’s Report she received ending on March 12, 2026.
Motion made by Commissioner Calkins, seconded by Commissioner Porter to approve the report as reviewed.  All in favor, motion carried.
b.	Update regarding progress with the budget meetings
Chairman Porter has attended the budget meetings and to date there has not been any opposition from the boards and agencies that are reviewing the budget.  The next hearing is in May, and he plans to attend that one and report back to the Commission. 
6.	Monthly monitoring and sampling report
Chairman Porter has not heard from the Wardens regarding the water and meat samples required to open the recreational shell fishing area. Warden Miller has retired and has not contacted the Commission with his replacement information.  Chairman Porter will investigate this and request sampling from the Warden who has taken over the sampling for the Commission so that the recreational shell fishing area can open for the 2026 season.
7.	New Business
a.	Discussion regarding potential lease of bottom land for commercial oyster farming in Bay Point.
Josh Bakoulis was not in attendance at this meeting but has requested he be added to the May agenda for discussion.
b.	Discussion regarding advertising outlets for the sale of recreational shell fishing permits.
Chairman Porter stated he would like to contact Parks and Recreation to determine if it is possible to advertise the recreational permit sales in their flyer.  The Commission has concern that the public does not know that the permits are available for purchase and by advertising that they are available the permit sales could increase.
c.	Discussion regarding the implementation of online recreational permit sales. 
Chairman Porter would like to find the Commission an outlet to sell permits online for the convenience of the permit holders.  There are agencies in the Town with the ability, and he would like to investigate the feasibility of the Shellfish Commission implementing online sales. He believes that if the permits are available online that the permit sales will rise. They are currently only available in person at Town Hall and at Riverside Grocery.
d.	Discussion regarding changing the Commission’s meeting time to 6:00 p.m.
The Commission discussed changing the meeting time for the Shellfish Commission from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is availability for the Commission to meet on the third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. but there are conflicts with members on other Commissions on that day and time.  The Commission secretary will check with Town Hall to determine if there is a space on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. 
e.	2026 restock goals/discussion
Chairman Porter will check with the certified little neck clam suppliers to determine if product will be readily available for purchase this season and get back to the Commission with his findings. It is his hope that the Commission will have access to purchase product to distribute into the recreational shell fishing area several times during this season.
f.	Update regarding the status of the Shellfish Management Plan
Chairman Porter has been in contact with the Town Attorney regarding this matter and has been provided with a copy of the Town of Stonington Shellfish Management Plan to use as a resource.  He plans to meet with the attorney on Friday to discuss possible amendments and will report back to the Commission with the progress.
8.	Old Business
a.	Discussion regarding progress with the lease agreement from the Town Attorney
The lease agreement with Aeros is due for renewal and Chairman Porter will check with the Town Attorney to determine if the document needs to be updated.
9.	Public comment regarding items relating to Waterford Shellfish business
There was no one from the public present to address the Commission at this meeting.
10.	Adjournment
There being nothing further to discuss the Commission adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Audrey Ulmer, Recording Secretary for the Town of Waterford Shellfish Commission