Waterford/East Lyme Shellfish Commission - Minutes - 10/15/2026

Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission         
 
 
              
Regular Meeting Minutes 
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 
Waterford Town Hall, 7:00 pm 
 
 
Members present:  Peter Harris, Larry Tytla, Mike Heenehan, Pat Kelly, Marcia Benvenuti, and 
Rick Kanter  
Members absent:  Paul Spakowski, Fred Wise 
Guests:  Warden Dave Simpson 
  
1) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm and a quorum was established.   
 
2) Secretary’s minutes from Sep 17, 2026 regular meeting was approved on a motion by Mr. 
Tytla, seconded by Mr. Heenehan, motion vote 5-0, Ms. Benvenuti abstained. 
 
3) Treasurer’s Reports – Mr. Kelly gave the treasurers report.  Report was approved on a motion 
from Mr. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Kanter, motion vote 6-0. 
 
4) Warden’s comments : Mr. Simpson gave the warden report to the commission.  The Niantic 
River has been closed often this summer due to rainfall. 
 
5) Old business :  
a. Discussion on purchase of clam/oyster stock – Mr. Harris spoke with CW Shellfish 
about the clam purchase and delivery.  The commission is flexible on delivery dates in 
October.  Oysters will be obtained and distributed on a different day, to be determined. 
 
b. Scallop season preparation – permits have been printed and will be distributed 
 
      c. Save the River-Save the Hills (STR-STH) offer to assist with the purchase of shellfish        
was discussed further.  Mr. Harris will e-mail STR-STH to get more details on their offer. 
 
6) New business  - 
a. No new business was brought fprward. 
 
7) Ex-officio comments : East Lyme ex-officio was not in attendance. 
 
8) Correspondence : Mr. Harris discussed various correspondence he rec’d including DA/BA 
opening/closing of the Niantic River, e-mail from the town of Waterford on commission’s 
annual reports and the 2027 meeting schedule, communication from CW shellfish on logistics 
of clam delivery, and an e-mail regarding a Quahog seminar to be held in November.   
 
9) Public comment : a. Mr. Heenehan discussed his work to potentially open the West Black 
Point area for recreational shellfishing in the future.   
 
10)  Meeting was adjourned at 7:49 pm on a motion from Mr. Tytla, seconded by Mr. Kanter, 
motion approved 6-0.  
 
 
   
Respectfully submitted,  
  
 
Peter Harris