Truth is you do not need them on inland waters for a boat your size(under 16 ft).

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/boating/boating_guide/boaterguide.pdf

pg 18 read the text not the chart.

I have known Hank for a while Brandon, he does not go anywhere here in CT that he is REQUIRED to carry a VDS. NY possibly.
Is it a good idea? you betchya, but they still work when expired.

Be careful to keep your valid flares and expired flares separate and clearly labeled.

Without a specific day listed it would be the end of the month.

End of the month.

Personally, I keep my old flares too if they're only slightly out of date. Mr. Murphy will bite you when you least expect it and something is bound to happen where you either A - Use up all your new flares, B - Your new flares got wet and you didn't know it and don't work or C - In the excitement of declaring your emergency you drop the flares overboard. So.....I like to have a backup. I keep the new ones handy for inspection if the Coasties want to take a look and keep the old ones on board as backups.