2020-08-03
Lake Zoar Authority
P.O. Box 931
Southbury, CT 06488
Email: lakezoar@gmail.com
Member Towns
Monroe-Newtown-Oxford-Southbury
The regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority was held Monday, August 3, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. online via Zoom: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76909144394?pwd=QW8zN0xBUW9OZjdwZ01HYVZOQ21ZUT09.
Commissioners Present:
Ed Kusinski, Vice Chairman
Bob Mouchantat, Treasurer
Lesley Pires, Secretary
Frank Cavallo
Herbert Garber
Bill May
Dick Speer
Jeff Thomas
Absent:
Gary Fillion, Chariman
John Downs
Mark Saksa
Ed Kusinski, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Secretary’s Report:
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the March 3, 2020 minutes was made by Herb Garber, seconded by Frank Cavallo; the motion was passed unanimously.
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the July 6, 2020 minutes was made by Herb Garber, seconded by Frank Cavallo; the motion was passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
None.
Correspondence and News Clippings:
The Candlewood Lake Authority Notice, “Firstlight to Temporarily Close Candlewood Lake Islands due to COVID-19 Conerns,” dated July 29, 2020 is available on the LZA website.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Bob Mouchantat reported the 2020 fiscal year ended well with funds remaining. The LZA has received all town funding except from Southbury. Bob will check on a $10,000 corporate support grant that may be available from Firstlight. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report was made by Bill May, seconded byHerb Garber; the motion was passed unanimously
Marine Patrol Report:
Thirty five infractions were issued for the month of July for offenses including lack of safe boating certificate, no personal flotation device on a child, and improper water skiing activity. There is a no fishing sign at the Shepaug damn yet fishermen at the damn were instructed to leave the area. A buoy line to block off the area was requested. Five boats were towed. There was a noise and fight complaint on the sandbar and officers responded. Oxford police on lake patrol responded to a complaint of an infant on a jet ski but were unable to make contact. It was reported that this is a common occurrence with the same individuals, and lake patrol will continue to attempt contact. The Monroe police on lake patrol responded to a boating incident with injury. Lake patrol investigated dock damage for a resident who reported jet ski wakes damaged his property in Newtown. A request was made by commissioners that Lake Patrol provide more enforcement along the shorelines to prevent this activity. A sighting of a couch floating in the water near Southbury beach will be reported to Firstlight. It was reported that the state ramp overflow parking has been full on weekends.
There were reports of people jumping off bridges over Lake Zoar at the Glen Road Silver and Pomperaug River bridges in Southbury, and the Rochambeau bridge in Newtown. There was one fatality Saturday, August 1, 2020 at approximately 4pm when Southbury resident Nicholas Porter (30), dove into Lake Zoar from the Pomperaug River Bridge, did not resurface, was pulled from the water unconscious, and was unable to be resuscitated by emergency responders. Southbury Connecticut State Police Resident Troopers responded to the scene, investigated the accident, and reported to the CT DEEP.
Public safety concerns regarding COVID-19 control and lack of social distancing measures on the sandbar were discussed with Lake Patrol. There is no legal enforcement options available to patrol officers. If lack of social distancing persists, Firstlight may exercise authority to close land access to their property in Lake Zoar.
It was requested that Lake Patrol provide one weekend night patrol over Labor Day weekend.
Lake Patrol will monitor the August 22, 2020 morning Dambuster marathon event hosted by Leaps of Faith Water Ski Club. Patrol boats will assist with escorting water skiers from the Shepaug Dam. There are 15 – 35 skiers expected.
Publicity/ Public Awareness:
There have been some safety concerns posted on local facebook groups regarding personal watercraft wakes and noise complaints. These concerns are unofficially monitored and may be presented during meetings. Official complaints need to be submitted to the LZA via email, at lakezoar@gmail.com, or by attending a public meeting.
Water Quality / Grants Report:
Vice Chairman Ed Kusinskireported that the lake water still appears clear.
The second weed treatment application is tentatively scheduled for August 19, 2020. Selected areas of Lake Zoar will be chemically treated with Reward (Diquat) herbicide, targeting control the aquatic nuisance plants Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed. Prior to treatment, the lake shoreline (in the treatment areas and at public access sites) will be posted with printed signs in accordance with DEEP requirements. The following temporary water use restrictions will be imposed on treated areas: swimming, boating, and fishing, no restrictions; no use of treated lake water for drinking purposes for 3 days, no use of treated lake water for livestock consumption for 1 day, no use of treated lake water for irrigation for 3 days. These temporary water use restrictions apply only to the areas treated and affected by treatment. The chemical application is being conducted by the State licensed firm, SOLitude Lake Management, of 590 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, Tel. (508) 865-1000.
The WCSU Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program reported Microcystin levels at 0.553ppb in Eichler’s Cove on July 29, 2020. The U.S. EPA and CT DPH currently advise a Microcystin threshold of 8.0 parts per billion (ppb;μg/L) for recreational waters. Weekly results will be made available online through the season.
Boats and Motors Report:
Dick Speer reported that both patrol boat engines were serviced at the Eichler’s Cove ramp. The boats are running well.
Grants:
None.
Unfinished Business:
None.
New Business
A report of continued harassing behavior was taken regarding Slalom Water-Ski course participants near the Leaps of Faith Water Ski Club course. CT DEEP has declined to intervene. There are concerns that water skiers can be injured in Lake Zoar due to unsafe boating operation.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Frank Cavallo, seconded by Herbert Garber, the motion was passed unanimously. Ed Kusinskiadjourned the meeting at 7:52 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lesley Pires, Secretary
The minutes are not considered official until approved at the next regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority to be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Southbury Town Hall.
Click here to download the 08-03-20 Minutes
Click here to read the proposed agenda for the 09-08-20 LZA meeting
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