Lake Zoar Authority
P.O. Box 931
Southbury, CT 06488
Email: [email protected]
Member Towns
Monroe-Newtown-Oxford-Southbury
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The regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority was held Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson St, Newtown, CT 06470.
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Commissioners Present:
Gary Fillion, Chariman
Ed Kusinski, Vice Chairman
Bill May, Treasurer
Lesley Pires, Secretary
Mark Saksa
Dick Speer
Stacey Zimmerman
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Absent:
Frank Cavallo
John Downs
Herbert Garber
Jeff Thomas
Gary Fillion, Chariman, called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
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Secretary’s Report:
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the October 6, 2020 minutes was made by Bill May, seconded by Dick Speer; the motion was passed unanimously.
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Public Comments:
None.
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Correspondence and News Clippings:
None.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bill May, Treasurer, presented account balances. Bill reported that there is potential savings in merging the liability, boating, and workman’s compensation insurances with one insurance group. The policies are up for renewal in 2021 and more affordable quotes will be reviewed. Bill reported it would be more practical to merge the two existing LZA checking accounts into one. Bill also reported that there is an opportunity to improve account keeping practices and earn potential savings if an ATM card is kept on file with the gas vendor for patrol boat refilling, rather than an individual invoicing system consisting of handwritten tickets. Bill also reported that there is an opportunity to apply for sales tax refund on roadside gas used in marine settings, at the rate of 25 cents per gallon. Bill will investigate the opportunity as the Marine Patrol boats use approximately 1,000 gallons of gas per year. Bill reported that the expected $10,000 FirstLight Power Services stipend was received today in the form of check via mail.
A motion to approve the merging of the two LZA checking accounts into one was made by Dick Speer, seconded byEd Kusinski; the motion was passed unanimously.
A motion to approve the ATM card for payment to the gas vendor was made by Mark Saksa, seconded byGary Fillion; the motion was passed unanimously.
A motion to accept the Treasurers Report was made by Ed Kusinski, seconded by Dick Speer; the motion was passed unanimously.
Marine Patrol Report:
The annual drawdown was performed on October 23, 2020 and marine patrol toured the lake to identify hazards and obstacles on October 30, 2020. Downed trees were tagged for removal by FirstLight Power Services.
Publicity/ Public Awareness:
The WCSU Fall 2020 Regional Lake Communities Symposium was held online, on October 26, 2020 from 7-9pm, entitled, “Using data to assess our lake.”The last session, “Best Practices for managing Aquatic plants and HABs; Biological, Chemical, Mechanical success stories” will be held on November 30th, from 7-9pm online. Anyone from the public can attend by registering at https://westconn.tfaforms.net/217.
Water Quality / Grants Report:
The annual drawdown was performed on October 23, 2020 and the lake was refilled on November 2, 2020. Vertical tree trunks about six inches below the water’s surface have been identified 10 yards north of the Jackson Cove entrance and approximately 10 feet off shore. These hazards will be marked for removal.
Underwater gas line repairs are being performed on Lake Zoar in Newtown, between Bridge End Farm Lane and the north side of the Glen Road Silver Bridge. The property encompassing the gas line is owned privately by Algonquin Gas Transmission,and maintenance is performed independently of the LZA, FirstLight Power Services, and the CT DEEP.
14 buoys were removed from the water for refurbishing by North East Aquatic Research LLC and will be reinstalled in the spring of 2021.
Reconstruction of the I-84 Rochambeau Bridge by the CT DOT continues in Newtown and is scheduled to be completed by December 23, 2023. There is a crane on the Southbury side of Lake Zoar. Fall and winter boat traffic channels will be alternated according to the construction operations. A minimum 75’ channel width will be maintained at all times. Lighting will be used to indicate which channel is navigable to boaters.
Questions regarding reactive weed treatment on Lake Zoar were raised by attendees from the at the second WCSU Fall 2020 Regional Lake Communities Symposium held online on October 26, 2020. The LZA is charged with the responsibility to keep the lake navigable for recreational use. Of the 960 acres on the lake, a maximum of 80 acres are treated for invasive aquatic plants each season. The treatment is restricted and approved by the CT DEEP, Solitude Lake Management, and a professional limnologist and lake management researcher with over forty years of experience studying lake systems. The most effective means for weed control on Lake Zoar has been achieved through herbicide treatment. Members from the public are encouraged to attend the February 2021 LZA meeting in Monroe for a weed treatment presentation by Dr. Knoecklein.
Boats and Motors Report:
Dick Speer reported that the new lights are currently undergoing installation on the patrol boats with a shrink tubing casing to protect the electrical components. The boats will be pulled from the water after successful installation.
Grants:
Chairman Gary Fillion reported that CT DEEP grants may be available for CT Lakes in 2021 and he will investigate potential opportunities for the LZA.
Unfinished Business:
None.
New Business
Stacy Zimmerman of Newtown was appointed by the Newtown Democratic Party as the newest commissioner on the LZA and sworn in on October 23rd, 2020.
FirstLight Power Resources is now renamed “FirstLight Power Services”.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Dick Speer, seconded by Bill May, the motion was passed unanimously. Gary Fillionadjourned the meeting at 8:09 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, December 1, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Oxford Town Hall.
Click here to download the 11-03-20 Minutes
Click here to read the proposed agenda for the 12-01-20 LZA meeting