2020-12-01
Lake Zoar Authority
P.O. Box 931
Southbury, CT 06488
Email: lakezoar@gmail.com
Member Towns
Monroe-Newtown-Oxford-Southbury
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The regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority was held Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
online via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98463415384?pwd=RFdHcmtYendzaTY2Qzd1SFM1YmZ5dz09
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Commissioners Present:
Gary Fillion, Chairman
Bill May, Treasurer
Lesley Pires, Secretary
Frank Cavallo
Herbert Garber
Dick Speer
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Absent:
Ed Kusinski, Vice Chairman
John Downs
Mark Saksa
Jeff Thomas
Stacey Zimmerman
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Gary Fillion, Chariman, called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
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Secretary’s Report:
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the November 3, 2020 minutes was made by Dick Speer, seconded by Bill May; the motion was passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
None.
Correspondence and News Clippings:
None.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bill May, Treasurer, presented account balances. Bill reported he is currently comparing alternative boater’s insurance policies and quotes. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report was made by Dick Speer, seconded byHerbert Garber; the motion was passed unanimously.
Marine Patrol Report:
The boats are out of the water and stored at Beacon Point. There is no official report and nothing has been brought to the attention of Marine Patrol. No report, boats out of water, no patrol, nothing brought to attention. Chairman Gary Fillion mentioned that the Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue team has been active on Lake Zoar recently, citing that they pulled a car out of the lake on November 8th, and another car earlier on October 13thduring an emergency response to a suicide. Gary requested that the patrol boats be available for such emergencies to assist with lighting and navigation on the lake. The marine patrol coordinator agreed that the LZA boats can be more participatory and will help the towns and state police with requests.
Publicity/ Public Awareness:
The WCSU Fall 2020 Regional Lake Communities Symposium was held online, on Nov 30, 2020 from 7-9pm, entitled, “Best Practices for managing Aquatic plants and HABs; Biological, Chemical, Mechanical success stories.” It was attended by the LZA Chairman and Secretary.
Water Quality / Grants Report:
Gary Fillion advised the due to the reconstruction of the I-84 Rochambeau Bridge by the CT DOTin Newtown, traffic on the lake has been stemmed. The channels were originally planned to alternate, but due to construction on both sides of the channel, boaters will not be able to pass north of the bridge until after the 18thof the month. The Middlesex Corp. will perform the closure in accordance with the permitted channel closure plan, and it will be temporarily blocked at times with a flexi-float barge system while demo operations are active.
The WCSU Fall 2020 Regional Lake Communities Symposium was held online, on Nov 30, 2020 from 7-9pm, entitled, “Best Practices for managing Aquatic plants and HABs; Biological, Chemical, Mechanical success stories.” A.J. Reyes, Aquatic ecologist, of Northeast Aquatic Research presented “Strategies beyond grass carp for managing aquatic plant growth”. Northeast Aquatic Research is contracted by the LZA to manage weed treatment on the lake. Gary reported that the presentation noted that weed treatment has been cost effective when compared to other methods, and Diquat is an appropriate contact herbicide for milfoil on the extensive acreage of Lake Zoar. Dr James Haney of the University of New Hampshire presented “Can HAB’s be controlled?” He reported that preventing phosphorus loading is important in managing harmful algae blooms. Gary shared Dr. Haney’s findings that harmful aerosols exist over the visible algae blooms and they can be toxic. He stressed that boaters should be very cautious around visible blooms and avoid passing over them.
The 2020 post weed treatment survey has been made available by Northeast Aquatic Research and will be published online. The report showed that the treatment was effective and knocked down intended weeds in every targeted site.
Gary reported that zebra mussels have been confirmed in Candlewood Lake on a dock that was pulled out of the water for the fall draw down. There has been no large colony found. There are currently large colonies present in Lake Zoar but the colony population and locations go up and down each year.
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Boats and Motors Report:
Dick Speer reported that as of last week, the boats are out of the water for the winter and covered. They will be cleaned, buffed, and polished as soon as weather permits in the early spring. They will then be brought to the vendor in Seymour for the newly installed lights to be activated in the facility. New decal lettering is also being considered.
Grants:
Chairman Gary Fillion reported that CT DEEP grants are available for CT Lakes in 2021. He is looking for someone to help apply for the grant. The initial application deadline is January 21, 2021. Gary will discuss the opportunity further with the commissioners to see if someone is capable of taking on the project this year or next year.
Unfinished Business:
None.
New Business
Treasurer Bill May presented the final proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. A motion to accept the budget was made by Frank Cavallo, seconded by Dick Speer; the motion was passed unanimously.
Secretary Lesley Pires presented the 2021 meeting schedule and noted the dates for the months of July and August have been adjusted for the observed Independence Day holiday and summer concert series on the lake. The schedule will be published online.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Herbert Garber, seconded by Frank Cavallo, the motion was passed unanimously. Gary Fillionadjourned the meeting at 7:43 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, January 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm at the Southbury Town Hall.
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Click here to download the 12-01-20 Minutes
Click here to read the proposed agenda for the 01-05-2021 LZA meeting
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