Lake Zoar Authority
P.O. Box 931
Southbury, CT 06488
Email: [email protected]
Member Towns
Monroe-Newtown-Oxford-Southbury
The regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority was held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Oxford Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478.
Commissioners Present:
Gary Fillion, Chairman
Jerry Kozera, Vice Chairman
Bill May, Treasurer
Lesley Pires, Secretary
Frank Cavallo
Herbert Garber
Barbara McWilliams
Mark Saksa
Dick Speer
Absent:
John Downs
Gary Fillion, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
Secretary’s Report:
A correction to November minutes was read, to note that the location of the last meeting, held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 7:00 pm, was at the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson St, Newtown, CT 06470 (not in Monroe).
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the November 2, 2021 minutes was made by Bill May, seconded by Dick Speer; the motion was passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
None.
Correspondence and News Clippings:
None.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bill May, Treasurer, presented account balances, with cash on hand equaling $127,020.14. All of the 2021 bills have been paid.
The 2023 budget was submitted at $117,132, which is budgeted at $8,700 less than the 2021 proposed budget, and $12,300 more than the actual 2021 expenses. The variance in expenses is due to savings from switching the insurance provider, combined with rising expenses for boat fuel, law enforcement, and weed treatment.
A motion to accept the 2023 budget was made by Mark Saksa, seconded by Barbara McWilliams; the motion was passed unanimously.
The cost for LZA identification cards for commissioners and marine patrol drivers was determined to be inexpensive.
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Barbara McWilliams, seconded by Dick Speer; the motion was passed unanimously.
Marine Patrol Report:
Marine Patrol Coordinator Dan Semosky reported that on December 5, 2021, a hiker was injured in the southern Paugussett state forest below Jackson Cove on Grey Quarter Rd in Newtown, and the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue (NUSAR) team responded to assist the Newtown fire and EMS departments. The LZA was not summoned.
Publicity/ Public Awareness:
Lesley Pires reported that the LZA website has been updated and is in good working order.
Water Quality / Grants Report:
FirstLight has recently distributed the emergency management plans for Candlewood Lake, power plant, Lake Lillinonah, and Stevenson Damn watershed areas.
Boats and Motors Report:
None.
Grants:
Barbara McWilliams reported that the planned application to the 2022 CT DEEP Nonpoint Source 319 grant request was not submitted. The LZA does not have the resources to complete this application process. Barbara is applying for the Summer Life Jacket Grant. The life jackets will permanently stored in a lock box, with a short supply stored on the patrol boats. They will be loaned out to lake patrons in need, with return required. The life jackets will be sanitized upon return. Dan Semosky suggested requesting 500 from the grant as it will help reduce law enforcement citations.
Unfinished Business:
Chairman Gary Fillion and Vice Chairman Jerry Kozera are continuing to work with the town of Newtown to secure identification cards for commissioners and marine patrol drivers.
New Business
None.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Barbara McWilliams, seconded by Bill May, the motion was passed unanimously. Gary Fillion adjourned the meeting at 7:42.
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 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the Southbury Town Hall.
Click here to download the 12-07-2021 Minutes
Click here to preview the proposed agenda for the 1-04-2022 LZA Meeting