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 Monday July 11, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Senior Center.
Commissioners Present:
Jerry Kozera, Vice Chairman
Frank Cavallo
Herbert Garber Vice Chairman
Bill May, Treasurer
Barbara McWilliams
Lesley Pires
Dick Speer
Absent:
Gary Fillion, Chairman
John Downs
Mark Saskas
Jerry Kozera, Vice Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.
Secretary’s Report:
A motion to accept the minutes as read from the June 07, 2022 minutes was made by Bill May, seconded by Barbara McWilliams; the motion was passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
Three residents from Sandy Hook attended the meeting.
Correspondence and News Clippings:
None.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bill May, Treasurer, presented account balances, with cash on hand equaling $104,347.10. The request for the release of funds has been sent to the four member towns. Lakeside Marina does have fuel available. Going forward, fuel will be supplied and purchased at the marine for the patrol boats.
A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by Jerry Kozera, seconded by Frank Cavallo; the motion was passed unanimously.
Marine Patrol Report:
Dan Semosky reported 72 enforcement actions for the month of June including 6 issued infractions, 16 written warnings, and 50 other warnings. Issues included no boating license, registrations, and PWC (jet ski) violations. The majority of violations are from visitors to the lake who travel to the state launch with no PWC registration or license. The jet ski violators have been jumping wakes, riding with children who are too small to board a PWC, and other unsafe behaviors. There will now be spot checks at the launch ramp to further enforce safety measures. There has been a reduction in incidents of no life jackets on paddle boats such as kayaks. On Friday July 8, 2022, Marine Patrol secured and towed a partially submerged pine tree, tagged it, and removed it from the lake, preventing a propeller accident or impaling injury. Additionally there were five other large trees or logs removed, and several pieces of discarded split wood. The I-84 bridge construction no wake zone is still actively monitored for speeding boats as the construction company continues to report violations. There are two radar devices available to the LZA. The average speed on the lake was recorded as 38mph last weekend, including jet skies. The Oxford concerts at Jackson’s Cove have started as of July 5th, every Tuesday night, into late August. The patrol boats will be monitoring the events, paying special attention to lighting issues. The PFD loaner program and distribution of whistles has been successful and will continue. Marine Patrol officers also searched for the swans that were reported to be aggressive and were unable to locate them. There are still violators fishing and kayaking near the Shepaug Damn. Marine Patrol have searched and secured some buoys that have floated away.
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, a victim of a previous jet ski theft reported that he spotted his stolen jet ski on the lake. Troopers and Newtown / Monroe officers searched for the stolen jet ski. The Newtown PD is actively investigating the case. At 7:30pm on Sunday July 3rd, after the marine boats were docked for the evening, a disturbance occurred on the sandbar between Newtown and Southbury. Reportedly, there was a misunderstanding between two regular parties to the Sandbar. One of the parties contacted the Newtown Police Department, which then contacted CT DEEP EnConn police, who is currently investigating the events. Dan spoke to the complainant at length and will coordinate the investigation with DEEP EnConn police as needed. Crime and water safety violations such as these will not be tolerated on Lake Zoar. Patrol enforcement activities will be adjusted to deter future incidents, including foot patrols on the sandbar.
Publicity/ Public Awareness:
Lesley Pires reported that the weekly results of the Cyanobacteria Monitoring program are now available online. Important announcements are on the website and also added to Facebook.
Water Quality / Grants Report:
Jerry Kozera, Vice Chairman reported the first annual weed treatment was performed June 28, 2022. The Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program at Western Connecticut State University commenced this month, with results for the week of July 7, 2022 being 0.117ppb in Eichler’s Cove, 0.19ppb in Jackson’s Cove, and 0.319ppb in Kettletown State Park, meeting the U.S. EPA and CT DPH currently Microcystin threshold of 8.0 parts per billion (ppb; μg/L) for recreational waters.
Boats and Motors Report:
Dick Speer reported that the boats are in good working order.
Grants:
Commissioner Barbara McWilliams reported that she has had success in earning LZA grants this season and will look forward to future opportunities in the fall for next season. The LZA will focus on providing more publicity and support towards future grant applications.
Unfinished Business:
None.
New Business
None.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Treasurer Bill May and seconded by Commissioner Dick Speer. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.
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 August 01, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the Oxford Town Hall.
Click here to download the 07-11-2022 Minutes
Click here to preview the proposed agenda for the 08-01-2022 LZA Meeting