2023-09-12

2023-09-12

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, September 12, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Southbury Town Hall.

Commissioners Present:                                    

Barbara McWilliams, Chairwoman                                                      

James Galarneau                     

Jerry Kozera                                                                                                                                         

Dennis Lawler                                                                                                               

Bill May, Treasurer

John Morin                                                                    

Lesley Pires

Mark Saksa 

Dick Speer   


Absent:

John Downs

Tim Glover

Call to Order                                                                   

Chairwoman Barbara McWilliams called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

Secretary’s Report:

A correction to the August minutes is noted, in that James Galarneau’s motion to second the adjournment was written in typo as “Jack Galarneau.” The corrected line shall read: “Adjournment Motion by John Morin/2nd by James Galarneau. Unanimous approval by Board. Meeting adjourned at 07:59 pm.”

A motion to accept the minutes from the August 7, 2023 meetings was made by Dick Speer, seconded by Mark Saksa; the motion was passed unanimously.

Public Comments:

None.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Bill May presented account balances, with cash on hand equaling $153,746.35. The operating budget will be available next month after remaining invoices are paid.

A motion to pass the treasurer’s report was made by Jerry Kozera seconded by Dick Speer the motion was passed unanimously.

Marine Patrol Report:

Marine Patrol Coordinator Dan Semosky reported that the month of August had 22 patrols including 4 Oxford concert patrols. There were 63 enforcement actions, with 1 written infraction. There was removal of eight notably sized pieces of debris. Fires lit at the Paugussett state park were made to be extinguished to prevent forest fires. The shoreline at Great Quarter road is not a designated swimming area and thus swimming in not authorized.  

On Saturday, September 9 there was a domestic dispute at the boat launch, which ended when a man ran over a woman in the parking lot and fled. The woman was hospitalized and stabilized and the man was arrested. The CT DEEP has jurisdiction of the case. FirstLight removed the collected debris at the Monroe boat launch, which included a section of a telephone pole.

Publicity/ Public Awareness:

Dennis Lawler reported that the new website is still under construction. Elementor Pro was purchased for the designer to install new features. There are 21 of 30 allocated work hours used. The website is estimated to be running in one month.

Water Quality

Weed Treatment Committee:

Chairwoman Barbara McWilliams reported that hydrilla has been found in Lake Lillinonah. Pond and Lake reports that an early treatment next season can target hydrilla.

The annual drawdown is scheduled for October 21 – October 30, 2023.

Water Quality Monitoring Committee:

John Morin reported that all water samples collected for the WCSU water quality monitoring program remain under the microcystin threshold of 8.0 parts per billion (ppb; μg/L) for recreational waters. John reported that the Pomperaug health department is conducting sampling at Candlewood Lake and John is waiting for a response. Greenhouse gas sampling was conducted in Lake Zoar Tuesday September 5th by the EPA as part of a national study. A report will be provided once complete.

Boats and Motors Report:

Dick Speer reported that throttle linkage repairs are satisfactory. A set of fixed trim tags were purchased and installed on the old boat. The tabs immediately assist the plaining and help to conserve fuel, and have reduced the wake by half when properly operated. Dick will price a transparent plastic enclosure for the new boat for rain protection.

Grants:

None.

Bylaws:

None.

Unfinished Business:

Chairwoman Barbara McWilliams reported a $50,3020 donation from Enbridge Gas was received after patrol boats helped to provide construction site monitoring while repairs were made on the north line of the Algonquin pipeline. The project has completed. Dan’s request for better signage before the Damn is still pending with CT DEEP. Buoys used for the gas line repairs were much more effective. Options to use similar buoys will be explored.

New Business

There is a sand pileup at the Southbury boat launch from boats dragged into the lake. The CT DEEP has been notified. FirstLight will also be notified.

FirstLight’s emergency evacuation plan will be reviewed on November 9, 2023 at the Stevenson Dam with LZA participation.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Dick Speer and seconded by Jerry Kozera. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:59pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Barbara McWilliams

Chairwoman

The minutes are not considered official until approved at the next regular meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority to be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Community Center.

Click here to download these minutes
Click here to download the October Agenda