President’s Report:: The Board members were introduced and each cited the areas of work they handle for the organization. Appreciation for the non-Board members who have contributed to the well-being of the lake was acknowledged. It was noted in the State of the Lake Report that growth of aquatic weeds were generally in check and the water clarity good. Filamentous algae is a major problem in the lake and we have hired Aquacleaner to remove it from the northwest end of the lake.
Recap of 2014:
* In 2014 MLIF received a grant of $30,000 from the Anne S. Richardson Fund to remove algae mats and vegetative growth from the northwest end of the lake. We received approvals for the project from the Conservation Commission and the Inland Wetlands Board in early October. The project began in early November and was suspended in early December due to the cold weather. The work will begin again in the Spring when the lake warms up.
* The Stormwater Drainage Project at the Third Lane Stream is finally moving ahead. We received approval from the Army Corps of Engineers last summer after waiting over two years. The town has taken over the project and we are expecting half the project to be completed this summer.
* Three MLIF board members attended the June 14 NALMS conference in Storrs CT to keep abreast of best practices for dealing with a fragile lake.
* In June, MLIF hosted Larry Marsicano, head of the Candlewood Lake Authority and President of the CT Federation of Lakes, who spoke to an interested audience about lake management and fragile lake issues.
Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee, consisting of one Board member and two non-Board watershed residents, presented a proposed slate of officers and directors. The slate of officers and directors for 2015 as presented was unanimously approved. Our new Board member, Mark Zeck, was welcomed. Outgoing Board member, Joe Moorhead was thanked for his years of service to MLIF. Joe will continue to assist with egg addling.
MLIF 2015 Officers and Directors: Barb Hartman, President Mimi Dalbey, Vice President Kitty Fischer, Secretary Rosemary Hawkins Sposito, Treasurer Mike Austin, Director Bernie Cassidy, Director Barbara Cmiel, Director Margie Collora, Director Nancy Jacobowitz, Director Tessa Jucaite, Director Jeff McAllister, Director Mark Zeck, Director
Plans for 2015:
* Filamentous algae project
* Free soil testing from the state DEEP to reduce nutrient flow into lake
* Encouraging lakeside residents to clean the lake near their homes
* Continue to look at grant opportunities
Questions: Asked of the attendees if there were any questions, comments or suggestions, an attendee wanted to know the timing of lake treatments. In answer, it was noted that we prefer to treat the lake in early May. However, Brad Robinson of the DEEP is retiring this year and, therefore, permits may be late.
Guest Speaker: Mark Amler of Aquacleaner CT was introduced. Aquacleaner is doing the work on the northwest end of the lake. Mark distributed packets of information and made his presentation using Power Point slides. Mark explained the difference between Diver-Assisted-Hydraulic-Dredging which vacuums out organic sediment and Suction Harvesting in which a diver hand pulls plants and feeds algae, small debris and dead vegetative matter into a suction hose. The latter is the process being used in Mamanasco Lake. A few points stressed by Mark: If each homeowner would work to clean his/her own area yearly, the beneficial impact on the lake would be large. He noted that we must never allow individuals to rake/blow leaves or wood into the lake. If you see wood or other detritus in the lake, take it out. Phosphorus is the main problem nutrient as it fosters aquatic plant growth. Reducing the inflow pf phosphorus would be a major factor in reducing excess plant growth. A septic system inspection program would also help reduce nutrients that are finding their way into the lake from older leaking leach fields.
