Before the Board Meeting:
The Board and guests convened at 7:00 p.m. at the site of the lake’s dam and spillway to understand the layout, topography and property lines of the area. The property owner, Dean Williams, explained where he had trees and bushes removed as per State dam requirements. The President and Vice President answered numerous questions. The group then left the property and held the regular Board meeting:
GRANTS:
Richardson Grant 2022
With the funds from our 2022 Richardson Grant, Lake Underwater Cleaning and Salvage will be doing the work to remove large items/debris out of the lake in the area of the cliffs.
Richardson Grant 2023
This grant was submitted by the end of February to fund the Alternatives Assessment and the Preliminary Cost Opinion of the Dam project. In the Alternatives Assessment phase, Haley Ward (LEI) will work with
other project consultants to develop concept plans for up to three dam improvement alternatives that also consider wetland and watercourse impacts. The Preliminary Cost Opinion will prepare a conceptual opinion of construction for each alternative. This grant will be awarded in mid-July.
CT DEEP
Our grant application was approved from CT DEEP for permanent treatment of Curley Leaf Pondweed in the lake with the hope of eradicating it forever. Treatment of the Curley Leaf Pondweed is scheduled for April 13.
The Thrift Shop
The grant application was submitted at the end of January to conduct the Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses needed to move forward with the dam/spillway project. We have not yet heard if we have received this grant.
LAKE MANAGEMENT:
Treatment of the Curley Leaf Pondweed is scheduled for April 13. The first lake treatment for algae will take place in late April, and the second is scheduled for the end of May.
DAM/SPILLWAY PROJECT:
It was suggested that MLIF not change the spillway as long as the current system is working, and as the changes are not worth the estimated $500,000.
The State dam inspection requires that the dam be raised by 3 inches of dirt on top to handle a 100-year flood and, if we wanted it prepared for a 500-year flood, 4-5 inches more.
We do not yet have the cost for the engineering management of the project.
DEEP overrides the town Inland/Wetlands Board but, of course, we will discuss the project with the Inland Wetlands Board.
After much discussion, a motion was moved and seconded to raise the dam to the 500-year flood level assuming both property owners (Jessica Wilmot and Ellen Conlan) agree on the conditions of the work and the aesthetics. In an impasse, MLIF would at least bring the dam to the necessary 100-year flood level State requirement. The motion passed.
At the next meeting, the Board will look at costs and approve moving forward.
It was suggested that we obtain a letter of agreement from the affected property owners giving permission to MLIF and their hired contractors to go on their property for work related to the dam, and also permission to make any necessary changes to their property. These agreements will be drawn up.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Goose Egg Addling
Six eggs have been addled from one nest thus far. There are 2 swan nests but we do not addle those eggs. Please let Dean know if you see other nests.
Annual Meeting – State-of-the-Lake
The meeting will be Thursday June 1, 7:00 p.m.
Kitty Fischer agreed to have the meeting on her deck.
Pond and Lake will be the guest speaker.
The postcards will be produced and go out the first week of May.
Mimi Dalbey volunteered to Chair the Nominations Committee this year. Let her know if you have suggestions for new Board members.
Rid Litter Day
The group was reminded about the Town’s Rid Litter Day suggesting each person clean the roadside near their home or chose an area in town to remove trash. The nearest drop-off point is RHS. An e-blast will go out reminding watershed residents to remove trash. Everything we remove keeps it from ending up in the lake.
The next Board Meeting is Thursday, May 4, 2023, 7:30 p.m. at the CVS Community Room.
