ANNUAL MEETING
JUNE 19, 2025
President Dean Williams opened the meeting at 7:05, welcomed everyone, and asked the Board members to introduce themselves. Dean outlined the agenda for the meeting, then introduced the speaker, Zach Davis, from our lake management company, Pond and Lake Connection (PLC).
ZACH’s REPORT
MLIF first contracted with PLC in 2018. Zach has managed our lake since 2021. The lake has looked better each year. The overall goal is to promote beneficial vegetation and native plants in the lake. The algae has been reduced over time. For example, the lake has fewer large algae mats. The native plant Coontail has a shallow root system and can suddenly rise up and cause difficulty for lake users. PLC has treated Coontail as needed with a contact herbicide. That knocks it back but doesn’t kill all the plants as it is a native plant.
Zach said that PLC will use the same approach in 2025 as in 2024. There will be 10 treatments during the summer months. Some treatments will contain herbicide and algaecide and some just algaecide. He will target the shoreline and only cover center areas as needed. PLC has treated the non-native invasive Curleyleaf Pondweed in late April/early May and that has made a positive difference in the past.
Amy Roy asked about the amount of algae on the surface of the lake that seems excessive, especially at the south end of the lake. Heavy rains will sink the algae and break it up, but it generally rises again. Zach noted that PLC is treating the lake for algae every two weeks.
The topic of the invasive plant Phragmites was brought up. Due to receiving a grant, PLC successfully treated the lakeside to kill off much of the Phragmites two years ago but not the boat ramp area. The State then treated the area by the boat ramp last year.
Ellen Conlan asked about introducing beneficial plants into the lake. Zach noted that it is hard to find native plants that will propagate. He mentioned beneficial plants such as Pickerell weed, Arrowhead and Spatterdock (yellow pond-lily). It was also noted that Rainbow Lake, through a donor, is treating that lake with Phoslock over three years, 1/3 each year. Phoslock binds the nutrient phosphorus that is essential for invasive plant growth thus slowing their growth in the lake. It is very expensive. MLIF treated one acre of the lake with Phoslock through a pilot grant some years ago, and it was successful in that small area of our 95-acre lake.
Dean thanked Zach for his work and for coming to the MLIF’s Annual Meeting.
The business portion of the Annual Meeting then began.
DAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
As required by the State, in July 2022, MLIF embarked on a major project to increase the height of the colonial-era (1715!) dam by 5-8 inches. This includes flattening the slope, fortifying the dam lakeside, reinforcing the backside of the dam, replacing much of the dam material, installing a toe-drain and reinforcing the lake side with large boulders. The project will begin with staging the site on September 2. The lake will be temporarily lowered 12 inches beginning August 12 so that a port-a-dam can be installed. This temporary dam will allow safe construction access. The project will take about 6-8 weeks and be completely finished by Thanksgiving.
Permits have been obtained, or will be soon, by the CT DEEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. MLIF is working closely with the town of Ridgefield officials. Funding has come from MLIF, the town of Ridgefield capital grant, and the Anne S. Richardson Fund.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Dean led attendees through the financial information supplied. He thanked the Wadsworth Lewis Fund, the Anne Richardson Fund, and the Town of Ridgefield for their support.
ELECTION of DIRECTORS and OFFICERS
The Nominating Committee’s slate of Directors and Officers was reported. A request was made for any other nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the motion was moved and seconded to approve the slate of D&O for 2025 (until June 2026). The slate was unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that somehow the Danbury Post Office did not deliver most of the postcards inviting watershed residents to this Annual Meeting. The postcards were brought to the P.O. nearly a month before the meeting. Of those present, only two had received the postcard. We will try to get our payment refunded.
Dean closed the meeting and thanked all for their support of the lake.
