Board President Dean Williams welcomed guests to the 53rd MLIF Annual Meeting. MLIF is always looking for new thoughts and expertise regarding the lake. He thanked Mimi Dalbey for hosting the meeting.
Dean then recapped MLIF’s work on the lake in 2023. Back in 2015, we had an outbreak of toxic Blue-Green algae that caused MLIF to warn against all use of the lake for several months. After that, we researched and found our current lake management company, Pond and Lake Connection (PLC). We have not had a recurrence of the dangerous blue-green algae since. Dean introduced Zach Davis from PLC who has been our lead biologist for three years. Zach gave the following report.
POND and LAKE CONNECTION REPORT
The lake has improved with fewer invasive aquatic plants such as filamentous algae. Last year we used a systemic product (Galeon) to kill the invasive Curly-Leaf Pondweed. We are currently using two products, Cutrine and SeClear, every two weeks from April to September to reduce the amount of algae in the lake.
The aquatic weeds in the lake are currently Coontail, Duckweed and Pond Lilies. Coontail is a native plant that can be a nuisance, but we need some aquatic plants to keep the lake in balance for fish and invertebrates. Plants take up excess nutrients that feed algae. We are now using a contact herbicide to reduce Coontail around docks and shoreline where residents are using the lake. Herbicide treatments are scheduled every four weeks to keep Coontail under control. They will be done concurrently with the algae treatments. On 6/18, the lake was treated with both an algaecide and an herbicide. Zach will treat floating mats of Coontail if he sees them when he’s out on the lake. Mechanically removing aquatic plants and biomass from the lake is good but cost prohibitive.
Swans on the lake – For years there were two pair on the lake, one on the RHS side and one pair on grass island, but most cygnets died. In 2023, three cygnets survived and stayed. We had 21 swans at one point – too many for the size of our lake. The dominant male chased off three females and all males. We have seen no cygnets this year.
Geese on the lake – In the 1990s, there were more than 200 geese on the lake. The invasive plant Eurasian Watermilfoil was providing them food. Their “throughput” was fouling the lake. With State-permitted egg addling and educating property owners about not feeding the geese, the population has significantly declined.
In 2016, MLIF wrote a grant to fund a biosurvey of the lake from the DEEP CT Agricultural Experiment Station. The survey was done by Greg Bugbee and Jennifer Fanzutti.
The tall invasive aquatic grass Phragmites was successfully treated with an aquatic herbicide in the fall of 2022 with a touchup treatment in the spring of 2023. This effort, funded by a grant, was very successful.
Keeping the correct balance between algae and aquatic weeds is important. This year we will have 10 algaecide treatments every two weeks until 10/1. We have not seen any Zebra Mussels on our lake.
Dean thanked Zach Davis for his report and the Annual Meeting continued.
DAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Barb Hartman gave a report on the Dam Improvement Project. In July 2022, an inspection of the dam found that our 1715 dam would not likely withstand a 100-year storm and needed to be improved. MLIF then hired engineers, surveyors, soil scientists and geotechnical experts to draw up plans for a new dam that would be 8’ higher to withstand a 500-year storm. It would have a gentler slope on the downstream side with large boulders on the lake side to prevent erosion. Barb is expecting to receive the plans this summer. Then the plans must be approved by the Ridgefield Inland Wetlands Board, the CT DEEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. MLIF hopes to complete the project in 2025. This will involve a 1½ foot drawdown of the lake and a coffer dam installed for approximately one month. The total cost is about $300,000. Most of the money is coming from the Town. MLIF has received grants and used some of the organization’s accrued funds.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Rosemary Sposito reported on Target and Actuals from 2023, and our Budget for 2024. She explained that the printed numbers don’t reflect our current financial picture because of the timing of grants received. For example, lake management expense with PLC has been, and continues to be, in the low $30,000 range for many years, yet grants for specific projects make that expense look much higher.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Mimi Dalbey, Chair of the Nominating Committee, reported on their slate of candidates. Rosemary Sposito moved to approve the slate as presented. Margie Collora seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Congrats to Walter Squire, our newest Board Member.
Dean thanked the Board Members and interested neighbors for supporting MLIF with their time, treasures and talent.
The next Board Meeting will be Sept. 5, 2024, 7:30 p.m. at the CVS Community Room./strong>
