Committee Reports:
Fundraising: The spring fundraising letter has been sent.
Stormwater Drainage Project (SDP): The town received two bids for the Third Lane Stream restoration project. The bid will be awarded July 1. The work is expected to begin in early August. The bids came in higher than the amount in the town’s special account for this project. The town will have the company do as much of the work as possible given the budget shortfall. The work will begin at the bottom of the stream and progress up the streambed.
Lake Management: The lake was treated for aquatic weeds on 5/26/15. Aquatic Control Technologies (ACT) was contacted regarding the propeller motor used in the latest aquatic weed treatment. In the past, ACT has used a fan boat. The propeller motor has chopped our young growth of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) into small pieces. The huge amount of EWM shreds could be seen from the lakeside. This is a major problem because EWM spreads by cuttings. For almost 20 years, limnologists have repeatedly documented the infestation of our lake with EWM. ACT claimed we do not have any EWM. We are in disagreement with their opinion.
Egg Addling: Fourteen eggs were addled this year. There are six goslings on the lake from two different families.
Drawdown and Spillway: The tarp was lowered a bit because the lake was very high.
Old Business:
2014 Anne S. Richardson Grant: The end-of-project report was submitted to the Richardson Fund at the end of May. A copy of that report was distributed at the meeting. Aquacleaner will finish the project about June 12. The material removed from the lake is being composted by an local farmer.
Phosphorus Testing Pre/Post Storm: Water samples will be collected.
New Business:
Free Soil Testing: A free soil testing program run by the state will help inform people what treatments are needed (or not needed) on their lawns. The collection bins have been collected and the soil samples will be sent to New Haven.
Lake Clean-up This Summer: The Board discussed how to encourage homeowners to clean up the lake by their homes. The lake has a plethora of old docks, pieces of docks, branches, and other detritus that ought to be removed from the lake as well as algae, aquatic weeds and decomposing biomass. The Board considered placing a small dumpster at the state boat ramp area but concern was expressed that people will dump other materials/trash at MLIF’s expense. It was noted that there are dumpster bags that function similarly to the large metal dumpsters but are flexible and then picked up by a trash company. These have no lid.
