Lake Lillinonah Authority Reports Progress On Weed Control, Reviews New Boating Laws

NEW MILFORD, CT — The Lake Lillinonah Authority received updates July 7 on aquatic weed treatment efforts, pending state boating laws and lake patrol operations, while reporting that one patrol boat remains out of service.

During the authority's regular meeting, Chair Shannon Young said notifying residents about aquatic weed treatments has been challenging because Pond and Lake Connections, the contractor responsible for public notifications, incorrectly identified treatment areas on posted maps. Young also reported that internet service at the authority's dam office was offline for much of June, affecting communications.

Young said FirstLight Power will not generate electricity at Lake Lillinonah until December. He also reported that the Bantam Lake Authority and the Town of Morris are actively pursuing a ban on wakeboarding boats.

Second Vice Chairman Vincent Young reported that a recent aquatic weed treatment on Lillinonah Drive was successful. Treasurer Bernd Woerner told members that invoices for services related to authority operations are continuing to arrive.

Legislative Committee member Mauro Digirolamo updated the authority on two recently enacted state laws. He reviewed Public Act 26-75, which addresses rapid response to hydrilla infestations, and Public Act 26-60, which includes new boating regulations prohibiting extending limbs over a vessel's gunwale while it is operating, requiring certain unregistered vessels such as paddleboards, canoes and kayaks to display contact information, and establishing new rules for abandoned vessels.

The Communication and Information Technology Committee reported completing 578 Lake Alert herbicide treatment notification calls at a cost of $75 per call. According to the committee, 33 percent of calls reached residents directly, 49 percent went to voicemail and 15 percent received no answer or were directed to pager systems for marina operators.

Marine Patrol representative Russ Winninger reported that patrol Boat No. 2 remains out of service. He said the patrol has developed a staffing plan that will allow coverage of patrol shifts using its two remaining boats.

During other business, Josh Francis of Friends of the Lake said the next hydrilla treatment is expected within the next several weeks. He also reported that Kimberly Clark Corp. is not conducting bypass operations for maintenance at this time. Francis added that navigational buoys on the lake have been updated with new sensors and anchors.

The authority approved the minutes of its June 2 meeting without amendment. Members received no reports from the Lake Management, Grant or Fish Stocking committees, and no new business was introduced.

The meeting adjourned unanimously at 8:05 p.m.