Minutes of Lake Beseck Environment Committee January 24, 2018
Lake Beseck Environment Committee Meeting
Wednesday January 24, 2018
7:00 PM
Middlefield Community Center
1. Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:06 P.M.
2. Members Present
Amy Poturnicki, Rob Poturnicki, Randy Bernotas, Rick Santos, John Lindner, Jim Irish, Craig Lundell, Rebecca Adams joined the meeting at 7:45p.
3. Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda for July 24, 2018 without changes made by Randy Bernotas, seconded by Jim Irish. Passed unanimously.
4. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes of September 27, 2017 without changes made by Amy Poturnicki, seconded by Rick Santos. Passed unanimously.
5. Public Comment
No members of the public were present.
6. Chairman Report
Amy updated the committee on the inquiry made to DEEP in September 2017 requesting that a contingency plan be put in place for future weed management. She reminded the committee that as a result of the Potamogeton vaseyi present in lake that DEEP stated that the threatened species would impede future projects. A request was made to determine if tools such as weed cutters, and lake bottom blankets would be allowed to assist homeowners with weed management. She reported that word was received back from DEEP on 1-23-2018 that all management activities will need to be authorized by a Special Use license, involving the NDDB and CT Endangered Species Act.
She reported that the Landscape Designer finished plans for the north end of the beach to resume planting this spring with similar plantings of grasses, landscape rocks, water plants, and a few dwarf white pine shrubs mixed in. An earthen berm under the sand dune was suggested to stabilize the dune with drainage on the uphill side of the dune.
Amy reported that Darin Overton from Milone & MacBroom met with her and Ed Bailey at the beach to make suggestions regarding drainage to help with ongoing erosion issues.
He suggested to:
1. Re-grade the parking lot back toward the catch basin on Lake Shore Dr. Create a swale in the grassy area to divert water. (this would prevent water from running down the beach hillside)
2. Extend the new wall south along the bottom of the hillside, not to go into the tree line (approx. 60’) -the landscaper would likely step the wall to grade (this will create seating, and also stop and divert water)
3. A perforated 4” pipe would run at the bottom of the hillside along the wall with filter cloth and stone over the top. The pipe would empty into a swale at the end of the wall then run along the end of the handicap pavement, south of the tree, and into the lake
4. On the north end of the beach, he suggested to create a swale in front of the earthen berm pitched back toward the north where it would be directed to an area within the broken drainage pipe. A custom catch basin could be built in place where the pipe is currently broken.
7. Lake Beseck Annual Water Quality Report
Mark June-Wells reviewed the annual Lake Water Quality Report via phone at 7:32p. Mark believes that the lake is now recovering from the dam repair and is near its historical phosphorus concentrations. He noted that water clarity was good early in the season through April, May, June. By July, blue-green algae dominated, and water clarity diminished until September. Three genera of cyanotoxin producing blue-green algae were found. (Dolichosperum spp., Microsystis spp., Aphanizomemnon spp.) which were dominant in July and August. In September, water temperatures began to drop, and water clarity increased. Recommendations were made to continue monitoring, consider treating when water quality reaches critical levels with Copper Sulfate, Alum, Peroxide based algicide, or Aeration.
Several questions were asked by committee members. We learned that:
-Ice cover may result in smaller concentrations of blue-green algae
-Treatment would have to be throughout the lake as a whole
-The State of CT does not test for cyanotoxin levels
-Treatment would be during heightened algae levels
8. Wetland Enforcement Officer Report
Randy Bernotas reported on happenings around the lake. 55 Lake Rd will have a public hearing regarding a 2 story colonial project, Rovers is requesting permission to rebuild their seawall, 159 Baileyville Rd inquired about a project that would involve removing large trees from hillside to the water,
14 Rosemary Ln is replacing a seawall, the Kickapoo structure fire has been inspected and there is no threat of erosion. Randy has been tracking the water level of the lake and noted that it was not drawn down 6 feet. Other committee members agreed that they observed that as well.
9. Park and Recreation Director Report
Hannah not present due to passing of Grandmother but has been busy at beach working with Amy, Ed and the Landscape Designer to prep for spring planning. The new pavilion wall is in place. Hannah will get a quote for an extension of the wall along the beach hillside per recommendation of engineer.
10. Spring Projects
Amy discussed spring projects, and the idea of hosting an open house at the beach to showcase improvements and promote the Lake Smart Program. Ed was not present but she conveyed that he suggested that this could take place during the 2nd week of June, after Old Home Days. Amy asked the committee if they would like to offer other public education. John Lindner suggested face to face connections with lake residents about the Lake Smart Program, perhaps with assistance from Boy Scouts, or environmental clubs at schools, etc. Rick Santos raised the point that many assume that this applies more to waterfront homeowners. The committee discussed ways to educate people in the watershed how their participation can make a difference. The committee discussed their own participation in the program as an example to others. Amy asked if the committee would like to send out an educational mailer this spring. Rob Poturnicki suggested featuring a photo of the watershed area on the mailer, others agreed. Rebecca Adams volunteered to assist Amy with the mailer.
Motion by Amy Poturnicki to produce an educational mailer, speak to people in person about the Lake Smart Program, host an open house at the beach. Seconded by Rebecca Adams. Passed unanimously.
11. Misc.
None
12. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Rebecca Adams, seconded by Craig Lundell. Passed unanimously; meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Amy Poturnicki