TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
LAKE POCOTOPAUG COMMISSION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007
EATON E SMITH MEETING ROOM
LPC Regular Meeting
October 18, 2007
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
Chairman Hart called the Lake Pocotopaug Commission to order at 7:00 PM.
Members Present: Chairman Bob Hart, Vice Chairman John Ciriello, John Jordon (7:13pm), Jack Solomon, Jim Smith, and Irene Curtis (7:08PM).
Others Present:, Recording Secretary Kamey Ahrens.
2. Approvals of Minutes, September 20, 2007:
Motion by John Ciriello to approve the meeting minutes dated September 20, 2007. Jack Solomon seconded motion. Vote passed 5-0-0.
3. Public Remarks:
Members of the East Hampton Political class was in attendance to learn more about the town and what is taking place with the Lake.
4. Administrative Business
A. Town Manager Report – There was not any town staff present for comment
1. Christopher Brook Status
There was no update for this item
2. Fall Lake Lowering Notification
This report is to be present later in the month
3. Hale Brook & Christopher Pond Dredging
Hale Brook is to be dredged in the late fall by a Skyline Contractor. Christopher Pond owners are being cooperative however they are awaiting a cost estimate.
4. Seven Hills Estates Phase III Community Association letters to Rand, Toll
Brothers, and Alan Bergren
No updated report at this time
5. Fish Stocking Program
Jerry Leonard from Environmental Protection with the State of Connecticut has advised that the walleye will be coming on October 22nd and/or 23rd.
B. Other
John Ciriello reported on the Connecticut Federation of Lakes organization. There was a handout titled “Only You…Can Save Your Lake!” See attached.
John Ciriello reported on the meeting that took place at the Community Room at the Library with a member of the Hebron IWWA.
5. Commission Meeting Liaison Report.
• Town Council – Nothing regarding the lake was discussed at their meetings
• Friends of Lake Pocotopaug – Jack Solomon reported on behalf of the Friends of Lake Pocotopaug stating they continue to want a cooperative relationship with the Lake Pocotopaug Commission. Jim Smith stated he felt the residents of East Hampton were fortunate to have the Friends of Lake Pocotopaug. Bob Hart added he agreed with the comments made and advised the LPC of their obligation as a commission in accordance with the ordinance that created them.
• Water and Sewer – Nothing to report
• Park & Recreations – No meeting
• ZBA – Nothing to report
• Conservation Commission – No meeting
6. Committee Report
A. Education Committee
1. First Annual Lake Pocotopaug Conference
Motion by John Ciriello to change the date of the First Annual Lake Pocotopaug Conference from the Fall of 2007 to January 17, 2008. Jack Solomon seconded motion. Chairman Hart added the meeting would take the place of the regular scheduled meeting. John Ciriello amended his motion. Jack Solomon 2nd the amendment. There was discussion about contacting members of other commissions. Chairman Hart provided the members of the LPC a copy of the proposed agenda for the meeting. The commission agreed to add the names of the chairman of each commission onto the agenda for their discussion. Vote: 6-0-0
2. Public Education Course
John Jordon reported on the Public Education Course that is scheduled to meet on November 5th & 12th. Currently all of the books have arrived in addition to the materials needed. The course will take place at the East Hampton Library Annex Building. John Jordon encouraged members of the LPC to call neighbors and advise them of the course.
3. Invasive Weed Prevention Program
John Ciriello contacted the NH Lakes Association regarding their ‘watershed steward’ sign & that association is looking to see if East Hampton could have access to that format. The proposed program would have a resident be made a ‘watershed steward’ and be given a sign as a reward for doing something good in the watershed that is helpful to the condition of the lake. John Ciriello and Jim Smith have spent numerous hours around the lake taking photographs of the boat launch in addition and the waterfront properties. The LPC felt these photographs would be very helpful at later dates.
4. Other
B. Monitoring Committee
1. Lake & Watershed Tests
Jack Solomon reported the testing for 2007 has completed.
2. Training Program – September 30, 2007
Jim Smith reported on the 3-4 volunteers in addition to some LPC members that were in attendance. Jim Berg from ENSR was also present. Jim Berg objective is to establish a procedure to sample the 1st flush after a rainstorm at the various tributaries. Irene Curtis put together a spreadsheet with the volunteers and advised which tributaries they are responsible for. There may be an opportunity to have the results before winter if not spring. Jim Smith reported all and all it was very successful however are in need of additional volunteers.
3. Other
C. Lake Management Planning Committee
Bob Hart reported that the Lake Management Planning Committee met and their purpose was to write a Lake Management plan as required in the Lake Ordinance. The chairman and recording secretary were selected to be Bob Hart. There was discussion on their plans to obtain examples of lake and watershed plans from Chuck Lee and from ENSR. They would like to enlist ENSR’s help to write a plan as they have offered in their annual reports. They agreed to contact Peter Rich regarding grad student help. The committee has agreed to meet the first Tuesday of each month.
7. Reading Assignment -
A. Review of September 20th Reading Assignment – “Lake Pocotopaug 2004 Monitoring Results and Management Implications, ENSR International, March 2005”, (posted on LPC website ref. page).
B. October 18th Reading Assignment – “Lake Pocotopaug Update (slides), ENSR International, March 21, 2006”, (posted on LPC website ref. page).
Chairman Hart requested the members of the commission review this reading assignment and discussion will take place at the November meeting.
8. Unfinished Business:
A. SolarBee Trial Test Program
Bob Hart reported on the SolarBee Trial test. The latest communication stated there was nothing new to report as they were blown to shore from some high winds and have not yet been returned to their locations.
B. Investigate Alum Treatment Stations for Lake Tributaries
Jim Smith reported on his discussion with Ken Wagner who in general does not support Alum Treatment stations stating they are very expensive. Mr. Wagner suggested that a review of the first-flush tributary data will help identify optimal placement of the treatment stations. He is not optimistic, but he would be willing to further discuss this with the LPC and implement if the
commission decides to move in that direction.
C. Proposed No-Phosphorus Fertilizer Ordinance.
The Town Council has not made a decision on the Proposed No-Phosphorus Fertilizer Ordinance to date. The LPC will revisit this item at the next regular scheduled meeting.
9. New Business:
A. Application – 35 Days Point Road
The LPC discussed the application of 35 Day’s Point Road. The commission suggested the following changes.
• For the driveway and walkways use permeable pavers to medicate these
runoff surfaces.
• Include smaller building and/or covered porch and/or garage addition to be
more consistent with the intent of the 20% coverage limit around the lake
• Build larger and/or deeper rain gardens to handle the first 2” of storm water run off
• Add a vegetated buffer zone between the rain garden and lake to partially
mitigate overflow when it occurs. The commission heard comment from the design engineer Rob Baltramaitis for the property and stated the commission comments were well taken. Motion made by Bob Hart to send a letter to the IWWA recommending the following changes be considered to the plans in priority order:
• Use permeable pavers for the driveway and walkways to medicate these
runoff sources with appropriate sublevel permeable materials
• Include smaller building and/or covered porch and/or garage addition to be
more consistent with the intent of the 20% coverage limit around the lake
when considering a smaller property area available for infiltration
• Build larger and/or deeper rain gardens to handle the first 2” of storm water run off capacity
• Add a vegetated buffer zone between the rain garden and lake to partially
mitigate overflow when it occurs. Motion was seconded by John Jordon. Vote: 6-0-0
10. Public Remarks- None
11. Adjournment
A motion was made by Jack Solomon, seconded by Jim Smith to adjourn at 10:12 p.m. Vote passed 6-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kamey Ahrens
Recording Secretary
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