ROGERS LAKE AUTHORITY
~MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 2013
A meeting of the Rogers Lake Authority (RLA) was convened at the Rogers Lake Clubhouse at 7:30 pm on October 9, 2013.~ The following members were present: Robert Recor, Richard Smith, Tom Baehr, Tom Mondelci, and Mike Secord. Liz Sunshine, Secretary, and approximately seven attendees were also present.
The meeting was called to order at approx 7:32 pm. A motion was made by Robert Recor to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as written with no changes. It was seconded by Mike Secord and approved by unanimous vote.
Police Patrol:
The season has ended and the launch attendant will not be posted at the launch again until spring 2014. Dick will collect the buoys and store them for the winter. The boat will remain until the end of the crew season, as the rowers use the patrol boat also, however, the gas account at coffees will be suspended for the season.
Boat Launch:
Mike Secord mentioned that repairs need to be done to the boat launch area. (cracking concrete, rebar and bolts sticking out of the concrete) He said had been in touch with John Byron of DEEP and will have an update next month.
Weed Control:
We are currently using benthic mats in several areas for weed control. The mats have been removed for winter storage and will be reapplied in the spring. It was mentioned that the rowers have offered their assistance with placement, movement of the mats to anyone in need. It was noted that the mats placed near the buffer garden at Haynes Park have done an excellent job! The Phragmites are virtually gone in the area where the mats were placed!
Tom Baehr reported some preliminary research is being done on dredging as a more permanent cure for the weed issue and the significant safety issues posed when lake water is low. He will continue his research and report further next month. Tom stated he had received a list of companies that do this sort of work will be checking with them on costs of feasibility studies and implementation. From his preliminary research, early estimates range from $10 to $20 per cubic yard of material depending on the type of material being removed. Dick stated that he had spoken to Mat form NE Aquatic regarding dredging of Huntington Bay and was awaiting a response. Mike suggested that Matterson Construction be included in the companies to give proposals on dredging as they are the ones currently working on the dam. A
question was raised that if dredging were to be considered, what areas of the lake would be dredged? Tom Baehr responded that the feasibility study would assist in determining a recommended plan of areas to dredge.
Tom Mondelci has sent a request for information from Gardner lake regarding dropping water levels in the winter to combat weed. It is a regular practice for them and he is looking to find what their results have been. He is awaiting a response. It was noted that we have shallow wells around the lake and would have people without water if we were to significantly reduce the lake level in the winter months. There was discussion regarding planning draw downs well into the future and notifying all shallow well owners that they will need to take action to resolve their water issue by deepening or drilling their wells within the next 3 years. Dick will talk to Bonnie about this possibility.
There was discussion of implementation of mandatory septic pumping oversight in Lyme as it currently is in Old Lyme.
There was a discussion of what is the current standing on the possible use of chemicals in the lake for weed control. Concerns over creating a "Frankenweed" or more resistant weeds by the introduction of chemicals. There were comments from several attendees that the use of pesticides, herbicides, aquacides is something we should be looking to move away from not getting into. It was mentioned that the town of Old Lyme has recently eliminated the use of herbicides, and pesticides on town fields and should not permit there use in our towns aquifer. It was noted that there are many chemicals in our daily lives from cleaning agents to processed food, but people can choose for themselves what products they introduce into their homes and lives. The towns should err on the safe side regarding public use areas.
Tom Baehr passed out a copy of "Diet for a Small Lake" purchased for each member. The book has a tremendous amount of information regarding the needs and of the watershed and small lakes.
Dam Repairs:
All lakeside work has been completed! The construction crew is currently working on the fish ladder. The gate is in. It was mentioned that the lake is very low and the dam is still allowing water out. Which was addressed by explaining that, even though the lake is very low, we are required by DEEP to continue to allow water to flow down the stream to support wildlife in the creek below the lake. The construction should be finishing up soon.
Tom Baehr re-expressed concerns that the fish ladder and the expected alewife coming into the lake eat zooplankton. This may worsen our weed problem because zooplankton eats weeds, therefore if the zooplankton are gone the weeds may grow more rapidly. He suggested we contact the wildlife /gaming people to see if they may be willing to grow and stock the lake with zooplankton to meet the expected diet of the Alewife.
A resident expressed concerns that the fish ladder would also allow eel to enter the lake and cause problems. Robert and Mike responded that an article had been published by Steve Gephard addressing the improbability of having problems with eel.
New Business:
Old Business:
Lake bottom Blankets Company is still offering free shipping to anyone ordering for Rogers Lake. Just use the promo code Rogers lake when ordering online.
A motion to adjourn was made by Tom Mondelci, seconded by Mike Secord and was passed by unanimous decision. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
 ~Elizabeth Sunshine
Secretary for RLA
The next meeting of the Rogers Lake Association will be on November 13, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Rogers Lake West Shores Clubhouse:
Agenda for 11/13/13 Meeting:
- Budget
- Police Patrol
- Weeds
- Benthic Mats
- Boat Launch
- Dam Repair
New Business
Old Business
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