Minutes of the Twin Lakes Association Board Meeting July 11, 2024
Present on Zoom:
Grant Bogle, Dan Kadlec, Jackie Blombach, David Mathus, Russ Conklin, Jean Bell, Rich Haupt, Eric Stoer, Adam Mayer, Jack Mahoney, Bill Barton, Erica Cohn
Grant opened the meeting with an update on current lake treatment. More hydrilla has been found by the marina and near the state launch and one plant bed has reached 5 feet. While this is not surprising, it did raise alarm bells. The first SONAR treatment was July 8, concentration level monitoring is underway and we have asked CAES for the use of their boat with underwater cameras to search in deeper water for hydrilla beds.
Additionally Russ mentioned the TLA has begun planning for milfoil treatment in East Twin, which will be driven by the aquatic plant survey just completed by NEAR.
Russ, Grant, Bill, Rich and Jackie will investigate how Coventry Lake, located near UCONN, beat back hydrilla over 7 years looking at their finances, testing, grants and methodology.
We will also speak to our scientific advisors to assess what other steps can be taken in the near term to limit the impact of hydrilla growing in the marina area while the SONAR works over time to kill the plant. We are concerned with fragmentation from boats.
August 3 is the annual meeting with the following agenda agreed to by the board:
- Jeremiah Foley, PhD from CAES has been invited as a guest speaker
- Russ will present a lake management update
- Grant will review the projected plans and expenses for the 2025 season and sources of funding
- Board Elections will be held.
Grant will invite the town selectmen to the meeting
Twin Lakes Day follows the meeting at 1 PM. Dan will post information in the newsletter asking for volunteers to help set up and to assist with games. The TLA has secured a lifeguard, insurance and Sharon provided a program of events. David Mathus will be in charge of food with the idea of the event being sponsored perhaps next year.
Carey and David will work with Grant on insurance compliance for the state DEEP grant.
Erica will send out membership renewal information by road once we have merged the TLBC and TLA databases.
Jean reported our first donation from Benevity, thanks to Jackie and Jean for establishing a new source of funding and matching donations.
Jack brought to the board’s attention that Senator Chuck Schumer secured a $400,000 grant to fight hydrilla in Lake Cayuga illustrating there is federal funding available.
The meeting was adjourned after 90 minutes