TLA annual meeting June 14, 2025
Board Members Present at Isola Bella included: Grant Bogle, Bill Barton, Russ Conklin, Jean Bell, Erica Cohn, Danny Vogus, Rich Haupt, Carey Fiertz, Jessica Swartz, Sharon Aiuvalasit, David Mathus and Dave Haab.
Grant opened the meeting by welcoming approximately 60 people, and thanking Jeff Bravin and the staff at ASD for the meeting space. He explained the watershed includes all the areas that abut the lakes, and revisited the mission of the TLA which focuses on preserving and enhancing the general welfare, natural resources, environment, attractions, quality and ecology of the lakes and the watershed. He also reviewed the 13 organizations the TLA partners with to form the coalition for lake preservation.
Grant reviewed the watershed study funded by the Bates Foundation. The objective is to develop a long-range management plan that will assess and prioritize issues affecting lake health in the watershed, provide high quality scientific data that supports actionable steps that can be taken to address issues, as well as support potential access to state and federal funding, and to serve as a historical record and educational document.
A review of areas land trust organizations who are helping the TLA protect the Mt. Tom’s Hill 1100-acre preservation project that directly affects the Twin Lakes
Watershed include the HVA, the Salisbury Association Land Trust, the Sheffield Land Trust and the NW CT Land Conservancy. All 1100 acres will be permanently protected from development and Mt Tom’s Hill will be purchased by SALT by the end of Q3 and ultimately opened to recreation. Access to the trail will be off of Twin Lakes Road.
Grant discussed the updated local regulations of the IWWC which were adopted in May, 2025 after a 4-year long process. Among the revisions was to expand the Upland Review Area (URA) around vernal pools, streams and wetlands within the town of Salisbury. The URA for each of the regulated lakes in town was left at 75 feet and agreement was reached to allow each lake community to submit a recommended URA for each lake based upon their unique topography and level of development. In addition, the IWWC adopted a list of allowed activities that do not require pre-approval by the IWWC . The TLA board unanimously recommended the URA for Twin Lakes be extended from the current 75 feet to 100 feet for the following reasons:
- 100 feet is supported by science and is the distance supported by CT
DEEP as most appropriate in most cases.
- In addition to the URA, Twin Lakes is subject to the Lake Overlay Zone, a
P&Z regulation that requires review and approval of all construction
activities within 300 feet of the lake.
- 100 feet balances Twin Lakes topography, level of development, lot sizes
and need for regulatory oversight which was envisioned by the IWWC statutes.
Russ Conklin presented the lake management plan for 2025 which includes water quality surveys starting in March and continuing through November as well as frequent and comprehensive plant surveys which guide the DEEP pesticide permits.Russ reviewed the treatments for curly leaf pondweed and hydrilla. A discussion was held on the reason low dose SONAR was the chosen herbicide for hydrilla and material was provided to the members about the relative margin of safety provided by SONAR when used according to the label. There are no restrictions on swimming, drinking, fishing or general recreation. The only restriction relates to certain types of plants. More information will be posed on the TLA website.
Jessica Swartz presented the pilot program for enhanced lake shoreline water testing explaining thoroughly why shoreline property management matters to the health of the lake. She reinforced the importance of preserving water quality by reducing erosion, runoff, and pollution entering the lake, protecting property values by ensuring long-term shoreline stability and preventing costly damage, and supporting a healthy ecosystem that benefits wildlife, recreation, and future generations. Additionally, working together we can strengthen our community through shared stewardship, education, and cooperation which will inform decisions with ongoing scientific monitoring and data collection. One important way the TLA can monitor lake health is by testing for cyanobacteria—naturally occurring microorganisms sometimes called “blue-green algae.” While they’re a normal part of freshwater ecosystems, certain conditions can cause them to grow rapidly, which may affect water quality and enjoyment of the lake. Under Jessica’s stewardship, the TLA has decided to implement a pilot testing program with the goal of collecting reliable data over time that helps inform whether cyanobacteria blooms are occurring, where they are most frequently found, and assess the level of risk.
Launch Monitors are at back O’Hara’s Marina for the 2025 season and began working weekends shifts in mid- May and will be working each day throughout the summer. Weekend monitoring will continue through September with the primary objective of education and raising awareness. Overall receptivity among boaters has been positive and supportive and monitors have recorded numerous instances of potential invasive species entering or leaving Twin Lakes in the past season. Additionally, an investigation continues in terms of improving the program and potentially adding a washing station.
The summary of TLA finances showed adequate funds to implement all programs for the 2025 season. Sources of funding include a $75,000 grant from CT DEEP for
Hydrilla management and $25,000 from the Bates Foundation to support the Watershed Study. Additionally, the Town of Salisbury has earmarked $75,000 for
Twin Lakes this season and TLA members have responded generously, contributing more than $350,000 since August 2024. ct
2025 TLA
TLA Projected Expenses for 2025 include:
- Solitude: $250,000
- NEAR: $130,000
- Admin/Other: $ 25,000
- Monitors: $ 50,000
- Watershed Study $ 45,000
- Total: $ 500,000
- Projected Income:
- Dues & Donations: $350,000
- Town of Salisbury: $ 75,000
- Grants: $100,000
- Total: $525,000 ContribuL for the Fundraising for the 2026 season will begin shortly and all donations from this point onward will be earmarked for next year.
Mark your calendars for the August 2 annual meeting at Isola Bella at 10 AM as well as the 125th Twin Lakes Day festivities followed by a dance at 7 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45.
Minutes submitted by Erica Cohn, secretary