Present at Isola Bella were the following board members:
Jessica Swartz, Grant Bogle, Rich Haupt, Russ Conklin, Dave Haab, Bill Barton, Carey Fiertz, Jack Mahoney, Jackie Blombach, Danny Vogus, Adam Mayer, Eric Stoer, Jeff Bravin, Dan Kadlec, Sharon Auvalasit, Jean Bell, David Mathus and Erica Cohn. There were approximately 97 people in attendance.
Grant opened the meeting by sharing the agenda and then turned it over to Jack Mahoney who shared a tribute to Welsey Le Patner, a beloved beach club member with long family ties to the Twin Lakes area who sadly was killed on July 29. After a moment of silence in her honor, the meeting commenced.
Greg Busbee was the first expert speaker. He is the Associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station where he heads the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species. Greg has led over 500 aquatic plant surveys of Connecticut lakes and ponds and has directed research projects on invasive aquatic plant control statewide. His surveillance of the Connecticut River has documented an extensive infestation of a genetically distinct strain of hydrilla that is now moving to lakes and ponds. Greg provided an overview of hydrilla since it was found in 2016, why it is of special concern to the state and all lake associations, how it has spread via boats and trailers and what herbicides have worked to control the invasive, and what ideas did not work such as raking, carp and hand pulling. Greg shared the good news that Weathersfield Cove has been treated with Diquat since 2022 for 3 years and is now hydrilla free!
The second expert speaker was Dominic Meringolo who is an environmental engineer with SOLitude Lake Management and is the regional leader for projects in central and northeast Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. He reiterated his company’s goal of eliminating active hydrilla growth and preventing the spread to other areas of the lake by applying and monitoring herbicides every 3 weeks. Since the first application in May, the surveys show there is no new hydrilla growth which is important exciting news!
Russ Conklin summarized the lake management activities beyond herbicide treatment for hydrilla which include several comprehensive plant surveys. In addition to documenting native plants, rare and endangered plants and aquatic invasive, the TLA is sponsoring a study of the entire watershed which is in year two of a three year study. HVA, who is conducting the study for the TLA, is collecting water samples at 14 streams within the watershed that feed Twin Lakes and analyzing these samples for nutrients and pollutants. The collections will be completed by the early fall and the analysis will be conducted over the fall and winter to determine which streams, if any, are impaired and may require some type of remediation. We will provide membership a more detailed update when the analysis is complete.
Jessica Swartz reported that cyanobacteria monitoring pilot program has been off to a good start and that sample collection has been occurring throughout the summer by the trained volunteers to monitor the risk of a cyanobacteria bloom. The good news is that we have nothing to report at present. However, this is the first year of an ongoing program as vigilance is required given the increased temperatures caused by global warming and the nutrient loads that can be found in most water bodies, including Twin Lakes.
Jackie Blombach talked about a new TLA initiative that will highlight land based invasive plants. She offered everyone an informative brochure created by the CT River Coastal Conservation District that shows images of common invasive plants and offers mechanical and chemical control solutions along with native alternative plants. A new working group has been formed to develop the content for future meetings and educational events regarding land based invasive species. If interested, please contact Jackie directly.
The financial summary showed the TLA has adequate funds to implement all programs discussed today for the balance of 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, of which about $50,000 is earmarked for the cost of the launch monitors at O’Hara’s Landing. TLA members have responded generously, contributing more than $350,000 since August 2024, when we started the fund raising campaign for the 2025 season.
Erica Cohn presented a look ahead to fundraising for 2026. The projected 2026 budget is identical to 2025, or approximately $500,000 in expenses. It is important to note that ⅔ of the yearly expenses of the TLA are funded by donations by members. While we will continue to apply for grant funding, we cannot count of these funds being available year after year. We encourage each TLA member to prioritize funding the TLA at a level commensurate with their financial ability.
Bill Barton spoke next about the importance of planned giving as a source of future funding for the TLA. He also challenged the membership to think about starting an endowment fund that would be a great, reliable funding source. If a few people got together and started this it would be an excellent beginning.
There was unanimous approval of the bylaw changes regarding members.
Everyone agreed there shall be one class of members. Members shall be any person eighteen or older who subscribes to and supports the purposes of the association and has either paid the annual dues for that year or made a donation to the organization in excess of the annual dues. In addition, the board of directors may, by a duly adopted resolution, admit as members of the association members of other organizations who have made a contribution to the association in an amount determined by the board of directors on a case-by-case basis. The annual dues shall be in the amount established by the board of directors. Finally, the definition of a quorum was modified to be the majority of members present for any TLA meeting conducting official business.
Dan Kadlec congratulated Ethan Bravin for winning the photo contest with a stunning night time photo of the bat tower.
The meeting was adjourned after 90 minutes.
Meeting notes submitted by Erica Cohn, Secretary