On Wednesday, April 12, the Ca ndlewood Lake Authority (CLA) held a virtual meeting. Director of Ecology Dr. Neil Stalter gave an update on the plant situation in the lake. He explained, in addition to a grass carp exclosure experiment, which will isolate plant material to protect it, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) fisheries also plans to conduct an experiment to remove approximately 2%, or 150, of the grass carp from the lake.To collect the grass carp, they are basically corralling the fish at the end of coves with electrofishing, and then using nets to remove them. Stalter said, “it’s doubtful that it would have any large-scale impact on the management of the plants.” It was noted that the aforementioned exclosures will be marked with hazard buoys.

It was noted further, the staffing situation that the CLA was experiencing is in much better sha pe now and the relationship between the CLA marine patrol and DEEP  is good. Current patrol officers are on track to be recertified and reappointed and there are three candidates going through training. At the CLA’s last meeting with DEEP it was explained why post-certified officers would not be able to carry their firearms. Each agency is required to continue training and equipping the officers and, without one agency knowing what equipment is issued or continuing their training, they cannot grant a post. Though the CLA did lose five officers because of this, they are now confident they will be able to have full coverage on the lake this season.

Stalter shared good news about the establishment of a relationship with the lab at UCONN Storrs to complete the sample analyses this year. He said, “I’m very encouraged and very excited about this relationship. They seem like they’ll be really easy to work with and absolutely able to withstand the volume of samples we’ll be having them analyze.” Another win is that the lab is less expensive.

In a brief financial report, it was relayed th at, at halfway through the current fiscal year, the CLA budget is in decent shape. The only thing noted as outstanding is with the banks, they do not have complete FDIC insurance coverage and the CLA’s accountants are conducting a meeting in early May to see what needs to happen for full coverage or to consider all alternatives.

The CLA voted to approve the purchase of tablets for the three patrol boats and the science boat with hopes to streamline their workflow. Currently, while they are out on the water, they are handwriting their daily activity reports, which input those into a computer later. A docking station on the science boat would fit a tablet. The data that they collect and input, in addition to the reports, would then be sent directly to a database and eliminate administrative time later.

There is $40,683 in restricted funds and $20,059 in assigned funds that the CLA has slated for a variety of projects. While not set in stone, they are researching buying a drone, completing Sand Island restoration, working on zebra mussel projects and purchasing nets, creating new boat launch signs, buying lake steward uniforms, creating a buffer garden, designing educational handouts, and offering employee bran ded clothing. There were also some requests from public safety for PVC vests and bulletproof vests for the patrol. More information is needed for a formal discussion on the subject.

The next Candlewood Lake Authority meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl