A Clarion Call to Command Candlewood Lake's Destiny

Last Fall I wrote about the woeful state of affairs, attitudes and actions being exhibited by the current NF Board of Selectmen (BOS) and aided by a prior incumbent in their quest to undercut the Candlewood Lake Authority and, by doing so, were potentially undermining Candlewood Lake. At that time I urged that ‘we,’ the public with the most at stake, no longer sit back and watch as these destructive forces played out – an urging that is being repeated and underscored today.

To reverse this negative spiral, a 10 point prescription was offered, essentially urging the elected powers to reach out and constructively engage in our common Candlewood cause rather than nitpick insignificant, inconsequential matters. And this was at the very time the Lake was -- and still is -- facing tremendous challenges, a time when all hands should be on deck seeking solutions, not scheming secretly on the sidelines. Regrettably this hasn’t happened; indeed the attempts to undercut, harass and nitpick have continued unabated to the detriment of all parties concerned … as well as our Lake.

Several weeks ago I fear we reached a low point on at least four scores, all of which directly affect Candlewood Lake’s well-being. First, at a regional meeting of lake representatives discussing threats including invasive species’ incursions, FirstLight’s Station Manager advised that their focus is limited to station operational concerns and the monitoring of invasive/zebra mussel advances, not helping to stop them. Secondly, at the BOS Budget Workshop the CLA was challenged/threatened with the prospect that its staff salaries be slashed by $100,000 or 40 to 50%, and that its value in serving the Lake was questionable!

Third, given the incessant attempts to neutralize the CLA, there is an increasing sense that the NF BOS may be considering exiting the CLA and striking out independently, without regard to the other four partner towns or the effect this will have on addressing common Lake issues. Finally, at that Thursday’s BOS meeting, the Selectmen voted to proceed with hiring an outside lake consultant to address the application of herbicides in NF’s waters among other things -- without seeking the advice of the CLA or our partner towns.

Taken together, this all portends poorly for our Lake, our coalition of partner towns, the role of FirstLight in defending against invasive species, the political future of NF’s BOS incumbents, and the viability of the CLA in leading Lake-wide efforts to ensure Candlewood’s well-being. How this all turns out is highly dependent on how you, our residents and elected officials choose to engage … or not. I would forcefully urge all to soberly consider what’s at stake, what can happen without the CLA’s oversight (and the intervention of others, less qualified and committed), and then to raise your voices, lift your ‘pens,’ attend Town meetings, engage your town’s CEO, and speak out in protest and in no uncertain terms that you will take command of our Lake’s destiny, and demand accountability for ensuring Candlewood Lake’s vital, healthy future. But, it won’t happen without your wholehearted commitment, intervention and follow-through. Help make that difference.