Democracy and Lake-Smart Actions Matter

Last Tuesday evening there was an historic vote in New Fairfield that unquestionably will have positive and lasting ramifications for both the Town's democratic process and Candlewood Lake's health. Contrary to the odds and attempts by the NF Board of Selectmen to ignore the protests by its citizenry, there was a landslide vote that removed any uncertainty about the Town's ability to unilaterally apply chemicals in Candlewood Lake as they had intended ... and without the advance involvement of NF residents, partner towns, nor the Candlewood Lake Authority.

Concerned, indeed angry citizens -- spurred on by Candlewood Voices, a grassroots movement of Lake advocates -- had forced the NF BOS to hold a Special Town Meeting to address a proposed ordinance requiring a public vote before the Town could introduce any chemicals in our Lake. That Special Town Meeting was held on 5/30 and engaged, determined voters turned out in unprecedented numbers -- 309 to be exact.

Without so much as a discussion of the specifics of the ordinance (which had been well communicated in advance), those attending voted virtually unanimously to strip the Town of its ability to act unilaterally in applying chemicals. Indeed, perhaps 300 of the 309 voting supported the ordinance and the meeting abruptly adjourned. This, to the delight of the townsfolk attending, who summarily rejected both the secretive and shady actions of the BOS, and the very thought of testing chemicals of unknown consequences, much less their potential broad-scale application in Candlewood Lake.

Bottom-line -- and thanks to the determined voices and efforts of our citizens -- one message was communicated loud and clear: any future forays by this or future BOS in NF or elsewhere around the Lake that deny active involvement by residents and partner stakeholders or that threaten the Lake's welfare or that of its oversight agency, the Candlewood Lake Authority, will not be tolerated. Clearly, there is a new, proactive sheriff in town -- our motivated citizens -- that will no longer stand by as our Lake, our oversight agency, our home values, and our quality of life are threatened by politicians or others with their own dubious agendas.

To all those who took issue with the ill-conceived actions of NF's current and former BOS and stood up to defend our Lake against the unknown risks of chemical applications, please accept the thanks of this and future generations that will benefit from your wisdom and willingness to positively engage. Congratulations on the first of our victories. Well done indeed.