
Rich Haupt helped install a barrier under the Isola Bella bridge, the latest step to curb the spread of invasive hydrilla.
Erica Cohn
Rich Haupt helped install a barrier under the Isola Bella bridge, the latest step to curb the spread of invasive hydrilla.
SALISBURY — In mid-April the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), at the urging of the Twin Lakes Association (TLA), placed a line of boulders at the state boat launch to prevent trailered boats from accessing East Twin from that location.
They didn’t stay put for long.
Within a few weeks, unknown individuals had moved the hefty rocks aside, “presumably to allow boaters to launch there once again,” the TLA noted in its recent newsletter, and as evidenced by tell-tale tire tracks leading to the water.
Alerted to the boulder breach by the TLA in late April, DEEP officials returned to the state boat launch on May 6 to put them back into position, this time burying them deep into the ground to deter movement.
“This launch was never intended to be used by trailers, is unimproved and has been returned to its original use as committed to the TLA in 1991 by the state, for car-top carrier boats only,” such as kayaks and canoes, explained Grant Bogle, the lake association’s president.
He noted that in 2020 the boulders were removed by the state to provide greater access for handicapped boaters, which led to a “significant increase” in trailer access and parking issues in recent years.
“In addition, we believe hydrilla was brought in via boat at the state launch,” as well as the nearby O’Hara’s Landing Marina, where patches of the invasive plant were discovered last summer, said Bogle.
The findings made East Twin the first of about a half dozen Connecticut lakes to become infested with the aggressive hydrilla variant which has been wreaking havoc on the Connecticut River for several years. Its discovery prompted rapid response by the TLA and a coalition of scientists, biologists, environmentalists and state and local lawmakers to stop the non-native plant from overtaking Twin Lakes and contaminating other bodies of water.
“Hydrilla is the Godzilla of invasive plants,” said Bogle, noting that it is the responsibility of everyone who uses the lake to become its guardians.
“It is very aggressive and will outcompete native species,” he explained. Scientists describe hydrilla as one of the “world’s worst’ aquatic weeds.
“It alters the oxygenation and chemistry of lake systems, which may negatively impact fish and other native lifeforms,” noted Bogle. “It forms thick mats that are nearly impossible for boats to traverse, and there is a risk that wildlife like bald eagles, which are present on Twin Lakes, may ingest hydrilla which may contain a neurotoxin that can be fatal.”
The state boat launch was sanctioned years ago as an entry point for roof-top vessels, and the threat from hydrilla prompted the TLA to ask the state to restore that status and return the boulders to ensure that all boats entering the lake from a single point can be monitored.
A boat launch monitoring program is now in place at O’Hara’s Landing Marina under the direction of the TLA and the town. The goal of that effort is to greet boaters and alert them to the hydrilla threat, distribute educational materials on best practices for preventing spread of the invasive weed, and make a visual inspection of boats entering and leaving the marina.
Other measures are in place this year to suppress hydrilla growth as it begins, typically in June.
TLA board members Rich Haupt and Russ Conklin recently installed a barrier under the Isola Bella bridge. The modestly lit “limno” barrier, with its neon yellow float holding it in place, is designed to keep hydrilla fragments from following the natural current from the northeast cove, where the invasive plant has been identified in multiple places, to the northwest cove.
While lake association officials recognize that the barrier, which they said will not impact natural lake rhythms, is an inconvenience as it blocks passage for kayaks, canoes and swimmers, it is only a temporary fixture until hydrilla is under control.
Earlier this month a team of scientists, joined by TLA directors, toured the lakes to assess the hydrilla threat and discuss treatment strategies. While no hydrilla was found this early in the season, there was agreement that it will begin to show itself by July.
Keith Hannon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers noted that he is running six pilot tests of herbicides in the Connecticut, and initial data will be available by the end of the year.
Bogle suggested that those who doubt the challenges posed by hydrilla view a video released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showing the damage that it has done to significant parts of the Connecticut River as well as an article in the science journal Invasive Plant Science and Management, which offers new insights on hydrilla verticillata, also known as water thyme, taking root outside the Connecticut River including East Twin Lake.
Jeremiah Foley, an assistant agricultural scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and lead author for the study, noted that “The discovery of Hydrilla verticillata and its subspecies lithuanica in the Connecticut River, and the breadth of the current infestation represent a significant ecological invasion event with potentially far-reaching implications.”
Both the video and research paper are posted on the TLA website, www.twinlakesorg.org.
Town of Salisbury
Board of Finance
Notice of Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday,
April 30th, 2025
7:30pm
A public hearing called by the Board of Finance will be held in-person and via Zoom at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 at Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068 with the following agenda:
1. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Education budget as presented.
2. To receive public comment on the proposed Board of Selectmen, town government budget as presented.
Note: Copies of the proposed budgets are available at Town Hall.
Board of Finance Meeting Immediately following the Public Hearing
1. Final Budget Review; Discussion and possible vote to present the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen, Town Government Budget to the Annual Town Budget meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm
Please Note: The Annual Town Budget Meeting date has been changed to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Topic: Public Hearing on Budgets immediately followed by Board of Finance
Time: Apr 30, 2025 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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04-24-25
Legal Notice
The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2025-0280 by owner Richard Cantele for Structures Located less than Fifty (50) feet from a Waterbody or Watercourse at 204 Between the Lakes Road, Salisbury, Map 58, Lot 03 per Section 404 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission
Martin Whalen, Secretary
04-24-25
05-01-25
Notice of Decision
Town of Salisbury
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
Notice is hereby given that the following action was taken by the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission of the Town of Salisbury, Connecticut on April 14, 2025:
Approved - Application 2025-IW-050 by Engineer Pat Hackett to install a new septic system. The property is shown on Salisbury Assessor’s map 59 as lot 09 and is known as 36 South Shore Road, Salisbury. The owner of the property is Noelle G Becker, Trustee.
Any aggrieved person may appeal this decision to the Connecticut Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §22a-43(a) & §8-8.
04-24-25
TAX COLLECTOR TOWN OF
SALISBURY CT
LEGAL NOTICE
Pursuant to Sec. 12-145 of the Connecticut State Statutes, the taxpayers of the Town of Salisbury are hereby notified that the fourth installment on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 is due and payable on April l, 2025. Payments must be received or postmarked by May 1, 2025. If said Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are not paid on or before May 1, 2025, interest at the rate of one and one half percent (18% per year) will be added for each month or a fraction thereof which elapses from the time when such tax becomes due and payable until the same is paid. Minimum interest charge is $2.00.
Pursuant to Section 12-173 of the Connecticut State Statutes, unpaid Real Estate tax on the Grand List of October 1, 2023 will be LIENED on JUNE 6, 2025. Payment must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025 to avoid a Lien. Tax Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am- 4pm. Closed 12:30pm- 1 :30 pm.
Taxes can be paid by mail addressed to: Tax Collector, P.O. Box 338, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068, There is a drop box in the vestibule of the Town Hall which is available 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday as well as a 24-hour drop slot at the rear of the building adjacent to the parking area. The Town is urging taxpayers to mail checks or use the option of paying by credit card or E-Check. Please see the Town website salisburyct.us for additional information. Dated at Town of Salisbury, CT this 15TH day of March 2025.
Jean F. Bell, CCMC
Tax Collector
Salisbury CT 06068
03-20-25
04-03-25
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.