
The boat launch at Lakeville Lake is closed indefinitely due to the hydrilla threat.
Debra A. Aleksinas
The boat launch at Lakeville Lake is closed indefinitely due to the hydrilla threat.
The Hydrilla Menace
This is the first of a series on invasive aquatic hydrilla and its growing threat to waterbodies and communities in Northwest Connecticut.
SALISBURY — It was only a matter of time.
Since 2016, an aggressive non-native aquatic plant, Hydrilla verticillata, also known as water thyme, has fouled coves and tributaries along the Connecticut River from Essex to the Massachusetts border, leaving unprecedented ecological, recreational and economic damage in its wake.
Now it has hitched a ride via unsuspecting boat owners to inland freshwater lakes and ponds around the state, causing concern among lake associations, town and state officials.
To date, the submerged perennial plant, fittingly named after Hydra, the nine-headed serpent from Greek mythology known for its regenerative powers, has been identified in at least 10 known lakes and ponds in the state.
That number is expected to rise as scientists from the Connecticut Aquatic Experiment Station’s Office of Aquatic Species (CAES/OAIS) scour 94 state-owed marinas in search of the worrisome weed, which they fear is spreading undetected.
Time is of the essence to locate, control and eradicate an aggressive subspecies of Hydrilla verticillata, which is unique to the Connecticut River and grows at an astonishing rate of up to a foot a day with long, slender stems that can grow underwater to lengths of up to 30 feet and spread horizontally into thick mats.
Fragments that contain as little as a single whorl of leaves are capable of drifting to other parts of a waterbody and forming new colonies. Left unchecked, perennial hydrilla, which has earned the title of “the world’s worst invasive aquatic plant” and is listed as a federal noxious weed, can completely displace native submerged plant communities, altering fish populations and water chemistry, and threatening bald eagles.
Last summer, East Twin Lake in Salisbury raised alarm when it became the first documented lake outside of the Connecticut River to become infested with a Connecticut River variant of hydrilla. Lake officials suspect it had been thriving undetected beneath the lake’s surface around the marina for several years before being noticed during a routine lake survey. [See timeline here].
Ripples of invasion
Hydrilla, native to Africa and Southeast Asia, has had a rich introduction history into the United States, with multiple subspecies being introduced since the 1960’s. It was first introduced to this country in the early 1950s near Tampa, Fla., when an aquarium plant dealer dumped bundles of the lush, green plant into a canal near his business, and by the early 1990s hydrilla occupied more than 140,000 acres of public lakes and rivers.
In 2016 a new variant of Hydrilla verticillata, subspecies lithuanica, also known as Northern hydrilla, was identified in the Connecticut River, and three years later the CAES surveyed the river from Agawam, Mass., to the Long Island Sound, reporting at least 774 acres of hydrilla.
“The particular strain that is unique to the Connecticut River appears to be much more aggressive and robust than anything we have seen before,” said Gregory Bugbee, who runs the Invasive Plant Program at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES)
And it is difficult and expensive to manage and eradicate.
“Significant costs are already associated with the impact and maintenance of the prior two subspecies established in the United States since the 1960s and 1980’s,” according to Jeremiah Foley, assistant scientist with CAES.
Why hydrilla management is important
The alarming explosion of Connecticut River hydrilla outside of the Connecticut River has raised significant concerns about its spread inland, threatening the beauty and pristine nature of many of its waterbodies.
The worrisome weed can outcompete native species, replacing habitat for sensitive species including migratory fish. Thick, horizontally-growing mats of hydrilla have crowded out boaters, anglers and those who recreate on the Connecticut River.
Marinas and municipalities have reported that they can no longer access boat slips and docks due to hydrilla infestations, limiting business opportunities. Extensive stands of hydrilla can obstruct swimmers and other water-related activities. The plant can also hurt tourism and impact the value of real estate that depends upon attractive waterways.
“The threat of hydrilla gaining a foothold in our lakes here in the Northwest Corner is an increasing concern of the highest levels.”— John Harney, Salisbury real estate agent
"The threat of hydrilla gaining a foothold in our lakes here in the Northwest Corner is an increasing concern of the highest levels,” said John Harney, a real estate broker with Willaim Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Salisbury.
“Twin Lakes commands the highest values for real estate, but this all changes if the lake becomes clogged with hydrilla. I would hope that this is a clarion call to bring all of our resources and attention to solving not only the hydrilla issue, but also to address the effects of overdevelopment.”
Since hydrilla’s discovery last summer in East Twin, the nearby boat launch at Lake Wononscopomuc, has been off-limits to outside boaters to keep the lake from becoming infested, and lake officials there intend to keep it closed indefinitely.
“If you lose this wonderful body of water the town would take such a hit. Property values around the lake will drop if you have a lake you can’t boat or swim in, and it’s not just popular for fishing. This is a very recreational lake for the children,” said Stacey Dodge, Town Grove Manager.
Management and control
The best way to manage hydrilla is to prevent its spread in the first place. Boaters are advised to clean, drain and dry their boats, trailers and equipment after leaving a body to keep hydrilla fragments from entering other lakes or rivers.
Once it becomes established, it is a nightmare to control and can cost as much as $1,000 per acre to manage. Many states are spending millions of dollars annually to control it. Lake Associations and towns can face a staggering rise in management costs, even with state and federal assistance.
Research on this very invasive plant is ongoing, as many biological attributes of this subspecies remain unknown, and it has no natural predators or diseases to limit its population. “Because it’s a new strain, it’s been a slow and frustrating process,” noted the Connecticut River Conservancy’s Rhea Drozdenko, River Steward for Connecticut.
Eradication by harvester is discouraged because even the smallest of fragments can spread and repopulate, and the introduction of grass carp into lakes is not a viable option, according to Foley, because while the fish will eat hydrilla, they will also devour every other aquatic plant within the lake. Biological control, he recently told members of the Twin Lakes Association during the group’s annual meeting at Camp Isola Bella on East Twin, is still in its infancy.
Aquatic herbicides have shown the most promise.
Coming next: A visit to the Connecticut River, where researchers are testing various aquatic herbicides at five sites.
Cornwall Consolidated School seventh graders Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willow Berry, Claire Barbosa, Willa Lesch, Vivianne DiRocco and Franco Aburto presented a group research project on the life of Naomi Freeman Wednesday, April 23. In attendance were U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., John Mills, president of Alex Breanne Corporation, Cornwall First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Cornwall Selectman Jennifer Markow and CCS social studies teacher Will Vincent.
CORNWALL — “In Cornwall you have made the decision that everyone here matters and everyone’s story is important,” said U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, to the seventh grade class at Cornwall Consolidated School April 23.
Hayes was in attendance to celebrate history on Wednesday as the CCS students presented their group research project on the life of Naomi Cain Freeman, the first Black female landowner in Cornwall.
To memorialize Freeman, the seventh graders petitioned the town selectmen to rename Great Hollow Road where the Freemans once lived. New street signs for Naomi Freeman Historic Road were created with some help from the town highway department.
“No one in this community, or the state for that matter, will ever forget that this happened here,” said Hayes.
Cornwall Highway Department helped the students create new signs to install on Great Hollow Road.Photo by Riley Klein
Per Cornwall Historical Society records, Freeman’s story began in 1794 when she was born in Vermont. John Sedgwick and his wife Abigail, of Cornwall, adopted her in 1801: an act that protected her from slavery, which was still legal in Connecticut at the time.
Sedgwick included Naomi in his will and she received a dowry after his death in 1820.
Naomi later married Obadiah “Obed” Freeman, a man who had been enslaved in Cornwall. She purchased an acre in Cornwall, becoming the town’s first African American woman to own land, and the two settled on Great Hollow Road in 1828.
Nearly 200 years later, the street itself bears her name.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done and that Naomi Freeman will continue to be an impactful presence in our town,” said CCS student Vivianne DiRocco.
DiRocco and her classmates Skylar Brown, Izabella Coppola, Halley Villa, Willa Lesch, Willow Berry, and Claire Barbosa discovered Freeman’s story earlier this year while conducting research into important women in Cornwall’s history. The full project will be presented at Troutbeck Symposium May 1.
“One of the archaeologists who excavated the Freemans’ home told us about a gap in Connecticut’s history concerning the everyday life for free African Americans. We hope that we filled that gap a little bit,” said Lesch.
There are no known photographs or portraits of Freeman. The students utilized artificial intelligence to create images of what she might have looked like during her life in Cornwall.
The students created artwork to show what Naomi Freeman, her husband Obed and daughter Sarah might have looked like living in Cornwall.Photo by Riley Klein
“What an incredible example of what happens when young people are given the tools, the encouragement and the space to lead,” said CCS Principal Leanne Maguire. “Thank you for showing us what is possible when curiosity meets courage.”
John Mills, president of the Alex Breanne Corporation in West Hartford, was consulted by the students to help unearth census data and track down living descendants of Freeman. His company researches formerly enslaved people and brings their stories to light.
Mills said he was surprised to see the extensive research that was conducted by the students by the time he was contacted. His company sometimes helps render images for individuals lost to history, but the students had even taken that on themselves.
“I’m incredibly impressed with what you’ve done here,” said Mills to the students. “Now you’re a part of the celebration and civic engagement.”
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.