Concerns were raised about the water level’s proximity to the retaining wall, potentially violating regulations for construction near water bodies. A communication was dispatched to the first selectman, Colin Mole, and other relevant authorities, stressing the urgency of addressing this issue to avoid public embarrassment through media exposure. During a subsequent Conservation Commission meeting, the contractor insisted that the wall had been set up on dry land. Still, the chair highlighted that the water level was below the acceptable high-water mark, complicating the situation further. The committee agreed to hold off on any immediate action, waiting for a more comprehensive response from Southfield, but members expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.

In another notable discussion, the committee addressed a construction project on Forest Road, where a retaining wall and stairs were already in place, albeit with an improperly removed silt fence. This raised concerns about erosion, especially after recent rains. An email was sent to Keith Morris and Southfield, urging the reinstatement of the silt fence until vegetation was adequately established. The project, estimated to cost nearly half a million dollars, was under scrutiny, with worries about its completion timeline.

Further concerns surfaced regarding vegetation removal on Lake View, prompting the chair to seek clarification from Keith Morris. This property had previously been flagged for unauthorized tree cutting, and its activities were under increased observation.

The committee also discussed a potential septic system failure at South Pond, with reports of foul odors leading to neighbor complaints. The chair planned to include the address in upcoming sampling efforts.

Another matter of interest involved a property at 1586, adjacent to the Old Town Beach. The committee had previously communicated with the property owner about insufficient permits for docks and boats, with reminders sent through letters. The status remained unresolved, and the chair noted the necessity for continued follow-up.

On a different note, updates were provided regarding ongoing lake treatment and management efforts. The scheduled treatment was viewed positively, given that only 15 acres of the possible 160 required intervention. This improvement, particularly in North Pond, was highlighted by one member who noted, “I was out there yesterday… we could see all the fish going through.” The treatment was set for a Wednesday, with prior notifications circulated to the Board of Health and posted on the Southwick website to keep the community informed.

The committee deliberated over post-treatment water use regulations, specifically the discrepancies between release dates for drinking and irrigation water. There was confusion as to why drinking and cooking water were cleared for earlier use than irrigation, with members humorously commenting on the impact of these regulations on gardening.

Additionally, an incident involving an unidentified individual in uniform near the water was discussed. The individual was speculated to be affiliated with Solitude, the company managing the lake’s treatment, though it was noted that Solitude typically operates from boats, not on land. The person’s identity and purpose remained unclear, prompting further inquiry into whether they were conducting checks or inspections related to the treatment areas.

The installation of a new camera system at the weir gates was also reported. The solar-powered system, complete with a terabyte of storage, was designed to monitor events at the gates. Though the live feed uplink was not yet operational, the camera was securely mounted on a utility pole to prevent vandalism. Concerns were raised about a beaver dam obstructing the gates.

The committee also discussed a proposal to increase the hours for an existing part-time employee, Ellen, who holds the position of Lake Management Ramp Attendant Coordinator. The committee had requested approval from the select board to transition her role into a more full-time capacity. The select board’s request for further information before deciding led to some frustration over the slow progress, with one member highlighting the urgency of timely action in lake management.

Finally, the recent Fourth of July events, including a parade with attendance figures ranging from 55 to 79 boats, were reviewed. Members noted that the event was well-organized and incident-free, a positive change from previous years. However, the heavy boat traffic during the festivities raised safety concerns, with reports of water splashing into a pontoon boat due to congestion.