Overview

Amston Lake is certainly a beautiful place to live! But certain environmental problems have arisen over the years that threaten our lake. These problems are inter-related and a solution must take all of the factors into account. Drinking water quality has been threatened in the past by high bacterial count, and Birmingham Utilities subsequently implemented chlorination of the water. Our lake limnologist said that drinking water is threatened by leaching septic systems. Drinking water availability is threatened by population growth and Birmingham Utilities’ outdated distribution system, although Birmingham Utilities is currently drilling additional wells. Nuisance lake weed growth is aggravated by nutrients going with storm runoff into antiquated storm drains. Lake runoff is further aggravated by population growth and by poor landscaping of new construction. See the Lake Rules & Best Lake Practices link for more information.

No Fireworks without a Permit on Tax District Property   

The Amston Lake District Board of Directors has voted to prohibit the use of fireworks on District property except as allowed by Connecticut General Statutes. This includes the Main Beach next to the firehouse, the Berglund property across from the firehouse, Lollipop Beach in Lebanon, and all rights-of-way to the beach.

The reasons for this action are fourfold:

• Fireworks (except sparklers) are illegal in Connecticut with the exception of regulated fireworks displays by state licensed, professional pyrotechnicians at sites which have been approved by state and local authorities (see Connecticut General Statute 29-357);
• Unregulated fireworks pose a danger to participants and spectators;
• The tax district may be sued for injury on district property due to the use of illegal fireworks;
• The district is already on notice from both the Hebron fire marshal and the Lebanon fire marshal about the permit requirements for fireworks displays. 

Anyone wanting to use fireworks on district property must make application to the Amston Lake District and the appropriate town (Hebron or Lebanon) to secure the required permits and approval.

Reggie Miles not to retire as Lake Manager until 2007

Reggie Miles has been persuaded to postpone his retirement until 2007.  Reggie has been Lake Manager since 2002 and before that was chairman of the Council of Amston Lake (COAL), the volunteer organization that maintained the lake and beaches.

Drinking Water Quality & Availability

The biggest issue facing Amston Lake residents is the quality and availability of drinking water. Property owners serviced by Birmingham Utilities have received letters describing a "violation of drinking water standards" for distribution color testing done July 1 - July 31, 2004 and a "maximum contaminant level violation" for total choliform based on a January 1, 2004 test. If we can't drink the water, we really have a problem. Residents reported water the color of tea at least once both this summer and last summer. Birmingham Utilities reported that the pumps are running around the clock and barely able to keep up. Birmingham has been adding phosphorous to the water to slow deterioration of the aging distribution piping, and has begun treating the water with chlorine to kill the coliform bacteria in the system.

Update from Beverly Amato: In 2005, Birmingham Utilities announced that it has purchased land in Lebanon for a new well site. The land has been cleared. Hydro geological studies indicate this site is a good location for a well. Drilling has begun. Beverly reported at the annual meeting that Birmingham Utilities plans to drill three wells. Birmingham would like to have a meeting with the people of the district to discuss improvements that are being made to the water system. We will inform you of the upcoming meeting.

In late June, 2005, there was a period of low water pressure and discolored water, resulting in water being trucked in. If you’re walking around the lake, you’ll see water trucks driving by – so do your best to conserve water.

The Amston Lake District Board has been very active in pursuing these critical issues. For more information, contact Beverly Amato at 228-5252 or via e-mail.  

Lake Water Quality

The biggest lake water quality issue is having lake water that doesn’t cause sickness for swimmers. Other issues include: the need to dramatically reduce the filamentous algae caused by excessive nutrients entering the lake from runoff; and, reducing the nuisance weeds growing throughout the lake and especially near Lollipop Beach. Some weeds (such as Robbins Pond Weed) are beneficial, so indiscriminant removal of all weeds can be harmful. 

Lake Manager Reggie Miles said in June 2005 that the lake water will continue to be tested weekly at three places on both Main Beach and Lollipop Beach. Testing has been for e-coli, but will switch to testing for total choliform, which is less expensive but provides a broader test for contaminants. Remember to keep your dogs off of the beaches and pick up after them so that contaminants don’t run into the lake. Doing so will help reduce the possibility of beach closure due to high test readings.

 Over the last 5-10 years, we have seen a significant increase in algae blooms and a proliferation of nuisance lake weeds. Algae blooms are those ugly blobs of filamentous materials that float in the water and wash up on our beaches. Mostly, it's an unsightly mess that beach owners spend hours cleaning up. But it's a symptom of excessive nutrients entering the lake through storm runoff. Reggie Miles, the Lake Manager, has documented that heavy storms result in sediment and high nutrient levels being carried into the lake via the storm drains.

In 2005 the algae is back again. The shoreline along Deepwood Drive near St. Ronan Road has a heavy buildup near the storm drain outlet, showing that the nutrients running into the lake is causing the problem. The picture to the right was taken near the foot of Bass Lake Road. The only way residents are getting rid of the algae is by raking it onto the beach to dry, and then carting it away. Algae has been seen elsewhere in the lake, but in much smaller amounts.

The next picture on the right is looking up Bass Lake Road from Deepwood Drive. It shows the slight right-to-left slope of Bass Lake Road, the lack of curbing, and the resulting erosion and sand buildup along the south side of the road. Most of the nutrients running down the road and into the storm drain continue straight into the lake.

Beverly Amato, a former vice-president of the Amston Lake District, led a storm drain study around the lake, with many hours volunteered by Bill Slover and Leo Foxwell. Her presentation to Hebron resulted in $14,000 funding for a storm drain study plus a $1,000 donation from the district. As of May, 2005, an engineering firm had been hired for the storm drain study to be funded by the capital improvement plan. The town of Hebron is currently sizing and mapping storm drain information throughout the town using a geographical information system which will be advantageous for the Amston Lake Study. When this is completed our study can begin from the sizing and mapping of drains allowing us to financially incorporate more data before our study begins. We have requested a start date from the town of Hebron as to when this study will be implemented.

The Hartford Courant printed an article in the July 13, 2005 Connecticut Section titled “Town Plans To Fight Lake Algae ”.  For additional discussion of the problem see Filamentous Algae Problem on Amston Lake .

Lebanon Sewer & Storm Drain Study

Beverly Amato reported in May 2005 that Dan McGuire, Lebanon First Selectman, is working with the Department of Environmental Protection and has accepted bids by engineering firms to start the feasibility study for sewers. Lebanon has decided to do a storm drain study along with the sewer study, which will be of great advantage.

Putting sewers in Lebanon is a controversial issue. Our lake limnologist, George Knoecklein, said it is certain that septic tank runoff is entering the lake. Lebanon is under a 1986 mandate from the DEP to install sewers. We’ve heard that oak box septic systems from the 1940’s are still in use. People report that they’ve seen (or smelled) failing systems. Everyone using city water has gotten warning letters from Birmingham Utilities about choliform limits being exceeded. And the Birmingham representative said that their testing is far more extensive than what well owners do a couple of times a year, so who knows what the well owners are drinking. Another consideration is over-population: if sewers are installed, then more houses could be built, straining the drinking water situation even more. Having more houses threatens to increase run-off into the lake, so zoning laws will have to be reviewed and strictly enforced.

Then there are those people who say that septic systems aren’t the problem, it’s the runoff into the lake. And there are people who have spent thousands of dollars replacing old septic systems.

Proposed Hillcrest Housing Development (updated from the May 4, 2005 draft minutes)

A proposed development of 32 to 35 houses on 126 acres located between Hillcrest and Rt85 and abutting Lake Road was presented using site maps provided to the ALD Board members and guests.  Nothing has been finalized and the project is still subject to change during the upcoming planning phases with the Town of Hebron.  The maps are available for anyone in the district to view by contacting Dave Arnold, ALD Clerk.  Mr. Celio of Century 21 plans to file an application for this subdivision perhaps in July.  The proposed plan was available for viewing at the annual meeting.

Highlights of the proposed plan are:

• 50% of the 126 acres will be allocated to open space
• Lot sizes will range from ¾ of an acre to 5 acres
• The development will contain 2 cul-de-sac type roads off of Hillcrest, one near the beginning of Hillcrest and the other at the top of Hillcrest
• Anticipated size of the homes to be built are 2200 to 2500 square feet

2003 – Hydroraking near Lollipop Beach

In 2003, hydroraking was done in a one-acre area on the Lebanon side at a cost of about $12,000. The conclusions reached after this was done were: (1) it did reclaim that portion of the lake by removing many truckloads of sediment and submerged tree trunks; (2) it stirred up the lake bottom and thereby released nutrients; (3) it was very expensive for the area covered; (4) the area treated has weeds growing back.

2004 - Herbicide treatment of nuisance weeds rejected by district vote

Anyone at Lollipop Beach can see the many weeds in the lake, which make getting from the dock area to the rest of the lake a real chore. In January of 2004, Lake Manager Reggie Miles, in response to complaints from lake residents and after consultation with our lake limnologist George Knoecklein, proposed an herbicide treatment of the nuisance weeds near Lollipop Beach. Reggie determined that hydroraking the weeds near Lollypop was not suitable and far too expensive, so he engaged Aquatic Control Technology of Sutton, Massachusetts to initiate the DEP approval process to use Rodeo to surface-treat the weeds in preparation for a late summer treatment if the district voters approved. A DEP permit was acquired. After an informational meeting at the Clubhouse on August 18, including a presentation by ACT and strong opposition from Birmingham Utilities, the herbicide treatment was voted down by the district on August 20. Many people felt that there simply wasn't enough information to make an intelligent decision; this, combined with a lot of documentation provided by Birmingham and by Bob Blackmore, a lake resident, was enough to defeat the proposal. Some people felt that since we were already having so much trouble with the water quality, we shouldn't make the problem worse by treating weeds only a few hundred yards from the Birmingham well.

Even though the proposal was defeated, Amston Lake residents should thank Reggie and his wife, Laurie for their big effort in organizing the meeting and making a comprehensive presentation to the community.

2005 - Circulator request

No specific weed management program was approved by the district for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. However, Dick Zaccardo, a lake resident on the Lebanon side, has long been concerned with the stagnation of the water near his property at the far end of Deepwood Drive. He has proposed installing circulators near his shoreline that would increase the water flow. He estimates a cost of $3,000 and would pay half of that plus the cost of running and maintaining the circulators. He has provided examples of how successful this has been in ponds and smaller lakes, but George Knoecklein, our lake limnologist, will not provide an opinion on this for our lake without a formal study.

Dam Repair

Most of us take for granted the dam next to Main Beach. However, the dam has a leak and must be repaired; in fact, the DEP has directed us to repair the dam. The main dam drain pipe is flowing at 35 gallons per minute, which is much higher than in years past. Dave Arnold, a retired engineer who is also on the Amston Lake Board, has been the district's focal point for analyzing the problems and recommending solutions. The lake was lowered 18 inches in the fall of 2004 and a temporary patch applied - but a complete repair needs to be done eventually at a cost approaching $40,000, which includes a new sluiceway for improved control over the water level in the lake.

The leak: When the water level is level with the spillway, the leakage was approximately 50 gallons per minute. When the water level was lowered 11 inches, the leak stopped. Further investigation showed the leak to be on the right side of the dam while facing the dam from the lake. Some erosion of the dirt under the spillway and on the top of the dam was identified. We have a dam consultant advising us, and have an application for dam repair with the DEP for approval.

Excerpted from April 2005 board meeting minutes: Karl Acimovic provided an update on the dam repair.  A temporary repair was installed last fall adjacent to the dam face and under the rip rap on the side near Ames Rd.  The leakage seems to have diminished some.  Karl presented photos showing that the ice ran up to the bank near the repaired area; however, further down the bank, the ice was melted which suggested that water seepage was continuing through other portions of earthen part of the dam.  It was speculated that the water made its way to the old stone dam which was buried in the earth dam and that the stones are acting as a French drain.  So far there is little evidence of silt coming through the drain pipe at the back of the dam.  The temporary dam repair might hold for another year, however, if it doesn’t, we would have to extend the temporary repair under the rip rap at a cost of about $6,000. Karl then presented a drawing of the proposed dam repair with a new drain system which will have a higher drain capacity than the current drain pipe.  Now that we know that the seepage extends over a greater length of the dam embankment, a longer cutoff wall (concrete) is proposed.  The new dam repair is estimated to cost $38,000.  It will be necessary to lower the water at least 18 inches and a small coffer dam will be needed in the area of the proposed new drain.  The best time to work on it is the summer until mid October.  As people want to use the lake in the summer, we could try to drain it by early September.  The board selected a more vandal proof type enclosure for the new drain system, and Karl will complete the drawings.

The Firehouse (includes portions excerpted from the May 2005 Amston Laker)

Hebron has relocated fire fighters from the Amston Lake firehouse to the new fire station on Route 85. Some board members have discussed the disposition of the old firehouse at various times with Hebron officials. We understand the firehouse was kept going with minimal repairs, waiting for the move to Route 85, and hence may be in need of considerable repair. Hebron town manager Paul Mazzaccaro has authorized a walk-through by the building inspector to assess its condition.

A little background:

   The land under the firehouse is partly on town property and partly on land owned by the Amston Fire District. However, the land transfer to the Amston Fire District included a reversionary clause saying that the property reverts to the Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated if it is no longer used for firefighting.

   The Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc. was created in 1946 to provide fire protection to lake residents. In 2001, after the volunteer fire company had stopped making annual filings with the state of Connecticut for a number of years, a group of Amston Lake residents started filing for the volunteer fire company with the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office. This information is available on the Secretary of the State’s web site. Some residents and the Hebron town attorney question whether the current volunteer fire company is a legally valid continuation of the former fire company.

The Amston Fire District was created in 1946 to financially support the Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc. The fire district covers much the same area as the Hebron side of the Amston Lake District, but the two districts are unrelated. With the assumption of fire protection by the town of Hebron, the fire district stopped collecting taxes but never dissolved. The Hebron town attorney has indicated that the Amston Fire District has the fee title for the firehouse and that the volunteer fire company would have to bring suit if it wants to exercise its reversionary interest. The town attorney has stated that it is not a sure thing that the Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc will be able to take back the property from the Amston Fire District.

   The Hebron town attorney proposed that the Amston Fire District meet and vote to dissolve the fire district, whereupon the firehouse premises would become town property. The Hebron town manager has stated that he would like to return the firehouse to the Amston Fire District, if the Fire District is prepared to accept it. Of course, the voters in the Amston Fire District could meet and vote to accept the firehouse and dispose of it as they see fit, subject to resolution of any claim of reversionary interest made by the Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company.

Some possible outcomes:

• The town could continue to use the firehouse to store fire department equipment.
• The Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company could be successful in its bid to gain ownership.
• The Amston Fire District could regain ownership and keep, sell or give the property away.

At the May 21, 2005 Annual District Meeting, Amston resident David Lynch, a long-time volunteer firefighter at Fire Company #2 at Amston Lake, made a presentation regarding who the proper officers of the Amston Lake Volunteer Fire Company should be.

During late June, a Hartford Courant reporter was talking to the residents in preparation for an article. The article was published July 5, 2005 in the Connecticut section.