As you may be aware, the lease the State of Connecticut has with the Town of Morris for the boat launch area on East Shore Road expired earlier this year. The Town is continuing to allow State access for the rest of the season while it works with the State on a potential new lease agreement. Because Morris’ Board of Selectmen appointed an Executive Committee to study the issues associated with the launch, we have followed this process closely and we applaud the efforts of the Board of Selectmen and our State representatives, Andrew Roraback and Craig Miner towards this end. The Committee has developed a new lease structure that addresses a number of very important issues including: a Heritage Lake Designation for Bantam Lake, a fundraising mechanism to treat invasive weeds, and an appropriate “checks and balance” system to ensure the State makes necessary improvements to the launch as well as controls parking and maintenance on an on-going basis.
Unfortunately, the DEP has not responded favorably to these proposed items. The DEP does not agree to a Heritage Lake designation for Bantam Lake, and it is unwilling to accept meaningful financial responsibility for treating invasive weeds. In addition, it refuses to commit to a parking enforcement and maintenance structure that ensures these matters will be handled to the Town of Morris’ standards.
As the Town of Morris and DEP appear to be very far apart on an acceptable agreement, we believe it essential that the individuals and families who make up the lake community provide specific support and direction to the Lease Committee, Board of Selectmen, Mr. Roraback and Mr. Miner so they can continue to represent the lake community’s interests in taking care of Bantam Lake. To that end we are circulating a petition and several supporting documents along with a request for your support.
CLICK HERE to find the following documents.
1. The petition for your review and signature
2. A copy of the Heritage Lake legislation proposed last year that made it through all oversight committees but did not get picked up on the House of Representatives floor. For a more thorough review of the Bill and the legislative process visit
www.CT.gov web site.
3. A copy of the lease proposed by Morris’ Lease Committee and Board of Selectmen
4. A copy of the counter proposal lease presented by the DEP.
A number of very positive initiatives are occurring around the lake including the Heritage Lake Designation and all the work being done to study and treat invasive weeds. We strongly believe it is time for our local and state government to take a more active role in preserving and maintaining the lake. As a concerned citizen we encourage you to read each of these documents and provide direction and support to our local and State representatives. You can get involved by sharing this information with others as well as printing and signing the petition and mailing it back to the following address:
BL Petition
PO Box 14
Morris, CT 06763
This matter is critical to everyone who is concerned about Bantam Lake and the environment it provides to our families. Our goal is 100% participation in this petition drive. Please circulate it to others you think should be involved.Sincerely,
Kevin & Lori Chilson
Michael & Tracy Keilty
Jamie & Connie Fischer
Bob & Shelley LaBonne
Aaron & Kris Devaux
Paul G. Lupinacci
Kip Finch
