August 1, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Third Time’s a Charm? Moonlight Regatta August 26… A Blue Moon!
August has two full moons – tonight (August 1) and August 30.
When there’s a second full moon in a month it’s called a Blue Moon.
The closest weekend night to the August 30 full moon is Saturday, August 26th.
Get ready to try a third time for our Moonlight Regatta!
Weather permitting as always… Hope to see you on the 26th!
July 31, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Cutrine Algae Treatment Thursday Aug 3, 2023
Pond & Lake Connection will be treating our lake this Thursday with Cutrine.
There are no swimming restrictions or irrigation restrictions using lake water.
July 22, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Algae Treatment Monday July 24
On Monday, July 24th, our lake management company, Pond and Lake Connection, will be treating our lake with Cutrine (algae treatment). There is no swimming restriction. If you irrigate your lawn using lake water, we suggest waiting 24 hrs after treatment.
July 19, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on CLEANING UP OUR LAKES: Septics & Sewers
In 2021, the Town of Lewisboro received a grant from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) to perform engineering studies on three of our lakes—Waccabuc, Truesdale and Kitchawan—to assess the impacts of septic systems and identify potential solutions. The studies confirmed what decades of lake sampling data and previous research had long suggested: septic pollution is the primary contributor to the lakes’ phosphorus load, and phosphorus is the primary agent accelerating our lakes’ eutrophication (the process by which lakes age and die).
These three studies conducted by independent firms (Barton & Loguidice-Waccabuc, Ramboll Engineering-Truesdale, Woodard & Curran-Kitchawan) went beyond diagnosis to research and recommend the most feasible and effective wastewater treatment solutions—a sewer system for the four lakes in the center of Lewisboro and enhanced septic treatment units for Lake Kitchawan further south.
Following the release of the three individual reports lake residents from all seven of the town’s lakes rallied together and formed the Lewisboro Lakes Coalition (LLC) to enlist the support of town, county and state elected officials in applying for funding to implement these proposed wastewater solutions. Lewisboro’s lakes are eligible for funding as part of the Croton watershed, one of three reservoir systems providing drinking water to the 10 million residents of New York City.
At the moment, New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection is particularly interested in cleaning up the Croton system’s water BEFORE it reaches down-county filtration and treatment facilities, so it is an opportune moment to act.
The offices of Chris Burdick (NY Assembly) and Pete Harckham (NY Senate) were instrumental, working with Sue Enos of the LLC and Jan Andersen of the Three Lakes Council (TLC), in securing a $3mm East of Hudson Watershed Corporation grant to engage the engineering firm of Woodard & Curran to lay out the recommended sewer and septic districts. Other key contributors to the unprecedented progress so far are: Tony Gonçalves, Lewisboro Town Supervisor, Erika Pierce, Westchester County Legislator, Millie Magraw, Westchester County Planning Dept Coordinator, and Tom Snow, NYC Watershed Coordinator, NYS DEC.
On June 8, 2023, Woodard & Curran issued their report:
A low-pressure sewer collection system and central wastewater treatment plant located at the Main Street town campus is proposed for densely populated communities around Truesdale Lake and the Three Lakes (Waccabuc, Oscaleta, and Rippowam) at an estimated cost of $40 million. The Town is currently applying for grants from New York State to cover these capital costs.
Since Lake Kitchawan is a substantial distance from these other four eastern lakes, connecting residences around this lake to a central sewage treatment plant would be prohibitively expensive.
The best solution for mitigating pollution in this lake is replace inadequate septic systems with “enhanced treatment systems” at a cost of $6.25 million. As this is a far less complex undertaking and funding is already allocated (if not awarded), it is likely that Kitchawan may be designated as the first phase in remediating septic pollution in our lakes.
The Town of Lewisboro continues to study alternatives for mitigating septic pollution in the remaining Lewisboro lakes — Lake Katonah and Timber Lake (The Colony) — which are in the Croton River basin to the west. In that effort, it has engaged Westchester County and NY State officials, as well as the NYC DEP. To determine the best solution for each of the lakes and explore funding opportunities, further research will need to be conducted.
The Lewisboro Lakes Coalition, representing all seven lakes, has formed a Community Outreach group to update residents on continued progress. Information will be available through individual lake associations, on lake association websites, and in other publications. The Community Outreach group will work closely with Tony Gonçalves, Lewisboro Town Supervisor, to keep everyone informed.
Here is the latest memo in PDF format. View or download it:
July 15, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Two More Full Moons for Summer 2023
The July 3 full moon was not really visible this summer.
The July full moon is typically known as “The Buck Moon” is also known as “The Thunder Moon.” It certainly lived up to that name this summer, as an alternately cloudy, rainy, and sunny humid day ended with a bang between 7-9pm with a pretty typical July thunderstorm. Plans for the July 3 Moonlight regatta sadly had to be shelved.
The good news is there are TWO MORE full moons this summer.
The next one, August 1st (known as “The Sturgeon Moon,” “The Grain Moon,” or “The Red Moon”), happens on a Tuesday night. That’s not so great for the evening plans of many people. But the moon will be 7/8ths full on the Saturday night before then — July 29th!
Again — Weather Permitting — let’s meet for a second try at the 2023 moonlight regatta in the middle of the lake the evening of Saturday July 29th.
See the Moonlight page for details: truesdalelake.com/moonlight on what to do and what to expect.
We mentioned there is another full moon this summer – and the third one is a special one.
Happening on August 30th, it will be the second full moon in the month of August. Since the Sturgeon Moon name is taken, there is a term for the second full moon of any month: The Blue Moon. (as in “Once in a Blue Moon”). Blue moons happen once every 2 1/2 – 3 years. And Summer Blue Moons are even more rare.
Since August 30th is a Wednesday (and a rather inconvenient time for an evening regatta) we can have a third try at the 2023 Truesdale “7/8ths blue moon regatta” on the Saturday evening before then – August 26th. The moon will be high in the sky – and hopefully visible with no clouds – by the time darkness falls.
More details will be forthcoming – typically the August moonlight regattas get an earlier start than the June or July ones because the sun sets earlier.
Follow https://instagram.com/laketruesdale for any updates or breaking news.
See you on the lake!
June 7, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Hazy Smoky Days on Truesdale Lake
Canadian wildfire effects seen over #truesdalelake and #southsalemny today.
June 6, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Moonlight Regatta – July 3rd
Get yourself and your boat(s) ready for the first Truesdale Lake moonlight regatta of 2023. Date is July 3rd (the Buck Moon). Bring the kids. Bring the lights! Bring the cheer! https://truesdalelake.com/moonlight/
Sunset is at 8:30pm on Monday July 3rd. Civil twilight begins at 9:03pm. We recommend heading out on the lake between these times. Moonrise is 9:22pm and the moon will rise over trees on the east side of the lake 15-20 minutes after then — lighting up the water.
Prep your watercraft beforehand with lights and provisions.
BYO Truesdale Lake registered boat with a Truesdale Lake Sticker — or make arrangements ahead with someone who has one!
Remember to bring light source(s) to help navigate home.
Lighting decoration on boats encouraged – not too bright! Glow sticks, LEDs, lanterns, etc. if you have a dock, navigation lights are appreciated!
May 16, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Lake Treatment May 19, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
Pond and Lake Connection will be doing their first treatment on the lake Friday, May 19th. As in the past, there is no recreational restriction.
There is, however, a 24 hr irrigation restriction since this application is an herbicide treatment. If you draw water from the lake to irrigate your lawn or garden, turn it off during Friday-Saturday.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
May 4, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Wastewater Study Update
This document provides a status report of the activities following engineering studies on three Lewisboro lakes as of April 30, 2023. Authored by Sue Enos, chair of the Lewisboro Lakes Coalition.
The Town of Lewisboro received a grant to perform engineering studies on three Lewisboro lakes, Kitchawan, Truesdale and Waccabuc, to assess the impacts of septic systems on the lakes and to identify potential solutions. Each of the lake reports indicated that septic systems were negatively affecting the lakes and assessed sewer and septic improvement options. The findings were presented to the Town in November 2021.
Following the release of the three individual reports, several Lewisboro residents proposed a central wastewater treatment system to serve the homes around five eastern Lewisboro lakes, two of which were not included in the original engineering studies. The Lewisboro Lakes Coalition, consisting of representatives from each of 7 lakes in Lewisboro, gained the support of Lewisboro, Westchester County, NY State and DEC officials to explore the feasibility and affordability of various solutions to mitigate septic pollution for this combination of lakes, with the eventual goal of including all the lakes in Lewisboro. A second goal was to obtain the required capital funding required through grants.
As part of a grant provided by Representative Burdick’s and Senator Harckham’s offices, the engineering firm of Woodard and Curran has been able to provide us with a review and summary of alternative treatment options for the Lewisboro lakes. Currently, the report is still in draft form and should be completed and made public sometime in May.
We are grateful to have the continued support, guidance, and availability of these officials:
Tony Gonçalves, Lewisboro Town Supervisor; Chris Burdick, NY State Assembly Representative; Peter Harckham, NY State Senator; Erica Pierce, Westchester County Legislator; Millie Magraw, Westchester County Water Quality and Planning Dept Coordinator; and Tom Snow, NYC Watershed Coordinator, NYS DEC.
Anthony Catalano and Ken Kohlbrenner, from the engineering firm of Woodard and Curran, have provided the vital planning work as well as a considerable amount of time and insights to this project.
The Lewisboro Lakes Coalition members who have currently been part of the “Working Group” with the officials listed above are; Janet Andersen, Tadeusz Rajwer, Jonathan Peters, Allison Settineri, John Gusmano, Sue Enos, Carol Sherwood, Susan Allport and Leah Graygor. The entire “Working Group” has had monthly or bimonthly meetings since January 2023.
April 29, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Ray Morse
On Saturday, June 3rd at 2pm there will be a memorial service for Ray Morse at the Jesse Lee Memorial Methodist Church at 207 Main St. in Ridgefield, CT.
Ray was a member of the Truesdale Lake Community since 1973. He was an active volunteer, a fantastic sailor on the Truesdale Sunfish Fleet, and he raised his two daughters here with his wife Helen.
Ray will be missed.
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Raymond A. Morse Obituary
Raymond A. Morse of South Salem, NY passed away peacefully at his home on December 10, 2022. He was 92. Raymond was a truly kind and loving husband and father and will be profoundly missed by his family, friends and community.
Born May 29, 1930, Raymond was raised in Elsmere, NY just outside of Albany and was a graduate of the Bethlehem Central School District, Delmar, NY., where he enjoyed playing sports and formed close lifelong friendships with many of his classmates.
While in Junior High Ray worked at a local drugstore where one day a girl walked in; her name was Helen Crocker, and they started dating not long afterwards. Ray and Helen dated through high school, Ray’s service in the Air Force and college. The couple married in 1953, had their first child in 1956 and their second child in 1960. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage.
The 1950s were busy years for Raymond he joined the Air Force in 1952 and served stateside at three separate bases: Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and Boeing Field, Seattle, WA. He was honorably discharged in January 1956.
Though a Physics major at Purdue University, through the recommendation of a college professor; who agreed with the observation that Raymond was a “people person,” a course of study was designed for him in the field of “Industrial Relations.”
Upon graduation, in 1959, Raymond was hired by IBM and began work at the Poughkeepsie, NY IBM facility. After four years he transferred to the IBM in Kingston, NY and the family had a house built in Woodstock, NY. The family participated in the creative community of the area while also enjoying hiking and skiing in the Catskills.
Ray became an avid golfer while living in Woodstock, and after work he would walk down the street to the Woodstock golf course and play a round before or after dinner, usually accompanied by the beloved family dog.
In 1973, Ray transferred to IBM Elmsford, NY and the family settled in South Salem, NY. Raymond became a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club, in 1984. For many years, pre and post retirement, Raymond was an Adjunct Professor at Pace University, Pleasantville, NY.
A Truesdale Lake resident for 50 years, Raymond was an engaged member of the community, participating in the Truesdale Lake Property Owners Association, the Conservation Advisory Council, and in the 1990’s was co-chair of the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative. Ray and Helen loved living on Truesdale Lake enjoying; sailing, canoeing, fishing and observing the wildlife.
Retirement brought new engagement with community for Ray and Helen through Founder’s Hall in Ridgefield, CT. The classes, programs and field trips offered by Founder’s Hall kept Ray & Helen engaged and active. Ray had a lifelong interest in writing that he delved into post-retirement, whether through the Library programs, or Founder’s Hall writer’s workshops.
Ray worked on poetry, fiction, short fiction and memoir. He deeply loved poetry and prose and enjoyed sharing his work. Ray’s love of golf sustained him as he continued to play or go to the driving range into his 90s.
Raymond was predeceased by his beloved wife Helen and son-in-law Timothy LuBell. He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara Morse-LuBell, Luanne Morse-Brown, and son-in-law Cary Brown; also grandchildren Avery LuBell (David Pierce), Mirise LuBell (Clarence Mills), and Kira LuBell (Pablo Rodriguez), great grandchildren James and Edwen Pierce-LuBell and Nova Rodriguez-LuBell. Also, survived by nieces Patricia Morse and Elizabeth Morse; sister-in-law
Barbara Smith, niece and husband Sarah and Joe Hawley and nephew Stephen Smith. Raymond was the son of the late Arba and Lottie (Ryan) Morse and was predeceased by his brother Gordon Morse.
Ray’s daughters would like to acknowledge the profound kindness and thoughtfulness expressed by neighbors and people in the Lewisboro community and the connections he made through Founder’s Hall and the Ridgefield Golf Course. In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to the ASPCA, American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity.