Bantam Lake group asks Litchfield to adopt 'Take the Pledge' to cut phosphorus in watershed

Representatives of the Bantam Lake Protective Association urged Litchfield residents and the town to sign a new "Take the Pledge" email initiative meant to reduce phosphorus runoff into Bantam Lake, presenters told the Board of Selectmen on April 7.

Connie Trolle and Emily Lupinacci said coalition funds were used to assess invasive weeds and fund treatments. Lupinacci said the Bantam Watershed Coalition — which now includes the Litchfield Land Trust, Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, Housatonic Valley Association, White Memorial Foundation and the Northwest Conservation District — is addressing roughly 20 best-management practices identified by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to reduce phosphorus loading. The coalition is also pursuing structural erosion projects and outreach to golf courses and landowners who use fertilizers.

"The pledge is available on Bantam Lake's website under 'Get Involved,'" Emily Lupinacci said, describing the email-based initiative as a way to deliver practical steps residents can take at home and on their properties. Jeff Zullo recommended the Town formally take the pledge and said he would bring the matter to the Sustainable Litchfield Commission for analysis and next steps.

Selectman Dan Morosani asked about the status of efforts to regulate high-displacement boats. Connie Trolle said an earlier plan faced significant opposition, has been rewritten and will be brought to a Town Meeting or referendum in Morris before proceeding to Litchfield. Morosani also expressed concern about asking local farmers to reduce (the transcript cuts off at this point; the details of his concern were not specified in the record).

Next steps: the presenters encouraged resident sign-ups through the coalition website; Selectman Zullo will refer the pledge to the Sustainable Litchfield Commission for review. The board took no formal policy vote on the initiative at this meeting.