Parks Commissioners Move Forward

With Eichler’s Cove Plans

By John Voket

Following the unanimous approval of an amended study on the future development of Eichler’s Cove, Newtown’s only municipal fresh water beach, marina, and recreation area, by the Board of Selectmen, Parks and Recreation Commissioners have authorized staff to begin the first administrative steps toward putting plans into play.

On October 4, selectmen unanimously approved the final draft of an action plan that will create a number of changes and developments at the Lake Zoar facility, with the goal of making Eichler’s Cove a full-fledged destination for all town residents. Implementation of the plan also brings a fundamental change in the way the facility is managed, and brings to an end the on-site residency of the Marchetti family.

Part of the future plans for the facility include either demolishing or substantially repurposing the residence on site where the Eichler’s Cove’s former owners and current managers reside. Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold told The Bee, however, that while Ms Marchetti will no longer be the facility’s live-in manager, she may qualify to become the facility’s first warden.

“We will be creating and posting the position, and we will have the Eichler’s Cove warden in place by next spring,” Ms Mangold said, adding that she would welcome Ms Marchetti or anyone else to apply for the newly created full-time seasonal post.

Ms Mangold also said she and the commissioners took to heart the latest input from a number of slip renters who spoke during the October 4 selectmen’s meeting.

“We took a lot back from that public input,” she said. “And we definitely will be looking to consider someone for the warden position who has boat and marina experience, especially so they could help familiarize first-time slip owners.”

Ms Mangold said her department is hopeful that they could also find a candidate who has some familiarity with Lake Zoar. While her staff formulates a job description, Ms Mangold said she will be interviewing security companies to choose the one that will provide personnel to watch over the facility following the Marchetti family’s departure in December.

Returning Renters Policy

The final revisions to the Eichler’s Cove plan include a new policy for returning slip renters.

Because of the longstanding relationship with nonresident boat slip renters, Parks and Recreation commissioners recommended that all boat slip renters from the prior season should be provided with a window of opportunity to renew their slips for the coming season.

All returning boat slip renters be given priority to renew their boat slip rentals through March 1, 2011. Starting March 2 through April 1, remaining slips should be available to Newtown residents and returning boat slip renters only on a first come, first served basis.

Beginning April 2, any remaining slips should be made available to both resident and nonresidents on a first come, first served basis (those individuals would be placed on a waiting list prior to April 2).

Notwithstanding the preferential treatment provided to returning boat slip renters, rights of returning boat slip renters must not extend beyond the person(s) noted on the original slip holder agreement and are not transferable, the revision states.

Commissioners also recommended that additional efforts be made to encourage Newtown residents to become boat slip renters. To accomplish this, Ms Mangold was directed to market Eichler’s Cove “vigorously” with brochures that would be distributed to local realtors, Chamber of Commerce, local fish/bait stores, etc.

The latest Eichler’s Cove revisions also clarify the need for dock attendants, since those docks will be open from mid-May to mid-October from 7 am to 10 pm daily. It was recommended that attendants be hired for the season and they share in the total hours the docks are open to the boat slip renters.

Attendants’

Responsibilities

The duties for this position include but are not limited to develop positive working relationships with boat slip renters; enforce Eichler’s Cove rules as pertains to boats and the docks; conduct regular inspections of docks; report any issues; check for passes; and coordinate parking.

This position requires the person to be outdoors virtually 100 percent of their time on duty, and to be able to work weekends and holidays.

From the hours of 10 pm to 7 am, a security company will be hired to patrol Eichler’s Cove. It was anticipated that one uniformed guard will be on duty during these hours.

The Parks and Recreation staff will continue with their current responsibilities at Eichler’s Cove. A crew arrives each morning to do the daily cleanup, beach grooming, and check the docks.

In addition, a crew cuts, trims, and weeds there twice a week, and is responsible for reporting any issues with Eichler’s Cove.

In addition, summer rangers will check the docks and site every day.

If the town agrees to proceed with hiring dock attendants, the commissioners recommended that the Parks and Recreation Department maintain the rental of the boat slips and continue to hire a gate attendant as they did for this past summer season.

These revised recommendations are in addition to the recommendations outlined in the original August 14 report.