On Thursday, November 21, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) hosted a public information meeting regarding the slalom ski course in Lake Zoar.

The application is for a renewal of the permit for the preexisting course submitted by Lake Zoar Slalom Ski Club President Daniel O’Donnell. The course is “on the western side of Lake Zoar in the vicinity of Bridge End Farm Road and Anthes Avenue,” DEEP wrote in the meeting agenda.

O’Donnell spoke briefly at the beginning regarding the specifics of the course. O’Donnell explained the course is “in the same location it’s been in since it was originally permitted in 1978, between the Silver Bridge and the Shepaug Dam, alongside Bridge End Farm Road.”

He then explained the mechanisms and materials of the course, saying, “it’s still the same anchorage for the most part … except for some things that have been upgraded and replaced with similar [parts] since it’s an original installation.”

Following O’Donnell’s brief explanation, the attorney residing over the permit, Rachael Gaudio, invited the members of the public up for comment.

Joel Zeisler, the executive director for Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers, was the first to speak. Zeisler had hard copies of documents available for the public regarding previous incidents that have occurred on the lake.

Zeisler said he experienced intimidation and discrimination against his disabled skiers in years past and is “normally I’m here to lobby for slalom courses and ski jumps. They can be wonderful; however, in this case there’s a lot of negativity which I do not like.”

Zeisler described an incident in 2017 where O’Donnell was operating a boat and came way too close to Zeisler while he was towing a blind skier. Zeisler handed out copies of the police report. Another incident report, also from 2017, shows that a dock that was brand new for the Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers was cut from the ropes and removed from the metal stakes that held it in place. The dock was later found and returned, but emotions still ran high seven years later.

Zeisler stated in the meeting, “This is a privilege to have this permit, and I don’t think that individuals here tonight realize that’s a privilege.”

After Zeisler spoke, Allan Golabek, a former world champion blind skier, shared his thoughts regarding the application.

“Something happened where there’s been, you know, some issues, and when the issues concern safety for the club skiers that are disabled, it’s alarming, it’s concerning. I don’t like it, it’s not what I’m used to and it’s … frustrating to be honest with you.”

Golabek added, “I [would] just like to go forward and know that the waters are going to be safe for my disabled skiers … I don’t understand why we just can’t all play in the same water together.” He sited traffic as a possible safety concern.

Zeisler included in his statement that “there is 30% more registrations in boating licenses every year, especially after COVID, so the place where [the course] is located is not ideal.”

Following Golabek’s statement, the meeting took a sharp turn to hostility. A few others spoke framing Zeisler to be the antagonist on the lake.

Gary Gilroy said, “One thing I need to say here is I think this is all a bunch of hostility against the slalom course. Both sides.” He shared that he saw Zeisler “purposely go down and go past the guys in the slalom course. I witnessed it. For what? To harass ‘em.”

A few members of the public began to respond to Gilroy, prompting Gaudio to remind the public not to engage in a back and forth.

A few others spoke against Zeisler and Leaps of Faith, and Golabek explained he was at the meeting on behalf of the skier that crashed due to the incident in 2017.

Gaudio asked if anyone had any remaining comments, and Zeisler said that “We have never, ever done anything deliberately. Our turns are before and after the course.” That prompted the audience to speak out of turn, forcing Gaudio to act quickly.

“Everyone quiet,” she said. “So first, this is a public, informational meeting where public comments are supposed to be made concerning the application. This, to me, is becoming more of a hashing of grievances between the two groups … I do want to keep this specific to the application.”

After Gaudio’s instruction, Zeisler said, “To have a permit without renewing it every five years, I mean, it should be renewed every two to three years.”

Peter Francis, the director of boating for CT DEEP, reminded the gallery that the elements that will be reviewed for the application are completeness and accuracy of the application, public safety concerns, and environmental impacts.

DEEP is still accepting written comments regarding the course until December 4. They can be submitted to DEEP.boating@ct.gov, or mailed to DEEP Boating Division, c/o Yolanda Cooley, PO Box 280, Old Lyme, CT 06071.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.