Important Information: "Proposed Ordinance Regarding Regulations of Wake Boat Operations on Lake Waramaug"
The Town of Washington is currently drafting a "Proposed Ordinance Regarding Regulations of Wake Boat Operations on Lake Waramaug" which seeks to prohibit wake boating activities on the lake. As this ordinance directly affects our members and the wider community, the Lake Waramaug Association is providing the below information to help people stay informed, get involved, and reach out to their respective elected and appointed town and state officials to make concerns and opinions known now to the three towns of Washington, Warren, and Kent.
The Association did not propose this ordinance and is not taking a side on whether certain boating activities should or should not be restricted on Lake Waramaug. We support promoting community-wide discussion in a public forum with all stakeholders for this ordinance and other matters that affect life in and around the lake.
Advocating for an Open Public Process
The Lake Waramaug Association is advocating for the towns of Washington, Warren, and Kent to provide a transparent public process, including requests to:
Present the proposed ordinance along with rationale for its consideration at public meetings called with timely notice and Zoom access
Provide the community an opportunity at these public meetings to engage in open and courteous discussion, ask questions, and consider alternate language, if proposed
Provide clear and accurate information about the local process for enacting such an ordinance, including information about the ordinance’s origination, background information/research, who is eligible to vote, and where and when a vote will take place
How to Make Your Voice Heard
Write a letter, submit questions, and suggestions to the town selectmen or to DEEP officials, and/or consider attending upcoming Board of Selectmen Meetings taking place in each town as well as future town meetings as indicated on the towns’ websites listed below.
WASHINGTON: Jim Brinton, First Selectman, Town of Washington jbrinton@washingtonct.org 860-838-2259
For the schedule of upcoming BOS meetings and ews, agendas, and meeting minutes including where the proposed ordinance was discussed: https://washingtonct.org/board-of-selectmen
For the schedule of upcoming town meetings click on ‘Calendar’ at https://www.washingtonct.org/
WARREN: Greg Lacava, First Selectman, Town of Warren selectman@warrenct.org 860-868-7881
For the schedule of upcoming BOS meetings: https://www.warrentct.gov/board-selectmen
For the schedule of upcoming town meetings click on ‘Calendar’ at https://www.warrenct.gov/
For news, agendas, and meeting minutes including where the proposed ordinance was discussed: https://www.warrenct.gov/node/136/minutes/2023
KENT: Marty Lindenmayer, First Selectman, Town of Kent firstselectman@townofkent.org 860-927-4627
For the schedule of upcoming town meetings see https://www.townofkentct.org/
CT DEEP:
Peter Francis, Director & State Boating Law Administrator Recreation & Boating Division, CT DEEP peter.francis@ct.gov 860-424-3651
Katie Dykes, Commissioner CT DEEP katie.dykes@ct.gov
You can subscribe to e-mails from each Town with alerts, news, announcements, upcoming meetings, and meeting minutes here:
https://www.washingtonct.org/subscribe
https://www.warrenct.gov/subscribe
https://www.townofkentct.org/subscribe
LAKE IT EASY: Safe Boating Guidelines for Our Small Lake
The Lake Waramaug Association believes a holistic approach should be taken when it comes to boating and water safety on Lake Waramaug. The goal of our new Lake it Easy campaign is to educate and encourage all recreational users on Lake Waramaug to follow safe boating guidelines for our small lake - to Boat Safe, Paddle Smart, and Swim Aware - following all CT boating laws and regulations as well as etiquette for safe and courteous boating on Lake Waramaug. Click here for details about LAKE IT EASY.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions.