I know a number of you have expressed interest in this so I figured I'd post the news release that the department put out the other day.

For Information Contact:
Dennis Schain, 860-424-3110
October 28, 2011
P R E S S R E L E A S E
DEEP to Hold Public Information Meeting on Beverly’s Property
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced it will hold a public information meeting regarding the Beverly’s property on Wednesday November 9. The information meeting, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Morris Town Hall, is designed for DEEP to solicit feedback from residents and users of Bantam Lake on its management plan for Beverly’s in the event the agency purchases the property. At the meeting, DEEP staff will be available to answer questions, and attendees will be able to provide comments in a workshop-style format. “DEEP is actively seeking input from the public on the best ways to manage Beverly’s were it to become state property,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette. “We have an agreement to purchase the property, but we are eager to present our draft plan for the facility and gather input from the public before moving forward to close on it.”
“In meetings we have already held with town officials and other interested parties,” Frechette said, “we have made our goals for use of Beverly’s very clear. These goals would be to: operate it in a manner that will make DEEP a ‘good neighbor’ in the community; to preserve this property for water dependent activities such as boating and fishing; and to provide the public with some access to what is Connecticut’s largest natural lake. In short, we would seek to strike the right balance between providing public access for boating and fishing while maintaining the unique character of the lake and surrounding communities.”
DEEP’s draft management plan for operating Beverly’s proposes to:

•Continue to operate the marina rental slips, likely reducing the number of slips to accommodate 20 spaces for boat launching activity
•Enhance DEEP law enforcement on the lake
•Provide office space for professional staff, including law enforcement, in the building on the property
•Make marina slip space available to Morris and Litchfield fire, police and other emergency personnel if needed
•Increase collaboration with the Towns of Morris and Litchfield and the Bantam Lake Association on invasive weed management
•Comply with local ordinance for no nighttime motor uses between 11 PM and 5 AM

DEEP’s plans for operating Beverly’s do NOT include:
•Operation of a restaurant
•Consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages
•Swimming or camping
•Vessel or engine maintenance at the marina

“Bantam Lake is one of Connecticut’s most beautiful natural resources and as stewards of the environment, DEEP wants to ensure the quality of life on the lake is maintained.” added Deputy Commissioner Frechette. “We also hope the purchase of Beverly’s will protect it from development while providing public access to those who can respect and enjoy its outdoor recreation opportunities.”
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