Possible Congamond Fees A Concern For Blumenthal
http://www.courant.com/community/news/en/hc-sufcongamond-1201,0,766006.story

The Hartford Courant
 December 1, 2008

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he would fight unfair or
illegal fees that may be imposed on town residents living on Congamond Lake.

Officials in Southwick, Mass., have said they plan to charge yearly fees for
docks and boats to help pay for police patrols on the lake, which is
officially within Massachusetts in the so-called Notch area of north-central
Connecticut.

"I share a strong concern about any fee assessed without adequate input by
Connecticut property owners," Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Matthew
Conway, who won election in November to the 61st House District, which
represents Suffield and parts of Windsor and East Granby.

"If legal action is necessary, I will participate in support of Connecticut
residents," Blumenthal wrote.

About 170 Suffield property owners would be required to pay fees for any
docks or boats they have in the water, as required by the Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection, said Southwick Lake Management
Committee Chairman Richard Grannells.

A public meeting on the issue is slated for tonight in Southwick town hall
at 6 p.m.

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http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-sufdockfee1202.artdec02,0,1729399.story

Suffield
Suffield Fights Proposed Congamond Lake Fees

By SHAWN R. BEALS | The Hartford Courant
    December 2, 2008

Residents on Congamond Lake, including some Suffield homeowners, may have to
start paying fees as early as next spring to use the lake as the town of
Southwick, Mass., tries to cover the cost of increased security patrols.

Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and
Southwick hashed out the proposal to charge for boats, docks and other
structures during a meeting in Southwick Monday night. At least 60 residents
of Suffield and Southwick attended.

"The whole goal here is to make it a safer, more enjoyable experience on the
lake," said Congamond Lake Management Committee Chairman Richard Grannells.

But Suffield First Selectman Scott Lingenfelter said imposing the fees is
"inappropriate." He said he would prefer to work something out between the
two towns that would not burden the owners of 170 Suffield homes that are on
the lake.

"It's taxation without representation against the residents of Suffield," he
said.

Many in attendance from both towns said they were in favor of increased
police patrols but were not happy about the fees and voiced concerns that
they could increase.

Under the proposal, charges include a $40 dock fee for the first year and a
$20 annual renewal fee, Grannells said. Boats would cost $10 a year to
register, but registered docks would include one free vessel sticker. Other
structures would cost $40 for the first year and $20 to renew.

The program is expected to generate about $23,000 in its first year and
$19,000 a year after, Grannells said.Southwick would use the money for the
increased lake patrols.

DEP Western Region Deputy Director Brian Harrington said the permits are
required under Massachusetts law, but the permitting process can be done
locally to cut costs and time.

Officially, the lake lies entirely within Massachusetts.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said last week that he would
fight any unfair taxes on Connecticut residents.

The Southwick Board of Selectmen would have to seek approval from
Massachusetts DEP on its proposed plan before it is implemented. A meeting
on the proposed is being planned for Suffield.