Candlewood Lake Authority and FirstLight Power Remind Public to Practice Safe Boating

 

New Milford, CT – With the recreational boating season nearly here, the Candlewood Lake Authority and FirstLight Power are urging the public to practice safe boating and exercise caution when enjoying the lake and Housatonic River. 

 

“Memorial Day is the traditional start of boating season, but we’re already seeing boats, canoes, and kayaks out on the water.   The water is still quite cold and river currents can be very strong, so please be extra careful if you go out,’’ said Len Greene, Director of Government Affairs and Communications at FirstLight.   

 

Mark Howarth, Executive Director of the Candlewood Lake Authority, adds “To help ensure the safety of everyone using the lake, all lake users should be wearing a life vest and be especially vigilant about water hazards that may lie beneath the surface, both before and after hazard buoys are deployed.”

​

​

CANDLEWOOD LAKE AUTHORITY RECEIVES $100,000 DONATION FROM FIRSTLIGHT POWER TOWARDS NEW PATROL BOAT

​

The Candlewood Lake Authority is pleased to announce a donation for $100,000 from FirstLight Power to help purchase a new boat to patrol Candlewood Lake next summer.  “This donation is key to the CLA’s increasing focus on public safety on Candlewood Lake and we greatly appreciate FirstLight’s generosity” said Mark Howarth, Executive Director of the CLA.  

 

“FirstLight places the utmost priority on the protection of public safety and the environment at Candlewood Lake and values the work CLA does to safeguard the public’s use and enjoyment of the Lake.  Heading into next summer we wanted to help CLA meet those needs, which have grown amidst the ongoing pandemic,” said FirstLight spokesperson Len Greene. “On behalf of all of the employees of FirstLight we’re proud to make this contribution to help the CLA in its effort to keep Candlewood Lake a safe place for people to continue to enjoy for years to come.” 

 

This commitment follows FirstLight’s collaboration with the municipalities, CT DEEP, and Candlewood Lake Authority this past season to ensure public health and safety amidst the pandemic. 

 

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, New Fairfield First Selectman Patricia Del Monaco, Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn, and Sherman First Selectman Don Lowe issued the following joint statement: “We, the municipal leaders on Candlewood Lake, are pleased to be working with both the CLA and FirstLight to ensure we have the capacity and the equipment needed to keep everyone safe on the lake. We applaud FirstLight for stepping up at this critical juncture and donating $100,000 to the CLA to help purchase a patrol boat.”

The Candlewood Lake Authority provides lake, shoreline and watershed management to foster the preservation and enhancement of recreational, economic, scenic, public safety and environmental values of the Lake for the City of Danbury and the Towns of Brookfield, New Fairfield, New Milford and Sherman in cooperation with the State of Connecticut and Northeast Utilities.