Candlewood Lake Authority Launches New Much-Anticipated Patrol Boat

Candlewood Lake will be a safer place this summer as the Candlewood Lake Authority proudly commissioned a new marine patrol boat from the docks of their Sherman base.

It's a beauty, and it's the first purpose-built aluminum patrol vessel the CLA has owned, according to CLA's Executive Director, Mark Howarth.

Get our free mobile app

Brookfield's Vol. Fire Department's Candlewood Company was invited to the launching ceremonies along with the Sherman Fire Department. The CLA couldn't wait to get this purpose-built patrol boat in the water for the 2021 season on Candlewood Lake.

A $100,000 donation from FirstLight, which partners with the Candlewood Lake Authority to regulate and preserve our lake, helped make this purchase possible and most of the surrounding towns that border the lake. The cost of the new marine patrol boat was $150,000.

On May 4, 2021, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) awarded a $26,000 grant to the Candlewood Lake Authority to set up an Aquatic Invasive Species Program (AIS). The money has been used to assemble a Lake Steward Program debuted on Saturday, June 12. My wife and I spotted two young men with their AIS banner at New Fairfield Town Park on opening day.

You might see CLA Lake Stewards posted at some public launches around Candlewood Lake on peak boating days during the summer. The stewards will be offering advice on how to spot and what to do if a boater comes in contact with aquatic invasive species such as algae blooms or zebra mussels.