Inveterate ROLZA volunteer Joe Madero was elected president of the Riverside on Lake Zoar Association (ROLZA) at the association’s annual membership meeting on March 12. He succeeds Kevin Shepard, who has headed the Lake Zoar beach association for nearly a decade. Both live close to the beach pavilion enjoyed by Riverside residents.

Also elected during the meeting were Tony Fischetti, vice president; Sharon Olmstead, treasurer; Kristin Tichy, recording secretary; Deirdre Bough, membership secretary; and Jay Degenhardt, Frank Gallagher, and Alan Shepard, trustees.

Leading the meeting for the night, Shepard told ROLZA residents that the organization accomplished many structural things during the past year. The boat ramp was upgraded by adding a French drain system to maintain a smooth launching area. The system captures nearby underground water along the launching path and redirects water from the downspouts on the pavilion building. Old fencing on the boat path was also removed and replaced. Additionally, the pavilion building now has electrical access, lighting, and a sound system.

Most important this year, a concrete sediment pond was designed and installed to control the brook entering the beach cove. For many decades, the area has been washed out and destroyed by torrential rains and constant washouts.

Creating this sediment pond prevents excessive debris and sediment from entering the beach when torrents of rain come down the hill. It also serves a dual purpose by maintaining a level beach height for ease of docking and unloading boats.

Speaking that night, Shepard explained that during the 1970s, when I-84 was rebuilt, “all the ground surface water from Pole Bridge Road and other nearby roads, was redirected to the waterway that runs down and through the Riverside Beach. For more than 50 years, it has created havoc, and washouts, in our beach area.

“It’s taken several years to raise the money, and to design and get approvals from First Light and the Town of Newtown. This past year, we were able to manage the costs and build a sediment pond, and by adding large boulders along the beach, we now have a proper system to manage beach erosion as well,” he added.

Specifically mentioned for their help were Alan Shepard for engineering services; Joe Murphy from Shur Shot Gunite, for donating heavy equipment; and Dan Doherty for operating the loaned heavy equipment.

Chris Hotis donated all the mafia blocks needed to create the sediment pond, and past ROLZA trustee John Dunkin submitted the necessary paperwork for the permits.

Shepard further explained to The Newtown Bee that First Light gave ROLZA “a lifetime permit to clean out the pond.”

Plans for this summer include fresh white beach sand, adding bumpers on the new sediment pond (for boat parking), installation of an apron on the boat launch area, and the possible installation of kayak racks.

Speaking this week, Shepard clarified that the projects completed recently within the ROLZA district were done with the help of friends and family.

“Many improvements have taken place over the past few years since the transfer of ownership from the Town of Newtown,” he said.