Decisions Due On Future Of Eichler’s Cove

By John Voket

As many of the boaters who dock their watercraft at the town’s Eichler’s Cove Marina on Lake Zoar begin buttoning things down for the winter, local officials will be meeting to chart out a future course for the 11-acre recreation complex and town beach.

First Selectman Pat Llodra told The Bee that she is expecting some decisions about the future of Eichler’s Cove’s management at her board’s next meeting September 7. On August 16, selectmen heard a presentation and had a number of questions answered by Parks and Recreation Commission members about the town’s only fresh water recreation area, which also includes about 75 boat slips, a residential home, several cottages, and a maintenance garage.

If the selectmen vote to support a commission recommendation, this will be the final season for the marina operation to come under the watchful eye of Carol Marchetti. It was Ms Marchetti and her family who sold the Eichler’s Cove facility to the town for $1.4 million in July 2005.

Mrs Llodra said Wednesday she had not yet begun to “wade through the details” of the report that was turned over to her following the last selectmen’s meeting.

“But at our next meeting, I will make a recommendation, and I will expect the other selectmen to be prepared to weigh in,” Mrs Llodra said. “I plan on making a final decision September 7.”

The first selectman said the issue is time sensitive, particularly regarding the future of Ms Marchetti’s contract, which Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold said must be renewed on or before October 15. If that contract is not renewed, the Marchettis must be out of the residence at Eichler’s Cove by December 21.

Ms Mangold said that Ms Marchetti has been involved in discussions and has been updated about goings on and prospective future plans for her family’s former recreation area and marina for months, and as recently as Wednesday, Ms Marchetti was in the parks administration offices chatting about possible future plans once the marina is no longer under her management.

“Carol told me today that she had updated her resume,” Ms Mangold said. “And she was aware that we were doing all kinds of research down there, and that we were surveying Eichler’s marina users about possible future scenarios.”

One of the scenarios selectmen heard August 16 was a plan to have 24-hour in-person security personnel deployed at Eichler’s Cove by mid-May when next year’s slip leases open up. Those 24-hour guards will remain on hand through the 2011 rental season as electronic surveillance and security systems are installed.

Electronic Surveillance, Access

If all goes as proposed, and that plan is adopted by the selectmen, by the 2012 season, Eichler’s marina will be fully operational under electronic security and surveillance. If adopted as proposed, the following changes would be made at Eichler’s Cove prior to the May 2011 boating season:

1. Eliminate the independent contractor’s position resulting in the Parks and Recreation Department managing and overseeing the rentals of the boat slips. Hire a security company to provide 24/7 security during the season. In addition, hire a boat/parking lot/gate attendant.

2. Demolish the existing house.

3. Hire an engineering company for an initial consultation, preliminary review and design plan for additional parking and a new access road (money already appropriated).

4. Design and install a security system that would result in the elimination of the security company after the 2011 season.

5. Add a canoe and kayak storage rack on the site.

Comprehensive Plan

To continue moving forward with the improvements to Eichler’s Cove, the Parks and Recreation commissioners recommended the following (not in order of priority):

1. Build an access road and add parking.

2. Install a new septic system.

3. Build a concession stand/bathroom building.

4. Build a playground area.

5. Add a pavilion area.

6. Add additional boat slips and/or jet ski terminals once the parking has been expanded.

Future Liabilities, Plans

One of the issues of greatest future liability, as expressed during the last selectmen’s meeting by Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Ed Marks, is the contractual stipulation that Ms Marchetti is responsible for all maintenance costs of the house (interior and exterior) up to a maximum of $100.

Mr Marks is on record in several venues saying the expected future maintenance costs to keep the main house currently occupied by the Marchetti family in safe and livable condition is expected to escalate measurably if it remains occupied.

About 5,000 people use Eichler’s Cove beach and marina annually. According to the report, For 2009-2010 the Eichler’s Cove special revenue fund totaled $109,554, and drew $85,900 in expenses, leaving a net income of $23,654

While the Eichler’s Cove special revenue fund shows a profit, it does not, however, account for the cost of the lifeguards — approximately $39,244. As a result, Eichler’s Cove actually had a loss of $15,590.

The Town of New Fairfield, which Newtown is using as a model for the proposed Eichler’s electronic access/security system, generates $160,000 per year in revenue from its marina/beach operation with expenses of $70,000 per year. The surplus of $90,000 is used for other capital projects in the town, according to the Newtown report.

In a survey returned to the Parks & Recreation Department by 38 of the 70 slip renters solicited, the report related that most respondents who have rented boat slips at Eichler’s Cove like the facility.

*Thirty-seven of 38 respondents said they plan on renting a slip next year.

*Thirty-six said they were very satisfied or satisfied with Eichler’s Cove.

*Thirty-four said the chances are excellent or very good that they would recommend the facility to a relative or friend.

In answering the question, “If Newtown were to expand the facilities at Eichler’s Cove, what would be important to you?” the report reflects that 27 said better parking and 29 said restrooms. Twenty-four hour access to boats was somewhat less important; 13 said it was very important, while 8 said it was not important.

Survey respondents also said that changing rooms (18), electricity on the dock (14), a picnic area (13) were very important.