What they call their work
What they do
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Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 2 activities
- Conducts lake sedimentation and bathymetric studiesPerformed a bathymetry study in 2017 to map the lake bottom and identify sedimentation patterns, and conducted research indicating up to 3 feet of sediment accumulation in the deepest areas of Roaring Brook Lake to inform long-term management strategies.
- Water quality monitoring and reportingConducts regular water quality assessments through participation in the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, including annual reporting on nutrient levels, chlorophyll, and water clarity. Monitors for harmful algal blooms and confirms their absence to ensure safe swimming conditions.
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Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Annual community events and communicationsProduces a newsletter and maintains a website to communicate with members, and organizes recurring social and educational events including the annual Regatta, Holiday Party, State of the Lake meeting, Q&A sessions with lake managers, hiking excursions, and family gatherings at Children’s Beach.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Community stewardship and environmental protection of Roaring Brook LakeEngages property owners in protecting the ecological health of Roaring Brook Lake through invasive species management, erosion control, wetland buffer promotion, and pollution prevention initiatives. Organizes community-wide efforts including removal of invasive plants like Oriental Bittersweet and monitors water quality to maintain safe recreational conditions.
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Lake Invasive Species Management 1 activity
- Lake management through biological and physical controlsIntroduced 500 sterile grass carp in 2012 to control aquatic weed overgrowth and improve recreational access. Conducts annual winter drawdowns to expose invasive Eurasian milfoil to freezing temperatures, promoting natural die-off as part of integrated weed management.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 1 activity
- Recreational access and facility management for lake usersProvides exclusive recreational access to Roaring Brook Lake for property owners and guests, including swimming, boating, fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing. Manages boat storage and launch facilities requiring valid RBL boat stickers, maintains public beaches with capacity limits, and operates seasonal activities such as beachside yoga and annual lake drawdowns for ice damage prevention and weed control.
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Supplemental Urban Sanitation Services 1 activity
- Waste and recycling services for the lake districtOrganizes weekly trash collection and single-stream recycling every Monday for residents and provides one annual bulk waste pick-up day each autumn to maintain cleanliness and environmental quality in the Roaring Brook Lake District.
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Lake Stewardship Education & Outreach 1 activity
- Wildlife protection and road safety awarenessRaises community awareness about turtle migration periods to reduce road mortality of snapping and painted turtles near Roaring Brook Lake through education and signage during critical crossing times.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Dam and infrastructure maintenance advocacyAdvocates for responsible dam rehabilitation planning and rescheduled state-mandated dam maintenance to fall 2025–spring 2026 after procedural errors in the bidding process were identified. Develops long-term climate change preparedness plans for dam integrity.
- Infrastructure and road maintenance coordinationChairs the Roads Committee and collaborates with town officials to maintain and clear roads, particularly during winter months, ensuring safe and reliable access for residents of the Roaring Brook Lake community.
- Septic system regulation and educationImplements and enforces a septic pump-out ordinance requiring all septic tanks in the district to be inspected and pumped at least once every five years since 2017, and provides educational resources and hosts information sessions on septic system maintenance and new technologies to protect lake water quality.
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Who runs it
- Akshi Federici — Board Member
- Ally Gazzola — Board Member
- Bobby Coles — Board Member
- Dennis Berdecia — Board member
- Ina Cholst — Board Member
- Laura Listwan — Board Member
- Lenny Rein — Board Member
- Mohammad Elfiturri — Board Member
- Val Mansfield — Board Member
Who they work with
- Citizen’s Statewide Lake Association Program Network — Participates in CSLAP for standardized water quality monitoring and data collection.
- NYS Fahnestock Park Government — Undeveloped forest surrounding the lake, providing natural recreation and environmental context for the community.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Collaborates with NYSDEC on lake management decisions, including approval for sterile grass carp stocking.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Cooperative partner in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) for lake monitoring and education.
- New York State Federation of Lake Associations Partner — Cooperative partner in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) for lake monitoring and education.
- Putnam Valley Partner — Collaborates with the Town of Putnam Valley on environmental initiatives, including the Community Solar Program.
- Putnam Valley Town Government Government — Coordinates with town officials on dam maintenance, regulatory enforcement, and grant applications.
- RBL Garden Club Partner — Co-organizes outdoor events such as hikes with the RBLPOA.
- Roaring Brook Lake Garden Club Partner — Co-presented an information session on septic system technology and lake water quality.
- Roaring Brook Lake Property Owners Assoc Inc Network — Organization responsible for lake stewardship and management.
- The Fund for Roaring Brook Lake Partner — Co-presented an information session on septic system technology and lake water quality.
- Town Hall Government — Hosts POA budget and governance meetings.
- Town of Putnam Valley Government — Administers the RBL Improvement District and enacted septic maintenance regulations in partnership with the community.
- Town of Putnam Valley Government — Bobby Coles serves on the Lake Preservation Committee, appointed by the town.
- Town of Putnam Valley Government — Issues permits for tree cutting and lake-related repairs; enforces local regulations affecting the lake community.
- Town’s highway superintendents Partner — Collaborates with town officials to maintain and clear roads in the community.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Stewardship Modelmethodology: community_stewardshipBy fostering a culture of shared responsibility and collective action among property owners, the organization sustains the ecological health and water quality of Roaring Brook Lake, because community-driven engagement produces more durable environmental outcomes than top-down enforcement.
- Ecological Management Through Proactive Infrastructure and Nutrient Controlmethodology: nutrient_managementBy targeting nutrient inputs—especially from septic systems—and upgrading to advanced septic technologies, the organization slows eutrophication and improves water quality, because phosphorus reduction is a scientifically grounded lever for long-term lake health.