The Brookfield Board of Selectmen has authorized town officials to apply for a 2017 Candlewood Lake Authority grant request through FirstLight Powers Resources.  Brookfield is seeking $2,40 for the continuation of the boat decontamination program.

The program is aimed at controlling invasive species in Candlewood Lake.

The boat inspection and decontamination program is a voluntary initiative.  It runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  The grant will pay to staff the trailer on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  First Selectman Steve Dunn says Khols has already given permission to use their parking lot for the program.

To pass the inspection, boats need to be clean, drained and dry.  Boats can be decontaminated for free using a machine if they don't meet that standard.  It takes about 20 minutes to decontaminate a boat and several minutes to complete the inspection.

The state Department of Energy says this program was the first of its kind in Connecticut.