At the May Board Meeting, we discussed the mosquito problems in Hillsmere.  Natalie Lobe, the board member working on creating action plans based on the Community Survey we did a few years ago, pointed out that 71% of the respondents were in favor of spraying.  Eighty-nine percent of the people who submitted a survey had an opinion on this question.  The board decided that we should invite an expert from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to our July 10th General Meeting to talk about mosquito control.  We also decided to encourage residents to use local methods, such as larvicide, as described in the May Sea Breeze.  Finally, the board decided that we should investigate available spraying programs as long as they allowed residents to opt out of the spraying.  We should have started this process much sooner.  The deadline for requesting community spraying passed a month ago.  However, I was told by the Maryland Department of Agriculture that it was still possible depending on available openings in their schedule.  I will let you know what the board decides to do about spraying via email.  To get on the Hillsmere email list, just visit our web site at www.hillsmereshores.net.  By the way, this is a good example of how the Community Survey is a big factor in all kinds of HSIA Board deliberations.  We frequently consult the survey to see what the community’s feelings were on a subject.  The board still has to do what it thinks is best, but the survey carries a lot of weight in our discussions and decisions.

 I want to clarify a few things about the multi-family houses issue.  I received several emails from residents who felt I was encouraging neighbors to spy on each other.  In my opinion, this issue should be no different than any other zoning or covenants issue.  If you see a violation that concerns you, then you should let us know.  A good example of this was the new house being built at Hillsmere and Sunset Drives.  After one of those rains, the contractor pumped out the muddy water without proper silt control procedures.  I received numerous calls and emails about it.  We actually issued a stop work order.  The next day, a County inspector was on the site and made sure the pumping was being done properly.  I also received a few emails from people who wondered if I was targeting Latino families.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I welcome Latino families to become part of our community.  I think that one of the great things about Hillsmere is its diversity, both economic and ethnic.  A lot of the confusion and concern has to do with the way the County law used to be written.  It talked about the number of unrelated people living in a household.  The law was recently changed to only look at the square feet per person to make sure that the living conditions in a household were safe and sanitary.  In fact, the new law is enforced primarily by the County Health Department.  In the worst of the alleged multi-family homes, I received reports of stalls being constructed in the basement to house workers.  If this is true and if the home is being used as an unlicensed rooming house or, worse, a flop house for company workers, then it is our responsibility to follow-up with the County to make sure these conditions do not continue to exist. 

There were a rash of thefts from cars in Hillsmere recently.  Over the Memorial Day weekend, at least five thefts were reported on Groh Lane, Huse Drive, and Meade Drive.  People had wallets, CDs, and other valuables stolen.  It turned out that, in every case that I heard of, the cars were unlocked and sometimes even had the windows down.  If everyone locked their cars and called 911 if they saw anything suspicious, then I think this problem would either go away or be greatly reduced.

 The new community tee shirts have been ordered and should be here soon.  They are dark green with dark gold lettering.  We got orders for about 60 tee shirts and ordered an additional 30 shirts.  If you’d like to get one, be sure to place your order soon.  The popular sizes will go quickly.  All sizes are $10 each.  There is an order form in this Sea Breeze and also available on our web site.