June 2009

Summer is really here. The weather is wonderful with just hot enough days and some afternoon thunderstorms. I hope you are spending time at the beach or marina. Being a waterfront community makes Hillsmere very special.

Another thing the warm weather brings is mosquitoes. As I reported earlier, we were on a waiting list for spraying and I was not optimistic that we would get into the program. However, I just received an email from the Maryland Department of Agriculture telling us that we have been accepted. Spraying will start on Wednesday, June 17th and continue through the end of September.

Here is how the program works. Every Wednesday evening the spray truck will visit our community. The spraying will always happen after 7:30 pm. It can be as late as 3:30 am. First, the driver will make sure the weather is cooperating. If it's too hot (90 degrees or hotter), too windy (over 12 mph), or raining there will be no spraying that week. The driver also checks to make sure there are mosquitoes present. Once he is satisfied that spraying is appropriate, he will spray the community. Any properties that opted out of the spraying program will not be sprayed (more on that later).

The chemical that will be used is called Biomist 30+30. It is an aerosol version of Permethrin mixed with Piperonyl Butoxide. It is sprayed in an ultra low volume application. Obviously, the MD Department of Agriculture feels that this application is safe. However, they do recommend that children and pets be kept inside while the spraying is going on. They also recommend closing your windows during that time. Since the spraying will always be done on Wednesday night after 7:30 pm, that recommendation is easy to follow. There is a lot of information online about Permethrin. You can visit the MD Department of Agriculture mosquito control site at www.mda.state.md.us. Click on Plants/Pests and Mosquito Control. Both the EPA and CD have web sites related to Permethrin. The HSIA web site (www.hillsmereshores.net) also has several links to information web sites. Permethrin is a common ingredient in flea collars and head lice shampoos. According to the person I talked to at the MD Department of Agriculture, a study was done to see if the chemical could be detected in residents from an area that was being sprayed, like Hillsmere will be. No trace was detected except in some dog owners. This was attributed to handling of flea collars.

You need to make up your own mind about whether you want your property to be included in the spraying. If, after doing your research, you want to be excluded, there is a simple way to make sure your property is not sprayed. In this Sea Breeze, is the form you must send to the MD Department of Agriculture to opt‑out. You can fax a copy to 410‑841‑5734 or mail it to the address shown on the form. By opting out, no spraying will be done within 300 feet of your property. Also in this issue is a copy of the mosquito spraying policy and a fact sheet. Please note that, in the event of mosquito‑borne disease or conditions that threaten public health, the entire neighborhood will be sprayed, including properties that have opted‑out. If you are interested in having your property excluded, you should send in the form right away.

Much of the mosquito problem in Hillsmere is the Asian Tiger Mosquito. They are very difficult to control and very aggressive pests. The spraying will help but there is a lot you can do to reduce or eliminate the problem in your own back yard. Basically, they breed in very small containers of standing water. In this issue of the Sea Breeze, there is an article on How to Control Asian Tiger Mosquitoes. Please take a look and spend a few minutes checking your property. It will make a big difference.

Another sign of summer is increased use of our beach. Many of you are used to seeing Randy, the security guard, at the beach on summer weekends and holidays. Randy was unable to work for us this year but we are still covered. We have two Hillsmere residents who are working the beach security this summer. They are Daniel Wilson and Colin Giardini. Daniel and Colin will be taking turns making sure that only residents or property owners use the beach and that all beach rules are observed. They also check the sand spit (marina). If you are down at the beach, be sure and say hello.

Speaking of the marina, it's a great place for all residents to enjoy, not just boaters. Many people spend time with chicken necks and nets crabbing from the docks. This is absolutely great family fun. There are two things you need to keep in mind. First, do not go on any boats and don't tie strings on boats or dock lines. Second, crab pots are illegal to use from community piers. Any crab pots found will be removed and disposed of immediately.

There was a lot of publicity about the Duvall Creek dredging project scheduled for 2011. There were several "Spur Workshops" at Hillsmere Elementary School. Whereas the county and state are scheduled to dredge the channel, waterfront property owners needed to apply for a permit if they wanted a spur dredged to their dock. I attended for HSIA, since we are a waterfront property owner. We were able to get a single blanket permit for all of our potential dredging areas. This included parts of the marina next to the sand spit, both boat ramps, and the Beach Drive canoe launch area. Unfortunately, the dredging funding has been temporarily pulled so the project is in limbo at the moment. It is still likely to happen once they get the details worked out. The actual areas that we dredge will likely change based on what we can afford when the time comes. The permitting and actual dredging will be very expensive.

Finally, I need to remind everyone that you MUST make a reservation with our administrator to have an event at the beach. Only the large pavilion is used for reserved events. There are events scheduled most weekends throughout the summer. Do not send out invitations for a party at the beach until you have received a confirmation from HSIA. We cannot make exceptions if you do. It only takes the use of the beach away from other residents. Make your reservations early by calling our 24-hour voice mail at 410-263-4456 or send an email to admin@hillsmereshores.net.

Hillsmere is another busy place this summer, as always. I hope to see you at some of the Beach Happy Hours. They are the second Friday of each month from June through August. We will also have two Beach Happy Hours in the Fall. On June 20th we'll have our Community Picnic. It's a great family event with a Moon Bounce and lots of free food. Come on down to the beach and meet your wonderful neighbors.