July 2009

I hope you are all enjoying the summer weather.  The monsoons seemed to have stopped and beautiful hot summer days are here.  It's already too hot.  What will it be like in August?

Maybe by then we will have been sprayed for mosquitoes.  As I write this, we have yet to have a mosquito treatment.  It has either been raining or we haven't had enough mosquitoes to justify spraying.  This is generally done with a "landing count" test.  The driver holds out his arm and counts how many mosquitoes land in a certain amount of time.   I don't know where they are doing the landing test but I know a lot of you can't believe that we don't have enough mosquitoes.  If you have a location that you feel is particularly bad, then please send me an email at president@hillsmereshores.net and let me know.  I will try to coordinate with MDA to have them check those areas.   

There has been a change in the mosquito spraying exclusion policy.  As of June 24th,  28 properties (2.3% of the community) had opted out of the spraying program by filing a request for exemption with MDA (it's around 30 properties now).   Based on the maps that were provided to us, those 28 properties caused an additional 522 properties (41.8% of the community) to be excluded from the spraying program because of the 300 foot buffer normally used by the spraying program and the small size of our lots.   In other words, a very small number of people were preventing almost half of the community from getting mosquito spraying.  In addition, MDA informed me that we were in danger of having the program canceled all together because of the large number of properties that wouldn't be sprayed and the complexity of skipping so many streets.  The published MDA mosquito control policy states "A city/town or community association may request the Department to rescind or modify a spray exclusion zone if the local authority believes the exemption unfairly impacts other residents who desire adult mosquito control service".  This was discussed in depth at the HSIA board meeting held on Thursday, June 25, 2009.   The board approved a motion to request that the 300 foot buffer be eliminated and that the exclusion zone for a property that opts out be limited to the street in front of the opting out property and the street in front of one property to either side.  This means that instead of having one opted out property cause about 20 other homes to be excluded, each opt out will only affect about five other homes.  This policy was put into place by MDA at our request.  I know there are some very strong feelings about the spraying program.  However, the emails I received after I notified the community, via our email list, ran more than 10‑1 in favor of the boards' action.  We had maps of the community and the exclusion areas at the General meeting on July 9th.  Most people were very surprised by the large areas excluded with the 300 foot buffer.  If you feel strongly against the spraying program then, by all means, opt out.  We are trying to make the program more fair to all residents.  We are not suggesting or requesting that people not opt out.  That is a personal decision that only you can make.

Another issue of great concern to our community is a spate of serious vandalism incidents in Quiet Waters Park.  People have been spray painting graffiti on the stage where the summer concerts are held.  The stage was repainted just after July 4th and it was defaced with graffiti again the next day.  They have also been cutting down trees and making bike ramps.  The park and the police are taking this very seriously.  The police are fairly certain that the perpetrators are entering from Hillsmere.  There is a vacant lot across from 509 Forest Hill Drive that has a path to the park going through it.  The fence there has been cut by vandals repeatedly.  We have had increased police patrols because of these incidents.   If you see anyone entering the park from Forest Hill Drive after dusk, especially kids on bikes, please call 911 immediately.  These crimes are an embarrassment to our community and we should do everything we can to help the police arrest the vandals.

We have also sent out a few emails about the bacteria levels at the beach.  Our beach is tested by the county but we also take part in a South River Federation program that tests our community beach each week.  After the large rain storms in early June, our bacteria counts soared to nearly five times the safe level.  The rain washes contaminants, much of which is from dog and goose droppings, into the water.  The county doesn't test after rain storms because they know the levels will be high.    You can help by making sure you pick up after your dog even if it's far from the water.  Also, please don't feed geese or other water fowl at or near the beach.  You should avoid going in the water within 48 hours after a major rain storm.  Anytime you do go swimming, make sure to shower or bathe as soon as possible after you get home.  This is especially important for young children.  If your kids have any cuts or open sores they should not go in the bay.  The community beach is a great place to enjoy the bay and to go for a swim.  Thanks to Kate Penn and the beach committee, the nettle nets are up and working to keep the jellyfish out.  So, enjoy the water.  Just be aware of the simple precautions you can take to prevent any problems.

Our Hillsmere Historian, Julie Crudele,  is actively gathering information about the history of our community.  She is looking for people who have lived here for a long time (or who grew up here) to talk about what it was like over the years.  More than facts, she is also interested in preserving memories and stories about life in Hillsmere.  If you, or someone you know, would like to share stories with Julie, email her at historian@hillsmereshores.net or leave a message on our 24 hour voice mail at 410‑263‑4456.

Speaking of history, Hillsmere just lost a wonderful person who, not only loved our community, but gave an awful lot back to benefit all of us.  Sue Miller passed away on July 9th.  Sue was a member of the HSIA board until her illness forced her to resign only a few weeks before her death.  Over the years, she had served on the HSIA board and on many committees.  She was the HSIA Treasurer for four years.  Sue, and her husband George, gave so much to our community in so many ways.  I personally remember many wonderful conversations with her at the marina where she and George spent much time on their boat.  Sue will be missed by all of us.

Enjoy the summer and be sure to get out and meet your neighbors.  Stop by the beach for our monthly happy hours or one of the great summer parties and events that make our community special.  I was talking to a resident at the July 10th Happy Hour.  She said that when she told a co‑worker she had to get home for her community happy hour, the co‑worker was amazed.  "You have community happy hours?", she said.  The resident said, "Yes, at our community beach".  "You have a community beach?" the co‑worker said in absolute amazement.  Don't take it for granted.  You live in a wonderful community.  Get out and enjoy it!