December 2009

It's that time of the year again.  The leaves are all down and, hopefully, bagged and gone.  The weather is getting colder.  Soon we'll be watching out for snow.  The holidays are here.  We've made it through our first massive meal at Thanksgiving and are wondering how we'll manage to get through all the other holiday meals without gaining too many pounds.  It's a time for family and friends and gift giving.  And, finally, when it's all over, we get to start a new year with a clean slate.  What a wonderful time of the year!

Unfortunately, we never get to rest from the issues that continue to challenge our concept of being good neighbors.  This issue of the Sea Breeze has several articles about the offer or ultimatum (depending on how you look at it) from nine of the property owners along the beach strip.  This is an important issue for all of us since there is a real possibility of another adverse possession lawsuit like the one we just went though.  We are asking the community to weigh in on what they want the board to do.  Please read all the articles, attend the Community Town Hall Meeting on December 15th, and send in the ballot that will be in the January Sea Breeze with your preference.  We need everyone to vote on this important question.  I won't say any more about it now.  Please read my article (as well as others from HSIA board members) in this issue.

Another issue that is hopefully about to be resolved is the new pool lease.  We reached an agreement in principal but there are still a few adjustments to the agreement that are not settled yet.  The Hillsmere Pool Association (HPA) has done a very good job of running the pool.  However, a very small percentage of our community is using this wonderful resource.  The agreement in principal was designed to make the pool more accessible to Hillsmere residents by making adjustments to the types of memberships and adding books of 10 pool passes that residents could buy.  A lot of people don't realize that the reason that HSIA is so involved in this whole process is that the pool, buildings, and property belong to HSIA and, therefore, to every property owner in Hillsmere.  Although there have been some strong differences of opinion, the HPA Board of Directors have been very willing to work with HSIA to resolve them.  I am optimistic that we will have a new lease signed very soon.

I'm going to make my comments short this month since there is so much to read in this issue of the Sea Breeze.  I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard for our community this year.  Kate Penn and the Beach Committee have done a wonderful job of managing and improving the community beach.  From play equipment to the new fence to the beautiful rain garden and stormwater control project, they have given a huge amount of time and effort to the community.  Ray Sullivan and the Stormwater Committee have also been very active.  Along with help from the South River Federation they have made the new rain garden at Phipps and Great Lake come to fruition.  You'll see that project completed before the end of the year.  Kevin Green did a great job managing our private security patrols and off‑duty police officers.  Natalie Lobe and Christina Friday served as members of the HSIA board but are now leaving to go on to other things.  Noel Gasparin spent many hours making sure our landscaping and grass cutting was done right.  He also was instrumental in getting the beautiful new entrance and beach signs.  Bill Anderson has worked hard to manage the building permits.  Bruce Walker, our Treasurer, has done an absolutely terrific, professional job with our budgets and finances with a great deal of help from Jim Schwallenberg, our paid accountant.  Mark Jones has spent many hours making the marina and boat ramps an asset that we all benefit from.  Jean Somers, our Administrator, although a paid HSIA employee, is dedicated to keeping your community running smoothly.  Most of what you take for granted from Come And Get It Day to beach reservations wouldn't  be possible without her terrific effort.  I'm sure I missed a few people who have worked very hard.  Thanks to everyone who gave of themselves to make our community a better place to live.

-Bill Shuman
 President, Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association