July/August 2008

I hope everyone enjoyed their July 4th weekend.  I spent the weekend by the water.  There were Great Blue Herons and Ospreys.  I saw a great fireworks show.  In my case, I was in Seattle on family business.  It was nice (very cool and no mosquitoes), but there is still nothing quite as nice as looking at the bay from the beach or marina in our wonderful community.

Many of you have met Randy, our security guard who is at the beach on weekends in the summer.  He is now also providing our nighttime security patrols, along with our off-duty County police officer.  Between the two of them, we have security nearly every night during the summer.  Randy really loves our community and takes his job here very seriously.  You have probably seen his flashing amber light as he makes his rounds.  Be sure to say hello if you see him.  If you have security concerns, he is always willing to listen and help.

Something that’s always on our mind during the summer is mosquitoes.  As I mentioned last month, on the community survey, 71% of the respondents were in favor of spraying for mosquitoes.  Eighty-nine percent of the people who submitted a survey had an opinion on this question.  At its last meeting, the HSIA Board voted to approve spraying by the MD Department of Agriculture, provided that residents could opt-out of having their property sprayed, if they desired.  We have applied for the spraying, but since the deadline has passed, it is most likely that we will not be sprayed this year.  As I write this, Michael Cantwell from the MD Department of Agriculture, is scheduled to speak at our July 10th General Meeting.  Although we may not be able to have an active spraying program this year, Mr. Cantwell has indicated that there may be some things that they can do to help us this season.  In this issue of the Sea Breeze, there is additional information on the spraying program and a form for opting out.  One thing to note is that if too many people out-out, spraying may not be done at all, due to logistics problems.  However, the State reserves the right to spray the entire neighborhood anyway if there is a public health danger that needs to be addressed.  If you want to opt-out, then I urge you to send in your form ASAP.  By the time you read this issue, the General Meeting will have already taken place.  It was well publicized, so we’re hoping for a good turn-out.  This is an important issue for public health and for the quality of life in Hillsmere.

Another issue that people have strong opinions about is public water.  In the survey, 51% of the respondents were in favor of getting public water.  However, only 65% of the property owners responded to the survey.  That means that only about a third of the property owners responded as being in favor of public water.  The County requires more than 50% sign a petition requesting water or it cannot be done.  The survey was a massive effort.  The Community Survey Committee organized over 100 volunteers to conduct the survey.  They went to every house and for those who did not fill out the survey, they went back two and three times and still they did not participate.  We mailed surveys to all absentee owners.  The survey went on for five months.  At the last board meeting, the board decided that we will not request public water.  The consensus was that the effort would be extremely difficult and would likely not result in more than 50% approving the petition.  We would have to start all over again.  The County  has specific rules and forms that must be used.  However, if anyone feels strongly enough about this issue that they would like to organize a campaign to get the signatures, then the Board will lend support to the effort.

Speaking of volunteers, I am very happy to announce that Jasen Adams has volunteered to head the Zoning & Covenants Committee.  This is a very important committee.  The Z&C Committee investigates complaints of zoning, covenant, and/or HSIA rules violations.  It attempts to resolve complaints by contacting the violator.  Complaints are filed with authorities when necessary.  All complaints are followed up to ensure they are resolved.  Jasen’s wife, Jennifer, is a member of the HSIA Board.  To contact Jasen, send an email to zoning@hillsmereshores.net. Or call the HSIA 24-hour voice mail at 410-263-4456.  If you would like to help Jasen by volunteering a few hours a month, please let him know.

There have been some great projects completed at the marina and beach.  The pier at Beach Drive has been completely replaced along with a new boat ramp.  By the time you read this, the piers at Sunset Drive will also have been replaced.  This is a great improvement, both esthetically and in terms of safety.  The old piers were over 35 years old and had been built with recycled telephone poles.  There was a real danger of them collapsing if a boat hit them too hard.  A new infrared security camera system has been installed at the sandspit and main marina.  The images are saved on a DVR and can be replayed if an incident occurs.  Within the next few months, the images will be available live on our web site.  There are also new gates at the boat ramps and at the main marina.  The main marina gate is automatic.  It will open each morning and close at dark.  Anyone inside when it closes will still be able to get out.  Slip holders will have electronic cards that will open the gate at any time.  All of the above projects were 100% paid for by Piers & Harbors funds.  Although the general membership approved taking out a loan, no loans were needed.  It was entirely financed from cash reserves.  The marina reserve funds that were used will be completely replenished within three years.

The beach project was paid for with Special Tax money.  The bulkhead and rip-rap at the east end of the beach (toward the marina) was in desperate need of repair.  It was completely replaced by a new stone revetment.  The stone was extended toward the beach to protect an existing wetland area.  The tall invasive grasses that obscured our views of the bay were removed and new native grasses that only grow a few feet high are being planted.  The new benches had to be removed during the construction.  They will be replaced shortly.  This was a very successful project.  Thanks to Kate Penn and the Beach Committee for all their hard work to get this done.

Speaking of the beach, please keep in mind that no dogs are allowed on the beach at any time.  You can walk your dog at the marina, boat ramps or on the street.  The beach means the entire park, not just the sand.  I have received several complaints about violations of this rule, so please be a good neighbor and keep your dog off the beach.