Dear Residents of St. Martins By The Bay,
As the embers of our recent bonfire slowly fade, the warmth of our community spirit continues to glow brightly. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who joined us for this special event. It was truly a joy to see so many familiar faces and to welcome the guests of our residents for the Thanksgiving weekend. We could not have asked for better weather. The calm and clear night provided the perfect backdrop for our gathering, with little to no wind to disturb the light of our bonfire. Your presence and enthusiasm contributed to one of our best turnouts in years, making it an evening to remember. It was especially delightful to meet new members of our community and see the large group of dogs having a blast, chasing each other around the field. These moments of shared joy and laughter are what make our community so unique and close-knit. Again, thank you for being a part of this wonderful evening. Your participation and the spirit you brought to the event are what make St. Martins By The Bay such a special place to live. We look forward to more such gatherings where we can come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories.
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Wednesday Oct 11, 2023 ⋅ 6pm – 8pm (Eastern Time - New York) Guests st.martinshoa@gmail.com - organizer andrewdavis2140@gmail.com rswest77@yahoo.com keithm7591@gmail.com craig@bitfisher.com lisamsmithnarrealtor@gmail.com janiestopford@yahoo.com bcustead@anchorconst.com Meeting link meet.google.com/dhi-yvvp-okz Join by phone (US) +1 385-393-5107 PIN: 194076708 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thanks again to Board members who have been hard at work this summer dealing with and finding a short term solution to our aging water system. The newly installed tanks should hopefully resolve the constant interruptions to our water service. Nevertheless it is being closely monitored… Welcome new neighbor Melissa McCrae (#44), Marina Drive. Our sincerest condolences to the families of Kathleen O’Hanlon, Riverview Drive, Don Marini, St. Martin’s Parkway, and Jim Adcock, St. Martin’s Parkway. And a thank you to Robin for sending all the cards. Be sure to update your email or sign up on our website to keep up to date on important topics. For those who do not have email, we will print and hand deliver important notices. Owners who have renters should alert tenants of any emergency notices. WATER/SEPTIC SYSTEMS Water System On July 4th, a major break in a pipe in the well was repaired. We later learned that the break pushed sand into one of the filters causing a malfunction that resulted in the water remaining brown for several days afterward. For the next several weeks Board members met with 3 water companies to understand the problem, get bids, and review options to repair the aging system. Part of our decision was to find a solution that would make improvements sufficient to last for the next two years, keeping costs as low as possible. The Board ultimately voted to award them bid to Sharpe Water who has been a partner with us for many years. We met with a representative who explained exactly how the water system works and what part was the weakest. On 8/10 a new system of tanks was installed to replace the aging, corroded tank that had been leaking. The new system immediately improved water pressure and reduced the strain on the filters that resulted in discolored water. A vote was also cast to fund the $11,180 cost with a Special Assessment (due in October 2023). Each homeowner will be assessed approximately $250. After the summer we have had it seems like a small, but necessary cost. Details of the assessment will be sent separately. Septic Tanks In June a break in the tank near Parking Lot B was repaired. This $10,000 cost was covered by budgeted funds. In August the tanks for Townhouses A and B were pumped. Reminder that tanks of private homes should be pumped every 5 years. RESERVE STUDY All field work and data has been gathered. A first draft report will be written and sent to the Board this month. We will read, question, debate it, then a second draft will be prepared. We should be on target for the October deadline. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE While some progress on townhouse repairs has begun, many more are still in need of repair/painting. The first picture of Townhouses C and D show variations in color. Recently two of the townhouses have been painted and the difference is dramatic. Our hope is this becomes contagious! ANNOUNCEMENTS Community Update: Highlights of June and July 2023 Board Meetings We want to thank everyone for your patience as we address emergency repairs and plan for longterm upgrades to our water system. While the main break has been repaired, we continue to work to address the ongoing issues with our water, in daily communication with Sharpe. Special thanks to Board members who have devoted lots of hours during this past July 4th holiday to problem solve and address the latest water system failure. In the past month we have had emergencies related to one of our septic fields as well as a failure of the main pipe to the well. During the septic emergency, Board members took turns to manually pump the system while we waited for repairs. I am so very grateful for their dedication to our community! We’ve held emergency Board meetings on July 4th and 8th. The meeting on July 8th was well attended by residents who learned first hand of the complexities of the decisions that we as a Board are facing. Minutes from each of these meetings will be posted on the website, and this update will summarize key points covered in all meetings that occurred in June and July WATER SYSTEMS Current Well We have had two proposals from Sharpe Water with estimates to repair or replace the current well which is in imminent danger of failure. We will also seek bids from another water company too. Replacement has implications for our plans to pursue county water. In the coming weeks we will be meeting with the county official to get answers that will inform our decision on how best to proceed with the two options. The pump house drain that flows into the bay was scheduled to be jetted by Atlantic Plumbing on July 6, but they were unable to do so citing phragmite overgrowth at the end of the pipe. Board members were skeptical, and so Rotorooter is scheduled to come out July 12, we will ask about installation of a wider drain. County Water Resident engineer and Board member Bill Custead leads this work. He has also proposed a third option that will be considered. We discussed the timeline, urgency, and ways to encourage the county to speed up the process which at this point looks like at least two years away. Our current system will not last until then. We are also exploring additional grants that could help us defray the costs. As you can imagine, this is a complex decision that we face and we are determined to explore all options, weigh pros and cons, and consider financial impact when we make the best decision for all. COMMUNITY SEPTIC Emergency repairs were made in June to septic system B. A huge thanks to board and community members who manually pumped the system over a series of days while waiting for the repair. We avoided a devastating septic flood into homes! WETLANDS PRESERVATION Recent removal of phragmites from the waterfront near the dock has led to concerns about legal vs illegal actions. A call to the Worcester County Environmental agency clarified that only Phragmite can be removed from the wetlands, no other plants of any kind may be touched. Chopping Phragmite down during this season will only result in quick regrowth, and so Fall is the best time for cutting. According to Dave Bradford, the Deputy Director of Environmental Programs, hiring a company with knowledge of how to properly remove and manage growth over time is recommended. The Architectural Review Committee will revisit this in light of the impact on well drainage. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE The townhouses are still in need of painting and repair. Letters to individual owners will be resent with deadlines. BOAT DOCK/BOATYARD Dock Update: New repairs are holding well. Marina is filled, but a pile driver is still needed. Boatyard Update: Boatyard will be more functional by cutting down trees for more room for storage, and removing abandoned boats/trailers. Next year boat yard payments will be included with the dues. RESERVE STUDY Is underway and scheduled to be completed by the October deadline.
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April 2024
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