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A notice was received from Sharp Water today with results from the latest water test.
It came back positive for coliform. We were not advised to send out a boil water notice but it would not be a bad idea!!!! We will be giving all updates to the community as they come in. Please spread the word.

They will be retesting Tuesday.


Letter from Sharp Water:

7/25/19
 
Water Plant ID # 023-0008
St. Martins by the Bay
Berlin, MD 21811
 
Attn: Jack Shoot
 
            The results of the monthly bacteria sampling have come back positive for total coliform. MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment) has been notified & will be monitoring this mater, closely. Samples have been collected today, to confirm if this is a true reading or a false positive.
 
Eric Hunter
Operations Manager


CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS: 
410-742-3333

​Dear Home Owner:
The Board of Directors is pursuing acquiring public water and we would like to know your true
interest in this endeavor.
Our lovely community of 54 homes and 4 undeveloped lots, was built over 30 years ago with
our own water and sewer system. Back then our water system discharge was approved to
flow directly into the river. Since then environmental concerns have progressed and our
infrastructure has aged.
In the past two years we have received violations from MDE for our water pump house flooding
and having no permit to discharge into the river. We have spent over $14,000 on the purchase
of new pumps for the system. We have had other numerous operational issues resulting in loss
of water and questionable water quality. Dee Settar from MDE “strongly recommended we
consider public water because of the age and placement of our system”.
In August 2017 we submitted the required number of affirmative responses from home owners
requesting we proceed with the study to determine if a public water system from Ocean Pines
to our community was feasible; what the likely costs would be; and to what extent these costs
would be be borne by our community members.
Bob Mitchell from Worcester County recently submitted an estimate (shown below) for water
service to our community. This cost range of $620,190.00 to $750,000.00 includes 8 hydrants.
The assumption is that the main would run through the community and would hook onto some
of the townhomes and cul-de-sacs mains. The numbers reflect an initial estimate and a
potential ceiling estimate, but are just a ballpark estimate. USDA has money to loan and there
is the possibility for grants. Added to this cost would be the annual operational charge for the
water of $250 based on 6 thousand gallons of usage per month. As a funding example a
USDA loan of $750,000.00 at 2% over 20 years is $800 per house per year. At 3% over 40
years it’s $600 per house per year.
We hope to have Bob Mitchell attend our next HOA meeting at the Ocean Pines library at 10
am on August 10. However we need to know your interest, your concerns and your questions
about acquiring public water. 
We thank you for your input.
Your Board

​In attendance:
Board members: Jack Shook, Barry Keefer, Lynne Partridge, Craig Constantino, Buddy Dukes, Mike Shutt, Janie Stopford
HOA members: Joleen Killinger
 
Call to Order: Jack Shook 12:01
 
Secretary’s Report: Lynne Partridge - Minutes from meeting of 5/4/19

• All letters sent will be from Board rather than individual members
• Unapproved minutes will be posted to website to expedite communication to community, then approved at the following Board meeting.

Motion made and passed to approve minutes as amended
 
Treasurer’s Report: Barry Keefer

• As of last week, all dues have been paid in full or part.
• Balance Sheet
  • Checking – $50,532.64
  • Savings – $17,488.37
  • Boat $25,726.00
  • Total $93, 747.01
• Profit & Loss Budget Performance  – review costs to date versus budgeted costs of electric, lawncare, legal, office, pool, Pool, pool repairs, Septic B, tennis courts, trash, water (see handout)
• Janie acknowledges and thanks Barry for his efforts in securing 100% dues payment

 
Motion made and passed to approve Treasurer’s report
 
Burn Pile: Buddy – discussion held off until fall…
 
Boat Dock: Craig  

• Status of repairs = $1650 (check) to Mark Nicole who will fabricate original rings with stainless steel
• middle section of dock will need to be replaced soon
• 2-3 slips still available for rental, if slips remain open there are 2 people interested in getting additional slips. Craig recommends we offer $100 discount for second slip rental at end of June.

Motion made and passed to approve offer of $100 discount for second slip rental after June 21st.

• Discussion of $95,000 owed for boat dock to original developer, Dr. Siamack Bihrami.

Currently paying $5,000 per year, but may want to consider taking loan to pay in full in order to avoid possible future legal entanglements.
 
Dumpsters:   Jack

• Reminds that dumpsters are for St. Martin’s residents’  household trash only.
• Security cameras have caught outside people dumping as well as resident dumping business trash. Person was confronted and email message sent to community reminding all that dumpsters are reserved for household trash only.
• Will continue to monitor and send a letter to individual if necessary.

 
Grass Cutting: Blade Runners

• Discussion of grass cutting; size of cut, grass root systems, feeding/weeding, to strengthen grass in certain areas, 4 different heights of grass depending upon area, consider planting of zoysia grass…

 
Legal Updates: Jack

• Marini must pay some back dues from first bankruptcy claim, but has requested a modification plan; he reports that he is now bedridden and due to costs of caregiver, has asked the court to reduce the monthly amount and extend the terms of the repayment to 48 months.
• Marini’s dues from last year have been acquired from his tenant. Dues + court costs = $1755.00. Tenant agree and has paid. Money is currently in escrow account with Attorney Crosby who claims he does not know how to disburse it. HOA will seek legal support from Attorney Jeff Stopford to help Crosby with disbursement.
• Marini is currently paying this year’s dues.

 
Pool: Jack

• Rain spouts and painting completed - Brandon Ridout did a nice job painting warehouse, bathrooms, and picnic table.
• Pool Clean-up day turned out great, thanks to Brandon who lent use of his power washer
• New keys & payments working well
• Pool filtration system – system to be replaced in the Fall with filters instead of sand will result in faster/better system that eliminates backwash
• Anyone in need of a new pool key see Jack Shook
• Buddy suggests that Board previously voted that the table be removed from pool area due to safety concerns (kids jumping off ) Motion made and approved to put table back
• Pool Rules – need to clarify that guests must be accompanied by owners, however renters or family who are staying over may use pool without owners.
• Owners of rental properties should post pool rules to renters
• Pool rules should be printed and posted at pool, and no parking in front of gate, discussion of use of signs or bumpers to ensure people avoid parking in front of gate.
• Craig will draft and send signs for approval
• Janie thanks Jack and Barrie for improvements to pool area.

 
 
Tennis Courts: Buddy & Jack

• $3600 estimate determined by use of Google maps, but upon arrival, cracks were more severe and needed to be filled with sand before topping resulting in $900 price increase.
• Discussion of basketball hoop and pickleball. Waiting to hear from company…
• Discussion of additional cost to asphalt road and dumpster area at a cost of $17,000. Question about thickness for garbage trucks, discussion of pros and cons of asphalt vs gravel. Will further investigate.
• Suggestion to set a budget item for Pool Road of $2,000 annually to include costs of annual stone and /or save for future asphalt.

 
Water: Jack

• 3 occasions of brackish water
• Discussion of system and back up,
• Discussion to inform community members and ask approval to pursue public water
• Letter will be drafted to county
• Email will be drafted to community to alert to next steps in pursuing public water

Invite community to special Board meeting in August to further discuss
 
 
Motion to Adjourn - approved at 11:30
 
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynne Partridge
 
 
 
Future meeting dates 10:00 am
August 10 2019 - OP Library
October 12 2019 - 20 Riverview Drive   
January 11, 2020 - 20 Riverview Drive
February 8, 2020 Annual Meeting - OP Library at 1:00 pm