TWPOA Newsletter
Summer 2008
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TWPOA Newsletter |
| Editor: Anne Fernandez
Summer 2008 |
Tara Woods Website - Get all the news about the association
TWPOA Board Members President Mike Mann |
July 4 th 2008 10th Anniversary! Community Pier Boat Tie Up Procedure |
President's Corner
by Mike Mann
We certainly can't complain about the rain so far this year. The good news is that water levels are completely back. In fact, after the last series of showers the levels actually exceeded the nominal height by a few inches. The community is also looking very nice. Jack Perrigo. Harmel Sabourins and their team of volunteers placed 32 yards of mulch across the community property and it really has added a nice touch. We would not be able to enjoy the quality of community appearance and fully develop the capabilities of our common property at our current dues levels without a few leaders, like Jack and Harmel Sabourins, and the many volunteers who commit their time and energy to helping. I also think this spirit of volunteering, and giving back to the community is an essential part of our quality of life.
As a Board we continue to make progress on the boat docks. In past newsletters I discussed the heritage of the boat slip issue, the advice from our lawyer, and the recommendations of the Boat Slip Management Committee, and implementation decisions already made by the Board. At the March Board meeting we established two new committees, one to manage the construction of 6 new slips and the second to establish a new management process for boat slip assignments. The configuration is pretty much set. We will go from the current 39 slips to 43 slips.
We recognize that the definition of a marginal slip is somewhat in the eyes of the user. In the process we can get rid of all the not useable (NU) and the most critical marginally useable (MU) slip assignments. Since we will only be physically de-comissioning the not useable slips, several slips will become available for intermittent use, potentially by any member with a temporary need.. The construction will cause displacement of some existing slips and the Boat Slip Management Committee is developing options for handling the one time re-assignment process and the longer term management process.
Our current objective is to complete construction and implement the new management approach during 2008. The Management Committee is scheduled to make their recommendations at the June 8 Board meeting, 1:00 at the pavilion, and I suspect this will be the most controversial part of the process since it affects fees and processes for deciding who actually gets a slip assignment. The board would welcome your participation and voicing your opinions at that meeting.
Tara Woods News
by Jack Perrigo
Tara Woods has $49,469.73 in the Capital fund, as of April 10, 2008 . The income this year is 27,889.57 and we have spent $8,084.23 so far. The expenditure budget is $29,332.00 this year. That includes $9087 that will be transferred to the Capital Fund. The major expense so far is $!,800 clearing and mulching the Tara Woods entrance areas.
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TWPOA WEBSITE Please go to www.twpoa-va.org for news, schedules, and other important information such as minutes of meetings and budget summaries. As we progress into the Twenty-First century, we will rely more on the webpage to keep you informed rather than the US Mail which is expensive. Forgot the web address? Google - Tara Woods. The website has been updated with Fourth of July information. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact Dick Lear, our webmaster.
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Mowing It's that time again. We have had a very wet spring – nearly record rain fall. Just a reminder that you need to mow to the street. It looks like some lots have cut the yard but the grass is very tall along the street. The grass needs to be cut when it grows 8 to 12 inches. This a standard adopted by the board in 2005. If a property owner does not mow when needed, the association must step in and have the property mowed. If the association mows, the property owner will be billed $150.00. It is cheaper to mow once a month than to let the association get involved. The tall grass is not only an eyesore, but creates problems with critter control. So please be considerate of your Lake Anna neighbors and mow frequently. |
Cleats Since we re-decked our docks, it became apparent that using lag screws to mount cleats are not sufficient and will damage the new decking. The new decking is hollow and needs to be “thru bolted”. The board decided to require the flip up cleat from Overton's or similar cleat. These cleats are also less of a trip hazard. We have cleats available. The cost is $20 per cleat and the stainless steel hardware was purchased with a donation from Bart Cameron. If you buy your cleats from Overton's the cost is over $20 plus shipping ($5-$7) and the hardware ($7). Contact Jack Perrigo if you wish to purchase the cleats. If you are going to install your own, please check with us first to make sure they will be approved.
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Tie Up Your Boat We have some more damage to our docks. Boats that aren't properly tied are slamming into the docks and damaging the structure and the new decking. Please, tie you boat carefully when using our docks and check on it often. The water level changes and will require that you re-tie your boat. Any damage that your boat does to our docks is your responsibility and we will charge you for the damages. When mooring your boat, be sure that no part of you boat can contact the docks. You also need to leave some slack in the ropes for changing water levels and windy conditions.
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Fence Rails When the board purchses the new rails, theyI will use a similar process to distributing the rails. That is, first come first served. If we have any rails remaining, I will assess each lot's needs and distribute accordingly. Remember, it is the property owners responsibility to install the rails and dispose of the old rails.
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Property Manager Position Available Harmel Sabourin is stepping down as property manager. He leaves some big shoes to fill. Harmel has actually performed most the maintenance items personally which has saved the association over $15,000. The property manager basically hires contractors as necessary to maintain Tara Woods common property. The common property includes the pavilion area, parking, boat ramp, docks, mechanical gate, fence, and entrance features (Tara Woods sign and vegetation at Rhett Butler, Tara Circle , and Tara Woods Dr .). The property manager also contracts for the porta potti and ensures that the contractor performs the required cleaning and hires a contractor to mow the pavilion area. The property manager is also given special tasks by the board of directors. If you are interested in the job, let me or any board member know. The Property Manger's fee is $1,500.00 per year. |
Power Plant Briefing Efforts have been made to have a Dominion rep make a presentation at our annual meeting. By the time we got to the right person, it was too late. He did offer to have someone brief us at their visitor center. They have a model of the new construction and will answer any questions we have. They can do the tour any weekday up to 6:30 PM. If there is enough interest, Jack Perrigo will make the arrangements. Please contact Jack if you are interested in attending.
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News from the Secretary
Dave Bolden will be Acting Secretary in the temporary absence of Cherish Dahm.
July 4th, 2008 10th Anniversary
by Nancy Lear and Mary helen Perrigo
TARA WOODS 4th of July Parade will be on Saturday, July 5th. We held a contest for the theme and Elaine Ellis Won. Our theme will be:
Olympics: come win a Gold, Sliver, or Bronze metal at our 10th Annual 4th of July Parade.
The parade starts promptly at noon with a picnic to follow at the pavilion. Come and join the fun. Decorate you bikes, wagons, tractors, boats, golf carts, cars, baby strollers or whatever tickles your fancy. If you would like to bring chips, crackers, or a dessert, it will be welcome and enjoyed. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Nancy Lear or call 540-894-9919 or Maryhelen Perrigo or call 540-894-0295. Updates will be posted at the TWPOA website
Virginia Boating Safety Requirement
Note: Extracted in part from the VDGIF web site
House Bill 1627 and Senate Bill 1241, which are identical to each other, were passed and have been signed into law by Governor Kaine, effective July 1, 2007. And although the law goes into effect this July, the first year will be committed to the development of the implementing regulations by the Department's Board of Game and Inland Fisheries. These regulations have to be in place by July 1, 2008. So, under this new law, there will be no new changes until July 1, 2008 that will affect Virginia 's boaters.
The requirement is phased-in according to age category and it also means that the requirement is phased-in according to whether the type of boat being operated is a motorboat or a personal watercraft (PWC). For example, the first phase-in is for PWC operators 20 years of age and younger and they will have to meet the requirement by July 1, 2009. Next is PWC operators 35 years of age or younger by July 1, 2010.
The remainder of the implementation schedule is:
There's a couple of different ways to do this. The first is to complete and pass a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). A course that is NASBLA approved will have course content that meets the National Boating Education Standards; a classroom-based course that is NASBLA approved will require 6-8 hours of time. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries course called Boat Virginia (currently offered at no cost) is NASBLA approved, as are classroom courses offered by the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U. S. Power Squadrons. Also available are internet-based courses that are NASBLA approved. You should check the VDGIF Web site for information about classroom and approved distance learning options .
Also check out www.boatus.com for online training and test for certification.
Community Pier Boat Tie Up Procedure
Now that we have new decking at the TWPOA Community Slips, it is incumbent on all of those who use the slips to employ proper tie up procedures in order not to damage the decking. Already, we've had five or so cases in which boats have damaged the new decking. Owners will be charged for repair of damage caused by their boats. Some of these incidents have also resulted in damage to the owner's boat. The primary reason for this damage has been tying up the boat too closely to the pier forward of the boat. The diagram provided below shows how the use of ‘spring lines' can prevent the boat from moving too far forward resulting in damage to the decking and possibly, your boat.
Spring lines running from a piling aft of the boat to a cleat on the forward part of the boat will ensure the boat does not contact the decking forward of the boat. When you set your spring lines, ensure the boat cannot come within about two feet of the decking fore. These spring lines also ensure that when the water level goes down, that there is enough slack to permit this without the boat becoming ‘hung up.'
You may not need all these lines if the boat is kept stationary with pilings and fenders. What's important is that the boat is not allowed to move forward, or toward the pier, such that it contacts the decking. Also, remember that owners need tend their boats and adjust mooring lines as needed regularly. If you can't get down to do it, ask a neighbor to look after your boat for you.
Also, be sure to use fenders to keep your boat from coming in contact with the finger piers.
While we're on the subject of the community pier area, it would be helpful to discuss parking. With the summer season upon us, parking will be at a premium. The board will be issuing specific rules governing the use of parking soon, but for now, there are a few things we can do to ensure the proper use of parking so that as many people can use the parking areas as possible.
One of the primary issues is providing enough room for owners to launch their boats. To this end, a No Parking sign has been erected near the port-a-potty. This No Parking sign actually designates two parking spaces as no parking so that vehicles towing boats can pull as far forward as possible, having room to maneuver, in order to line their boat up for backing down the ramp. If feasible, only boat trailers should be parked in the grassy area to the left of the ramp as you look out toward the slips. If you can, please park your trailer at home in order to reduce congestion. Trailers should be parked as close together as possible to provide more room for others. If there are no other parking spaces, please park out on Carrs Bridge Road so as not to block boats that are launching or loading.
Using Springlines To Tie Your Boat To The Dock
When a boat is docked where the water will go up and down, there are several way to ensure that dock lines remain relatively tight and the boat does not move forward or back along the dock in the wind or current. Read More Click Here (pdf file)
Goodwill has open a donation center and store in Louisa. It is in the same shopping center has Food Loin. They are in need of your donations.
Louisa Recycling has grown. Coming soon to the refuse site is recycling of cardboard and plastic. Currently all glass containers, aluminum, tin, newspaper, computer paper and magazines are recycled at the refuse sites. Also motor oil, transmission fluid and hydraulic fluid is accepted. The hours at the refuse sites is Monday - Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 10am-6pm.
Elk Creek store is under new management. Still has the same food with pizza as a new feature. Gas prices run the same as Dickinon's. Still the same store hours as before and they have added the Virginia Lottery.
Gas at Marinas cost $4.09, that's about $.20 higher than at the local gas stations. Lake Anna Beach has been running $.10 higher than the others.
Cutalong Community is progressing even though there is not much activity. It is on the corner of Rt 652 (Kentucky Springs Rd) and Rt 208. They have gotten their permits to proceed. They have acquired a major grocery store for the retail center. They would not name the store but word has it that it will be a Food Lion.
| June 8, 2008 1:00pm | TWPOA Board Meeting | TWPOA Pavilion |
| July 5 , 2008 Noon | 4th of July Parade and Picnics | TWPOA Pavilion |
| August 10, 2008 1:00pm | TWPOA Board Meeting | TWPOA Pavilion |
| October 12, , 2008 1;00pm | TWPOA Board Meeting | TWPOA Pavilion |