TCPOA NEWS
June 15, 2010:
The recent board meeting was attended by a quorum of five directors: Mac Blanchard, Cheryl Fairbrother, Steve Jackman, Dave Inglehart and Don Rush. Discussion centered on the following issues:
1. Voting procedures--It was agreed that notice shall be given reminding residents of the one-vote-per-camp rule and asking that they pay or arrange to pay in advance of the annual meeting in order to receive voting privileges. The by-laws clearly state that membership is contingent upon payment of dues, and those who expect to vote and have a voice at the meeting must be members in good standing.
2. Annual dues--The membership has the right and duty to set the amount of annual dues. For accounting purposes, however, changes to the dues need to be made on a pro-active basis, to be applied to the year following any such vote. Recognizing that the logging company will not be obliged to grade Sebec Shores in years to come, the consensus of the board is that dues not be reduced.
3. Cheryl Fairbrother delivered the welcome news that the amount of the town allotment actually spent on the spring grading was a mere $700, leaving $3,300 in an account that will roll over into subsequent allotments. The availability of these funds led to the possibility of a round of mid-summer road work, including grading and the application of calcium chloride and/or Road Glue.
4. Elections--This year's openings on the board include seats currently held by Cheryl Fairbrother, Julia Flanders and Dave Inglehart, all of whom expressed a willingness to place their names in nomination as incumbents. One additional nominee, Bob Condon, has agreed to run. Discussion followed about the typically ad hoc nature of finding nominees when few people are at the lake, and President Inglehart agreed to contact several members recommended by the board for the purpose of forming a nominating committee.
May 16, 2010
As part of a larger effort to treat Sebec Shores and the two lakeside roads as a single road system, a continuous grading of all three surfaces was performed during the week of May 10, extending from the end of the pavement to the two termini at the State Park and the Town Park.
The grading effort this year comes in addition to an extensive thinning of the road margins on upper Sebec Shores, courtesy of American Forest's winter operations. The long-overdue "haircut" has opened up the road considerably, promising to alleviate many of the potholing and drainage problems along the flats at the top of the hill.
Thus far both efforts have been very well-received. One resident reports that the road is in "the best condition it's been in 35 years."
The most welcome news of all, perhaps, is that both operations were done at no expense to the Association. The tree-cutting effort and grading of Sebec Shores was done by arrangement with American Forest, and grading of the Willimantic Roads through the town's 2009 allocation. Thanks go to both Scott Olson of American Forest and Fred Turner of Willimantic for coordinating on an excellent job.
Meanwhile, the Association's chief contractor, Northscape Earthworks, was able to tailgate seven loads of gravel onto Tim's Cove Road in advance of the grading. Gravel was also deposited at the Y and on Rathbun's lot (South Cove), with another six loads on order, pending recommendations as to need.
While the condition of the roads allows for higher than usual speeds, residents are asked to please show restraint to prevent undue road wear. See Gallery page for photos.
February 6, 2010
A day-trip to the lake revealed evidence of considerable cutting on the margins of Sebec Shores Road as arranged with Scott Olson of Applied Forest Management in the fall. The results are impressive, with piles of pine and hemlock carefully stacked along the roadside while much of the deciduous undergrowth remains. The woods have not been "scalped," but rather thinned, bringing a good deal more light and air to the road surface.
See Galleries for photos.
November 22, 2009
Fall road work--ditching and culvert replacement/repair--on both lakeshore roads was completed during the first week of the month, and as of this writing is holding up well despite heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the length of Sebec Shores road from the pavement to the Bennet Pond turn was graded earlier this week courtesy Applied Forest Management. Initially delayed by additional cutting in the vicinity of the pond, the recent work came just in time to remedy a washout situation at the bottom of the big hill. Our thanks to Scott Olson and his crew for an excellent job.
Be advised that a single problem culvert remains along the flats leading to the Bennet Pond turn, where a portion of the road surface has been substantially eroded. The area is passable but will require resurfacing in the spring.
For photos, see Gallery page.
September 8, 2009
Scott Olson of Applied Forest Management reports that the company plans to grade Sebec Shores Road sometime within the next two or three weeks, in time to allow truck traffic to repack the road surface before the end of the season. Residents are advised that grading equipment will be on the road somewhat sooner than expected and that logging operations will end sometime in mid-October.
Plans have also been made to clear the margins of the upper road as much as 20 feet on either side to help dry the surface and reduce pot-holing. This work will be done during the winter months, with the stipulation that the large pine on the crest of the hill will be spared.
August 4, 2009:
The Willimantic town meeting, in which funds for roadwork on Tim's Cove will be voted on, has been postponed until September 14. Residents are invited to suggest items for a wish list to be submitted to the town should these funds be forthcoming. Meanwhile, a load of 3/4 stone is scheduled for delivery this week. Volunteers to help fill pot-holes are encourged to meet at the turnout at the top of the hill (opposite Half-way Pine) at 9am Saturday morning, August 8.
July 9, 2009:
Recent conversations with representatives of American Forest Management and Penobscot Forest have revealed that logging operations south and west of Little Bennett Pond will be ongoing through August. A log yard will be created running parallel to lower Sebec Shores Road and set back from it. Residents are advised that logging-trucks will be entering and exiting Sebec Shores Road in the vicinity of the Guilford/Willimantic town line and travelling the length of the road for much of the summer. We have been assured that grading will be done at the end of this work, but in the meantime we will be obliged to make the best of road conditions that were already less-than-satifactory and are bound to become even more so. Please be prepared to yield when and where necessary to allow this traffic to pass.
Two loads of 3/4" stone have since been delivered, and pot-hole work will go forward this weekend along the approach to the "Y" and in test areas on top of the hill. --DI
July 1, 2009:
Voting procedures for July 4 meeting: The board of directors recently approved a process whereby members will need to pay their dues or make arrangements to pay in advance of the meeting in order to receive a voting card for all hand and ballot votes. Please be prepared to settle up with treasurer Ben Dever. Also please bring folding chairs and umbrellas as needed. The meeting will be held at 10am at the Inglehart camp, 162 Tim's Cove Road, rain or shine. Parking available along Lakeside Drive.
Road report: Recent heavy rains have had their usual bad effects on our dirt roads, in response to which two loads of 3/4" stone have been ordered for filling potholes on Sebec Shores Road. Tom Crepeau has agreed to deliver the stone to the various pot-hole sites with his tractor if a number of members will volunteer to shovel it where it is needed. Arrangements may be made during the meeting. A lone culvert on the upper road has also been scheduled for realignment.
June 23, 2009:
Over the past few weeks several loads of gravel have been delivered to sections of Sebec Shores Road, and a load of calcium chloride was tailgated onto the steepest area of the hill. Thanks are owing to Tom Crepeau for raking the new material and adding gravel of his own.
Election update: Since the original posting, Devorah Kamys and Chris Barre have asked that their names be taken out of nomination. The remaining candidates are: Jan Waterman, Ben Dever, Mac Blanchard, Don Page, Glen Daukas, and Greg Kemp.
Stay tuned for results of this Saturday's Directors meeting, to be held at 3pm at the Inglehart camp.
Update June 2, 2009:
An initial round of grading was completed prior to Memorial Day from the Willimantic line to the town park. Since then, rain has been an issue, but plans remain to do additional spot-work on Sebec Shores and South Cove. From all reports, the completed work has been very well received.
2009 Elections: Current nominees for three open positions on the board of directors are as follows: Jan Waterman (incumbent, South Cove), Ben Dever (incumbent, South Cove), Mac Blanchard (South Cove), Devorah Kamys (South Cove), Don Page (South Cove), Chris LaBarre (South Cove), Glen Daukas (Tim's Cove) and Greg Kemp (Tim's Cove). Nominations will officially close on June 4.
Road Report, May 18, 2009:
Early fears that winter logging operations along Sebec Shores Road would lead to downslope erosion at the lake shore proved unfounded this spring as Sebec Shores, Tim's Cove and South Cove roads came through the winter in reasonably good shape despite a heavy snow season. The major culverts at Bennet Stream, Salmon Stream and the Perkins lot showed no damage, and repairs of lesser culverts at the bottom of the long hill, on the Jackman's lot, and at the base of Tim's Cove were completed during the first weeks of May.
Roadwork in the form of surface augmentation and grading along the shore roads and out to the Guilford line is scheduled to begin May 19 and end prior to Memorial Day Weekend. Please be aware that trucks and equipment will be at work during this period and may temporarily obstruct traffic.
Work on Sebec Shores Road has been arranged with the Town of Guilford for the week of Memorial Day. Stay tuned for updates in this space.