ALPOA semi-annual meeting coming up

Old Firehouse, Center Street, Andover
June 30th, 7:00
1. Call to Order
2. Proposed By-Law Amendments
3. Discussion: Should dues be raised?
4. Reports from the Secretaries, Treasurers and Presidents of ALPOA and ALMA
5. Committee Reports: (Beach, Membership, Newsletter, Website, Boat Racks)
6. Old Business
7. New Business
8. Adjournment

Make sure to attend to make your vote count!

ALPOA initiation fee: the reason

From ALPOA president Naida Arcenas:

Many people have questioned why a new membership is so much more expensive than a regular membership. The reason is that 20 years ago when the Dam needed replacing, there was not enough money saved. All members were assessed a $200 additional one-time fee to pay for repairs on the dam. ALMA also sold off many of its properties to raise money, and it was determined that we needed in the future to continue to assess each new membership this same one-time fee and invest this money in case the Dam needs additional work or replacing. We additionally, try to set aside money yearly to this fund for future dam repairs or other lake needs in case we have water or weed issues. ALPOA decided 8 years ago to lower the amount to $150 as it was too expensive an amount for new families. We at ALMA and ALPOA continue to strive to maintain the lake while trying to keep costs down.

Swim lesson registration coming up

As the weather is gradually getting better, it is time to think about swim lessons. As every year, ALPOA is offering swim lessons at the beach, and registration will take place Saturday June 6 at the Old Firehouse, at 9am for members, then at 10am for non-members.

There will be two sessions: July 6 to 17 and August 3 to 14. The following hours are currently set: 9-945 (Levels 2,3,4,5), 10-1045 (Levels 2,3,4), 11-1145 (Levels 1,4,6, parent and child). Cost is $25 for members, $50 for non-members. For additional questions, contact Gretchen Olson 860-869-8090 or angel2truth at tmail.com, who can also answer inquiries about private lessons.

Secure your boats

The ALPOA security guard wants to alert everyone that several boats have recently been stolen or used and damaged over the past few days. There are also people wandering over private property and using docks. If you have boats in the right of ways or on private lake front property, secure them immediately. If you notice anything, call Will at 655-4407.

BYOB: Bleach your own boat!

Now that the boating season is starting, remember to bleach your boat. We pride ourselves in the pristine state of the lake, and in particular in the lack of invasive weeds. Two-thirds of the lakes in Connecticut have been taken over by such weeds, and we do not want to add Andover Lake to the list! Thus, whenever your boat touched other waters, bleach it before bringing it back to Andover Lake.

For the same reason, no pumping of lake water is allowed, except in emergency situations (fire). Pumps need priming, which sends foreign water into the lake, potentially bringing new weeds. As previously reported, this also applies to State trucks...

Vandalism on the beach

Unfortunately, the beach is too regularly the subject of vandalism. For example, recently the (new) carpeting of the raft has been ripped off. This is really annoying, as it costs to repair damage and ties up volunteer resources who could have performed more useful duties. Among past damages, volunteers had to repair doors, repaint walls, repair guard chairs, redress and clean toppled pot-a-potties, repair the fence, and rake multiple times the sand for broken beer bottles.

We want to remind everyone that when the beach is closed, well, it is closed. No trespassing is allowed unless lifeguards are present or board members give authorization. If you notice that there is activity on the beach when there should not be, alert police or our security guard (860-655-4407).

ALPOA establishes rack policy

ALPOA volunteers have built several boat racks around the lake to reduce overcrowding and the Island Street right-of-way and reduce clutter elsewhere as well. The occasion was ripe to establish some policies as well. They are now available on the ALPOA website (direct link).

Note that part of the rules is that rack space needs to be reserved. Previous users can keep their slot by contacting Jenifer Nadeau until May 19 at kayakin@sbcglobal.net (best) or by phone (in newsletter). After that, registration is open for new slots.

Reminder: ALPOA memberships are due May 15

The membership form is here. Note that the fee is still the same as last year, and several years before that. Help through your membership preserve our pristine lake (and property values...).

Missing kayak

A red Heritage kayak is missing since last Fall. If anybody has any information, please contact ALPOA president Naida Arcenas at 742-6583.

Annual Andover Lake Litte Walk is a Success

If the roadside looks a little cleaner today you can Thank the 14 participants in this year’s Annual Andover Lake Litter Walk. On a beautiful Saturday morning (April 25, 2009) Andover Lake residents took to the streets with garden gloves, plastic bags, litter picking tools and their neighborhood community pride. Starting at the dam and working the roadway on both sides of the lake it only took 1 hour to clear the neighborhood of the litter collected over the winter months. Local resident Rene Dube was on hand with his truck to haul the collected litter to the Town Transfer Station. The Town crew swept the streets of winter sand the day before. So with sand and litter gone the flowering forthisia and daffodils looks spectacular!

It was commented by several of the “regular” litter walkers that this year’s “litter collection” was the smallest ever …. And that’s a good thing! I hope that means residents are getting the idea that litter doesn’t belong on the roadside. It is also recognized that doing a litter walk once a year won’t keep the neighborhood litter free. Several neighbors do regular litter walks all year round. With the bridge over the dam it makes walking around the lake a great 3 mile walk. Many residents can be seen walking each evening after work or on weekends walking with their dogs, kids in strollers or on bikes or with a friend. Consider taking a plastic bag when you walk and help keep our neighborhood looking as good as it does today all summer long.

Attached here are pictures of a few of the Litter Walkers. Please consider joining the group in April of 2010 when once again we will hit the streets looking for the remains of our local litter bugs.