MEMBERSHIP DUES

2012 ALPOA memberships are due April 30 to avoid late fees. Download the form from the ALPOA website http://www.andoverlake.com/ . Remember to sign the form before mailing.

Time to renew boat rack spots

ALPOA members who had reserved spots on boat racks in the right-of-ways can now renew them for the coming year. Contact Jenifer Nadeau by email (kayakin at sbcglobal.net) or phone (860-742-7203) to make sure to keep yours. For a new space, contact her starting May 21. Remember, you need to be a member in good standing to use the right-of-ways, and 2012 memberships are now due.

Party Planning at Andover Lake Beach

Beach party information for reserving a date to use the pavilion has been posted under the Lake Rules section on the Andover Lake website ......A.L.P.O.A. members will also find the new 2012 Beach Party form to download and complete to reserve the pavilion for their party date.

Fishing Season Opens today

Fishing season opens today, April 21, 2012. Everyone over 16 years old needs a fishing license to fish in Connecticut waters. They are available on-line at the DEP Website http://www.ct.dep.gov/ or at the Town Clerk's office in the Town Office Building.

Although we consider Andover Lake a "private lake" the DEP's definition is a little different and therefore a valid CT Fishing License is required.

Rules and Regulations governing fishing can be found in the Anglers Guide that comes with your fishing license, is available at the Town Office Building or at the DEP Website.

ANDOVER LAKE WEBSITE

Many residents have noticed that they are unable to access forms through the Andover Lake website. I suspect this is because they access the website through their “favorites list” and since the website was modified in some manner at the end of last year…. if you access it from a list that you have saved previously you are going to the old web site which appears the same. Most favorites or other hyperlinks that have been saved since last year including the official town web site take you to site “http://users.ntplx.net/~alpoa/ . This is the wrong web site, the correct site is http://www.andoverlake.com/ CORRECTION: Go to your web browser and go to your “favorites” list. Delete the Andover Lake Homepage. Delete any hyperlinks you use from any other location. Go to your web browser and type in andoverlake.com and the correct site will appear. Now save it again as one of your “favorites”. OR From this blog. Go to “Andover Lake Links” in the right hand column, click on “Andover Lake Property Owners Association ALPOA”. This will take you to the correct website. Now you can save it in your favorites. :)

Lakehouse of Environmental Distinction

Lakehouse of Environmental Distinction Award Offered by ALPOA Want to show off your love for Andover Lake and help the lake environment? Follow some recommended best management practices and receive an award recognizing your good stewardship! You will receive a handsome 6” diameter magnetic or sticker backed sign stating that you are “Proud to Be a Lakehouse of Environmental Distinction” to display. There is no charge to participate, so apply today! You will be contacted for the best date and time for viewing your property. ALPOA members will visit your property and look for the following practices: You have erosion control structures around storm drains and erodible areas such as using grassy buffers, stone, riprap etc where your downspout extenders and gutters release water to prevent erosion You have gutters installed on your house Your lawn has healthy vegetation You have a vegetative buffer near the lake There are no signs of erosion on your property You conduct a soil test before using fertilizer Your fertilizer use is minimized Your pesticide use is minimized Your septic system is pumped by the suggested time period for the capacity of your house You have allowed a test dye to be flushed through the system to check for lake contamination by your septic system If you have a compost bin, etc. present, refuse is stored with an adequate buffer from the lake (at least 50’) If you have a compost bin, etc. present, water is diverted away from the pile You perform proper disposal of lawn refuse You pick up animal feces near the lake area This award is being sponsored by ALPOA, the Andover Lake Property Owner’s Association. After the visit, you will receive a letter from LEAP, (Lake Environmental Awareness Program) outlining what you can do to help improve your practices, be a better steward to the lake, and be eligible for an award in the future. If you qualify for the award, it will be presented to you. Houses on Lake Rd., Lakeside Dr., Lakeview Dr., Sunset Lane, Island St., West St. Extension, West St., Erdoni Rd., Rose Lane, Woodside Lane, Brown Dr., Rockledge Dr., Mathieson Dr. and Basoula Rd. and School Rd. in Andover, Connecticut are eligible to apply. If you are interested, simply write the contact person, address, and phone number and email of the contact person and mail it or email it to kayakin@sbcglobal.net with LEAP (Lake Environmental Awareness Program) in the subject or call Jenifer Nadeau at 742-7203 by Sept 1.

In case your well was flooded

The heavy rain of the last days has caused flooding throughout Connecticut, and as any flooding brings concerns about water contamination. In our area, as water wells are common, it is important to know that a water well that has been affected by flooding is to be considered contaminated, following guidelines of the CT Department of Public Health. Water well flooding is defined by the groundwater tables having risen in the pit above the top of the well head. For more details, see the CT DPH.

Bald Eagle spotted over Andover Lake

Bald Eagle spotted over Andover Lake, Thursday, December 3, 2009. When traveling along roadways near any body of water this winter keep an eagle eye out for these large brown birds with a white head and white tail feathers. Often seen soaring or perched in a tree at the water’s edge. These great birds are generally “winter visitors” in Andover. FYI – in 2009 17 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles successfully fledged a total of 31 chicks in CT; in 2008, 13 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles successfully fledged a total of 21 chicks in CT. In 2007, 10 Bald Eagle pairs produced a total of 15 young. Although sightings of Bald Eagles in Andover have become more common there is currently no nesting activity in Andover. Nesting activities mostly takes place along the shoreline or major rivers.

Google Streetview comes to Andover Lake

It is now possible to have a street level view of the streets around Andover Lake on Google maps. For this click here, there click-and-drag the little yellow man over any street that is highlighted in blue. Use arrows to rotate your view or move along the road. Have fun!

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.