Sea Pines Monthly Newsletter for July, 2006

This July newsletter was not actually written until August 3, 2006, because the great heat wave of July 31 through August 3 made the writer's third-floor crow's nest uninhabitable! The fine weather that prevailed most of July and continued through the first week of August brought record-breaking numbers to all our amenities…beach, pool, and tennis courts.

The monthly Homeowner's meeting on July 29th was reasonably routine.

FMB Chairman Terry Milligan announced new Committee Chairs, the same as last year except that Joanne Keuch and Betty Pease would be co-chairs of the Grounds and Maintenance Committee, Sue Rose and Barbara Sullivan would co-chair the Clubhouse Interior Committee, and Eileen Riccardi and Susan Tomlinson-Dyken would Co-chair the Pool Committee.

In July, the G&M Committee held a walk-around on Grove Lane with interested owners from Phase II, seeking suggestions on landscaping upgrades in 2007. They also sought and received FMB approval for a contract to replace the railroad tie walls at the upper tennis courts.

The Bluff Committee report indicated that owners along the bluff were happy with the appearance of the view corridors.

Treasurer Frank Fiorentino advised that at this point our income was meeting our expenses, but that balance would soon change because of continuing legal costs and the rising cost of insurance.

John Phelan, Chair of the Insurance Committee, spoke in detail about the difficulty in getting insurance coverage, and advised that while we expected to renew with our current carrier, The Travelers, our premium would be up substantially, maybe as much as 50%, along with increased windstorm deductibles. As of the meeting date, The Travelers had not advised our agent of the amount of the new premium. This will be a bitter pill to swallow, but any property owner near a coastline is facing the same problem. We continue to seek other bids.

Several unit owners spoke of concerns that need everyone's attention. They asked that this newsletter mention those concerns:

  1. The use of fireworks around the 4th of July on Sea Pines property. This is illegal in Massachusetts and not permitted by our By-laws. The Sea Pines Homeowners' Association does not sanction the use of fireworks.
  2. Beach Committee Chair and Commodore Deane Keuch asked boaters to enter and leave the beach area by going between the two red balls anchored in the water off the beach near the boat storage area. This will make the rest of the beach safer for swimmers. This is not mandatory, but we hope all boaters will cooperate.
  3. Children and adults have been observed diving into the swimming pool. The pool is not made for diving, and it is unsafe to dive there.
  4. Children on bikes and motor bikes have been observed riding too fast, out of control and on sidewalks and in courtyards. This is unsafe. Parents, please supervise your children and teach them to operate their equipment properly.
  5. Adults in motor vehicles have been observed driving too fast. Slow down!
  6. Walkers of all ages have been observed walking on the wrong side of the street, particularly along Sea Pines Drive. People should walk facing the oncoming traffic.

The above being said, we hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the summer.

Warm regards,

Written by Frank Pease (A poor substitute for the witty and eloquent Jim Dalton)