BLAISDELL LAKE NEWS

SPECIAL WRIGHT’S BEACH EDITION

Vol. 2-05                                                                                    December 2005

Published Twice Each Year By Your BLPA Board of Directors

Find Us On The Internet At “www.blpoa.org”

 

 

WRIGHT’S BEACH GIFT ACCEPTED …

OWNERSHIP TRANSFER ANNOUNCED!

 

The BLPA members who gathered at the Annual Meeting on July 30th voted to accept a most extraordinary gift, which coincidentally came on the occasion of our 55th anniversary!  In 2004, Don Wright and his sister, Estelle Rooney had taken steps to offer a piece of their family property, known as Wright’s Beach, to the association.

 

A committee, chaired by Vice President Bruce Ellsworth, had worked since then on legal matters and other issues needed to inform and educate the membership before putting the matter to a vote.  The committee pointed out that the most important question facing its members was whether or not the ownership of the Wright’s Beach property is in the best interest of the association.  Ownership does enable us to control access to the lake, assures no future development on that particular tract, and maintains our environmental control efforts.  On the other hand, ownership increases the responsibilities of the association, the potential for liability, and our operating expenses.  During the lively discussion that followed, it was pointed out that the board intends to assure that current users may continue to use the beach property as they have in the past and that it is not looking to open up the beach to anyone not currently using it.  The matter was put to a paper ballot vote and passed overwhelmingly.

 

In late October, President Chan Blodgett announced that the deed to the Wright’s beach property had been signed and registered at the Merrimack County Register of Deeds.  We are now officially the owner of Wright’s Beach.  Happy 55th Anniversary to the BLPA!

 

Our sincere thanks and appreciation go out to Don and Estelle for their vision and generosity.  We will do our best to see that their gift is cared for and maintained so that it and the lake bring enjoyment to all for generations to come.

 

The Gift: Its Conditions

The gift included a number of conditions that were accepted upon the favorable vote:

  • The property will continue to be known as “Wright’s Beach” (in perpetuity)
  • BLPA will set aside an annual property management fee for Estelle Rooney.
  • Should the Association ever choose to sell the property in Don Wright’s lifetime, it will first be offered back to him at no cost.

The Gift: Our Operating Principles and Plans

The board has also taken action to rename the aforementioned committee as the “Beach Management Committee” and charged it to:

·         Develop rules and regulations governing the use and operation of the property.

·         Prepare future recommendations for approval by the membership.  You can expect to hear more about these recommendations next summer.

 

This development work will be done within some parameters which were established by the board and frame its operating principles for the property:

  • To continue operations “as is”.  We have no plans to alter the characteristics of Wright’s Beach.
  • To maintain the status and rights of current Wright’s Beach abutters.
  • To protect the equity and rights of all BLPA property owners on the lake.
  • To maintain the boat ramp and allow access to non BLPA boaters.
  • To continue efforts to prevent the introduction of exotic aquatic weeds and maintain the water quality of the lake.

 

The committee plans are just in the formative stage, but the “Look At” List includes:

·         Boat Ramp launch fees and controls

·         Access by dues-paying BLPA members

·         Environmental and Launch Area Signage

·         Notification of prior Boat Ramp users

·         Potential repairs and improvements at the Boat Ramp

 

About the Donors

Don Wright and Estelle Rooney are long time BLPA supporters and benefactors.  Don, a retired US Army officer with a second career in municipal service, lives in Ventura, CA.  Despite the distance, he maintains a lifelong interest in the lake for it’s where he grew up!

His sister, Estelle is the longtime Co-CEO of The Dog House (her husband Pat Rooney Jr. “ran” it, but she was its heart and soul).  Stelle is one of two living BLPA Charter Members, a long time officer, and still attends board meetings as Director Emeritus.  Their mom and dad were Ola Gay and Chet Wright, local vaudevillians of some note.  When Chet finally retired from show business, he was able to spend much more of his time at Wright’s Store (known originally as “C.A. Wright Varieties”) where you could buy anything from the paper to groceries, penny (!) candy, and your fishing license.  Adults always enjoyed his stories and then there were the several generations of kids who were enthralled with his magic tricks and conversations with Willie, his “dummy”.  Chet developed and opened Wright’s Beach about 60 years ago and his children have honored his work ever since.  We are ever so fortunate that the Wright family is still in our midst!

 

Subdivision Strategy

The BLPA board has determined that it is in the best interest of the Association to transfer ownership of a portion of the Wright’s Beach property (that portion beyond the existing fence, containing 11-12 docks) by subdividing it.  The reason for any subdivision is purely and simply liability.  The board must mitigate the risks presented by owning the

 

Subdivision Strategy (cont.)

property in its current configuration and also ensure equity to the great majority of BLPA members whose property is no where near the beach.  VP Bruce Ellsworth has met with Sutton officials and will appear before the Planning Board in the near future.  The town has already indicated that subdividing the property is allowable, but the Planning Board will set down some specific conditions that must be met for approval. 

 

Bruce or Chan have already met several times with abutters having docks on the property and they, along with our board, will continue to work with and be available to those abutters until the matter is resolved.  In the meantime, the BLPA board will soon distribute a letter to them advising the Association cannot be held liable for any issue relating to the use of their dock on our property.  An approved subdivision will, in effect, place each dock on someone else’s property, thereby resolving all issues of liability.

 

SUTTON BEGINS WORK ON WATERSHED ORDINANCE

Like many other towns in New Hampshire, Sutton has started the process of drafting a watershed ordinance that will establish regulations to protect and conserve the areas drained by nearby lakes and rivers.  The work is in its early stages and much more public input will be obtained before an ordinance can be acted upon.  Since the lake is in one of the two major watersheds in town, the BLPA board has appointed Director Leon Malan to chair a BLPA study group and has asked the group to stay close to the issue, provide input, and influence the findings.  If you are interested in becoming part of the study group, call Leon at 603-938-2789 or write him at PO Box 252, Bradford 03221.

 

2005 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT

The July 30th meeting was held in the Camp Wabasso dining hall, with a modern day record turnout of more than 70 members!  As is our custom, President Chan began the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of those who had passed away since the 2004 meeting:  Mary Craigin, Ruth Hungerford, and George Hosmer, Jr.  Much of the rest of the meeting focused on the Wright’s Beach property matters, but there were some other highlights:

 

BLPA Achievement Award to Gail Olson

Bruce Ellsworth presented Gail Olson with the BLPA Achievement Award to recognize her many years of leadership (including 2 terms as President) and her legendary contributions to the association through the Dog House Weekends she has organized and led.

 

Dog House Weekend a Huge Success!

Gail Olson thanked the many volunteers who helped to make the July Dog House Weekend a very big success and reported that funds raised totaled $3,761.  The membership applauded the outstanding effort and leadership provided by the Olson and Bailey families.

 

BLPA Leadership: Incoming and Outgoing

Three new board members were elected at the Annual Meeting and will serve through the 2008 meeting: John Godkin, Dick Manuel, and Cynde Robbins. 

 

BLPA Leadership (cont.)

President Chan then offered thanks and best wishes to the hard-working “retirees” whose terms were completed at the meeting: Carrie Godkin, Moe Geoffrion, and Gail Olson.  Please join with the board in welcoming John, Dick, and Cynde … and offering sincere thanks for the unceasing efforts of Carrie, Moe, and Gail on behalf of the association.  Great job!

 

’06-’07 Dues

The acquisition of Wright’s Beach brings with it a number of operating expenses we have not been responsible for in the past, which include insurance and property taxes.  Treasurer Dave Hansen explained that all acquisition expenses have been or will be charged to our capital reserve.  Upon transfer of ownership, future expenses will be treated as an operating expense and necessitate an increase in BLPA annual dues.

 

Since our bylaws require an annual meeting vote on dues for the following fiscal year,  the membership approved a motion to set the ceiling for the ’06-’07 dues at $50.  Dave noted that the board will work with this ceiling and try to set next year’s dues even less than $50.

 

WATER STUFF

 

Conservation and Water Quality

Bill Hallahan reports that the 2005 water testing efforts show the same high water quality results we have enjoyed for some time.  NH DES representatives were along for two of the five tests this past season and included a weed inspection that found no aquatic weeds of concern. Blaisdell Lake continues to be one of the high quality lakes in the state and is considered “pristine”.  Our thanks go out to Bill for his leadership and his continuing efforts to educate and motivate all those who want to protect the lake and maintain its quality.  Thanks also to his #1 Assistant Mike Gudefin for another year of support and assistance.

 

Safe Boater Education Certificate

Don Hall, our Water Safety Chairman, sends a reminder to all boaters that the clock is ticking!  As of January 1, 2006 anyone operating a vessel powered by more than 25 horsepower and born on or after January 1, 1963 (that’s 43 years old, folks!) must have a Safe Boater Education Certificate.  Go to www.state.nh.us/safety/ss/links.html  or call 1-888-254-2125 for more information.   All power boaters (25+ HP) will need to have their SBEC on board by January 1, 2008, so time is running out!

 

The Dam Work Was Worth It!

Bruce Ellsworth reports that the heavy fall rains raised the lake to a level never seen by any long time area residents.  The dam came through all of the bad weather in fine shape and   there was no “washing” of any kind around it.  1½ boards were pulled from the spillway in October and while the water level is still high there are no plans to pull another board or to replace the others until spring.  The state inspected the dam in October and has notified Bruce that we have a clean bill of health.  All that work last year was really worth it!

 

 

SOME SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS!

 

  • The “Queen Mary” and Pud Ellsworth, its 95 year old skipper, led the July 3rd Boat Parade, with 24 other boats in hot pursuit (well, it was “hot”, given the wake speed requirement).  It was quite a sight … fun to be part of and fun to watch!

Here’s a BLPA trivia question for you:  “Other than Estelle Rooney, who is the only other living BLPA charter member?” 

* If you should need any help with this one, the answer is on page 6, bottom.

  • Flare Night went off without a hitch.  Everyone lit up at 9PM “on the dot” and the post-flare fireworks were better than ever. Thanks to all who participated!
  • Estelle Rooney missed nary a day of raking at the beach and was spotted often during Dog House weekend … either supervising the DH crew or entertaining former employees and customers on her front lawn!
  • The BLPA Adopt-A-Highway program, chaired by John Biewener, has completed its 10th year of community service.  Our thanks and admiration go out to John and his crew … well done!

 

THE LATEST FROM “THE KEEPER OF THE WAMPUM”

 

Treasurer Dave Hansen reports total assets in the range of $20,000.  There are a number of expenses anticipated that will reduce this figure before the end of the fiscal year, but he expects that the year end report will show an increase in total assets of at least 15% over the last fiscal year.

 

For 3 years now, we have covered our operating expenses with revenue from dues and have been able to take non-recurring expenses from the capital reserve.  This fact points to the importance of fundraising and the impact this strategy has had on our financial health.  The capital reserve is still more than adequate in spite of the use of more than $20,000 to cover the dam restoration and legal costs associated with the Wright’s Beach acquisition. We are in very good financial shape!

 

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2006

 

Boat Ramp Weed Inspection Program Expands!

BLPA Director Sharon Kenrick has announced that the 2006 Weed Inspection Program will be expanded to include all BLPA able-bodied members.  This expansion was approved by the voting members at the July 30th Annual Meeting.  Inspections will begin on Memorial Day weekend and continue on weekends through Labor Day.  Based on discussions at the Annual Meeting, you can expect to be assigned no more than 4 hours of Boat Ramp duty during this time.  Sharon will develop a Procedure List and a 2006 Weed Inspectors’ Schedule and publish them in the spring.  This program is vital to our efforts to prevent the introduction of harmful exotic weeds into the lake and your participation will make a big difference!

Watch for details in the next edition of the Blaisdell News!

BLPA Yard Sale and Raffle

The board has announced that the two major 2006 fundraising events will feature the traditional BLPA Yard Sale and the return of the Raffle (which proved very popular in 2004).  We expect that the Yard Sale will take place in mid-July and that the Raffle will culminate with a drawing at the 2006 BLPA Annual Meeting.  Past President Dave Donovan has agreed to chair the Raffle and the board will appoint the other chairs in the spring.  Dates for all of the 2006 events will be published then.  In the meantime, start thinking about the treasures you can spare for the Yard Sale!

 

 

BLPA Picnic

Jane and Fritz Pratt have graciously volunteered to host a BLPA summer picnic at their home on Blaisdell Hill Road.  The board will appoint co-chairs for the event and announce the date and details for the event, which will feature fun and food for all ages.  Put a “Post-it” on your July/August 2006 calendar so you and your family can be there!

 

That’s the latest from Blaisdell Lake … please feel free to contact any officer or board member with questions or suggestions:

 

 

’05-’06 Board of Directors Contact List

 

President:         Chan Blodgett               938-2965         Cynde Robbins       781-545-4167

Vice President: Bruce Ellsworth            746-3446         Dick Manuel           413-532-5453

Treasurer:        Dave Hansen          781-453-9453         Fritz Pratt                   938-5448

                                                            938-2717         John Godkin                 938-5457     

Clerk:               Dave Young                   746-6611          Leon Malan                   938-2789

Dam:                 Bruce Ellsworth            938-2323         Nancy Isaacson     301-371-6036

Membership:     Betty Blodgett 938-2965         Dave Donovan               938-5306

Water Quality: Bill Hallahan                 938-2339         Bob Wright                   938-5504

Water Safety:  Don Hall                       456-3445        Sharon Kenrick              938-2665

Emeritus:         Estelle Rooney              938-5362        

 

 

You can write to BLPA at our business address:

PO Box 453, South Sutton NH  03273

 

 

WISHING YOU ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

AND

A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND FULFILLING NEW YEAR!

 

 

*BLPA Trivia Question Answer:  Why, it’s Pud Ellsworth of course!