BLAISDELL
2005 SUMMER EDITION
Vol. 1-05
June 2005
Published Twice Each Year By Your BLPA Board of
Directors
Find Us On The Internet At “www.blpoa.org”
WRIGHT’S
BEACH UPDATE
Annual
Meeting vote on gift of property expected!
By Bruce Ellsworth, BLPA Vice President
Last fall, we
announced that Don and Estelle Wright have very generously offered to make a
gift of their property known as “Wright’s Beach” to the Association. As in most real estate matters, a transfer of
ownership takes time and we are happy to report that progress has been made and
that we anticipate the matter being in your hands for a vote this summer!
Chan Blodgett, Dave
Young and I have worked closely with our attorney, Timothy Britain of Ransmeier
and Spellman,
If the deed and
agreement are accepted by the Wrights, and if our Board votes to recommend
approval, then Tim Britain and I will offer to schedule a meeting of the
residents along Rte 114 to explain the details of the proposed deed and
agreement. It is the Board’s intent that
there will be no changes in the opportunities those residents have to continue
to use their facilities on the lake.
The Board has charged the Beach Acquisition
Committee to look at beach management, beach membership, and boat launching
alternatives. It is also investigating potential
insurance liabilities and the costs of adequate insurance to protect the
Association.
If the Board
approves the deed and agreement, the BLPA membership will vote on them, either
at the July 30th Annual Meeting, or at a special meeting called for
that purpose
Of course, neither
the transfer of ownership for the Wright’s Beach property nor changes to any current policies will take place
without membership approval. We urge you
to attend the Annual Meeting to stay current with latest developments and to
participate in the decision-making process!
A MESSAGE FROM “PRESIDENT
B”
(… Blodgett, not Bush! )
By
Chan Blodgett, BLPA President
We are all looking forward to another great summer
season at
Last fiscal year (May 2003-April 2004) we
also completed major repairs to the dam (at a cost in excess of $17,000). Fortunately, due to the interest, participation
and volunteer work of our membership, we had the funds to pay for this needed
restoration.
JUST THINK – if we didn’t have a dam, our
lake would look very different and our property values would not be where they
are today. It has been about 50 years since my previous tour of duty as
President off this organization, but the problems and primary mission are the
same. Back in the 1940’s the dam had fallen into disrepair and could not
sustain the level of the lake as we know it today. During the latter half of the summer and
shortly after Labor Day, the lake would be down 6-8 feet so that several large
rocks 200 feet from shore were prominently rising above the lake surface. This deterioration of the lake also ruined
waterfront activities at Camps Wabasso and Kemah.
At this juncture, a group of concerned
property owners took it upon themselves to raise money to have the dam
rebuilt. That project 55 years ago has
lasted with minor repairs until our recent rebuilding. About that time (+/-
1950) some of these same property owners created our organization with the
mission to maintain the integrity of the dam and to maintain the quality of the
lake.
Currently a major ongoing project is
monitoring the water quality by close observation and several lab tests
annually. More recently monitoring for
exotic weeds has become a priority because of the spread of milfoil in New
England with 60-70 lakes in
The tax map indicates 76 parcels of land actually
bordering the lake with several more just across a road or close by. Of the 76 lots, 65 have a structure. Last year we had 98 dues paying members, so
obviously the enthusiasm for maintaining the lake has spread outward from the
shoreline to nearby property owners. We invite the remaining property owners to
join with us to preserve the value, beauty, and quality of our lake.
Please make it a point to participate in our
Annual Meeting on July 30th … and find other ways to help out with
BLPA efforts. This newsletter is full of
ideas and opportunities!
We have been active for 55 years and will
celebrate our 55th anniversary with a BLPA Picnic in mid- August
(the date, time and location will be announced at the Annual Meeting). I sure hope to see you and have the opportunity
to chat at the picnic and the Annual Meeting.
Best wishes for a great summer,
Chan Blodgett
P.S. Please
don’t forget to volunteer for at least one weed inspection shift at Wright’s
Beach and reduce the burden from the few who did so much last year.
THE BLPA 2005 SUMMER CALENDAR
July
2
July 3 4:00PM BLPA POWER BOAT PARADE
(Proceed at Wake Speed !)
July 3 9:00PM
BLPA FLARE NIGHT
“Happy
Birthday
July 15-17 DOG
HOUSE WEEKEND
July 30 10:00AM BLPA Annual Meeting
Mid-August BLPA
55th Anniversary Picnic
(Details
at Annual Meeting)
You’ll find more details throughout the
Newsletter …
Please support the BLPA!
ANNUAL POWER BOAT PARADE
SLATED FOR SUNDAY JULY 3 AT 4PM
Pud Ellsworth’s
“Queen Mary” to lead the parade once again!
Pud’s elegant wooden Chris Craft has been cruising the lake since 1954
and for long-time Blaisdell Lakers it sure sounds like the “Queen Mary” when
you hear it coming round the bend. So
when “The Queen” passes, form in line behind it as the parade passes your
dock. If you don’t have a power boat,
please cheer the parade as it passes by and enjoy the spirit of the day! Sorry, but the wake caused by so many big
boats makes this event a no-no for sail boats and small crafts. For those who do
join in, please maintain wake speed !
BOARD ANNOUNCES 9:00PM START TIME FOR FLARE
NIGHT!
The BLPA Board is pleased to announce that Flare
Night will take place this year on Sunday the 3rd of July, at 9:00PM. The earlier start time will make it easier
for the whole family to enjoy this special birthday tribute to
At 9:00, join with your neighbors at the shoreline and celebrate. Enjoy
the fireworks that are sure to appear and take in the day’s second boat parade!
If you have a boat, join the flare
watchers parade … but observe safe boating rules and keep your running lights
on.
THE DOG HOUSE RETURNS!
BLPA Fund Raiser
to be held July 15-17
Gail Olson and Rick Bailey, two of Pat and
Stelle Rooney’s Dog House “old timers”, will once again manage the return of
the Dog House to Wright’s Beach and supervise the cooking and service of Dog
House Specials, Supers and Cheeseburgers BO (etc.) to a wildly enthusiastic
crowd of DH enthusiasts in mid-July.
Have you heard about the Star Wars Fanatics? Those folks have nothing on the Dog House
Delirious!
Be sure to make plans to stop by and have one
or two (or …?) meals during the weekend.
Use this weekend to invite friends and relatives to stop by for a
memorable and nostalgic weekend while you enjoy some great food at the same
time. You are sure to meet someone from
your
The hours of operation
are: Friday 5-8PM, Saturday 11AM-8PM,
Sunday 11AM-6PM
LARGE TURNOUT EXPECTED FOR 2005 ANNUAL
MEETING ON JULY 30TH
Wright’s Beach
Discussion and Vote to Highlight Agenda!
The BLPA annual meeting will
be held on Saturday, July 30 at
10:00AM in the
The Board urges you to
participate in the discussion and vote regarding acceptance of the generous
offer made to the Association by Don and Estelle Wright. Please arrive in time to sign in and be
registered before 10AM so that the meeting can be called to order on time.
WATER
SAFETY REMINDERS
Don Hall, our water safety director, has some important reminders for all of us:
· As of 1/1/05, anyone born after 1/1/67 operating a vessel powered by more than 25 HP must have a valid NH Safe Boater Education Certificate (SBEC).
· A person under 16 years of age may not operate a vessel powered by more than 25 HP unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who has a valid SBEC.
· No one under the age of 16 may legally operate a “ski craft”.
·
Adhere to NH Navigational Rules! Of particular concern on Blaisdell is
“Headway Speed” (no wake, max 6 mph). You
must not exceed headway speed when within 150 feet of shoreline, swimmers in
the water, rafts, floats or docks, etc. It is the operator, not the type
of boat, craft, or water toy, who is responsible for accidents and mishaps. Vigilance and common sense are the keys to enjoyment.
·
No more than 2 persons may be towed from a single
vessel at any one time (including tubers).
A spotter/observer, at least 13 years of age, must be on board for
each person being towed. Dogs or other pets do not qualify as spotters!
At its May meeting, the
board re-appointed Carrie Godkin to supervise its efforts to inspect boats
using the Wright’s Beach ramp. Most of these boats are “traveling” boats that
are launched for a day of fishing and then moved elsewhere. The exotic weeds
found in other lakes are often put there by a traveling boat, and this fact
moves the lake access issue to the top of our weed prevention efforts.
The Wright’s Beach ramp will again be staffed by a BLPA “Host” on weekends throughout the summer. The Host will welcome the boater, inspect the boat and trailer and accept the launch fee. The board are planning to staff each weekend with BLPA volunteers. Give Carrie a call at 938-5457 to let her know when you can help out. We need your help!
The board also wants to
pass on some important reminders to all boaters on the lake:
·
Clean your boat
and trailer thoroughly before launching it, especially before and after you
transport it to another body of water.
·
Be sure that
boats and trailers from your visitors or renters are inspected and cleaned
before launching them.
·
Keep your eyes
peeled when you are out on the lake and report any suspicious weed growth;
things you haven’t seen before.
·
Take a sample if
you can. Cut the weed with a knife, put
it into a plastic bag or moist towel, keep it damp and cool, and get it to Bill
Hallahan (or one of his Weed Watchers).
They will arrange for DES analysis.
·
Get
involved! Talk with Bill and volunteer
to help out on the weed watch … or talk with Carrie Godkin and volunteer to
help with the boat inspection team at Wright’s Beach. Neither job will take much of your time … but
it will make oh so much difference to our water quality efforts!
IT’S MEMBERSHIP
RENEWAL TIME AGAIN!
Your
membership dues notice is included in this mailing, so please take the time to
fill it out, update your personal information (like your e-mail address if you
are willing to share it), and get it back to Betty Blodgett right away.
WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE
Bill Hallahan reports that the planned 2005 water testing schedule will once again consist of five tests: May 31, June 21, July 19, August 16, and September 13. He expects that at a NHDES representative will accompany his team on at least one of the tests.
Bill and the board also remind property owners of
the NH state permitting requirements for
docks and floats. A new dock or existing
dock expansion/alteration requires approval from the town of
“ICE OUT”
POOL WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Hallahan and
Geoffrion Pick Wrong Dates But
Estelle
Rooney has declared a tie in the 2005 Ice Out Pool and has generously agreed to
award the winner’s prize to Bill Hallahan (April 14) and Moe Geoffrion (April
16) … when the actual Ice Out date was April 15. The BLPA News has learned that the winners
took away almost $9 apiece in winnings.
The News has also captured some Ice Out trivia that is bound to increase
readership! The earliest recorded Ice Out date is April 1, 2002 (winner; Bill
Hallahan again) and the latest recorded Ice Out date is May 6, 1956 (winner;
Elsie Bailey)
Thankfully, that’s the latest from
’04-’05 Board of Directors Contact List
President: Chan
Blodgett 938-2965 Gail Olson 988-2446
Vice President: Bruce Ellsworth 938-2323 Moe Geoffrion 938-5922
Treasurer:
938-2717 Carrie Godkin 938-5457
Clerk: Dave Young 938-2066 Leon
Malan 938-2789
Dam:
Membership: Betty Blodgett 938-2965 Dave Donovan 938-5306
Water Quality: Bill Hallahan 938-2339 Bob Wright 938-5504
Water Safety: Don Hall 938-2525 Sharon Kenrick 938-2665
Emeritus: Estelle Rooney 938-5362
You can write to BLPA at our business address:
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER
AND ENJOY
THE