Lake committee members should be receiving their 2009 boat launch decals in the mail this week. [Note: Members with delinquent accounts will not receive any decals until their dues have been paid in full.] Additional decals are available upon request to accommodate members who own more than two boats and/or trailers.
Just as a reminder...all Foxchase residents are welcome to fish from the common areas, but only lake committee members are authorized to launch a boat on Emerald Lake. Last year the lake committee voted to create 10 "affiliate" (non-voting) membership slots for inland property owners willing to assume an equal share of the waterfront property owners' financial responsibility for maintaining the lake in exchange for boating access privileges. Four of those slots are still available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact me if you are interested.
Sharon Ketchen
Lake Committee Chairman
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Earthwork Activity by the Lift Station
Many of you may have noticed late last year that some earthwork was being performed on the lake side of Pebble Shore Drive by the lift station. This work was being performed by some residents in the area and by Plainsman Development.
There is still some work to be done to tidy things up. This work is the responsibilty of Plainsman. Plainsman informed us at our last meeting that this cleanup work should be wrapped up over the next few months, weather permitting.
SH
There is still some work to be done to tidy things up. This work is the responsibilty of Plainsman. Plainsman informed us at our last meeting that this cleanup work should be wrapped up over the next few months, weather permitting.
SH
Lake Level Valve
As some of you may be aware there is a valve that controls the lake level. It is located approximately half way down the dam. For some time this valve has be closed, resulting in a higher lake level. When the the valve being closed was discovered several months ago, it was opened up again, bringing the lake level down to where it is supposed to be.
I am pointing this out to everyone for two reasons:
1. While we all like a high lake level, the lower level is required so undue pressure is not put on the dam. The dam has never been inspected and breach of the dam would be catastrophic to our neighborhood. A conservative approach with the dam is very appropriate. As I mentioned in an earlier post, all of our property values are based upon us having a functioning lake.
2. Higher water levels result in water backing up by the lift station on Pebble Shore Drive. The water backs up under the roadway, and the resulting moisture has contributed to road failure in this area.
If you know anyone who has adjusted the valve, please encourage them to leave it alone. If you happen to notice that the valve is closed, please let me know.
SH
I am pointing this out to everyone for two reasons:
1. While we all like a high lake level, the lower level is required so undue pressure is not put on the dam. The dam has never been inspected and breach of the dam would be catastrophic to our neighborhood. A conservative approach with the dam is very appropriate. As I mentioned in an earlier post, all of our property values are based upon us having a functioning lake.
2. Higher water levels result in water backing up by the lift station on Pebble Shore Drive. The water backs up under the roadway, and the resulting moisture has contributed to road failure in this area.
If you know anyone who has adjusted the valve, please encourage them to leave it alone. If you happen to notice that the valve is closed, please let me know.
SH
Front Entry Gate
I have been contacted by several residents over the last few months regarding the malfunctions of the entry gate. We are well aware of the problems with the gate. John Seymour has personally spent a lot of time trying to keep the unit operational.
It is my opinion that the current gate system is antiquated and probably does not have the ability function properly on a consistent basis. My guess is the unit is 15 years old and has never received consistent maintenance.
While funds are tight with the homeowners association, I think we need to obtain bids for updating the gate system. I personally do not have a good feel for what the cost will be. Once we know what our cost exposure is going to be, we can make an informed decision from that point forward.
I am looking for volunteers to assist in the bidding process. I can give direction if someone is willing to help. If there are no volunteers, I will ultimately get to it, but it will be later in the year. A volunteer would help expedite the process.
Please let me know if you are interested.
SH
It is my opinion that the current gate system is antiquated and probably does not have the ability function properly on a consistent basis. My guess is the unit is 15 years old and has never received consistent maintenance.
While funds are tight with the homeowners association, I think we need to obtain bids for updating the gate system. I personally do not have a good feel for what the cost will be. Once we know what our cost exposure is going to be, we can make an informed decision from that point forward.
I am looking for volunteers to assist in the bidding process. I can give direction if someone is willing to help. If there are no volunteers, I will ultimately get to it, but it will be later in the year. A volunteer would help expedite the process.
Please let me know if you are interested.
SH
Street Light Outages
I have noticed that one of the street lights, located by the lift station has been out for some time. I have contacted Alabama Power, and they have stated they will have it repaired in 7-10 days.
For future reference, Alabama Power can be reached at 1-800-245-2244. Anyone can call. The call for me took less than 5 minutes. Please feel free to make the call yourself if this occurs in the future.
Scott
For future reference, Alabama Power can be reached at 1-800-245-2244. Anyone can call. The call for me took less than 5 minutes. Please feel free to make the call yourself if this occurs in the future.
Scott
Monday, March 30, 2009
Entry Sign Common Area
It appears that the construction of the front sign is almost complete. During the period that the sign was damaged, and we were evaluating replacement options, it was discovered that the entry common area land was still deeded to Plainsman Property.
Since this discovery, we have worked with Plainsman, and the entry common area has now been deeded to the homeowners association.
SH
Since this discovery, we have worked with Plainsman, and the entry common area has now been deeded to the homeowners association.
SH
Vandalism at the walking path gate by the boat ramp
As most of you know, there is a gate to restrict vehicles from accessing the walking path around the lake. The gate is located by the boat ramp. Unfortunately, someone has removed one of the gates. We believe it was an intentional act, as the support posts seem to have been cut cleanly with a saw.
It is unclear as to who performed this act, or for what reason.
It is important that we restrict cars/trucks from driving over the walking path/dam for the the lake, and also over the concrete spillway. The weight from these types of vehicles can compromise the dam, unltimately leading to dam failure. Since all of our property values are tied to the viability of the lake, we should all be dilligent about keeping vehicles off of the dam and spillway.
SH
It is unclear as to who performed this act, or for what reason.
It is important that we restrict cars/trucks from driving over the walking path/dam for the the lake, and also over the concrete spillway. The weight from these types of vehicles can compromise the dam, unltimately leading to dam failure. Since all of our property values are tied to the viability of the lake, we should all be dilligent about keeping vehicles off of the dam and spillway.
SH
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
New Blog Access/Foxchase Entry Sign
Hello everyone. I have recently gained access to this blog site thanks to Sharon Ketchen. While this blog was originally set up as a tool for the lake commitee, we are going to expand its use. The homeowners association officers plan to use this site to keep everybody informed of subdivision news. Please pass this information along to your neighbors, along with the web address! We had an officers meeting last Saturday, so I will try to get some news updated over the next few days.
Many of you have asked about the front entry sign. Fortunately, reconstruction is in the works. Plainsman Development has released a contractor for reconstruction, with the hope of being wrapped up by the end of the month. The sign will be brick as originally constructed, although there will not be a water skier on the placard portion of the sign.
Look for more posts in the coming days/weeks.
Scott Hoppa
Many of you have asked about the front entry sign. Fortunately, reconstruction is in the works. Plainsman Development has released a contractor for reconstruction, with the hope of being wrapped up by the end of the month. The sign will be brick as originally constructed, although there will not be a water skier on the placard portion of the sign.
Look for more posts in the coming days/weeks.
Scott Hoppa
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