News Contact CBCA

Newsletter

April 2007

President’s Corner – Charlie Anderson

Almost another year has passed and it’s time for the Annual Meeting.  This spring has been much more normal than last year – no snow in April!  It’s been warm enough several days to encourage us to take a walk on the beach.

Although there weren’t any major physical additions to the community this year, we did many small tasks.  As usual, we had a spring beach cleanup.  After the work was done a very nice picnic was held at the boat ramp.

CBCA again supported National Night Out on one of the hottest nights in July, but 350 people showed up and had a good time.  It seems pretty predictable that the date National Night Out is scheduled to be held will be one of the hottest days of the year.

As I reported last year, Calvert County gave CBCA a ‘landscaping easement’ for the corner of Calvert Beach and Long Beach Roads and it is our responsibility to maintain that corner.  CBCA, with funding support from Long Beach Civic and Flag Harbor Condo Associations, added more formal landscaping in the sign area.  With the drought last summer, it was very difficult to keep the new plantings alive. 

This year, Entzian Enterprises, which just opened a landscaping center just south of the roundabout in St. Leonard and next to the Auction House, has offered to design a plan for the corner. They have also offered to provide the plant material and install it.  I’m really looking forward to the finished product!

We need someone in the community to step forward and volunteer to maintain the plantings.  The major tasks, as I see them, are keeping them weeded and watered.  Please contact a board member if you’re willing to help out.

One of the major expense items is the hiring of off-duty law enforcement officers to patrol the community.  Again, this was done in conjunction with LBCA and Flag Harbor.  The patrols broke up numerous parties, responded to situations reported to the Sheriff, and removed people from private property.  This has reduced vandalism and helped keep the beaches clean.

I’d like to thank both the Board and our citizens for making this a successful year for Calvert Beach.

Administrative Business

You’ve probably noted that the first page of this is an invoice for 2008 dues.  At the April meeting of the Board, it was voted that the dues would remain the same.  Please make your payment as early as possible and earn yourself the opportunity to vote in the upcoming election for Board Membership at the annual meeting to be held on May 18, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Long Beach Community Center at 5845 Calvert Boulevard, Long Beach.

All eight board positions are up for election this year.  As you can see, we are in desperate need of additional volunteers as half the slots don’t have names.  If you’re willing to help, call Terrye at 410 586 3839.

The committee has selected their nominations.  They are:

Additional names may be nominated from the floor at the annual meeting and election.

Committee Reports

Mosquito Control - Pat McKnett

A portion of your annual dues go towards paying for this valuable service provided by Calvert County.   We pay an annual testing fee of $110. There is an hourly rate of $62.00 for the time that the truck is in the community. The county will pick up half the cost, so the community-shared cost is $31.00 per hour plus other related fees.

The Asian tiger mosquito is now known to carry West Nile Virus in Maryland.  The Calvert County Mosquito Spray Program runs from May through October.  It is also important for you to clear your yard of water containers where mosquitoes can breed

The spray equipment is mounted on the back of small pickup trucks and is calibrated to ensure insecticide applications at the rate in accordance with EPA regulations.  Permetrin which is an ultra low volume spray will be used for adult mosquito, but cannot be sprayed near fish ponds, bee hives or when wind speeds are above 10 mph.  In addition the county will not spray when temperatures are above 90 degrees or below 60 degrees.  Spraying is scheduled during the hours when mosquitoes are most active; early mornings between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and evenings between 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.   If possible, the program tries to avoid spraying in the mornings when school is in session.  It should be noted that the chemical used is less toxic than what the chemical-lawn and exterminators use. Spraying is only done as needed, based on testing done weekly by the County.

Before I can schedule Calvert Beach for testing I need to know the houses (street numbers or lot and block) who do not wish to be included in the program.  Also, I need to know if you have a driveway in excess of 150' with or without a turn around. If there is a turnaround you will be sprayed.  The county will not spray if you have a fish pond or beehive.    Once I have those names I can submit our request plus map and we will be tested and sprayed.   Spraying is only done on an as needed basis. Mosquito Fish are also available for standing water ditches or storm water management ponds. "

For additional details, check out the county website at http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/mosquito/spray/default.asp

Please call Pat at (410) 586 0572 if you do not wish to participate, have a fishpond, beehives, driveway of 150’ or have any other questions.

Security and Neighborhood Watch

CBCA participates in the Calvert County Neighborhood Watch program.  Our representative has been Charlie Bauerdorf.  The Calvert County Neighborhood Watch meets bi-monthly.  Charlie normally attends these meeting.  Representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, often including the Sheriff, and the Maryland State police attend.  They give an overall picture of crime in the county.  Also in attendance are citizens from various neighborhoods.  They are able to make their concerns known to the officials in attendance.

Here’s one of the points emphasized at the meetings.  Citizens need to make reports of problems in their neighborhoods.  If the sheriff is unaware of the problem, nothing can be done about it.  If a neighborhood has a history of problems, patrols can be rerouted to pay more attention to them.  Phone numbers:  Emergency:  911, Non-emergency - sheriff 410-535-2800, Maryland State Police 410-535-1400.

CBCA, Long Beach Civic Association and Flag Harbor Marina are again hiring off-duty officers to patrols the neighborhoods.

Beach Preservation

An estimate of $35,000 has been received for the repair of the one jetty.  Terrye Zaremba is pursuing funding and permit requirements for this project but this project is still in the early planning stages.

Parties at the Boat Ramp

The board of directors has decided that for parties with over 15 people, a permit with a deposit will be required.  The rules and the required form will be found on the website.  Please keep in mind that a permit does not give a person sole use of the beach.  The beach is open to everyone.

Beach Cleanup

A beach cleanup day has been scheduled for June 7 at 10:00 a.m.  Mark you calendars and help keep Calvert Beach clean.  Keep an eye out for the reminder sign on the community bulletin board on Calvert Beach Road at the power lines.