Bridle Path Progress Report Aug 2020
Yes! We have a path/trail that borders parts of the community. It’s not an “easement”. Its AHPOA common property. The path is marked in green on the map below. Sections of the path have recently been cleared by the Parks Committee and volunteers who continue to work to try to clear a 1.5 section of this path for residents. Thank you volunteers! For more information please see the attached report.
TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS
The worst of it for our area is expected to be heavy rains & storms on Tuesday morning 4am through early afternoon (on top of the storms that are expected this afternoon). We are on the outer limits for high winds (20% chance).
https://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=395a04837ee1df54&hl=en&gl=US&source=web
The advisory 8/2/20 from the National Hurricane Center indicates, Stafford County has been placed under:
· A Tropical Storm WARNING, in effect until further notice, for the potential of tropical-storm-force winds and/or storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet on the tidal Potomac.
· A Coastal Flood Watch, in effect from Tuesday Morning through Tuesday Evening. Moderate coastal flooding is possible at times of high tide Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its closest approach to the area.
The previously issued Flash Flood Watch remains in effect.
SITUATION OVERVIEW:
Significant flash flooding of small streams and creeks is possible Monday night into Tuesday evening as rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Isaias spreads northward. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected with locally higher amounts possible. The highest amounts are expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains particularly over the I-95 corridor late Monday night through Tuesday. Moderate coastal flooding is also possible at times of high tide Tuesday as Isaias makes its closest approach to the area. Minor wind damage and scattered power outages are also possible.
In Aquia Harbour these types of storms generally manifest in over-flowing culverts, standing water on the road, falling trees, flooded basements and Lions Park being closed when Austin Run exceeds its banks. There will be ample staff onsite to handle whatever comes our way. Please review the attached prep link, stay home if you can, park your car in your garage and charge up your electronics in case we lose power. If you need assistance during the storm you can call the Front Gate/PD at 540-659-5224. If you can’t get through try the Business Office at 540-659-3050 or my cell 703-407-6106.
Be safe Aquia Harbour.
Patricia Harman, AHGM
703-407-6106
Update 4:30am Tues 8/4/20
Tue 4:30am. A slight jog to the east is working in our favor but we are still expecting several hours of rain and wind. It should all be out of here by late morning. Tornado watches and warnings probable throughout the morning so please pay attention to local broadcasts.
Update 9:30am Tues 8/4/20
It’s not over yet but we have clearly dodged a bullet (by about 30 miles). Rain totals for us have shifted from 6.4″ to 1.5″ and wind speeds from 29MPH to 12MPH. Though our MD neighbors just across the Potomac River are not so fortunate.
In the Harbour, we are dealing with a downed tree at 2073 Farragut and Austin Run at Lions Park will probably exceed its banks by 11:00a but other than that all roads are passable and we have no reported power outages. Please report any fallen trees or high water to 540-659-5224.
Not bad. Now go away ISAIAS!
State of the Harbour 7-27-20 It’s hard to believe that August is upon us. Thank you to all of you for your patience and for your commitment to the safety […]
GM Notes
AHPOA Electronic Board Meeting
June 24, 2020
With our events cancelled and our purse strings tightened until we get a handle on the mid to long term financial impact of the pandemic, there isn’t much to talk about – but here it is!
Open 30 – No speakers.
Directors Comments – Thank you to the volunteers who showed up to help clear part of the bridle path. Thank you to the staff for making adjustments for ‘crazy COVID’ and finding a way to continue to serve our residents. Dept of Labor is creating COVID related standards that will be forwarded to staff when finalized.
Treasurers Report – Cash balance up $268K. $5,245,000 on deposit.
Showcase House of the Month – The Fisher Family / 101 Portugal Cove. Nice!
Training – Staff is devouring online training related to COIVD19 including Contingency Budget Planning and how to fully evaluate the pandemic impact.
Bridle Path Clearing – 15-20 Volunteers joined Director Collins and Holder for 4 hours spent on Wednesday, 6/24/20 clearing the section of the bridle path behind Bosun Cove. Access is located between 223-225 Bosun Cove. The group plans to meet every other Wednesday to continue to clear this beautiful shaded path. If you are interested in assisting please contact Director Holder at steven.w.holder@gmail.com
Walking Path – The GM will continue to work to try to find a way to connect the Aquia Park trail to the golf cart path. A contractor will be brought in this summer to work with our Road Crew to create a plan.
Dog Park – 4 new benches were built and sold to the AHPOA at a discount for the dog park. We are also awaiting an estimate to replace one section of fence at the dog park that has been pulled down and mangled by vines. The fence will be relocated about 15 feet to keep it clear of the vines and marsh area.
PHASE III – Goes into effect July 1. Stafford County has indicated that Phase III will not be impacting their current operations. For Aquia Harbour, we will be making a few changes including a further opening of our pools (full swim, not lanes), continuing to plan for Oktoberfest, and opening our venues for AH Club meetings, but not for event rentals. The Pro-Shop and Business Office will remain closed with all services being offered remotely except pro-shop sales. Specifics on the pools will go into effect July 1st and will be posted and emailed in the next few days.
Revenue Up – Revenue is up at both the golf course and marina from this time last year.
Contract Addendum – Vote to affirm the electronic vote to amend the Clubhouse Restaurant Contract to help ease the impact of the pandemic. PASSED
Golf Tournament Schedule – Vote to accept the amended tournament schedule. PASSED
Best wishes to all for wonderful and safe holiday. There is no Board Meeting in July but the Board will reconvene in August. If you would like to be invited to the electronic Board
Meetings please send an email with your information to GM@aquiaharbour.org.
HELP WANTED The Aquia Harbour Golf Course is currently seeking a part-time (seasonal) golf maintenance staff member. The position entails approximately 20 to 30 hours per week in the overall maintenance of the golf course grounds. Some weekend work is required. Experience in golf course maintenance is desired but is not a requirement. A valid driver’s license is required. If interested, please contact the Golf Course Superintendent John Weigand at (410) 598-9581 or AHGCS@aquiaharbour.org
JULY
REVERSE JULY 4TH PARADE – Sponsored by the Harbour Events Club. Saturday, July 4th. Decorate your porch, lawn and/or windows so that your Aquia neighbors can drive by and see your creativity. Enter your address using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094cada922abfb6-4thofjuly and the club will publish a list on Friday, July 3rd for those who want to drive/walk around and see the displays.
AQUIA CREEK WATER QUALITY TESTING – Join the Green Aquia Club in its monthly Aquia Creek water quality testing on Sunday, July 5th at 9:00 a.m. at Lions Park. For more information email Debora.Caldwell@gmail.com.
ADULT WATER AEROBICS CLASSES – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. through September 4th at the Harbour Inn pool. $30.00 for 10 class punch card, $60.00 for 20 class punch card and $100.00 for a 2020 season water aerobics pass for residents with a 2020 season AHPOA pool pass or $40.00 for 10 class punch card, $80.00 for 20 class punch card and $120.00 for 2020 season water aerobics pass for residents without a 2020 season AHPOA pool pass. Payment must be by check only. No walk in participants or guests at this time. For more information contact Linda at 540-657-8285 or RLHange70@verizon.net.
COMMUNITY STREAM CLEANUP – Volunteers should meet at Briarpatch Park at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th. For more information e-mail veilenfi@aol.com.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING – There will be no regular board meeting or regular work session this month.
State of the Harbour 7-9-20
POOL GUESTS – Starting Saturday 7/11/20 residents with an
ANNUAL POOL MEMBERSHIP may bring up to 4 guests per pool visit. Guests are $3 each and will be charged to the resident’s HOA Account. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to use the pools and for following all the rules. Its been so great to be able to keep at least one summer tradition this year and you made it happen!
WEBSITE – The NEW Aquia Harbour Website is almost ready to launch (probably next week). ACS has been a great company to work with and we are so pleased with the almost finished product. We hope you will be too. We’ll let you know! The address will remain the same aquiaharbour.org and you will not need a password to access it.
AEL LIONS YARD SALE – The Lions have downsized their annual fundraiser yard sale event but they are still having it. Saturday July 18th 8am-2pm 1013 Potomac Drive. Please support this great cause.
BRIDLE PATH – Volunteers continue to work to clear the bridle path behind the 2100 block of Harpoon Drive. We’ll be putting up trail and mile markers and letting you know when its ready to be hiked. These volunteers, including two Directors, have really been working hard in this unbearable heat and could use some help. Please email steven.w.holder@gmail.com if you would be interesting in helping with this herculean task.
WATER AEROBICS – Wow. Water aerobics is FULL. I don’t think that’s ever happened! If you would like to be placed on a stand by list please email Linda at rlhange70@verizon.net.
CANCELLATIONS – Yacht Club Dogs Days of Summer, Police National Night Out, and yes OKTOBERFEST. Such a bummer, but the pandemic guidelines just present too many obstacles. This too shall pass. Thank you volunteers for making the effort to try to find a way.
WRONG GATE – It’s still happening. GPS algorithms are taking your service/delivery people to the back gate instead of the front gate – taking them miles out of their way only to be redirected back to the front gate. Please warn your service and delivery people. FIRST they should GPS 1001 Washington Drive (front gate), then they can GPS your address without having to drive the ‘Tour-de-Widewater’.
STILL CLOSED – The Business Office (540-659-3050) and Pro-shop (540-659-4478) remain closed but employees are on site and ALL services are available for residents.
KAYAKING TOURS AQUIA CREEK – Penguin Paddling is back! The have tours set up for August 1st, August 22nd, September 20th and October 17th and launch at the end of Delaware Drive. These tours are awesome and our kayak launch makes for a safe in & out of these tricky water crafts. You’ll travel with a group and a guide. The cost varies, depending on whether you bringing your own kayak or are renting one of theirs. Sign up quick, they often sell out. http://www.penguinpaddling.com/…/aquia-harbour-sunset-tours/
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN STAFFORD – https://staffordva-gis.maps.arcgis.com/…/MapTour/index.html…
TICKS AND SNAKES AND VERMIN OH MY – The mild winter and wet spring have created a perfect environment for these creatures to run amok. As if we didn’t have enough to deal with! We have had several residents have actually bitten by snakes this summer. And the ticks… – they are everywhere. We are looking into spraying the parks but please take extra care to do tick checks after your family or pets have been outdoors in grassy or treed areas. Did you know you can actually send the pulled tick in for testing? It’s true. It’s a University of Maryland Program. https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/…/Pages/Tick-Identificatio…
I95N DELAYS at FREDERICKSBURG – If you are coming NORTH I95 from the Fredericksburg area, EXPECT MAJOR I-95 NORTHBOUND DELAYS AT FREDERICKSBURG MONDAY, JULY 13 – TUESDAY, JULY 14
Northbound traffic will be reduced to two travel lanes from 9 a.m. Monday, July 13 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 at Exit 133 (Route 17) to open a new overpass.
Be Well Harbour!
Patricia Harman, AHGM
703-407-6106
GM@aquiaharbour.org
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GM Notes
AHPOA Board Meeting
May 27, 2020
Open 30 – No speakers.
Director Comments – Directors urged residents to reach out to them or the GM with concerns or questions regarding community operations rather than using social media as it is not a productive medium to get answers or make constructive suggestions.
Treasurers Report – Balance sheet attached. 67 accounts with the attorney. 52 payment plans.
GM Report
Showcase House of the Month – The Hange Family 2032 Midshipman Drive.
Fireworks – As much as we love our July 4th celebration there is no way facilitate social distancing and safety this year. All July 4th activities, including fireworks, are cancelled.
Everyone has their own feelings about the pandemic and the personal decision to accept or reject the science and/or the recommendations of health officials. However, we are a business, and we have an obligation to cooperate and support state and local government and to more specifically, to err on the side of safety for our residents. We will be sure to make up for it in a big way next year when all this is hopefully behind us. If you decide to host house or block parties, please check and follow recommended guidelines of the day and remember, in general, the only fireworks that are legal without a permit are the ones that don’t leave the ground.
State of the Harbour
BUSINESS OFFICE – The office continues to work remotely and is providing ALL services remotely and phones are operational 24/7 (but if you call after midnight, I might be grouchy!)
PUBLIC SAFETY – Public Safety staff remains at a 100%.
GOLF COURSE – The golf course is open 5 days a week. Tee times and payments accepted by phone. Cart cleaning is done between uses. The Pro Shop remains closed. Social distancing is a requirement. The course will open to 7 days a week starting June 14th.
BARN – Private (one on one lessons) begin next week.
PLAYGROUNDS – Open. No more than 10 people, social distancing, at your own risk etc. Playgrounds will be power washed and sanitized regularly but not daily so please be sure to hand wash before and after.
RFID – To receive a replacement or new RFID decal, drop box or mail a copy of your registration and a check to AHPOA for $15 per decal to the office. You will be notified when the decal is available for pick up at the PD.
MARINA – The Marina is open. As most of this operation takes place outside, Marina operations are going back to regular days and hours effective June 1st. Only one person at a time permitted in Marina office with staff and safety measures are in place.
POOLS – Phase One Operation implemented. The Harbour Inn Pool has been open all week and the Country Club will open this Saturday. Hours at both pools are 10-10. You will be billed after completing an annual swim waiver which is available at the pools. I have suggested to the governors office to allow same-family members in the same lane so you can bring your littles in the lane with you. Have not heard back. https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/83c72dc0eafcbecc71-poolups NEW LINK to include CC Pool reservations.
• Lap Swim Only
• No more than 10 people at the pool (including life guards)
• Pool deck closed
• One person per lane (not what we wanted but it is a state mandate)
• Through June 12th then we are hoping for a wider opening with less mandates
• Waiver Mandatory (annual pool membership required or daily use rate $3 per use)
• Residents we be billed after receipt of waiver (available at the pools)
Board
Nominating Committee Procedures – Passed. Nominating procedures adopted with an added caveat that signatures may be collected electronically. Interested in running for the Board of Directors? It’s a great way to make a contribution to your community. It’s also a good introduction to local governing and looks great on a resume. Interested? There are 3 openings coming up this November. Email AHPOA@aquiaharbour.org for a “candidate package”. If you declare we’ll set up an electronic petition for you to collect the necessary signatures which are due by September 1st.
Upgraded landscaping front entrance – Passed. The GM will work with the vendor and the Beautification Committee to select the appropriate upgrades from the front wall and front gate quotes. This well be funded from recycle funds.
Friends and Family RFID Decals – Moved to June. The Board is agreeable to the proposal to allow friends and family purchase decals under a detailed contract of identification, sponsorship, compliance and use but they want the front arm activated during the day first to make sure that resident’s decals are working properly before we start adding Friends & Family. Daytime arm use will begin shortly and will be phased in.
Ella Sorrell
As many of you know, sweet 11-year-old Ella Sorrell lost her battle with cancer this week. So many of you have asked how you can help this devastated family. There is a GOFUNDME that was set up last year to help with medical bills and dream trip to Disney for Ella that is still active and still needed. The financial burden of the last year is inconceivable. With the family’s permission, I ask that you please consider helping this Aquia Harbour Family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/ella-sorrell039s-disney-vacation
There will be no change to Aquia Harbour’s yard waste and recycling collection on Monday, May 25th – the Memorial Day holiday. County Waste will collect yard waste and recycling as normal.
