It's nearly 1,000 boats on Lake Auman -- not nearly 2,000.
A story in this Friday's edition of The Times on a recent Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Board Work Session reports that nearly 2,000 boats have been registered for use on Lake Auman this year.
During the Work Session, Lake & Dam Director Bruce Keyser reported the registration of 1,430 power boats and over 500 unpowered craft.
Thursday morning, after Friday's edition of The Times had gone to press, Keyser informed The Times via email that the number of power boats registered was actually 429. Keyser said he "forgot we start with 1000," referring to sticker numbers.
So, the total number of boats, power and non-power, is less than 1,000, rather than the nearly 2,000 that we reported.
The story below has been updated with the correct information. The Times regrets the error.
April 30 was the last day to register boats or trailers without paying a $25 fine, reported Lake and Dam Director Bruce Keyser during the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Board Work Session on Tuesday, May 8.
This year more than 500 non-power boats and 429 power boats have been registered. Those who have not registered their boats will be sent a reminder letter.
Lake patrol will begin on May 19, with boating rules being “strictly” enforced, said Keyser. Multiple violations of Lake rules may result in a fine, with the possibility of that boat being banned from use on the Lake.
Keyser reported that a fish and lake assessment study was completed on Friday, May 4 by Foster Lake and Dam Management. The results of that study should be back within the next few weeks.
After discussing the matter in executive session, the Board approved replacing the current gate system at the boat and trailer storage area with a twenty-foot sliding gate, as well as making necessary repairs to the present fences.
Barriers will be placed inside and outside of of the gate on both sides to prevent damage to the gate or fence from vehicles or trailers. The total cost of the project is not to exceed $5,000.
In other lake news, Keyser reported that electrical repairs at the Johnson Point docks are underway and should be completed by next week. The swimming platform should be in the water on May 19. ARC Director Dan Blue reminded all dock owners to check their cleats and mooring lines for wear and proper tying.
The Lake Auman Dam Development Committee should have a recommendation for possible uses for the top surface of the Dam within the next few weeks, Keyser said.
During member comments, resident Jim Brannon asked about progress on resurfacing the roadway over the dam. Keyser said due to some equipment and material delays — as well as being dependent on the paving contractor's schedule — it could be another four weeks before the work is complete.
Events
The Seven Lakes West Summer Concert Series started its season on Friday, May 4 by setting an attendance record, with over 300 people on hand, reported Events Director Rosemary Weber.
“Everybody just really had a really, really great time,” said Weber, adding that the event was dedicated to the BackPack Pals program.
The Events Committee installed lighting along both driveways at Johnson Point for the event, which was met with appreciation by the community, Weber said. She and Keyser are investigating a more permanent lighting solution for the area.
The next concert, featuring the band "Paris," will be held on June 1 and will be dedicated to Vietnam Vets.
On Monday, June 11 Sergeant Tom Brady and Officer Steve Clark, Resource Officers for Moore County Schools, will host a two hour Basic Self Defense Class at 6:30 at the West Side Park Community Center [WSPCC]. Residents may email Weber or contact the Landowners' Office to sign up.
On Tuesday, August 14, Brady and Clark will be back to host a Hand Gun Safety class, which will discuss dismantling, cleaning, and proper storage of a weapon. It will also review some of the new North Carolina gun laws, said Weber. Both events are free.
Weber is asking for feedback on hosting a concealed weapons certification class in the community. The eight-hour certification class would cost $80 a person and is required prior to applying for a concealed weapon permit, she explained Weber.
During member comments, Westsider Dale Erikson thanked Weber for her efforts in organizing the personal safety courses. “The gun safety and personal safety are both very practical items,” said Erikson, “and will benefit the community . . . Rosemary responded to the questionnaire, and not only responded to the questionnaire, but did it right away with some very practical things, and I think many people will look forward to attending.” Weber had used the SLWLA website to gather suggestions for future events.
On June 23 the Events Committee will host the annual community picnic starting at 4 pm at Johnson Point. The event is free, but tickets need to be picked up in advance at the CAS office.
Weber said she is researching two additional events: a boating safety program and a shape-up boot camp.
Architectural Review
The Architectural Review Committee [ARC] plans to periodically update the community with reminders and information regarding ARC changes, said ARC Director Dan Blue. “That is a developing process,” he said, “so bear with us as we begin to get this underway.”
Blue reminded the community that permits are required on any exterior improvement, addition, or change. If there is a question, landowners should refer to the ARC standards or call CAS employee Lucy Hadlock.
Blue reminded homeowners to not plant anything in easements. “If it is a permanent improvement — which is not allowed — they [homeowners] may bear the cost of having that improvement removed," he explained.
The first fifteen feet from the edge of the asphalt into a homeowner’s lot is a right-of-way held by the Association, explained Community Manager Joan Frost, adding that the next fifteen feet is the easement.
After discussion in executive session, the Board approved the following lot recombinations: 3349/3359, 5234/5235, 5141/5143, and 5522/4206.
Blue reported that nineteen projects are underway in the community, nine more have recently been approved, and four were recently completed.
Manager’s Report
New CAS employee Susan Latolian is working with Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy on security related issues as well as compliance issues, Manager Frost reported.
“She is working hard to help homeowners understand the standards set by the Board,” Frost added.
The Association's new security company is actively training new employees as well as those retained from the previous company.
The CAS team is busy learning the new security software. “We will continue in a learning process for the next few months,” said Frost.
Pool passes are ready for distribution and can be picked up at the CAS office. The pool will open May 26. Hours of operation are: Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; and Sunday, Noon to 7:00 pm. Repairs have recently been made to the pool area, said Frost.
Jeanette Mendence will take over the role of Community Manager upon Joan Frost’s retirement on May 18. “I wish to thank all of you for your cooperation in the nearly four years I have been working as your Community Manager,” said Frost.
Communications
A Westside Newcomers reception was attended by twenty-one new members of the community, from thirteen different families, Secretary Jane Sessler reported, adding, “It was a really nice event.”
The message board on the West Side's website has been taken down temporarily, due to the web host changing the format explained Sessler. This change will take a couple days and the message board was expected to be back up no later than Wednesday, May 9.
“We did not just take it down for no apparent reason,” said Sessler, “It was for the function of routine maintenance of the website.”
During member comments Jim Brannon also asked if member comments on the website can be retained longer than two weeks before they are archived. Sessler said, with the new website format, she will look to see if this is possible.
Treasurer’s Report
Cash disbursements for April totaled $82,000, reported Treasurer Don Freiert. This is above the “normal operating” amount of $66,000.
The increase was due to continued work by Cable Landscaping to remove the road curbing at the dam, along with the rebuilding of the the swim platform for $7,900.
Tree removal and lot clearing at the bottom of Lakeway Mall cost $1,500, and engineering work on the piezometers performed by Dr. Dan Marks cost $6,700.
A CD for $95,000 from Harris Bank will be called on May 21, Freiert said, indicating that he would make a recommendation on reinvesting those funds at a later date.
A $70,000 CD called in April was combined with other funds to purchase a Wells Fargo step-up CD at 2.5 percent which is callable in four years.
Infrastructure Committee
Construction of the maintenance storage building is complete, Infrastructure Director Jim Pierman reported. The last step is to put in the electrical, add a fence, and move equipment into the building, with completion of those tasks expected by the end of the month.
A fence 1.4 miles west of the back entrance on NC Highway 73 was damaged Pierman reported. Manager Frost added that it is the sixth time in three years that the fence has been damaged. No police report was filed, but materials to repair the fence have been ordered.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the Board’s Tuesday, May 8 meeting included:
• Carolina Records will make a presentation to the community about archiving documents on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 pm in the Community Center, reported Legal Director Jack Stevens.
• The new safety and security services are in place and new software should be installed by Friday, May 11, reported Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy. McCarthy noted that he has been working with John Hoffman in designing the guard house for the reconfigured front entryway.
• McCarthy said fifty barcodes have been distributed to frequent guests sponsored by SLWLA members. “It is going along well,” said McCarthy. “Everybody’s happy. Everybody on the other side is happy.”
• Frost said that Hoffmann will be doing some repair work around the trash bins at the Community Center.
