GENERAL RULES AND SERVICES
COMMON COURTESY. It is important to remember that the majority of the property on the Island is commonly owned. It is expected that all members and guests will treat it with respect. Many of the rules were developed to formalize this respect. Some widely accepted examples are:
Return carts to the main pierhead as soon as possible so that they will be available for someone else to use.
Tools borrowed from the Government Center or the ice house should be promptly returned. In no case should they be kept overnight. Anything broken should be reported to the Island Engineer immediately.
Do not litter! Clean up after every work project, party, etc. If you do see trash, pick it up and dispose of it properly.
Boats, kayaks, toys, and sporting equipment should not be left in the fields, on the floats or pier head for long periods of time and never should be left there unattended overnight, or when you leave the island.
2. NO SMOKING in or near wooded or brushy areas due to the fire hazard, particularly on the paths, or anywhere around the backs of the islands.
3. NO RECREATIONAL FIRES on Malden, Mink, or Hen Island due to the fire hazard.
4. DOGS. Dogs are not allowed on the Island during the Season when the cookhouse is open. Service dogs are allowed with owners at any time. Off season dogs are allowed, but should be under voice control. Courtesy is requested in toileting them and their waste must be cleaned up.
5. FIREARMS. No firearms are to be handled and no shooting by any person under 18 years of age without an adult present. Adults other than owners must have permission from the owner before shooting. This permission must include location, time, and target of the shooting. State law prohibits firearm discharge within 100 yards of a building or dwelling.
6. NO SKATE BOARDS, TWO WHEELED BICYCLES, OR IN-LINE SKATES.
7. Riding BIG WHEELS is restricted to the hours of 9:30 AM to 12 noon and 1:30 PM to 5 PM.
8. ISLAND SERVICES.
A. REQUESTS FOR CARETAKER SERVICES (i.e. running toilet or dripping faucet, electric, leaks, assistance across the harbor, etc.) may be placed by calling the Caretaker (207-592-3886) or, on season placing a note in the box under the bulletin board in the Cookhouse vestibule by 9:30 AM.
B. MAIL placed in the basket hanging inside the dining room door is taken across daily. Outgoing mail may also be placed in the mailbox at the head of the approach to the mainland float.
C. TRASH AND GARBAGE
Trash accumulated at the cottages will be picked up by the caretaker. No trash should be placed in the locker in back of the Cookhouse.
GLASS, METAL, PLASTIC must be separated from all other trash and placed in separate container/bag for recycling.
If you so choose, RETURNABLE CANS and BOTTLES may be rinsed and placed in heavy plastic (NOT paper) bags for the caretaker to dispose of.
PAMPERS should be in a separate tied plastic bag separated from trash.
Trash pick-up at the cottages is done Wednesday only, typically first thing in the early morning.
D. WATER. DO NOT DRINK the tap water in the cottages as it is rainwater taken from the roof. Drinking water is available along the boardwalk, on the Gutt side of the cookhouse, where you may fill your carboy or jugs during the season.
E. TOILETS. The sewage system is sensitive and must be carefully controlled. The system works by promoting growth of microorganisms. If their growth is inhibited, the waste will not be properly treated. The following simple rules are designed to ensure that this does not happen. Toilet lids must be kept closed to prevent anything from falling into them.
In the toilets you may put only toilet paper and what you have eaten. The sewage system can not digest anything else including:
Paper Towels
Tampons
Kleenex
Sanitary Napkins
Disposable Diapers
Dental Floss
Wet Ones
Condoms
Cigarettes or similar items of a non-bio-degradable nature
2. The only thing that my go down sink drains is water, soapy water, and toothpaste. Remove all solids from dishes. Dispose of all cooking grease and wipe out all pans prior to washing them.
3. Use only the cleansers on the approved list posted in each cottage. Do not use anything with chlorine, bleach or phosphates.
4. The less you use, the better. Use the least you need to get the job done.
9. UNKNOWN VISITORS. Due to the increasing number of people coming ashore from visiting yachts in the harbor and the increased insurance liability, YOU MAY ESCORT VISITORS AROUND THE ISLAND IF YOU SO DESIRE, BUT DO NOT SEND THEM AROUND THE ISLAND ON THEIR OWN.
10. BURN PILE. Burn piles are restricted to the Paradise Beach Ledge only. Care must be taken to identify safe conditions before forming a pile on the rocks and burning. Burns are only permissible under proper conditions of wind direction, wind speed and drought conditions. Burns always require a valid Georgetown burn permit. The fire pump must be set up, running with hoses laid out, suction and pressure tested, before igniting. A minimum of two persons shall be present at all times, at the site, while the burn is in process. Before igniting a fire, place a call into the Sagadahock County Dispatcher to advise them of the burn, as false alarms have been known to be placed by mainland residents.
There is to be no piling of brush or any other combustible material on the Paradise Beach Ledge during the cookhouse season.
Any debris accumulated off season will be burned in the spring. A final burn will be made as close to July 4th as possible, so no piling after the last burn in June, please. Island members and guests are not to add to the pile once it reaches a reasonable size for safe burning and under no circumstances are hazardous or environmentally harmful materials to be included. The size of the pile shall be monitored and a moratorium on additional piling may be declared until further notice by the President or Island Engineer.
Fall burns are often difficult due to prevailing winds from the north. Piles should not be built unless they can be burned immediately.
11. CONSTRUCTION.
A. COMMUNITY PROPERTY. No new construction or replacement of existing structures of community property are to be initiated without first:
1. Having detailed plans A. Materials B. Measurements C. Exact location(s) D. Anticipated use and benefit(s) to the community. E. Estimated expense
2. Having been reviewed and approved by the Island Home Club and included in the fiscal year operating budget, unless an emergency exists.
3. Having been properly permitted when applicable. In emergency situations the President, at his/her discretion, may authorize certain construction without a formal vote of the Island. Even in an emergency, plans shall be prepared and approved by the President and Island Engineer. Ultimately, such actions shall be reviewed and retroactively approved by the members.
B. PERSONAL COTTAGES. No major demolition, construction or replacement of existing personal structures (cottages or sheds), excepting within the structure, is to be initiated without first:
1. Having provided the Island Home Club, in advance of the initiation of any construction or demolition, with detailed plans, anticipated work schedule, anticipated use of IHC boats, tools or equipment, plans for removal of demolition debris, potential impact upon the Island infrastructure, potential impact upon members and abutters.
2. Having been reviewed and approved by the Island Home Club.
3. Being compliant with all local, state and federal regulatory requirements.
4. Having acquired and maintained, for the duration of the project, all necessary permits and licenses.
12. CUTTING AND TRIMMING TREES. Tree cutting must first be approved by abutting owner(s), then the president and executive committee - except for those trees which endanger property.
13. SPRING WATER HOOKUP. Toilet flush water will not typically be turned on until the last two weeks in April and may be turned off any time after the Columbus Day weekend, but usually within one to two weeks later. Drinking water will be available July 1st through Labor Day.
14. ISLAND HOME CLUB STRUCTURES. No one under 20 years of age may be in any structure not considered a cottage including the Cookhouse (other than meal time), Ice House and Government Center, or the Septic System building without supervision by someone 20 years of age or older.
The sewage and water treatment systems are considered protected areas by the Federal Government. Only specifically authorized individuals should enter the SeptiTech building or Chlorinator shed, or do anything to/with the pumping stations, filtrations systems, water tanks, water or electrical lines.
15. RULE BOOK COPIES. Residents are responsible for providing their renters with copies of the IHC rules and regulations prior to their arrival. Renters are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these rules. Copies of the rules are to be readily available in each cottage.
