Summer Edition 😎

Message from the IHC President.

by Scott MacPherson, IHC President

Greetings members. We are well into an unusual summer season and I would like to share some updates as well as call for a community meeting.

As requested in the last IHC meeting, please review the proposed amendments to the bylaws and share any feedback with the Board. These proposals will be voted upon during the Fall meeting, therefore, it is important to be familiar with them in advance. The full proposals have been linked and included as Appendices in the Meeting Minutes, included in the Secretary’s Notes, below.

The CMA engineering report that was commissioned by the IHC has been received and can be found attached to this report. We have a small group of former Island Engineers that have reviewed the report and helped to guide next steps. This report is excellent and full of helpful data. I encourage you all to read it through. A copy of the report can be found HERE.

The board would like to call a community meeting on Tuesday Aug 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM by Zoom. We plan to discuss the CMA report findings, projects needing to be completed before the winter and next steps of the rebuild process. Expect an agenda to be sent with the meeting link very soon.

We are in the final stage of the SBA loan application. We have completed the necessary paperwork and are awaiting approval. This is by no means a commitment to take out a loan, however it is an option for the community to discuss as we look at next steps of the rebuilding process.

THIS MONTH’S

TOP STORIES

Government Center

by Kari Jones, Island Engineer

I am hopeful that many of you have been able to spend some time on the island this summer, but if you have not, please see a brief recap of what we have accomplished and what we have left to achieve.

Accomplishments over the last month:

Septic System up and running!
Dismantled broken truss and salvaged hardware
Refurbished, flipped and launched ramp from marsh to be used for Hen Island
Contracted AJ to come out and hook up ramp and float to temporary location on Hen
Repaired pumphouse platform
Received CMA's Engineer Memo
Hired an interim caretaker

Introducing Tom (TJ) Fitzpatrick who kindly agreed to help us steadily work through some smaller projects, maintain the landscaping, and lend an extra hand with some of the larger projects over the weekends as our interim caretaker. Mr. Fitzpatrick joined us just after the Fourth of July and answers to both Tom and TJ. He swears he does not yet have a preference for what he likes to be called so there is a chance you will hear him referred to as both. Tom (TJ) is the son of John Fitzpatrick, owner of New Meadows Marina in West Bath and has his own boat shop that he works out of here in Georgetown ME. He has many years of experience working on or around boats and is an avid snowboarder during the wintertime.

For the last few weeks, Tom (TJ) has proven to be a wonderful help with the following projects, and we are very excited to have his bright attitude for the rest of the year:

Getting the sewer line trenched and buried
Flipping and launching ramp from marsh
Clearing the path around Malden of down trees and overgrown bushes
Clearing a walkable path on Hen after the ramp was installed
Organizing woodpile
Replacing rotten/ broken boards
Installing solar lights on the Malden Float
Mowing the lawn and weed whacking around cottages
Moving rocks between Thomas and Walker to backfill the seawall

"Winter is Coming" - Following the guidance of the CMA proposal and considering our timeline we will be focusing on the following projects in preparation for next winter. Please mark your calendars for August 24th and September 21st for official work weekends at this point in time.

Secure Pierhead and raise it

Believe we can get a volunteer team to accomplish the task of getting boards popped back into place and chains refastened

Continued efforts to secure/button up Cookhouse
Backfill and support seawall
Rebuild Winter Foat platform

House Keeping Items

Please use common sense and be respectful of tying up boats on the Malden float so people have access to easily get on and off

If the workboat is not actively being used (i.e. operated within a couple hours) dock it on the finger float or moor it. The same can be said for any dinghies if your cottage is not actively using it
Understand tying stern to is a risk for your engine being clipped by anyone coming to tie along the front

Work together and communicate as necessary to ensure there is a boat across on the Mainland at all times.

Treasurer's Ledger

by Will MacPherson, IHC Treasurer

Secretary’s Notes

by Kate Roloff, IHC Secretary

The notes for the 2024 annual meeting of the IHC are available HERE. This includes a summary of the proposals that were voted upon.

Community Announcements

We are pleased to share these exciting updates with the IHC membership.

FIYC

Commodore Dave Robinson shares this announcement: Due to unsafe conditions on the island, the FIYC JUNIOR REGATTA has been canceled for this summer. We are hoping to resume this popular event next summer.

GOOD NEWS

Congratulations to Colin Mulcahy and beautiful bride Kelsey! Many island members were present to celebrate with the bride and groom who tied the knot in Kittery, Maine on July 6th.

Important Upcoming Dates:

All Island Meeting - Tuesday, August 13th @ 7:00 by Zoom
Upcoming Work Weekend - August 24th and September 21st

Photo of the Month

Island Home Club

Five Islands, Maine