Farewell to July

The early morning sun on Seaway Beach has been a treat this month.

July has seen more than its share of blue sky days and warm beach weather, as well as its share of humidity...

As we say farewell to July 2010, here's hoping for another month of fine Cape Cod weather.

Jetty Discussions

There has been some discussion about the Old Mill Point jetty, which is slated for some maintenance work in the coming fall.

When the jetty, or "groin", was rebuilt in the 1990s, there was much controversy over the cost of the repairs and whether it would actually stave off erosion or create more erosion.

The majority of residents voted to move forward with repairs, and as a result, Old Mill Point Associates was granted a perpetual maintenance permit, making the Association solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the jetty, in perpetuity.

The original jetty was first proposed and permitted in documents dating from October 1922. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, under the direction of the War Department, determined that the construction of a stone jetty in this location would help to slow and/or prevent coastal erosion.

In the "History and Purposes of Old Mill Point" written in 1963 and distributed in the annual directories, the author claims that William Henry Doble first sought to build the jetty at his own expense. This history has been transcribed on this blog and can be accessed by clicking the link to the right. Some of the "facts" are in dispute, and I'm looking into the discrepencies.

A Department of Public Works document from 1922 describes...

"Further consideration was given during the year to the petiton of J. Arthur Jacobs and others, heard during 1921, for protective work east of Herring River entrance at West Harwich. Inspections and examinations showed a rapid cutting back of the bank at this locality, constituting an increasing menace to property.

"On Nov 8 1922, a contract was made with George T. Randle for furnishing and placing about 3,500 tons of stone riprap and chips in a stone jetty east of the river entrance at West Harwich. The contract price for this work is: for furnishing and placing stone riprap in the jetty and as bank protection, $5.19 per ton. Toward the cost of this work individuals interested made a contribution of $3,000. This work is now in progress."

Regardless of who originally built the jetty, and who originally paid for the work... after the more recent upgrades the jetty is the responsiblity of Old Mill Point Associates.

Agenda for Tonight's Annual Meeting

Old Mill Point Annual Meeting

July 16, 2010 7 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Acceptance of minutes from 2009 Annual Meeting.

2. Financial Report

3. Nomination of Board Members, Clerk and Treasurer to re-fill expiring terms.

4. Beach Report and New Massachusetts Water Sampling Program Regulations

5. Dock Maintenance Report

6. Jetty Maintenance Report

7. Social Events - in need of venue for end-of-season party

8. New Business: Rules Review; Speed Bump Installation

All residents are invited and urged to attend. If you cannot attend and have not yet submitted your proxy vote, please feel free to email it to Carol or Katie as there

will be several spending votes tonight.

See you there.

Annual Meeting This Friday

Everyone should have received their proxies and meeting reminders by now - both by email and through the good ol' U.S. Postal Service. If you can't attend the meeting, please make sure to send in your proxy, or drop it by my house as a few neighbors have already done.

Annual meeting is
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
at the COMMUNITY CENTER
starting at 7 PM.

Lots to talk about, although the agenda isn't set in stone (or on paper) yet.

Fireworks Over Old Mill Point

4th of July Parade, Part Two

Patriotic Doyle Clan

Patriotic Puppy Dog

The motorcycle leading the way was new this year - - and he promised that next year he'd find himself some flashing lights and even a helmet...

By the time the parade had reached the last downhill portion of the neighborhood, the marchers stopped to sing Happy Birthday to America, and the Star Spangled Banner, before continuing on their journey back to Pine Lane.

Happy Fourth of July!

4th of July Parade, Part One

Old Mill Point has its very own 4th of July parade each year, thanks to the Doyle Family Minutemen (and women!) The neighborhood turns out to both watch and participate...


Eager marchers get their "floats" together, don their red white and blue gear, and head down Pine Lane to line up with the rest of the decorated bikes, scooters, strollers, dogs...

Neighbors have started to bring out the lawn chairs early, making it more and more "official" as the years go by. It isn't as bad as jockeying for chair space at the Chatham parade (where I need to get in my car at 4:30 a.m. to drive over with our parade chairs!) The OMP parade route is a lot more relaxed.
Even the neighborhood dogs get front-row seats to watch the parade march on by.

Check for more parade photos in Part Two!

Get Ready for July!

July has finally reached Old Mill Point, a month of hydrangea blooms and boogie boards...


Make plans to spend some time in the neighborhood... we're in for a beautiful month...