The Serene Scene



[pic]

Spring/Summer 2019

[pic]

As we go into the new year, let’s not forget who is really in charge of our community and thank Him every day for our wonderful neighborhood.

There have been several concerns about the LSPOA Charter, By-Laws, and Covenants and discrepancies between the documents. The board decided to seek legal counsel to help tackle this situation. Phillip Londeree was retained by the board to assist us in this. Mr. Londeree recommended we begin with the By-Laws. We had numerous special board meetings with sole purpose of working on the By-Laws. Once we had a consensus that this document was ready to present to the membership, a Special Membership Meeting was called for a question and answer session. Attendance was low, but the questions were good and the board, along with Mr. Londeree, answered them to satisfaction. The board voted to adopt the revised By-Laws and they are now in place. This revised document resolved several issues. The plan is to begin working on revision of the Covenants, which will definitely require legal advice/action.

Several items of interest have taken place this fall. This time of year gives the board of directors time to finish and complete several projects. We completed the renovation of the clubhouse and then learned the roof needed to be replaced. We were able to have that done due to the well-managed budget this year. We also had an inspection on the clubhouse by our insurance carrier and were required to install new smoke alarms, lighted exit signs, and reposition the existing fire extinguishers.

We also had several security cameras installed at the clubhouse and the playground/pavilion areas. The activity in these areas are monitored remotely by the clubhouse computer and the security personnel’s cell phone.

Lake Serene recently negotiated a lawsuit settlement over the Oak Grove Dam and the area that was cut into the side of the dam. The offer and agreed settlement was approximately $500,000. The board voted unanimously to place these funds in a CD and use only in case of emergency. The other lawsuit concerning the discharge pipe on the Oak Grove Lake has a court date in June 2019. Hopefully, this can be settled before the court date.

We lowered the Ski Lake this year, which hopefully will begin a three-year rotation on lowering all of the lakes. We did have to lower the Stump Lake in order to get the Ski Lake down to a level low enough for the homeowners to make repairs to their seawalls/boathouses/piers. The recent rainfall has all of the lakes back to normal pool. Thank you all for your patience during this time. We still have some work to do on the vegetation on the East Lake. Board members and homeowners are working hard to resolve this. The board put approximately 60,000 assorted bream the Oak Grove and Stump Lakes. Bass will be placed in the lakes in the spring.

The board has worked with the property owner on Highway 98 concerning the red dirt coming into the Ski Lake. We have negotiated cleaning out the channel and putting some large rocks at the lake side to slow the water flow down. We are still working with them on a few more items to help correct the situation and rehabilitate the lake.

The Annual Meeting was held March 21. There were approximately 175 members present. The nominees for board of directors were Rob Doherty, Clark Dudley, Catherine White, Warner Boortz, and Peggy Moore. After Phillip Londeree, Bryan Giles, and Angie Neuman tallied the votes the results were: Rob Doherty 105, Warner Boortz 93, Peggy Moore 85, Clark Dudley 56, and Catherine White 33. The top three will serve on the board for the next three years. Thank you to all who ran this year.

For all who have helped on any or all of the projects in Lake Serene, THANK YOU. We really appreciate your support and help.

I would like to thank the Lake Serene Women’s Club for all of the functions they had this year. I have had several reports of praise and positivity about these events and the work that went into them.

-Joe Simpson

[pic]

Anchor Circle, Shady Lane, Marine Circle, South Point, Treasure Point, Fathom Circle, Cutlass Point, and any of the cul-de-sacs….Boats, trailers, campers, cars, etc. are not allowed to park on this property. Those doing so could face fines from the association. Also, please refrain from placing garbage cans, debris, and other items on these areas. Many people take the time and money to keep the cul-de-sac islands landscaped, clean, and pleasing to the eye, so please be considerate to your neighbors and help keep all areas of Lake Serene beautiful.

Dogs……this is a constant complaint heard all around Lake Serene….literally. Put your dogs up the night before and the day of garbage pick-up. If your dog is not a neighborhood favorite because he may bite, bark, or growl, please take note and do something about it as a favor to everyone. For repeat offenders, fines may be levied to the homeowner.

Slow down and observe the speed limits in Lake Serene! We have many complaints of high rates of speed which is dangerous for all, especially those who enjoy walking and jogging in the neighborhood.

Help keep our community clean! Please all garbage in the multiple receptacles provided around the common areas. During peak times, if these fill up prior to pickup days, take your garbage with you. Make sure the lids are closed and help pick up litter. Thank you!

[pic]

When you come to purchase your auto or watercraft stickers, have your current MI registration number and proof of insurance on hand. Have tag numbers written on the application. Watercraft stickers are $20 and auto stickers are $10.

For a full set of lake rules, refer to the LSPOA By-Laws along with the fine schedule. The fines have gone up considerably with the passing of the new By-Laws. They are noted below. Parents, go over these rules each year with your children to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer while using the lakes.

VIOLATION/FINE

Trespassing (CODE No. 97-17-93) $100.00

Launching watercraft from common property 100.00

Watercraft or vehicle without current sticker 75.00

Violation of lake pattern rule 75.00

Water skier not wearing safety belt/vest 75.00

Watercraft pulling skier without observer 75.00

Watercraft or skier entering swimming area 80.00

Vulgar, profane, or abusive language 50.00

Creating a disturbance (noise/music) 75.00

Speeding in fishing lakes (over 5 MPH) 100.00

Discharge of firearms in lake area 100.00

Other 150.00

Pick up your garbage when you leave the beach and place it in the receptacles that are provided for you. If they are full, take it with you. Keep our beaches and lake areas clean and beautiful. Thank you to those who pick up litter around Lake Serene!

[pic]

Spring will be here soon, so you may want to begin planning for your next project. These are the projects that require a permit:

• New Home/$500 fine for building without permit.

• Addition/$200 fine for building without permit.

• *Re-Roof/$200 fine for building without permit.

• All septic work except pump-out/$200 fine for proceeding without permit.

• *Storage building/garage/$200 fine for building without permit.

• *Pier/boat house/bulkhead/boat lift/$200 fine for building without permit.

• Dredging/$200 fine for proceeding without permit.

• Pool/spa/water feature/$200 fine for building without permit

Fines will be charged to any homeowner who begins a project without an approved LSPOA application for construction permit.

Acquiring a permit is simple and costs nothing. The permit can be found on our website at . Upon receiving your application, plans, and materials list a building committee member will call or visit you to discuss the work being done. A permit is usually issued in a few days.

*A permit is not necessary for repairs in these categories if the project is done to return to original condition with no modifications.

-Cathy Williams

[pic]

We are excited to begin enhancing the fisheries within our community. Thank you to those of you who have and continue to contribute to them. Our accomplishments for this year include – completed construction of boat ramp at East Lake – control of bacopa carolininiana, lemon hyssop, in East Lake – geotextile and gravel provided for homeowners to build fish habitats. Future plans include the remaining bass to be stocked in Oak Grove Lake this spring and budget allowance for adding lime to the lakes.

We will receive the remainder of bass stocking for the Oak Grove Lake this Spring from Slade’s Hatchery. We look forward to an improved fishery within the Oak Grove Lake, as well as all of the lakes. Most of the cloth and gravel areas that have been placed are being utilized by bluegill with bedding observed. These spawning areas will improve fisheries dynamics and growth. We look forward to our raffle this year and raising funds for Fisheries and Lakes. There are several folks that have made outstanding contributions to Fisheries, and we take fiduciary responsibility for good use of funds. If you haven’t donated to Fisheries, please consider doing so. We continue to make attempts at reducing sedimentation into our lakes. Although we are not always successful in preventing run off, we attempt to work with regulatory agencies and private parties responsible for mitigating their run off. This task is incredibly difficult in assigning responsibility and holding feet to the fire. Nevertheless, we continue to beat the mitigation drum.

Other management plans include the addition of lime to lakes. Liming is an excellent way to improve water quality and provide the basis of the food chain for our lakes. Liming can range anywhere from $50 to $100 per acre, depending on the quality of lime. There have been concerns about what lime will do to the ski lake and causing a green color to the water. It is unlikely that any of our lakes, especially the ski lake, will maintain a phytoplankton (algae) bloom for prolonged periods. If we begin to implement liming to our lakes, we could consider using Fisheries Funds to purchase our own stripped-down pontoon boat for distribution. Rental of loading equipment (front end loader with extension) would be necessary; however, becoming more self- sufficient would pay dividends down the road.

-Barry Pessoney

[pic]

We had good success with our first annual 52-in-52 Raffle, netting approximately $19,000 in funds for the fisheries! We will be hosting another 52-in-52 Raffle this year, and the prizes will be Academy Sporting Good gift cards valuing between $300 and $600, totaling $21,000 in possible prizes! The raffle will be conducted in the same manner, with one drawing per week for the ensuing 52 weeks. Your ticket will be good for the entire drawing. If all tickets sell, the fisheries fund will net $29,000! Please consider making your $50 donation to make this a success! Call the office at 601-264-3765 or contact a board member to purchase your ticket today. Drawings will begin the first Wednesday of June.

[pic]

Be sure and make your reservations early for the clubhouse and pavilion. These tend to fill up quickly and there are dates already booked for the coming year. The clubhouse is beautiful since its latest renovations and a fantastic venue to hold receptions, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, baby showers, and much more. It is very economical, with probably one of the lowest rental fees in our area for a venue such as this. To book a date, a deposit of $200/$500 is required (depending on the type of event) and the rental fee is $275. This fee includes cleanup.

[pic]

Lake Serene POA contracts Covenant Security Services to patrol the common areas of Lake Serene and oversee checkout of the clubhouse and pavilion events as well as report to the board of directors on rule violations and trespassers. Make sure that you have all the appropriate decals on your vehicles and boats. This is security’s only way of knowing that you are a member of the association. Decals must be stuck on the watercraft or vehicle. Security phone number is 601-408-7687. As a courtesy, our security company patrols the roads of Lake Serene approximately every 45 minutes, except when the common properties are extremely busy. If you are out of town and would like them to keep an extra eye out, they are always happy to do so, again, as a courtesy. If you need assistance with your private property, you can call the Sheriff’s Department at 601-794-1005.

[pic]

Any residence in Lamar County can put yard (green) waste out to the street and the road department will pick it up to be disposed of. Green waste consists of tree and shrub material, leaves and pine needles, and other basic yard cuttings. No metal. Lamar County does not pick up green waste that is cut in large quantities by a contractor. All tree services companies or household repair contractors must dispose of the waste themselves and not place it curbside.

Lamar County also provides a service that is for disposal of large bulky items such as furniture, which is not able to be picked up curbside by the sanitation department. You can take these items to White Goods Days, which is every Saturday, at a select location in Lamar County from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The dates and locations are as follows:

First Saturday – Sumrall – 3799 Rocky Branch Road

Second Saturday – Oak Grove – 1002 Grantham Road, Sumrall

Third Saturday – Purvis – 640 Highway 589

Fourth Saturday – Lumberton – Front Street (across from National Guard Building)

Fourth Saturday – Baxterville – 5535 Highway 13 at the Community Center

Sanitation Services run each Tuesday in Lake Serene.

The Right Way to Throw Away is coming up! You can dispose of hazardous materials at Bobby L. Chain Airport or Lamar County Multipurpose Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. You can dispose of aerosols, all-purpose cleaners, ammonia, anti-freeze, appliances, automobile cleaner, lighter fluid, batteries, brake fluid, chlorine bleach, detergents, herbicides, insecticides, mothballs, motor oils, rugs, upholstery, paint thinner, etc.

[pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download