by Charles RitsonAfter a year’s absence, I

have rejoined the Board andwas appointed President atthe October Board meeting.Marcella Livingston chose toresign as President to take ontheTreasurer’s role.We thankCarol Martin for serving asTreasurer for the past fewyears.It’s been a somewhat hec-

tic four weeks, but the officeand maintenance staff andseveral members of theBoard have really “steppedup” to make my transitioneasier, especially given thatour Community Managerremains out on medical leavedue to her car accident inAugust.Some of you may wonder

why I returned and why did I

agree to become Presidentagain? I guess the answer liessomewhere between I’m aglutton for punishment and Istill believe that with the sup-port of a small but dedicatedstaff and a caring and com-mitted Board that I can helpto make Birchwood a betterplace to live.It also hasn’t taken much

time for me to remember howmuch effort it takes on a dailybasis to run a community thesize of Birchwood (26miles ofroad, 1200 members, over871 homes), no less moveahead on the many projectsthat have been identified.Remember we get no supportor services from the County orTownship. But, there’s an oldsaying—don’t complain, don’texplain, just get it done!

President’s Message

Listed below are some ofthe activities that are on-going:

739 Entrance – PADOT isrequiring the community toresolve an on-going sightline distance and left-turntraffic buildup problemsduring the peak traffic hoursbetween 4-6 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday. This hasbeen an on-going issue forseveral years and a decisionmust now be made by theBoard. Our options are lim-ited.We can decide to installa very expensive “left-turnlane” at the entrance at a

cost in excess of $200K, asimilarly expensive installa-tion of another entrance atEast Maheli Drive, or chooseto inconvenience somemembers by restricting theuse of their gate cards dur-ing the peak hours makingthem use alternateentrances, such as Doolan,Church or Silver Lake. TheBoard has chosen the lastoption due to monetaryconsiderations. Details arestill being worked out, butthe Board is strongly consid-ering delinquent member-

Birchwood Lakes Community Association, Inc.P.O. Box 222 Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

(

BIRCHWOODBIRCHWOODTHE

VOICEVolume 6/ No. 3 BIRCHWOOD LAKES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. WINTER 2011/2012

Birchwood Lakes Community Association, Inc.212 Aspen Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328 • (570) 828-2111 • www.birchwoodlakes.net

Project Updates

Continues to page 2 BirchwoodLakesCommunityAssociation,Inc.212AspenRoadDingmansFerry,PA18328

PresortedStandardU.S.POSTAGEPAID

Permit#11PittstonPA18640

Season’s GreetingsHappyHolidaysJoyous Noel

Feliz NavidadMerry Christmas

BlessingsAt Yuletide

PAGE 2 BIRCHWOOD LAKES WINTER 2011/2012

ships as the primary selec-tion criteria.Pool – Due to the unusual-

ly heavy rains in Septemberand the freak snowstorm inOctober, the Board reluctant-ly agreed with our contrac-tor that any testing of thepool liner would be toorisky and that we shouldpostpone the entire poolassessment until early spring.Maintenance Yard – The

project continues to moveforward albeit slowly. TheBoard has selected the rede-velopment design and hasapplied for a demolition per-mit to remove the salt shedand pad, but unexpected dis-covery of a salt issue has aris-en and is under investiga-tion. Details will be madeavailable as soon as currenttests are completed.

Staff – We are currentlylooking to fill an opening inour maintenance staff beforethe winter weather begins.The Board has also agreed tohire a part time collectionsperson, whose only focuswill be on delinquentaccounts. Members who arecurrently behind in theirpayments should get theiraccounts in order or face thepossibility of liens on theirhouse and private property.The community desperatelyneeds this income and theBoard is committed to doingwhat’s necessary to get it.Budget – Budget – A

2012/2013 budget has beenapproved by the Board thatincludes a $50 dues increase.It should be noted that the“Expense” portion of theproposed budget is virtually

equal to the “Expense”budget for this year and alsofor last year, meaning thatthe proposed increase is notdue to the Board wastingyour money by addingunnecessary spending, butrather to the fact that ourrevenue or income has actu-ally been decreasing becauseof delinquent accounts (seePT Collections person,above).Crossing Road Spillway –

The Board will be meetingwith our engineer week of12/5 to review the complet-ed design phase of the proj-ect, prior to applying for ourconstruction permit fromPADEP Dam Safety.RoadsOuter Drive – Significant

progress was made onimproving the swales anddrainage problems, but com-pletion of tar & chip activi-ties will be completed in thespring after the road has“settled.” Members are asked

to refrain from plowing thesnow from their propertyacross Outer Drive under anycircumstances since suchaction will damage the exist-ing sub-base.

Spruce Road – The road suf-fered substantial “wash-out”damage due to HurricaneIrene and the other heavyrains in September. Repairshave commenced, but alsocannot be completed tillspring. A portion of the roadwill be closed due to safetyconsiderations.

Hot Spots – Areas wherestorm-water run-off hasbeen a problem have beenidentified by the RoadsCommittee, remedial actionplans obtained fromCornerstone consulting, andestimates for resolving prob-lems received. The commit-tee will be recommendingwhich hot spots to includein the coming year’s Reservefunding for Roads.

Culverts/ Cross-pipes – K&S

has been retained to clean-out our worst culverts andFC Spott, a new contractor toBLCA, will be cleaning out anumber of our cloggedcross-pipes under our roads.Both of these activities willimprove the effectiveness ofour drainage systems duringheavy run-off periods.Delinquent Accounts –

30 and 60 day warning let-ters have been issued andadditional civil complaintsare about to be filed. TheBoard urges all members toget their delinquentaccounts up-to-date (see739 entrance; PTCollections, above).Burnt-out House on

Aspen Rd – The Townshiphas informed the currentowner that they mustremove the debris or facesubstantial fines. As a contin-gency plan, our attorney isworking with the Townshipregarding the possible use ofa joint manpower approach,but using their equipment,should the owner notrespond.Vandalism/ No Loitering

Rule – Several incidents ofvandalism at the clubhousehave resulted in the Boardinstituting a No Loiteringapproach at all commonareas. Persons found at theseareas will be asked to “movealong” or face citations.

Project Updates...Continued from page 1

The budget for our fiscalyear 2012-2013 will be inthe mail by December 17. Ahearing will be held onJanuary 14, 2012 at 8:30a.m. in our Clubhouse so wecan respond to any ques-tions you may have. Your

vote is important. Pleasereview all the informationand take advantage of thishearing to have your ques-tions answered by the Board.VOTING DEADLINE:

January 27, 2012 @ 3 p.m.

BUDGET

BILL & WAYNEENTERPRISES, INC.

All Types of Excavation • Stone Hauling & FillDriveways • Additions • Septic System Installation & Repair

Piers & Water Lines • Snow Plowing • FirewoodJeff Hiller • PA#006191

570-226-9558

Deadline approaching -December 31 is the deadline to provide

documentation from a licensed PA company to theAssociation office verifying your septic system

inspection and/or pump out.

Deadlinefor the nextBirchwood

Lakesnewsletter isJanuary 18.

For advertisinginfo, call Seth at570-443-9131

xt 302

BLCA Board of Directors andUpcoming Meeting Dates:

OFFICERS: DIRECTORS:President: Charles Ritson Carl FredricksonVice President: Clare Bennett Theodore BalkeSecretary: LindaWhite Thomas McConnonTreasurer: Marcella Livingston Joanne McInerney

Carolyn Martin

OPEN BOARD MEETINGS FROM 12/11 TO 8/12Saturday, December 10 @ 9 a.m.;

Snowdate –Tuesday, December 13 @ 7 p.m.Saturday, January 14, 2012 @ 9 a.m.;

Snowdate –Tuesday, January 17, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Saturday, February 11, 2012 @ 9 a.m.;

Snowdate –Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Friday, April 13, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Friday, May 11, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Friday, June 8, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Tuesday, July 10, 2012 @ 7 p.m.Tuesday, August 14, 2012 @ 7 p.m.

WINTER 2011/2012 BIRCHWOOD LAKES PAGE 3

With the first snowflakesof the season approaching,Birchwood Lakes would liketo offer the following tipsand information for yoursafety and convenience:

• Remember to keep theroads and right-of-way clearof vehicles and otherencumbrances. Our mainte-nance employees cannotplow roads that are blocksby cars. Vehicles blockingBLCA roads will be towed.

Any landscaping items, bas-ketball hoops, etc., withinthe BLCA right-of-way mayunintentionally be damagedby plowing efforts. BLCA isnot responsible for damageto these items.

• Remind your children toplay away from the roads fortheir own safety.

• When plowing or shov-eling your driveway do notplace snow in the roadwayor block drainage swales or

culverts.• There is no practical way

for maintenance to avoiddropping snow in yourdriveway when they areplowing. You can minimizethis frustrating event by try-ing to avoid clearing yourdriveway until the road hasbeen plowed or by clearingyour driveway as shownabove.

WINTER ROADS CONTACT INFORMATION:BLCA Office: 570-828.2111BLCA Public Safety: 570-828-6009 – Cell Phone No. 570-499-8301BLCAWebsite: www.birchwoodlakes.netBLCA Board of Directors Email: blboard@ptd.netBirchwoodVoice Editor Email: editor@birchwoodlakes.net

Across

1. Aroma5. Phi Delt, e.g.9. Little devils13. Venetian gon-dolierʼs songs16. Rake17. Betrothal gift(pl.)19. Cloak-and-dagger org.(acronym)20. Clairvoyance,e.g. (acronym)21. Not dispatched22. Cluckers24. Wife of KingPrium of Troy27. “For shame!”28. Carry away, ina way30. Amscrayed31. Actors32. “Go on ...”34. Height (pl.)37. Offensively39. Odd-jobber41. Gangsterʼs gun42. “What are the___?”43. “Bleah!”45. Short series ofchords (pl.)49. “___ to BillieJoe”50. Group within alarger group53. Hoof sound

54. Submit (2 wds)56. Lentʼs start,e.g.: Abbr.58. Anger59. Reciprocalrelation63. “Our Time in___” (10,000Maniacs album)64. Exaggerated65. Physics units66. “___ on Downthe Road”67. Apprentice

Down

1. African veneer2. 1973 Elton Johnhit3. System of sci-entific rules (pl.)4. ___ Victor(acronym)5. Mouthing off6. Kind of room7. A pint, maybe8. Big ___Conference9. Western blueflag, e.g.10. Pecuniary11. Short, upturnedfacial feature12. Some stanzas14. “Act your ___!”15. Blunted end18. Biochemistry

abbr. (acronym)23. Rises uprightonto feet25. Dried dung fuel26. “Do ___ othersas...”29. “Men alwayshate most whatthey ___ most”:Mencken31. Sectarian33. Faint35. Calendar abbr.36. Boris Godunov,for one37. Set in from themargin38. Slap on39. Indiana, The___ State40. Extras44. Lumberjacks46. Extremely hard47. Coffer48. Menʼs form-fit-ting swim briefs50. “Dear” one51. Annul52. Perfect, e.g.55. Animal shelters57. “Silent Spring”subject (acronym)60. “The ThreeFaces of ___”61. ___ green62. “Dig in!”

Puzzle answersPage 8

PAGE 4 BIRCHWOOD LAKES WINTER 2011/2012 WINTER 2011/2012 BIRCHWOOD LAKES PAGE 5

PAGE 6 BIRCHWOOD LAKES WINTER 2011/2012

The Pike County AreaAgency on Aging can assistyou with many programsthey have available. Theiroffice hours are Mondaythrough Friday 8 a.m. to 4p.m. and you can reachthem at (570) 775-5550,toll free at 1-800-233-8911,

or on their website atwww.pikeaaa.org. For exam-ple, every Thursday andFriday for a donation of$2.50 for members and $3for non- members there is afresh salad bar.On Saturday, December

10, from 8:30 a.m. ‘til Noon

(or ‘til the food runs out,whichever comes first) theyhave Breakfast with Santaand Mrs. Claus.Adults - $6 &Children - $3. The SeniorCenter, Pike County Area onAging is located at 150 PikeCo. Blvd. off Route 739,Lords Valley.

SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES LET DELAWARETOWNSHIP INFORM

YOU OF LOCALEMERGENCIES

Delaware Township has a local notification system thatcan send telephone notifications to residents and business-es within Delaware Township impacted by, or in danger ofbeing impacted by, an emergency or disaster. Register yourphone numbers with them at 570-828-2347.They will addyou to the Reverse 911 calling system.U.S. Route 209, between

Dingmans Ferry and Milfordis expected to remain closedthrough the winter. Repairsto the badly damaged roadare not expected untilSpring or early Summer2012. Deb Nordeen, spokes-person, National Park Ser-vice Delaware Gap NationalRecreation Area, said thatthere are multiple seriousissues: a section of theembankment collapsed (onthe east side), voids underthe pavement, and the pave-ment has dropped and sepa-rated. The highway is closedjust south of Milford, to theintersection of Route 739 atDingmans Ferry.

Motorists should plan touse alternative routes, such asMilford Road fromMilford toget to Route 739 or crossinginto New Jersey to take OldMine Road from Route 206to get to the Dingmans FerryBridge. Raymondskill Roadwill be closed to through traf-fic.

For updated informationabout the status of Route209, call (570) 426-2492for a recorded message; visitthe park’s website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow thepark on www.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS andwww.twitter.com/DelWaterGapNPS.

ROUTE 209 ROAD CLOSURE

Call forFree Estimate

(570) 828-8002

DIAMONDHOMES

ROOFING AND SIDING24 Hour Roof Repair

Locally Owned & Family OperatedLicensed & Insured

I signed up for an exercise class andwas told to wear loose fitting clothing.

If I HAD any loose fitting clothing,I wouldn't have signed up

in the first place!

WINTER 2011/2012 BIRCHWOOD LAKES PAGE 7

8 7

1 2 3 6

5 6 7 2 8

2 3 4

8 5

1 7 6

3 7 1 2 8

6 7 9 4

4 3

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49)

1 4

4 5 2 9

3 4 1 5

5 4 9

4 9 5 7

2 8 9

6 1 3 2

8 3 6 4

2 3

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.68)

RULE & REGULATIONSection 98 – 50 – 23 Snow

Removal – New regulation effective 9/8/06A. It is prohibited to shovel or plow

snow back into previously plowedcommunity roadways.B. The fine for Section 98-50-23

shall be $25.

We are updating the newsletter distributionrecords and need your help! Tell us how youprefer to receive the Birchwood Voice, eitherhard copy or by email? If you wish to receivethe newsletter via email, send us a note toblboard@ptd.net.You can also call the office at 570-828-2111.

If you know of Members who are not receivingthe newsletter please tell them to call the officeso that their contact information can be updat-ed.The BirchwoodVoice can always be found onthe website at www.birchwoodlakes. net.

NEWSLETTERDISTRIBUTION

AgriculturalAnnoyArmyArrayBearBladeBoilCuteDataDistributedEggsExtraFaintFilmFlourFrontGhostGlueHoleHours

ImageImprovementsIronJawsJazzKneeLemonLickMainMathematicsMetalNailsNineNoonOceanOilsOperaOutsidePreventPush

RareRedsRiotRoofsRoomRootSeemsSickSirupSizeTartTorchTwosVaporWageWentWhomWishWives

PAGE 8 BIRCHWOOD LAKES WINTER 2011/2012

CHILD SAFETYPlease adhere to the School Bus

Parking Rules. Illegal or careless parkingcan result in serious harm to a child.This is especially true during the winterseason when snow and ice can creategreater hazardous conditions.

ROAD CLOSINGA section of Spruce Drive is closed until further

notice to all vehicular and pedestrian trafficbetween Heartwood Drive and Laurel Lane due towashout from Hurricane Irene. Anyone caughttrespassing will be fined in accordance with theBLCA Rules and Regulations: Section 98 –20–22:Trespassing. The fine for violation of Section 98-20-22 shall be $200, and/or charges may be filedwith the appropriate District Justice for trespass-ing.

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49)6 2 8 9 5 4 1 7 34 1 7 2 3 8 6 5 99 5 3 6 1 7 4 2 87 6 5 8 2 3 9 1 48 3 2 4 9 1 7 6 51 9 4 7 6 5 8 3 23 7 9 1 4 2 5 8 65 8 6 3 7 9 2 4 12 4 1 5 8 6 3 9 7

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.68)1 5 7 9 6 2 3 8 46 4 8 7 3 5 2 1 99 3 2 4 8 1 7 5 67 1 6 3 5 4 8 9 24 8 9 2 1 6 5 3 73 2 5 8 9 7 4 6 15 6 4 1 7 3 9 2 88 7 3 6 2 9 1 4 52 9 1 5 4 8 6 7 3

Answers to puzzles in this issue