Docks Committee

September is a new beginning to all that matters to the Docks Committee, although some big things are about to begin that have been in the works for several years.

This year we aim to improve the functioning of the ongoing maintenance functions of this committee. From the Dock Captains program all the way to the volunteers who do the improvements and repairs to this facility, processes need to be streamlined and people need to be empowered to make all the needed steps happen smoothly and seamlessly. Making sure all of the pieces are ready and available when the labor shows up to do the task is no small job.

We commence this year’s volunteer season with downspout projects. Some repair and replacement is needed on Dock 2 and ten all new downspouts are to be installed at the north sides of the float moorages on dock 3. Currently rain water spills out of the valleys and some of it reaches the lake. Some has been destroying the wood structures at the ends of the finger piers. Captain Mike Cochran has fabricated ten fabulous stainless collector boxes for this project. Thank you Mike! Many small projects and the ongoing planking replacements will start up in September and continue this year. Check out the bulletin board in Cummings Hall. Tasks are posted there. Feel more than free to do one of those deeds.

We shall commence with another under-docks inspection, probably in October this year and we’ll try to do 1/3 of the marina. It should be far less demanding than the task has been in the past. Our contractor will be back for more pilings, caps, and stringers work. We completed nearly half of the work identified in the last inspection. The second half and anything we find in October goes on this year’s list.

Power connections to the work floats have now been restored. Thank you, Tim Dies. Work float #1, the 42 year old wooden float, has now been suspended from use for permanent moorage assignments. You may continue to use it as a work float as it’s believed that you’ll be monitoring your boat there and that it’s not likely to be occupied in stormy weather. The structure of the wooden float simply isn’t sound enough to securely tie up boats for the long term. We are actively seeking a new, wider, and safer float, but there is no current budget allocated to replacement.

The big project that begins this year is the long awaited smoke vents project. Not all of the details have been hammered out as to how or when this will be accomplished. This fall and winter will host the contractor selection process and that will firm up plans. We should expect some significant, short term, boat displacements in the spring or summer of next year. We expect only to complete one half of the work next year with the rest to follow in the spring/summer of 2013. There will be more about this project as we learn more. Have a look at the approved layout for the smoke vents, which will be published in the October issue of The Bilge Pump. You’ll be enjoying more light in your slips.

Next committee meetings: Sept. 27, and Oct. 25 at 6:00pm

Next work parties: Oct. 8, Nov. 12 at 8:30am

Arthur Mauldin
Docks Chairman