Commodore Corner

 

February 2008

 

Greetings Fellow Lake Heron Sailors:

 

Another season of sailing at Lake Heron is approaching and we’re all hoping for a big snowmelt runoff to replenish the lake level. The current lake level is near 7144 ft, about 11 ft below the highest level of last summer; let’s hope it doesn’t go much lower.

 

The NMSC board met in January to discuss and formulate the 2008 budget. The membership has been down in recent years and dock maintenance and repair costs have increased, so for the first time in memory the board voted to raise the slip rental rate; the new rate will go into effect beginning March 16, 2008. The board also removed the former annual processing fee and instituted a dock building fund fee.

 

Previously, slip rental fees were $390/yr plus GRT (6.0625% in 2008) plus a $25 processing fee, for a total of $439.42/yr. This is still the rental rate for slips if paid by the due date on March 15, 2008.

 

Beginning with rentals paid on March 16, 2008 and thereafter, the new slip rental rate will be $415/yr plus GRT plus a dock building fund fee of $50/yr, for a total of $490.16/yr. This represents a total annual increase of 11.5% over previous annual slip fees. The annual membership dues were not changed for 2008, and remain $45/yr, which are also due by March 15th.

 

Thus, if you haven’t yet paid your slip fees for 2008, be sure to get them in to Rich Strassia postmarked by the final due date on March 15th, to avoid the rate increase this year. In accord with the increased annual slip rental rate, the monthly and prorated part season slip and buoy rental fees were increased proportionately to align all rates. See the summary of the new rates elsewhere in the February issue of the Spinnaker Sheet.

 

The board also voted to include specific language in the Marina Operating Rules, Policies, and Etiquette (MORPE) about reciprocity with other sailing clubs. Dockmasters need to be aware that if members from another sailing club present a valid club membership card, they can get 2 night free transient rental and up to 5 days at half price transient rental. See the full text of the new reciprocity rule elsewhere in the Spinnaker Sheet. A benefit of having a formal reciprocity policy is that we can get similar benefits when we visit other yacht and sailing clubs.

 

Thanks to the NMSC members who have volunteered to serve on the board and who have also volunteered to serve as chairman of the standing committees. If you have any ideas in support of any of the committees, please contact me or the following committee chairman.

 

Membership and Slip Committee                             Rich Strassia

Safety Awareness and Seamanship             John Davey

Race Committee                                                     Pat Byrnes

Program and Social Committee                             Susan and Ernie Newman

Spinnaker Sheet editor                                       Giles Pennington

Facilities Maintenance Committee                 Clif Meyer and Mack Jordan

Librarian                                                                     Ed Knop

Heron State Park Advisory Board Member            Pat Byrnes, John Polk

 

Wishing you fair sailing.

 

-- Rich Koch