St. Martin's by the Bay

Minutes

Lisa Smith, secretary. The minutes of the June 16, 2026 meeting were approved by text on July 16, 2026 and have been posted on the website.

Announcements

• The county water project is in the final stage of design and is ready for the next phase. Each household will need to give permission for pipes to be connected on private property. More details will follow.
• A neighboring property is refusing to let the county install fire hydrants unless the association allows use of the pool. The board is looking at the options and at what it would mean legally to agree.
• Homeowner’s insurance can cover exterior plumbing lines for about $50 to $65 a year. The coverage is called Buried Utility Line Coverage, and the board recommends adding it to a homeowner’s policy.

Treasurer’s report

Patty Pino.

• General fund: $87,830.25
• Reserve and boat dock: $54,369.02
• Savings: $18,361.32
• Total income: $163,666.36
• Total expenses: $60,041.91
• Operating income: $103,624.45

Water

The well has had no issues to report since the new company took over.

The county water project is 99 percent ready to proceed. The owner of the horse farm has refused the county an easement for fire hydrants unless that family is allowed to use the pool.

The board consulted attorney Chris Woodley on August 12, 2026. His first response was that letting outsiders use the pool would “open up a can of worms.” The options discussed were:

Allow access

• Allow the Snyder family to use the pool, with no other conditions.
• Allow the Snyder family to use the pool as members, with an annual fee and a limit on how many people may swim, and possibly a list of names. This brings questions of liability, a possible change in the pool’s designation by the Department of Health, and other unknown results. It could speed construction, and Snyder could still refuse.
• Ask the insurance company and the health department what it would mean to allow outsiders in before any decision to allow access.

Deny access

• Use the attorney’s first response, deny pool access, and ask the county to redesign the system so the hydrants are off Snyder’s property. That will cause a delay and an added cost. The amount still has to be determined.
• Ask the insurance company and the health department for advice that would support denying access.
• Ask the attorney for a formal written opinion, including the possible consequences and the cost of that work, and then use it to ask the county for a redesign. That keeps the pool closed to outsiders.

Attorney Woodley also suggested talking directly with Snyder, and asking new County Commissioner Lou Taylor for direction.

Disputed land

• Snyder has posted a private-property sign on the field behind the homes on St. Martin’s Parkway.
• Part of that field belongs to the association. The board will have the land surveyed, determine the property lines, and then tell the owner what the association owns.

Motion to spend $1,800 to $2,200 on the survey: approved.

Pool and warehouse

• The replacement Starlink has arrived. Reinstallation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, or sooner if an opening comes up.
• The security-camera contractor is scheduled that same week to bring the existing cameras back online. Craig will also install a few of his own cameras overlooking the pool as a temporary step, at no cost to the association.
• A resident was concerned that the landscapers tried to weed and spray around the pool fence while people were using the pool. The board will ask the landscaping company to speak with anyone at the pool before that work begins. If the area needs to be cleared, a short explanation and a request to step away for 20 to 30 minutes should be enough.
• Weeds under the pool fence could be removed and replaced with rock.
• All of the chaise lounge chairs have been repaired and set in cement.
• The pool season may be extended a couple of weeks if the weather holds and the cost stays in the budget. The closing date will be Sunday, September 13.

Lawn care

• Craig has asked the landscapers to come back and clean up the Townhome A island, and to speak with residents before working around the pool.
• The board should talk about areas that mainly benefit a small number of homes. Jeff has volunteered a great deal of time on several common areas. A fair approach is needed for work that goes beyond the regular landscaping contract.
• The parking-lot gardens are association property, and the grounds benefit everyone. Other gardens are tended by volunteers, which saves money. At some point the association may pay to maintain all three gardens.
• The bushes near the mailboxes on Riverview Drive need trimming.

Burn pile

An outside contractor has been dumping truckloads of debris on the burn pile. Maintaining the pile and preparing the annual burn has a cost. The board will send this policy to all residents.

Burn pile policy

• The burn pile is for homeowners only.
• Only homeowners may leave approved materials that can be burned.
• Outside contractors, subcontractors, landscapers, tree services, construction crews, and any other commercial contractors may not dump or leave any materials on the burn pile.
• Homeowners are responsible for making sure anyone working on their property follows this policy.
• If a contractor dumps without permission, the homeowner may be held responsible for removing the material, and the association may take further action.

Because the pile is so large, the board asked whether it should be burned earlier than the usual Thanksgiving date, perhaps around Labor Day.

Wetlands

• Cutting needs to be scheduled on both sides of the dock, coordinated with the burn pile and the day after Thanksgiving. Volunteers will be asked to help.
• Approved chemicals will not be used.

Web and communications

The text chain is working for emergency contact.

Kayak and paddleboard storage

Plans are still open. Materials will be included in the 2027 budget.

Architectural review

• The letter will be resent to townhome units 47 to 50 for safety repairs, power washing of mold, and exterior maintenance.
• Asphalt in Parking Lot A needs repair after a sewer sinkhole. This is different from the earlier leaks. Bill volunteered to patch it in the fall.
• A hot tub was requested for a property on St. Martin’s Parkway, and a permit would have been required. The owner has decided not to install it at this time.

Boat dock and yard

• Five bags of corn were scattered on the ground near a camper. A certified letter will be sent to have the corn and the other debris around the trailer removed.
• The dock boardwalk needs repair right away and may need to be replaced. Craig and Bill will talk with Chris Ramey about the cost of new dock boards.
• Final notices were mailed for unpaid boat storage yard fees. One account is still unpaid. The board decided to tow on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Septic field and pumps

A local contractor is still dumping brush outside the burn pile. Mike Shutt has stepped in to get that resolved.

Driveway and dumpsters

• Chris Ramey has started the fence around the dumpsters. The dumpsters will be moved 4 feet.
• Chris is also weeding the tennis courts. A proposal of $3,000 was made to adjust the courts so more boats can be stored. He will submit a design for a combined pickleball and basketball court and more boat storage. The board will review it and vote.
• The pool and dumpster road still needs gravel for the potholes and the rough spots.
• Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Some residents are still not doing that. Lynne will speak with them about the consequences, and will email everyone as a reminder.

New business

• A private-property sign was posted on the field behind the houses on St. Martin’s Parkway. The board will survey the property, see what the association owns, and then make that clear to the neighbors.
• The board considered stopping the mowing there until the lines are clear. Decision: keep mowing for the rest of this season, and wait for the survey.
• The sale of the island house on Marina Drive has been cancelled.
• Boats left in driveways and on the roadways for a long time will be towed on Monday.
• There is a large wasp nest at the intersection of St. Martin’s and Marina Drive. Residents should be warned.
• Condolences for a recent loss.