Dam Update

We're proceeding!!!!

Kenny Bell tested the mound in a few places and we are going to be able to use the knoll at the front of Eric & Cheryl's lot for the new dam material! It doesn't have excessive amounts of shale, etc. so it is usable. However, it doesn't have enough clay material in it. Kenny plans to add loads of clay to the material on site to get the desired composition. He believes mixing the clay throughout the dam is better for the longevity of the dam (as opposed to facing with clay).

Kenny said our cost guesstimate is still pretty good. So, we'll see how it goes.

 

Our current goal is: $15,000.

Our balance to reach our goal is: $4,250

Date	Donation #	Name	Amount	Bank Balance
6/1/17	1	Eric & Cheryl	$1,000	$1,000
6/1	2	Andy & Beth	$1,000	$2,000
6/2	3	Joanna	$250	$2,250
6/3	4	Allison	$50	$2,300
6/7	5	Bruce	$50	$2,350
6/7	6	Mary	$100	$2,450
6/12	7	Sara	$100	$2,550
6/12	8	Dave & Dottie	$1,000	$3,550
6/12	9	Matt & Laura	$1,000	$4,550
6/12	10	Paul	$1,000	$5,550
6/12	11	Ellen & Earl	$200	$5,750
6/12	12	Vicky, Cathy & John	$500	$6,250
6/13	13	Eric & Cheryl	$1,000	$7,250
6/15	14	Jim & Ann	$1,000	$8,250
6/27	15	Jim & Lynn	$200	$8,450
6/27	16	Joe & Shelley	$1,000	$9,450
6/30	17	Carolyn	$100	$9,550
7/17	18	Bill & Paula	$200	$9,750
7/24	19	Eric & Cheryl	$1,000	$10,750

Outstanding Pledges $3,100

Date	Name	Amount Pledged	Paid To Date	O/S Pledge Amount
6/1/17	Eric & Cheryl	$3,000	$3,000	$0
6/1	Doug & Deepa	$3,000		$3,000
6/2	Matt & Laura	$1,000	$1,000	$0
6/2	Joe & Shelley	$1,000	$1,000	$0
6/2	Paul	$1,000	$1,000	$0
6/3	Carolyn	$100	$100	$0
6/3	Vicky, Cathy & John	$500	$500	$0
6/4	Jim & Ann	$1,000	$1,000	$0
6/4	Mark & Chris	$100		$100
6/5	Dave & Dottie	$1,000	$1,000	$0
6/6	Ellen & Earl	$200	$200	$0
6/8	Jim & Lynn	$200	$200	$0

 

 

Anyone willing to chip in and help out can send a check or give cash to Cheryl or Beth. We have set up a joint bank account for this specific purpose.
Beth Wedell, 617 Eayrestown Road, Lumberton, NJ 08048
Cheryl Lemyre, 35 East Lake Boulevard, Medford, NJ 08055

Gumport's House for Sale

As you may have guessed, Roxy & Lee are looking to sell Karen's house.
I don't have too much info on it, but if someone is interested we'd be happy to get more info.

This is what I've heard through the grapevine: Tax assessed value is $149,000 and mortgage balance is $162,000. We were guessing it's value is closer to the $150 mark. Property is about 5 acres. It needs paint but doesn't show sagging. Rooms are smaller sizes and kitchen is outdated.

If anyone is interested, it would be good to let them know. They plan to list with a realtor in a week or two if no one has started a dialog (if no one shows interest). Lee's phone number is 607-281-8981.

Dam Time

Spring time at the pond can really stress the old dam. Looks like some beavers passed through and made things worse. Here’s a pic from April 22nd.

A lot of us have been discussing what should be done to ensure it continues to survive for decades to come. Last year’s guys’ weekend they cleared the trees off of the back side of the dam because trees draw water through the dam and cause damage. The next step will be a biggie, rebuild the dam.

April 29th Beth, Andy & Joe met with Ken Bell to discuss how he would suggest we proceed and what kind of costs are involved. Ideally, he told us, we use material close at hand. He suggested the small hill in Eric & Cheryl’s field because it’s the closest open ground. When the pond is low, he would start with pulling the tree stumps out of the dam. Next would be to scrape the top soil off of the field and move the material down onto the dam. Once done, the top soil could be placed back over field for seeding.

The ground which makes up the hill would have to be tested to see if its composition is suitable material. Eric & Cheryl have generously agreed to permit the testing and the framework of Ken’s suggestion.

Ken estimated that rebuilding the dam would take a few pieces of equipment (which I don’t remember the names of) that cost $2,000 a day (with the labor included). The work would take at least 5 days or more. The materials needed for a culvert/bridge (where the walkway currently is) would cost about $1,000. So all together, we’re probably looking at about $12,000 to $15,000.

Eric, Cheryl, Doug & Deepa, as pond owners, have been assessing the best way to proceed from here. At the urging of a number of us, they recognize that accepting donations from the rest of the family will allow this project to move forward a lot sooner. And given its condition, if we could manage to raise enough to do it this fall when the pond is low would be ideal. If we don’t make it close enough to our fundraising goal by then, we can wait until next year.

Anyone willing to chip in and make this happen can send a check or give cash to Cheryl or Beth. We have set up a joint bank account for this specific purpose.

Beth Wedell, 617 Eayrestown Road, Lumberton, NJ 08048

Cheryl Lemyre, 35 East Lake Boulevard, Medford, NJ 08055

The progress towards our goal will be tracked on this blog. If you’d like your name withheld, just let us know. We’d also be happy to note any pledges you’d like to make. Then you can work towards your own personal contribution goal.

Our current goal is: $15,000.

Our contribution tracking was moved to the Dam Update post above.

Culverts Going In

Westerlo Township has being working hard on Sunset Road. We turned in permits for culverts last month and they've put most of them in already. They're also repairing the drain at Dave Gumport's driveway and the under road pipe for the creek to feed the pond.

 

 Amy, Doug & Dan got their culverts
the first day. Dan dressed the end of
his, so then Derek started doing Doug's.
That was all 4/30 & 5/1/15.
 

 

 

So the following week, Kenny Bell got Doug's driveway done.

 The township is still at it. Here's Dave's culvert.

Culverts & Paving

Some of our lots already have culverts (road access), and some do not. Since Joe is working with a local excavator, Kenny Bell, on getting stone on his drive for The Pines, we have asked for pricing on putting in new culverts. We will be getting back to you when we have more info on that.

Eric & Cheryl spoke with the Westerlo Highway department and learned that they are planning to pave Sunset Road. So it may behoove us to act on our culverts previous to that, but it is not necessarily a requirement, of course. We'll try to collect more info on that as well.

Phase 2 Closed

Well Phase 2 closing took awhile. I guess the sale of 7 lots takes a bit longer than the sale of 1 lot. ;) Boy, thank our Good Lord for Cheryl & Dottie checking all those papers! I gotta say, Cheryl has just amazed me with all her work on this stuff. And being able to sort through all those details. We are so lucky to have her!

And thank you to all you Sunset Ranchers for that lovely Thank You that y'all gave the two of us. That was very touching! I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did!

Phase 2 Closing

Well, it's upon us already!! Saturday we will sell each other our individual lots. Prepare to sign many papers folks! And don't forget your checkbooks (or social security numbers). Plans indicate we will all be in attendance except Doug & Deepa. Once the closing is complete we're hoping to "toast the lots". We thought it would be fun to go to each lot as a group & have a toast/blessing/dedication/whatever. So we're starting at Amy's lot at high noon, then proceed clockwise. We'll wrap up at Joe & Shelley's and start the BBQ. Let's hope we don't have rain!! In case of rain we may have to skip the toasting & move to Cedar Hill. Also, we're having brunch at Reds in Coxsackie Sunday at 11:30 am. Joe & Shelley say their brunch is awesome!!