Who Won?

We want to thank Chesapeake Station residents for participating in the 2019 “Door or More” decorating event that successfully made our neighborhood look beautiful and very festive.  Thank you all for all your hard work!  And now we would like to acknowledge the following awards:

Spirit of Christmas – Charlie Pritchart

Creativity – Bruce and Becky Wahl

Beach Theme – Bill and Elizabeth Leebel

And Special Acknowledgements for Holiday Lighting to:

Keith and Debbie Belhumeur

Jim, Lois and Abundance Boekestein

Thanks for a job well done and have a wonderful 2020!

I don’t know if the fox population in the beaches is increasing but we’ve been hearing reports of more sightings than in the past. A Chesapeake Station resident recently reported seeing a fox on C St. See the video here. Foxes are opportunistic feeders and it’s important that you keep your trash containers well secured. Although cat is not their first choice, they will attack cats if hungry enough or threatened. So also keep your fur babies indoors.

Non-Resident Parking in Chesapeake Station

Many residents have been frustrated with the on-going construction at the Rod & Reel and the loss of on-premises parking there.  While they have free valet parking, satellite parking lots with 24/7 shuttles, and ask patrons not to park in our neighborhood, it has not stopped regular daily parking by non-residents on Chesapeake Station streets.

As much as we’d like to completely prohibit parking by Rod & Reel patrons in Chesapeake Station, our main streets – C Street, Arcade Ct. Band Shell Ct., Carousel Way, and Dentzel Ct. – are owned by the Town and public parking is permitted.  But only at legal spots.  Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, near or in intersections, or blocking driveway access is prohibited by Maryland law.  Our Townhouse lots are HOA property and parking by outsiders in those lots is also prohibited.

A resident who parks some of the family’s cars on C St. because they don’t all fit in the driveway has complained recently about being accosted by other residents, who mistakenly believe the vehicles are owned by Rod & Reel patrons. The Sheriff’s Department advises citizens not to initiate a confrontation with drivers parking in our streets.  It is potentially dangerous and also rude to aggressively confront strangers based on presumptions they don’t belong.  If you must approach someone you don’t recognize, please only do so respectfully and politely to understand who they are.  If their vehicle is parked illegally, you can advise them and hope the person will respect that and move their vehicle.  If a vehicle is parked illegally, you can contact the Sheriff’s Dept. at their non-emergency number (410-535-2800) and request that a Deputy be sent out.

Also, we ask that residents display a CSHOA parking decal on their vehicle window.  While not a perfect solution, it does provide the Board some insight into who is parking in our development.  If you do not have a parking decal you can request decals via email to [email protected].

We are expecting that the problem of non-resident parking in Chesapeake Station will greatly improve when construction of the Rod & Reel garage is completed.  Current estimates are early November for an opening of the garage.

HOA Rental Properties

For those of you who do not receive the Chesapeake Beach Town Newsletter, or don’t read it, there is an important item about residential housing in the new Summer 2019 newsletter.  The Town has recently adopted Ordinance O-19-11, which includes requirements for residential rental properties and landlords who rent out a home located with the Town borders.

Of particular note, Section 162-14 of the Ordinance sets down a requirement that all residential rental properties in the Town must be licensed!   Approximately 17% of the homes in Chesapeake Station are rented out by their owners and this Town requirement will apply to those properties.  More information about the new Ordinance can be found on the Town website here.

The first step by property owners in meeting this Ordinance is to register their rental property with the Town.  The on-line registration form can be found here. The Town expects to begin inspection of rental properties in the Spring of 2020.

Note that this Town Ordinance is in addition to the long standing requirement in the Chesapeake Station HOA Covenants (Section 13(b)(iii)), which are incorporated in owners’ deeds by reference, that a Chesapeake Station owner who leases out their property must notify the CSHOA Board of Directors within 5 days and provide a copy of the lease.  The reason for this provision is for the Board of Directors to understand, for reasons of management and safety, who is living in our development.  The notification requirement also helps prevent short term rentals such as seen on AirBnB and VRBO and the transient population associated with that.  A notification form is available on the CSHOA website here.  This form must be be sent to the Board of Directors each time a new lease is signed or an existing lease renewed.

Chesapeake Station Trespasser

8/31/2018

It has come to our attention that a well dressed and groomed female, short haired blonde, forties, heavy set, has recently been approaching Chesapeake Station residents on the street, crying and stating that she has an emergency in her family and needs a ride to a designated place, which turns out to be a sketchy area in Upper Marlboro. Upon arrival at the destination, she has also asked for money.  At least four Chesapeake Station residents have been approached by her.  We would like to heighten residents’ awareness that this is a scam.  If you do experience an encounter with this person, you should call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Dept. non-emergency number (410) 535-2800 to report it.

Trash Removal – Reminders

The Town has asked us to remind residents of guidelines and schedules for Trash Pickup.

Household Trash
Household trash must be bagged and placed out for collection in proper storage receptacles.  Pet waste must be placed within the regular trash bags.  Bags full of pet waste are considered hazardous material and will not be picked up.

Pick up in Chesapeake Station occurs every Tuesday.  Town Ordinance 200.3 (9) requires that receptacles be placed out no earlier than the evening preceding the day of collection and promptly returned to the premises after collection.  Storage receptacles shall be made of a durable material and shall be watertight with tight-fitting covers to control odor and prevent animal access.  Because of heavy rain, the trash company sometimes finds trash cans full of water along with being full of trash.  This causes the cans to be so heavy that they can’t physically be picked up.  The company will not collect the trash if the can is full of water.

Bulk Trash
Bulk Trash are large items that normally would not be picked up by the weekly household trash contractor.  Pickup takes place on the third Thursday of each month and must be scheduled by residents in advance by calling Town Hall at (410) 257-2230.  Residents are limited to three (3) items per pickup per house. Items in excess of three (3) items will be charged at $150 per item, paid in advance.  Items that will not be picked up include:

• Anything that was not included in your request to Town Hall

• Hazardous Materials, Paint, Oil, Tires, and Batteries

• Gas Motors or Farm Equipment

• Pianos, Pool Tables, and Assembled Play Equipment

• Heat Pumps

• Carpeting

• Grass and Yard debris

• Construction Debris, e.g. drywall, wood, flooring, tile

Recycling
Recyclable materials must be in clear plastic bags or within blue or yellow recycle containers.  One container per household may be obtained free of charge from the Town by submitting the form found here.  Pickup in Chesapeake Station occurs every Thursday.  All residents should review the Town list of acceptable and unacceptable materials here.  If in doubt, place in the regular trash.

Yard Debris
Bagged yard waste and sticks, twigs, and branches are picked up April through November by Public Works. Pickup of sticks, twigs, and branches in Chesapeake Station occurs on the first Tuesday of each month.  The material must must be cut into 3 foot lengths and bundled together.  Bagged yard waste is picked up every other Tuesday.  Items that will not be picked up include:

• Whole or Cut Down Trees

• Tree Stumps

• Planter Pots and Boxes

• Planting Soil

• Dirt

Who Won?

This year Chesapeake Station gave the town a run for their money in holiday decorating.  It was exciting to see so many homes so beautifully decorated!  Of course that made the judging in our own Holiday Decorating contest extremely difficult.  We are considering creating categories for next year.…stay tuned!

So after much deliberation these are the final results:

1^st Place – Bruce and Becky Wahl, 7789 C St.  An animated, interactive display with music!

2^nd Place – Charlie Pritchard, 4006 Carousel Way.  Entire house lighted accented by Snoopy ice skating in the yard!

3^rd Place – Bill Leebel & Elizabeth Gallun, 4001 Carousel Way.  Lights top to bottom even a touch of the tropical with the addition of flamingos!

4^th Place – Mike Kouvarakos & Julie Cook, 4022 17^th St  A Child like whimsey around the entire house!

Honorable Mention  Robin St. Laurent & Robert Wood, 7788 Denrzel Ct.  House framed in lights with an extremely large wreath near the roof!

Thanks to all and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Did You Know?

…..that besides a printed newsletter the Town of Chesapeake Beach sends to residents, there is also an on-line newsletter which is updated regularly?  News can be found on the Town’s home page at http://www.chesapeake-beach.md.us/  You can also sign up for email news there.  Look for the sign-up field at the lower left of the home page.

The following article recently appeared advising residents on how to prepare their trash for pickup.

Let’s talk trash!

“The Town of Chesapeake Beach Code requires that all trash storage receptacles shall be made of durable material and shall be watertight with tight fitting covers to control odor and prevent animal access.  No garbage, trash or debris shall be placed out for collection except in proper receptacles.  Due to the excessive rains this summer, the trash company has been finding trash cans full of water along with being full of trash.  This causes the cans to be so heavy that they can’t physically be picked up.  The company has begun a no tolerance policy and will not collect the trash if the can is full of water.  You must properly cover your containers to avoid this and to ensure pick up.  Also, please do not use the Town provided recycle bins for regular trash; that will also prevent your trash from being collected.  We appreciate your attention and help with these matters as we strive to keep Chesapeake Beach beautiful.”

CSHOA August 2018 Newsletter

Social Committee

Our Social Committee has done a wonderful job of organizing various social events during the year for Chesapeake Station residents.  From the Octoberfest to the Holiday Decorating Contest, Luau, and aperiodic Happy Hours, these events have provided an opportunity for residents to meet, get to know each other and have fun.

The Committee also hands out Welcome Packages to new Chesapeake Station residents and sends condolence and get-well cards to residents who have suffered a loss or are struggling.  The Welcome package includes a Welcome Letter, Vehicle Parking stickers, Contact Information Request form, and a copy of our public Resident Directory.  The Social Committee doesn’t always know when the need for these arise so we’d like to ask that anyone who becomes aware of a new family in our development or a resident that needs a hug, please let us know at [email protected].  Thank you!

Parking Stickers

The CSHOA Board of Directors asks residents of Chesapeake Station to display a parking sticker on each vehicle that is regularly parked in the development.  In 2016, the Board changed the design from the square paper style with blue lettering on a yellow background and backed by a long-lasting adhesive to a more subtle and user-friendly blue/clear removable windshield decal.

While the old style sticker is still valid, if you would like a replacement or don’t have one on your automobile(s), you can request parking decals by contacting the Board at [email protected] or via the Contact Form on our website at chesapeakestationhoa.org > Contact Us.

Smoke Detectors

The end of Daylight Savings Time is normally the time of year when homeowners are reminded to change the batteries in their smoke alarms.  But did you know that a recent change in the law now requires installation of a new type of smoke alarm with a 10-year non-replaceable battery?  Two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes without alarms or that that have disconnected or missing batteries.   This new technology will do away with the need to replace batteries each year and is expected to save lives.  You can read more about this change at www.livebaltimoremaryland.com/new-law-smoke-alarm

Going Solar

As the cost of solar energy technology decreases, solar power equipment for homeowners is becoming more popular.  The Maryland Energy Administration has published a Guide to Going Solar, which provides information to homeowners considering the installation of a solar array.  You can find this guide and information on what steps Chesapeake Station owners need to take before installing solar equipment on our website at https://chesapeakestationhoa.org/solar-home-energy/

Board of Directors Meetings

The CSHOA Board of Directors conducts regular business meetings, typically on the first Monday of each month.  Any Chesapeake Station property owner is always welcome to attend and the Board encourages residents to take an interest in the business of the HOA.  You can check our website at chesapeakestationhoa.org for upcoming meeting notices and other news of interest.  Minutes of Board meetings are also posted on the web site at Documents > Meeting Minutes.  If you wish to attend any Board meeting, we ask that you send an email to [email protected] so that we can ensure seating.

Renting Your Chesapeake Station Property

Several of our Chesapeake Station owners rent out their property to others.  This is a reminder that per the Chesapeake Station Declaration of Covenants, Easements, Charges, and Liens (https://chesapeakestationhoa.org/documents-governance/) all owners are required to submit a copy of the lease to the Board of Directors.

With the rising popularity of Airbnb and other companies facilitating short-term rental opportunities, we also want to remind CSHOA homeowners that rentals for time-periods less than 6 months are not permitted in Chesapeake Station.

Keeping Up Your Property

A primary responsibility of a HOA is to maintain property values and keep everyone safe.  Chesapeake Station is a unique bay front community with a private beach and panoramic views.  It is the goal of the Chesapeake Station HOA to maintain or improve property values and have a community that everyone can enjoy.  Now is the time to inspect your homes for issues that may be unsafe or detract from the pleasing aesthetic that Chesapeake Station is known for.

We also want to remind everyone that CSHOA Governing documents, which are incorporated into owners’ deeds by reference, require that anyone who contemplates doing work on the exterior of their home or yard must have their plans reviewed by the HOA Architectural Committee prior to initiating work.

There is a form on our web site which is used to submit your work plans to the Architectural Committee for review.  From the CSHOA home page at chesapeakestationhoa.org go to Documents > Forms > Architectural Change Request Application.  FYI, the CSHOA Architectural Review Procedures and Guidelines can also be found on the web site at Documents > Governing CSHOA Governing Documents > Policy Resolution 3 May 2, 2016 as Recorded May 19, 2016.

Projects that you have planned might include replacing or adding a new deck, window replacement, modifying or replacing a fence, repainting, re-siding, or landscape work.  Every home has different needs and it is your responsibility to maintain the exterior of your home to the standards outlined in Resolution 3.  Moreover, for your safety and the safety of all residents we ask that you trim overgrown trees and shrubbery keeping walkways clear, and your home neat and visible from the road.

If you need more information, contact a member of the Architectural Committee: Penny Schmidt (410-286-0071), Richard Sherman (410-257-2623), Charlie Pritchard (301-325-0512), or Sven Thulin (301-502-5445).

Pet Protocol

Many residents own dogs that they take out for daily walks.  You must keep your pet on-leash and under your control when outdoors.  This is a County requirement.  Also please pick up after your pet.  When you’re outdoors with your animal pal, always bring a bag or two for cleanup.  Uncollected pet waste is unsightly, unsanitary, and unhealthy.  It is also a pollution source for our beautiful Bay.

Our Electronic Presence

Electronic media today provides instant communications and is a great way to bring a community together.  Many of you know that we have a web site (chesapeakestationhoa.org) where information relevant to our community is posted.  We urge you to visit regularly.  The Board of Directors also communicates with residents regularly via email.  If you are not on our email distribution list, sign up for it on our web site!  Just look for the signup form in the lower right corner of the home page.  And we have a private Facebook group where residents can communicate interactively and post information of interest.  Posts are moderated and only group members can see posts.  If you’re not already a member, you can request access by clicking the link in the lower right corner of the web site home page.  You must also have a Facebook account.  But if you don’t, it’s very easy to set one up at www.facebook.com.

For those who do not have Internet access, our Board of Directors can be contacted by phone at the following numbers:

President, Dave Ferguson 703-624-8354
Vice President, Warren La Heist 301-855-5507
Secretary, Paul Doherty 301-812-0272
Treasurer (Vacant)
Member at-Large, Charlie Pritchard 301-325-0512

As the cost of solar energy technology decreases, solar power equipment for homeowners is becoming more popular.  The Maryland Energy Administration has published a Guide to Going Solar, which provides information to homeowners considering the installation of a solar array.  The guide includes information such as as reasons for going solar, financing a solar system, how to choose a contractor, and how to keep your system going after it’s installed.  The complete 72-page document can be found here.

CSHOA governing documents permit Chesapeake Station owners to install a solar array on their property but with some conditions.  The following provisions from the CSHOA Architectural Guidelines apply:

1. Panels must be installed no higher than 10″ above the roof surface and run parallel along it.
2. The installation must provide a minimum of 12″ clearance between the edge of the solar panels and the roof edge, roof peak, and neighboring townhome walls. This is to allow for maintenance access.
3. All supporting hardware and conduit must be painted to blend with the siding or roof color.
4. Supporting electrical equipment (e.g. batteries, inverters, timers, etc.) and all conduits must be properly secured and hidden from view to the extent reasonably possible. Landscape screening may be required by the Architectural Committee.
5. Design drawings must be furnished which show dimensions of the roof and the solar panels when installed.
6. All County, and Town permit and inspection requirements must be met.

Since installation of a solar array is an external change to your property’s appearance, plans must be approved before-hand by the CSHOA Architectural Committee.  A homeowner can submit their plans on the Architectural Change Request form here.