Olde Mill Village Crier

Volume 39,  Number  11  / NOVEMBER 2009

President’s Message

   We did not have a quorum for the October meeting. There were no elections and the budget was not passed.
If we do not have a quorum I will see if the Board has the authority to pass the 2010 budget.

   We are also looking to lower the number of Board members. This change will be done in the bylaws if it happens. The proposed change is to cut two board positions from VOMCA. This would be a VOMCA and the Pool Director position. This needs to be done because the current bylaws will not allow us to conduct business without the required members.

   The bylaw change may be mailed out to the current VOMCA members so they may vote on this.

   I would like to thank everyone who donated time this year to the community. Without you, the projects and service we provide would not happen.

   I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

--Tom Stag, President

Halloween Information From Your Police Department
   Anne Arundel County Police, Eastern District, has notified us that over the Halloween weekend, Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1, there will be additional patrols in our communities to deter some of the usual Halloween pranks, vandalism, and various crimes. We have identified areas that have experienced the most problems over the past few years during Halloween. These areas will have increased patrols, with both covert and marked police vehicles. Our goal is to ensure that children and homeowners have a safe experience.
   The Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind people of the following safety tips:
●  Stay in groups while trick-or-treating. Make sure that an adult or a responsible person will be supervising young children.

●  Teach your children to stop only at homes or apartment buildings that are well lit and to never enter a stranger's home.

●  If you are not going with your child, know the neighborhood and route they are taking.

● Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. Eat dinner before trick-or-treating to prevent the urge to eat treats.

●  Always walk. Do not run from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.

●  Walk on sidewalks and not in the street. If a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.

●  Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

●  Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

●  If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eyeholes. Consider using face paint instead of a mask.

●  Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)

●  If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light-colored materials. Strips of reflective tape or glow sticks should be used to make children visible.

●  Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules prior to your trick-or-treat adventure.

●  Motorists need to be alert at all times and be aware of children crossing the street.

●  Homeowners should keep their homes lit, secure all animals, and give out only candy that is wrapped.

―Lieutenant Herbert H. Hasenpusch, #1138
      Anne Arundel County Police Department
      Eastern District Executive Officer

 Leopold Directs County Facilities to Stop Using High-Phosphorus Fertilizer
   County Executive John R. Leopold announced on October 13 that Anne Arundel County agencies will no longer use high-phosphorus fertilizer, in an effort to decrease the amount of nutrients entering waterways.
    Phosphates are a source of pollution in creeks, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, County Executive Leopold stated. “We must do everything we can to reduce our use of this nutrient and also set an example to our residents that we need to change our behavior in order to fix our broken waterways.”
   High-phosphorus fertilizer is normally used as a starter fertilizer to grow grass. In 2008 over a six-month period, for example, the Department of Recreation and Parks purchased 95,000 pounds of fertilizer with a phosphorous content of 19 percent. All future purchases will contain less than 5 percent phosphorous. The County's move to low-phosphorous products is consistent with the goals in the state's Chesapeake Bay Phosphorus Reduction Act of 2009, which bans sales of high-phosphorus products for certain uses as of April 2011.
   Equally important with this issue is the proper application of fertilizer to reduce runoff, Mr. Leopold said. The lawn should be lightly watered after application, and any fertilizer spilled on impervious surfaces should be promptly cleaned up. “We can all make a difference in the health of our waterways,” added Leopold.

Elections at November 4 Meeting
   We are in great need of community residents to volunteer to run for an office in your association. There was no quorum (11 members needed to conduct official business) at the October VOMCA meeting, so the elections had to be postponed to the November 4  meeting.
   Consider volunteering a year of your time to serve your community. It is a great opportunity for anyone considering going into politics or public service. There are several vacant positions available but all positions are open to you. Secretary, Membership, and two Board positions are vacant. Board members serve for three years.
Contact board@vomca.org if you are interested. 
  Come to the November 4 meeting and exercise your right to vote and/or run for office. Be part of  making things happen in your community. We need new people and new ideas. 

Keep Safe on Halloween
   Remember to take precautions as your children trick-or-treat around the neighborhood on Saturday, Oct. 31. Please wait till 6:00 p.m. to begin, and visit homes that have their porch lights on. Flashlights, costumes with good visibility, and close parent supervision are some things that help assure safety when children take to the sidewalks in pursuit of treats. Have a fun and careful Halloween!

Membership Drive for 2010
   VOMCA will be distributing the December Village Crier with a membership form for your renewal for 2010.  Your support is needed to make our voice heard on issues affecting all.
   Our annual community arrival of Santa by firetruck will be on December 19 starting at 1:30 p.m. The volunteer firemen will be collecting food donations for the North County Emergency Outreach Food Bank while Santa delivers candy to all the children. Mark your calendars and watch for more information in the December Crier.

 
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Village of Olde Mill Community Association

2010 Membership Renewal

Please join your community association today. To join, complete this form, or visit the website www.vomca.org and join using PayPal. Please print the names of all members of your household who are 18 years of age or older, and mail it with one check for $15.00, payable to “Village of Olde Mill Community Association” to VOMCA, P.O. Box 366, Millersville, MD 21108. Membership card(s) will be mailed to you. 
   Association meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at Old Mill High School (June-Sept. meetings at the community pool at Barlowe Field).

Names of Adults in Household:         ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________

Phone Number:_______________ (Unlisted?____)   Village Crier* Sign-up   Yes___  No___

Email: ___________________________   Occasional Volunteering:  Yes____No_____

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*Note:  Our community newsletter, The Village Crier, is published online. You will be signed up automatically, via the  email address you provide, unless you indicate that you do not wish to receive the publication. You can also read it by going to the VOMCA website at www.vomca.org.

   VOMCA has made it possible to secure grants from the State and County for projects like the repair of sidewalks, repavingour the pool road, installing speed humps, and other community improvements. If we did not have an association and volunteers, we could not secure many of these benefits or services.
 

• We sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt, Santa Visit, Community Carnival, and Community Yard Sale. With more members and volunteers, we could do even more.

• We’ve been keeping up with what’s happening concerning the new development on the Wade property at Old Mill and Oakwood Roads. Learn more, come to a meeting. 

• We work with local government concerning issues that affect our community. 

• Elections are held in October for members of the Board of Directors. In order to vote, or to run, membership dues must be mailed and postmarked by September 1.

 
   Occasional one-time projects at the pool and Barlowe Field come up. If you can volunteer please email www.board@vomca.com or call 410-987-0316.
   The next VOMCA meeting will be at the Old Mill Swim Club on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m.
   Thank you,
   The Village of Olde Mill Community Association