the holidays

The board of Island Gate, wishes all our neighbors a joyous, healthy, happy holiday season and the same for the New Year.  As always we appreciate our neighbors and the interest they show in our community.   Be well and enjoy

Review of the 2017 financials

Without getting into specifics, we received our unaudited financials as of 11-30-2016, if you have more specific questions please feel free to ask about them or see the financials.  

   

Our cash position easily provides enough to prepay the insurance in 2018 which saves us more than $1,000 in interest charges a year. 

Our assets mostly in cash have hit a new record.  All our cash in in banks in CDs or money markets

We funded all 12 months of Reserve Funding and Deferred Maintenance in 2017. 

We were a little over budget was in line with expectations in 2017. 

Our collections issues are de minimus

We are in the process of planning projects for 2018, if you have any thoughts and ideas please feel free to contact a board member

And if you have any questions on the financials please contact me Ed Fortunato

Snow magnets for our garage doors

Each home in the community has been given an orange magnet here is a reminder for what to do with the magnet, during the winter season. 
The magnet is to be placed on your garage door, the upper part of the door, when snow is predicted and you would like to have your property cleared of snow first.  This will allow our snow contractor to prioritize their work schedule based on the needs of the homeowner.       

The magnet is to be removed by the homeowner once their property has been cleared of snow.  The magnet is not to be left on the door all winter. Damage to the metal garage door will result when the magnet is left attached for an extended period of time.  Any damage resulting from the extended placement of the magnet is the sole responsibility of the homeowner.  Any magnet found on a door when snow is not in the forecast will result in a violation and removal of the magnet and loss of priority privilege. 

Please let us know if you have any questions, comments etc.

Winter Weather Advice

With colder weather coming here is some advice we like to share each year

Below are items to do before the winter to be ready when it happens.

Have enough medication on hand to last the duration of a storm and a few days more in case the power goes out.  Don’t forget pet meds also.
 
•               Do laundry before the storm so everyone can dress in layers for warmth

 

•                 Everyone in the house should have their own working flashlight.  Remember your phone has a flashlight on it. 

   In case of emergency have flashlights, batteries, emergency weather radio and an emergency contact list on hand.  Have safe shut down and evacuation procedures in place.  
 
  Have drinking water and nonperishable foods on premises.

 
•                    Get a cooler ready. Put the most necessary refrigeration-required items in the cooler.  Freeze water in sealable plastic bags for the ice in the cooler. 
 
•                    Do not open the refrigerator after the power goes out.

•                    Fully charge cell phones before the storm.

•                    Check doors to make sure they close tightly.  Weather stripping and caulking help prevent heat loss and drafts.

•                    Place rugs near entrances to prevent slipping and falling and help control salt that will inevitably get tracked in.

•                    Make sure heating vents are clear of combustible material.

Obviously, the best place to be in a storm is safe and warm at home BUT your vehicle needs to be prepared also.  If evacuation becomes necessary your vehicle needs to be ready to transport you to safety. 

•                    Get a full tank of gas before the storm.  This will give you a little extra weight on the road and gas stations require power to pump gas. If the power and heat go out, vehicles can be used to warm people and charge cell phones, in short intervals, as long as the vehicle is in the open.
 

•                    Vehicle exhaust pipes should be clear of snow and ice to prevent exhaust into the vehicle cabin.

•                    Have a small snow shovel and ice scraper in the vehicle.

 

•                    Carry non-clumping kitty litter for traction.

•                    Emergency road kits need to be properly stocked with a working flashlight, flares, a first aid kit and a thermal blanket.

•                    Pack a small “winter- ready” bag in the vehicle; include warm clothes, boots, a blanket, water, non-perishable food and a can opener as required. 

 

 

 

Bulk Garbage Pick Up this week

Garbage pick-up (grey cans) is Tuesday and recycling (blue cans) is Wednesday.  Once a month bulk items are collected, bulk items are collected the second week of the month. 

Another reminder if you have bulk items please only put them out for second week collection, bulk garbage is unsightly for the whole community if left out for the entire month.

Thanks

Under Deck Storage

Is not permitted in the community there should be nothing under the deck.  We have discussed this over the years  with very limited community reaction.  Please remove all items from under your deck immediately.

The board is focused on and serious about community safety and ascetics.  The board doesn’t want to, but has the right to fine violators $50 a day for each violation and will begin to this process in the near future.  So please take care of business and let’s make this community even safer and more attractive.  If you have any questions or issues please contact a board member or AA.  Thanks. 

 

Association fees will remain unchanged in 2018

We recently started work on our budget for 2018, given our financial condition and our cash position the board has agreed, fees will not be raised for 2018.  The board reserves the right to increase the fee throughout the year but by doing more with our funds we do not expect to need to raise them in 2018.

 

Thanks as always for your cooperation and if you have any question please do not hesitate to contact a board member or AA

Surveys

Please don't forget to return your survey we sent in the summer it is very important we get those all in.  thanks for your help and cooperation.

 

As we fall back this weekend its time to check your smoke and CO alarms

We like to post this reminder at least once a year
 

Smoke alarm and CO batteries need to be changed twice a year and the smoke alarm itself should be inspected and tested at that time. It is traditionally done as we move our clocks up and back. 
Please check it for operation, hit the test button, dust it off, make sure the sensor is clean. 

The community is now almost 15 years old; smoke alarms and CO devices are coming to the end of their expected lives.  We wanted to remind you, to replace them if they aren’t operating at 100%.  Fire/smoke and CO alarms save lives and they are an inexpensive way to be safe.  As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact the board or AA.

 

Blog Info

We started the blog many years ago to more effectively communicate with the community.  For people who are interested in the blog , there is no need to constantly check in with the blog to find out what is happening in the community.  As we have mentioned before,  you can click on the notification link on the blog to be notified by email when a post has been added or you can become a follower of the site.  Both are easy to do to stay in touch with the community with no effort other than by clicking a button. 

 

Thanks and as always any feedback on the blog is appreciated.

The Vote results are in

On Friday September 15th the community meeting was held and the vote for two board positions was held and counted.  The vote result was Frank Cangiarella and Marianne Massey were unopposed and elected to another two year term.
We thank the community for their vote and interest in the community.

The pool is closed for the season

The pool is now closed for the season, we hoped you enjoyed the pool this year, if you have any thoughts on how to make the experience better or improve the pool please let us know.

Dog waste in our community

Once again some of our neighbors has been less than diligent picking up dog waste.  This time the complaints are coming from many parts of the community.  Please pick up the waste.  Our neighbors are looking for the offender and are ready to report you.  Thanks to our neighbors for picking up after their dogs and for being diligent.  And thanks to our concerned neighbors for pointing this out.

A few reminders

With the deck project completed please remove any items under your deck, no one will say a word about a hose under the deck but garbage cans, storage containers, coolers, tiki torches, pallets, boats, tables, chairs, propane tanks, bikes, tools and toys should be removed immediately from the property and/or stored inside the house.   The upcoming hurricane and winter seasons reminds us that blowing debris is a safety hazard and it’s an aesthetic issue.  So it is essential that all items be removed ASAP. 

 

In order to follow New Jersey law there are no LPG, propane or charcoal grills allowed in the community.  Electric and properly installed and permitted natural gas grills are allowed.  Please follow the law and remove all non-compliant grills promptly.  In addition no propane tanks are allowed on Island Gate property or in the house. 

Garbage pick-up (grey cans) is Tuesday and recycling (blue cans) is Wednesday.  Once a month bulk items are collected, bulk items are collected on the second Monday of the month.  Bulk items left out will be sent a violation note and potentially fined.  We are in zone 2 so bulk collections are the second week of the month

 Here are Stafford township’s rules;

Bulk trash (mattress, box spring, furniture, plastic toys etc. must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on the Monday morning of the collection week assigned to each zone.

Be sure to separate bulk items from recyclable items left at the curb for collection.

Stafford Township does not collect carpeting/padding at the curb, kitchen cabinets, boats (cut up or otherwise), rock, concrete, tile, soil, construction debris or propane tanks.

Additionally “The Electronic Waste Management Act” has banned the disposal of “covered electronic devices” which include televisions, computers, monitors and portable/laptop computers. Please call the Southern Ocean County Recycling Center at 609-978-0913 for proper drop off instruction.

Grass clippings, hay and garden debris are to be bagged and placed into the automated trash container for normal trash collection.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation

The Deck Project

With the deck project wrapping up, it is essential we receive comments and feedback from the community about the work done on the deck.  If you have any issues, please contact us ASAP.

 

As you know the work that was done includes;

·         Power wash and stain all areas of the end unit decks

·         Power wash and stain all non-plastic areas of the middle decks that were repaired in 2015

We have inspected and made some corrections but no one knows that area like you do so please look and inspect and let us know by July 31

As always your input is important to make the community the best it can be.  Thanks

 

Nook found

found a nook at the pool. If it's yours call 484 354 2798 and we can get it to you. Thanks.

Community Progress Update

As everyone knows the community is completing the final leg of the deck refurbishment project.  Please,  if anyone has any issues with the decks let Mary Jo at AA know, or contact a board member.  We have had very limited issues with the decks so far. 

We have completed over half the decks so far and should be wrapped up sometime in early July.  The rain in May slowed the project down but they will be done soon.    

 

In addition, we have completed the following tasks in the community

 

Painted and restored the pergola by the pool

Re-did the grounding and electric work at the pool

Restored the in ground pool lighting

Restored the pool bathroom emergency lighting

Trimmed trees and removed dead trees throughout the community

 

Addressed the mosquito issue by hiring an pest control expert to spray and control for mosquitos and other bugs over the summer

 

We are preparing to

 

Restore the pool bathroom floors

Replace the ADA mats at the corners

Replace the pool ladders and handles

Refurbish the fences around the ponds

 

 

If there are any issues in the community please let us know, you, all our neighbors are the eye and ears of the community.  We thank the folks who already help out.  And as always please address any home issues directly to AA. 

 

Thanks for your help and cooperation

2017 Fourth Of July Fireworks, Celebrations At The Jersey Shore

Here is an article from the Toms River Patch discussing the spots to see fireworks over the 4^th

The Fourth of July is nearly upon us. If you're not sure when your town is holding fireworks or their Independence Day celebrations, or if you're curious to see what other towns are doing, take a look.

These are organized by date so you don't miss something happening right away. Some towns' celebrations are more than just a fireworks display, so if you're craving a patriotic festival where you can deck out in red, white and blue, there are plenty of ways to fulfill that desire.

 

JUNE 28

Berkeley Township
Independence Day Celebration
Veterans Park, Forest Hills Parkway (just east of Central Regional High School)
Concert at 6 p.m. Fireworks at Dusk

JULY 1

Aberdeen Township
Fireworks at Fireman's Field
Gerard and Lloyd Roads
Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Rain date is July 3

Barnegat Light
Independence Day Parad
West 11th St., Barnegat Light
Parade Begins at 6:30 p.m. Band Performs at the Gazebo at the Bayfront on 7th St. after the parade. Kids on decorated bikes, family floats, fire trucks, etc.

Barnegat Township
Independence Day Celebration
Municipal Dock, Barnegat
Concert at 7 p.m. Fireworks at Dusk. Rain date is July 5

Harvey Cedars
Craft Day by the Bay
Sunset Park, West Salem Avenue
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Jackson Township
Six Flags Great Adventure July 4th Fest
At the park July 1 through July 4
Fireworks at 10 p.m. You'll be dazzled by brilliant fireworks displays, nightly throughout Six Flags' July 4th weekend celebration

Lavallette
Patriotic Bike Parade and Independence Day Celebration
July 1-2
Bike parade 9 a.m. July 1 at President Avenue
Independence Day Celebration July 2 at the Lavallette Gazebo on Philadelphia Avenue
Concert at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Manasquan
Fireworks
On the beach at dusk; rain date July 2.

Matawan
Fireworks at Lake Lefferts
Festivities begin at dusk; fireworks at sundown. Rain date July 2

Ocean City
Fourth of July Celebration
The town has a four-day celebration that begins on July 1 with a variety of events. Fireworks are July 4 at 9 p.m. Read more by clicking here.

 

JULY 2

Freehold
Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks
Freehold Raceway
Gates open 6:30 p.m. Live music from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; food vendors. Fireworks go off at dusk. Rain date July 9

Hazlet Township
Independence Day Fireworks
Veterans Memorial Park
Fireworks go off at dusk; there will be a DJ and food trucks. Rain date is July 3.

Toms River
Celebrate America! with the Garden State Philharmonic
Ocean County Library, Washington Street, Toms River
Concert begins at 7 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day with the Garden State Philharmonic Orchestra and the GSP Community Chorus. Since the 1960s, this annual concert has elevated July 4th festivities with music. Bring your own chair and sit anywhere for this outdoor concert. Part of the Ocean County Parks & Recreation's Carousel of Music Series.

 

JULY 3

Bradley Beach
Fireworks
On the beach at 9 p.m.; rain date July 8.

Keansburg
Keansburg Amusement Park Fourth of July Celebration
July 3 and 4 at the park
Fireworks at dusk

Lacey Township
Lacey Township High School, Haines Street
Fireworks at dusk; Live music and food available.

 

Lakehurst
Independence Day Celebration
Lake Horicon, Lakeshore Drive off Union Avenue
July 3-4
Fireworks at dusk on July 3
Independence Day Parade July 4
Parade at 11 a.m. down Union Avenue; Car Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lakehurst Elementary

Lakewood
Independence Day Celebration
Lake Caralsaljo, Lakewood Rd., Lakewood
Concert: 7:30 p.m., Fireworks at dusk; music by the Wilbur Wittemann Patriotic Band

Lakewood BlueClaws Stadium
FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood
Postgame Fireworks after Lakewood BlueClaws vs. Hagerstown Suns baseball game

Union Beach
Fireworks
On the beach at dusk

 

JULY 4

Asbury Park
Fireworks
On the beach at dusk

Beach Haven
Celebration of Independence Day
Bay Village and Schooners Wharf, Long Beach Boulevard
Fireworks at Dusk

Beachwood
Beachwood Borough 4th of July Fireworks on the Toms River
Beachwood Beach, Bayside Ave., Beachwood
Annual fireworks go off at dusk and are a spectacular display seen from the Beachwood Beach along the Toms River, food available! The display is visible from several spots along the Toms River as well.

Freehold
Independence Day Celebration
Borough Hall, 51 W. Main St.
Beginning at 9 a.m. residents will join in the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. The fire bell will then be struck 50 times to commemorate each state, the flag will be raised, and the pledge of allegiance will be recited. Residents who would like to read a portion of the Declaration are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. and will be provided with a copy of the document.

Long Branch
Oceanfest
On the Oceanfront Promenade
The largest Fourth of July celebration at the Jersey Shore begins at 10 a.m. and goes through the fireworks display that goes off about 9 p.m. It includes food, arts and crafts vendors, a variety of live entertainment and more. Visit www.oceanfest.com for more details.

Mantoloking
Independence Day Parade
Downer Avenue
Parade begins at noon

Ocean City
Fireworks
The culmination of four days of celebration and events, fireworks are launched from a barge off Ninth Street Beach beginning at 9 p.m.

Ocean Gate
Independence Day Parade and Festival
Ocean Gate Avenue
Parade at 10 a.m.

Pine Beach
Fourth of July Parade and Family Field Games
Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Prospect Avenue
Parade at 9 a.m., games at Vista Field. Games to include: running races, peanut scramble, women's balloon blowing contest, sack races, men's tug of war, water balloon toss.

Point Pleasant Beach
Independence Day Celebration
Jenkinson's Boardwalk & Beach, 300 Ocean Ave.
Fireworks at dusk

Seaside Heights
Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Seaside Park
Patriotic Bike Parade
Bayview & 14th Ave.
9 a.m.–11 a.m.

South Toms River
Independence Day Celebration
Mathis Veterans Memorial Park
Free activities for kids from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Tuckerton
Fourth of July Parade, Food Trucks, Family Fun & Fireworks
Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street
Parade, 10 a.m., Festival, 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Food vendors, family fun and live music. Fireworks at dusk

 

JULY 6

Brick
2017 Annual Summerfest Concert Series
Windward Beach, Princeton Avenue
Concert, 6:30 p.m., fireworks at dark

 

JULY 7

Atlantic Highlands
Municipal Harbor
Fireworks at dusk

 

JULY 8

Freehold Township
Freehold Township Day
Michael J. Tighe Park, 62 Georgia Road
Car show at 2 p.m.; festivities begin at 4 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Plumsted Township
Independence Day Celebration
New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road
Fireworks at dusk

 

Questions about the deck project

Although the deck project has been going slow, due to record rain in May, it has been going well.  We have received positive feedback from the community about how the decks look and the quality of work that has been done.  We have also received positive feedback on the color of the decks.  There were a couple of questions we would like to address. 

To clarify what will be done;

For the end units, the entire deck will be power washed and painted.  Please note there will be no spaying of paint, to keep the job as neat as possible.

 

For the middle units stairs and handrails will be completed.

The middle units will have the stairs painted and the spindles will be stained.  The stain will be spayed and the paint will be applied by brush.  There will be no spaying of paint, but the stain will be sprayed.

If you have any questions or issues with this procedure, please feel free to contact us.

Ed Fortunato

Dryer vent cleaning coming this summer

This is a reminder that it is coming up on time for all homeowners to have their dryer vents inspected and cleaned. 

Proof must be provided from a licensed professional that their dryer vents have been cleaned and are in working order. Homeowners are required to have this done every two years.

Dryer vents if not cleaned properly on a regular basis pose a fire hazard for not just your unit, but surrounding units in the community.  This is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly, especially since it’s preventable.

You may use any licensed company you want.  Your Board of Directors is in the process of finding a company who does it for an affordable price.  We will inform you of times, dates, etc. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Parking advisory

With the pool being open daily and community activity increasing please be advised of some basic state and community rules.

 

Please park your car in the correct direction of traffic this is both a community and state law

Please do not park on the Belgian blocks or the grass (it breaks our sprinkler heads)

Please put garbage cans on the curb not the grass

Please do not block drive ways in any way

Please provide clearance when parking by trash cans. 

If you run into or knock over a trash can please pick it up and return the garbage to the can

Please drive slowly and carefully through the community

Please stop at all the stop signs

 

These requests are all rules we have in the by-laws, they will be enforced if not adhered to

 

Thanks for your cooperation and enjoy the summer coming up

Planting in our commmunity

At the meeting in May, there was a discussion about the right type of plants for the community.  Here are a few suggestions for plants that have a high chance of thriving in our community

http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/index.ssf/2010/05/plant_your_own_sandy_garden_pe.html

 

 

 

http://bbp.ocean.edu/PDFFiles/BBP_Native%20Plant%20brochure,%20May2012_six-pgs,8'5x11%20forWeb.pdf

 

 

 

http://www.npsnj.org/

 

 

 

http://www.npsnj.org/pages/nativeplants_Plant_Lists.html

 

Community meeting May 27th at 10 am

The Island Gate community meeting is scheduled for May 27th at 10:00 am.  It will be held at the Stafford Town Hall at 260 East Bay Avenue.  It is by the police station. 

We urge everyone to attend the meeting, we want to update our neighbors on a number of issues in our community. 

Thanks as always for your concern

 

POOL CLOSED THIS WEEKEND

We have traditionally opened the pool the weekend before Memorial Day.  We did this to make sure everything is ready for the big holiday.  This year the pool will not be opened this weekend.  There were some unexpected issues that are being address and we hope to have the pool opened next weekend.  Thanks for your understanding and we can discuss the issue further at the meeting next Saturday. 

Deck power washing and resealing

Starting May 1^st, Friendly Power washing and painting will begin the project of finishing up the decks. They will be power washed and painted.  We have used Friendly before in our community with very good results.  The first building to be done is the building by the pond closest to Route 72 and they will be working their way to the pool.  The washing will be done by machine and the paint product will be applied by brush. 

For the middle units stairs spindles and handrails will be completed.  For end units, the entire deck will be power washed and painted.  Please note there will be no spraying of paint to keep the job as neat as possible. 

The color of the paint was picked to match the new decking and that was picked to blend in with the siding. 

AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT;  PLEASE REMOVE ALL FURNITRUE FROM THE DECK BY MONDAY.     

If the furniture is not removed it will be removed for you and placed on the lawn.  The furniture on the lawn must then be stored by the owner in the garage until a week after the painting is complete. 

 

We are excited to be completing this project, it was the biggest project we have ever taken on and has taken a number of years to plan and complete.  We thank you for your cooperation during this project and ask for your cooperation to keep expenses down and enable the project to go smoothly.    

As always if you have any questions please contact Mary Jo at AA or a board member.