Meeting Minutes

>September's minutes will be posted when approved at May 2025 meeting<

Crystal Manor Boat Club Minutes

                 August 17, 2024

SECRETARY

    The minutes from the July 2024 meeting were read and approved.   There was a motion to accept.

TREASURER

      The treasurer’s report was read, there was a motion to approve the report and it was seconded and passed.  

OLD BUSINESS

     All covered in Secretary’s report.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Thank you for those members that helped clean up the beach after the storm.
2. There was a motion for a 3-day equipment rental for approximately $500 to continue beach clean up.  Motion passed.
3. Gerry gave justification for the proposed by-law change to increase dues by $150 per year.  We have an old marina and are not nearly ready for a rainy day.  This proposal is the same as last year’s tabled proposal but all $150 of the increase will be earmarked for future bulkhead repairs.
4. The change would increase annual dues for members using their slip from $500 to $650, if turning in your slip for the season from $250 to $325 and for associates not receiving a slip from $250 to $325.
5. The last dues increase was in 2020.
6. We dodged a bullet with the last major repair because we happened to have the funds to cover the $65,000 in repairs done in the last 2 years.
7. Everything is the same age and while the bulkhead is always a concern, lighting, ramp repair, the road on the cliff side and the fence are in need of some repair.
8. The rain and high tides continue to be a concern.
9. All decisions need to be made to benefit the marina and survival of the entity.

BEACH

Beach is still a mess.  Teresa and Ed Groce encourage anyone wanting to help clean up the beach for Labor Day to see them.  She is ordering an extra potty for the holiday weekend,

GRIEVANCE

Darrin said there was a grievance but was resolved between both parties.

EVENTS

Poker Run sold 85 hands and was able to contribute $1890 to the club for the 2026 picnic and fireworks. 

MEMBERSHIP

Gretchen announced that there was one new associate Jessica Willey.

BYLAWS

Dan Short did the first reading of the proposed by law change to increase dues by $150 to be voted on at the September meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Roy and Gerry are working with Chris Brown to secure a 15-25 year lease to protect us in case Elk Development sells Crystal Beach and to make sure we have first option to buy.
2. Roy is working with Dan Batty (?) regarding the 3 areas of collapse on the bank through natural erosion.  They are looking for grants for repairs and checking with Cecil county for options.

NOMINATIONS

Ed Rowe asked if there were any nominations for 2025 officers from the floor.  There being none, nominations were closed.  Slate of officers for next season will be:

Commodore Gerry Baffone

Vice Comm Darrin Delvisio

Treasurer Bev Duff

Secretary Dawn Fluman

COMMODORE

Roy thanked everyone for their friendship and said he enjoyed his leadership time with all of us.  Many comments from the floor about the various things that Roy accomplished in his tenure.

COMMENTS

Gil reminded everyone about Deep Blue’s visit on September 7.

Donna reminded everyone of the Golf Cart Poker Run on September 21 to fund “the dogs” and “Faith in Action.”

 Motion was made to adjourn.  

Dawn Fluman, SecretaryDawn Fluman, Secretary

Crystal Manor Boat Club Minutes

July  20 , 2024

SECRETARY

    The minutes from the June 2024 meeting were read and approved.   There was a motion to accept.

TREASURER

      The treasurer’s report was read and a motion to approve the report was seconded and passed.  

OLD BUSINESS

     All covered in Secretary’s report.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Roy said there between 150/247 people at any given time on the beach over the July 4 weekend.
2. Fingers crossed for any huge rain storms causing any further damage to the bulkhead.  Please be sure to park outside the 15’ allowance from the bulkhead.
3. A reminder about gate issues.  $100 if damage, $25 to Mark Miller for his time and $75 to the club for materials.
4. Several statements got back to Roy that the new stop sign at the bottom of the driveway was Stupid but Roy said its staying.
5. 2 new signs have been ordered (1) CAUTION GATE WILL ONLY ALLOW ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME (2) DO NOT TAILGATE
6. Evelyn Holmes thinks a sign should say “One vehicle at a time.” 
7. Thanks to Donna Swain who is busy taking our club into the 21st century.
8. Donna and Jim Fulton have been working collaboratively to develop a data bank for all members/associate email addresses for group notices.
9. The EC and bylaw committees are working on a proposed increase in dues for 2025.
10. A new grievance procedure has been developed by Darrin and will soon be presented to the membership.   
11. Ed Rowe has been appointed nomination chair due to up-coming nominations for club officers.
12. Ed Groce has volunteered to be Harbor Master.  Gerry and Roy interviewed Ed and he seems to be a welcome addition to the EC.  He has lots of ideas.
13. Bill Reilly has agreed to chair the planning committee.

BEACH

Teresa is in the hospital recovering from gall bladder surgery.

She said she was really pleased that everyone took their trash home with them after the picnic.  Best activity ever!

GRIEVANCE

Darrin said the new grievance policy has been put on the web and includes his number if you need to contact him.

WEBSITE

Jim has the latest version of the Bylaws on the web.

SECURITY

Easiest picnic ever with the expanded parking area.

EVENTS

2ND Saturday in August is the poker run starting at 11-11:30. We will draw the first card at CB, next card at Chesapake Inn, next card at Bayard House, 4th card at Chesapeake Inn, final card and buy backs at beach.  $40/hand.  Last year $1500 went to the boat club.

VICE COMMODORE

1. Gerry started by saying that he has emailed everyone who donated to the picnic.  He said the picnic was originally started as a party for the boat club members and a fundraiser secondary.  We ended with a $4200 profit because the previous fundraisers for the fireworks included $3500 from the poker run and beef and beer in 2023.
2. There are 4 discarded picnic tables in the weeds if anyone is interested in them to restore or just use the wood.  Help yourself.  Toni Riedel asked if these tables could be combined to create one new one.  It was said the legs are in ok condition.
3. The sandbar at the entrance to the marina has moved from the left side.  Please go out about 20 yards before turning left.  No hard lefts at this time.
4. Roy commented that when the large cargo ships travel the channel, he can see sand moving out there. 
5. Anything to do with money charged that is not called “dues” is assessment and must be voted on by 2/3 of the membership.  Several groups will meet before the next membership meeting to have something to present.  Evelyn Holmes reminded that associates cannot be charged more dues than members.  And Bill Rutter reminded that “Equity” cannot be used.  And he thinks the current bylaws should be thrown out and re-done.
6. Gerry had an idea to re-do the bylaws as a winter project but time got away and is looking to work on that this winter.

COMMODORE

Roy wanted to inform everyone about an incident at the picnic that is being addressed.  The child of one of our new members was called derogatory names by other children on the beach.  We think we have identified the parents of these children as someone riding around Crystal Beach on a red lawn mower. We are addressing the issue but first wanted to make sure this family were not guests at the picnic of any of our members.  Since there were none, Donna Swain will look at the security camera to be sure we have the right family.

MEMBERSHIP

Gretchen announced that there were no new members or associates this month.  She was able to convince 6 members who aren’t currently planning to use their slips for the remainder of the season to give them to 6 more associates who do.  Thanks Gretchen.  

BYLAWS

Dan Short said he has been converting the current bylaws from HTML format to a PDF.  He has also adjusted the fonts for easier read, adjusted line spacing and 3 miss-spellings. 

Thanks Dan.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Information about the 3 beach trees that Gerry had surveyed by a professional tree specialist from Bartlett.
2. The large tree is in bad shape while the small one is good shape and the sycamore is holding its own.
3. The big tree is salvageable by trimming all the dead branches and doing a vertical fertilization and aeration.
4. Cost proposal is $2700.  There was a motion to not spend more than $3000 on this project, it was seconded and passed.
5. Chris Morgan suggested that we need to consider the life of the tree and possibly plant more new trees now.

NOMINATIONS

Ed Rowe said if anyone is interested in any board positions to please see him.

 Motion was made to adjourn.  

Dawn Fluman, Secretary

Crystal Manor Boat Club Minutes

June 15 , 2024

SECRETARY

    The minutes from the May 2024 meeting were read and approved.   There was a motion to accept.

TREASURER

        Motion to approve the report was made and seconded.  

OLD BUSINESS

     All covered in Secretary’s report.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Roy said “wow, what a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  160 people were counted on the beach.  Best weather.
2. We are asking that you stand up and be recognized before speaking and that members please don’t call out.  Great meeting last month.  Let’s continue in that manner.
3. Hopefully the damaged slips will be repaired this week.  Still tough getting anything done with all the extreme high tides.
4. We are still having some gate issues.  Members will be charged $25.00 which goes to Mark Miller for his time in repairing the gate.  If there is damage, the member will be charged $100 with $25.00 going to Mark and $75.00 to the boat club for materials.
5. Thanks to Donna Swain who agreed to take over the security cameras from Mark Miller.
6. Donna and Jim Fulton have worked collaboratively to develop a data bank for all members’ and associates’ email addresses for group notices.  Roy can now email his monthly newsletter.
7. A report was made to the Civic Association last week indicating that Maryland has declared golf carts legal which means they may now need to be street legal and will also allow police to write tickets for non-legal drivers.

BEACH

1. Special thank you from Teresa for a super beach clean-up. 
2. The new picnic tables from last year are going to be painted.  
3. A reminder that June 1-September 1 there is a burning ban.
4. This ban does not apply to personal use.

GRIEVANCE

-0-

MEMBERSHIP

We welcome Chuck Yetter as a new associate and Tim Mulvihill as a new member with the purchase of the Hewlett house.

HARBOR 

Still waiting on work for the bulkhead and the apron that will be done during the week to avoid conflict with boat traffic on the weekends.  And then lines for the cameras. 

WEBSITE

-0-

SECURITY

-0-

VICE-COMMODORE

1. We are still working on the lease agreement with Chris Brown.
2. All volunteers are in place for the upcoming boat club picnic on July 13.  Please have your raffle items to Gerry by July 7.
3. Still collecting donations for fireworks and the restaurant bonanza.
4. The second Saturday in August is set for the poker run.  More information to follow.
5. It is thought that one killdeer survived.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

The board is currently working on a way to separate funds for future bulkhead repairs. There are currently no issues in 2024 but we are looking ahead to be prepared.  Further information will be available when prepared..

COMMENTS

1. Bill Rutter wanted to know what the club’s responsibility was for this change in Maryland law regarding golf cart use in our community.  The concern of underage drivers is only our responsibility if they are in the marina.  On the streets, they run the risk of getting ticketed by the police.
2. Services are being provide to our community this summer from a community food bank.  All families are welcome.  This free food will be distributed at our civic association pavilion.
3. A reminder that the speed limit on Glebe Road has been reduced.
4. There are no slips available right now for weekend use.  It is a lot of work for one person to keep up with all the rental requests.  A big thank you from the membership for Gretchen’s hard work.
5. Dan Short asked the by-law committee members to stick around for a short meeting.  
6. It was overwhelming “Yes” to change the meeting start time to 9:00 a.m.  Only 2 no’s in the group.

 Motion was made to adjourn.  

Dawn Fluman, Secretary

Crystal Manor Boat Club Minutes

May 18, 2024

SECRETARY

    The minutes from the September 2023 meeting were read and approved.   There was a motion to accept.

TREASURER

    Bev Duff was not able to be at the meeting but Roy read the treasurer’s report provided by her.  Motion to approve the report was made and seconded.  

OLD BUSINESS

     All covered in Secretary’s report.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Roy asked that everyone please check the website periodically for any updates and information on the state of the boat club and marina.  If Jim Fulton has your email information, he will notify you when an addition is added.
2. The conversation about insurance for boat lifts is an entirely personal option.  Please consider listing the boat club as a second insurer so that we will be sent renewal updates automatically.   Please use the P.O. Box 147 Earleville, MD  21919 address for the club.
3. Due to 3 days of rain and about 10” of rain, once again there was damage to the bulkhead.  Mike Downs has done some repair but more is needed as soon as the tides are cooperative.
4. In 3 days, Conowingo has released 9 gates further complicating our continuing beach clean up.  Mike Downs has been trying to keep it cleaned up.
5. We have a burn permit until June 1 but there will be no burning in July and August.
6. The channel has been dredged by Brian Tuoy so hoping it will remain useable for the time being.

BEACH

Teresa announced that tomorrow will be the beach cleanup at 11:00 am.  Picnic tables need to be painted—the new ones last year.  The swim buoys are shackled and need to be in the water before Memorial day weekend.  Around the gate needs to be weed whacked.  She also mentioned that some people who are having fires on the beach are burning cans which allows for dangerous residue in the sand.  Please call her for specific jobs that are needed for the beach area.

GRIEVANCE

Darren Delvisio is the new Grievance chair and he is currently working on some new guidelines for reporting and maintaining complaints.  Further information to follow on this topic.

MEMBERSHIP

Gretchen announced 2 new associates:  Joe and Lisa Swain and David Norcini.  Also she is offering a membership to Ray Russo who is #1 on the associate list to fill the membership of Shapiro who is taking a senior membership.  He was voted in unanimously. She also reminded everyone who still needs to pick up their boat stickers.

HARBOR 

Come to Roy with any needs or changes to slips.  Catwalks look good right now and no more work will be done on them this year.  We are currently working on a 10-year dredging permit.  Brian Tuoy will be working on the cement apron with work done during the week so it can cure before the weekend.  We are working on the additional wiring to add more security cameras.

PLANNING

Mike Kelly has stepped down as chairperson of the planning committee.  He expressed frustration in not being able to give time to the position due to commitments with sporting events in Pennsylvania.  Further information about filling this position to follow.

WEBSITE

See Jim Fulton if you have any questions.

SECURITY

Please see Pat Smart or Darren Delvisio with any concerns.  Please be sure to have your stickers on your boat BEFORE launching.

VICE-COMMODORE

Gerry and Roy are still in negotiation with Chris Brown and Elk Development for our long-term lease.  We paid this year even though that lease has not been finalized.  Comments are made regarding the beach but we need to keep in mind that the beach and marina do not belong to us but to Chris Brown and Army Corp of Engineers.

Gerry wanted to let everyone know that there is a killdeer nest with eggs on the beach near the picnic area.  It has cones around it for protection.  Eric Yetter has informed Gerry that the eggs will probably hatch in about 10 days and they are born to run so will vacate the nest quickly.

The tree on the beach is not doing well.  Gerry is going to have a tree person look at it and see what needs to be done.

Picnic is scheduled for July 13 and is listed on the web page.  All volunteer heads are in place.  More information to follow.

There was much discussion about Roberts Rules of Order and how it applies to our organization.  The executive committee has discussed the need to separate what are Rules/Policy/ByLaws and putting items in the correct category.  We are looking for suggestions.  

We tabled the idea of raising dues at the end of last season because it wasn’t handled correctly so we will be visiting that item again this year.  According to Roberts Rules, dues should not be an item in bylaws.  We also tabled the issue of the executive committee being able to reassign a dock that wasn’t used by July 1.

We are also looking at the consequences of those members that break the rules because there doesn’t seem to be any penalty between “doing nothing” and “grievance.” We would like to establish a sequence of penalties that is black and white.  These violations would include things like fires, trash, dog waste, etc. We are considering $25 fine for first offense, then deactivation of gate card and then suspension for habitual offenders.  These items would not be those that violated a bylaw.  We would like to have forms available. It was suggested that we establish boundaries but our major concern are those things that are detrimental to the operation of the boat club.  It should also apply to “boat club sanctioned” events.  It was suggested that a list be established but not sure that it would actually ever be a complete list but a suggested one.  It was also mentioned that boat club officers should be held to a different standard.

EVENTS

Donna Swain said the poker run will be the 1st Saturday in August with the second Saturday as an alternate.  All boats are invited.  Last year we made $2600 with 65 hands sold.  After the buy-backs and extra hands and splitting with the Civic Association, we netted $1500.

The golf cart poker run is tentatively scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in September.  More info to follow.

Any event ideas, see Donna .  Jenn Lovell has experience as an event planner and her expertise will be welcome.

COMMENTS

Gretchen wanted to welcome Todd Yetter as a member since the Yetter LLC is gone and Todd is the new owner of the family home.  Welcome Todd!

Roy said it was a long winter.  The club has rules and if we all follow those rules, we will have a great club.

“If you can’t be a friend, Be Friendly”

Thanks to Ed Boyer and Darren Delvisio for burning the pile and thanks to all the wear deck workers and the ice eater installers and those that removed them.

It was asked about dredging the marina and what would be the cost.  It was stated that the cost would have to include removal of what was dug up because it would be contaminated.

Bill Rutter asked about the cost of the beach clean up.  Teresa said it cost $4650 which was the lower of the received bids.  And also asked about the cost of the bulkhead repairs and was told the payments were $17,000, $17,000 and final payment of $10,000.

 Motion was made to adjourn.  Dawn Fluman, Secretary

Crystal Manor Boat Club Minutes

September 16, 2023

SECRETARY

    The minutes from the August 2023 meeting were read and approved.   There was a motion to accept.

TREASURER

    The treasurer’s report  was read and Motion to approve the report was made and seconded.  

OLD BUSINESS

     All covered in Secretary’s report.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Gil Eubanks covered all the details for the Deep Blue visit.  Hoagies were provided.  They asked for beer.  They stayed at the Holiday Inn in Middletown and breakfast provided by Metro Diner.  Thank you to Jim Fulton for the tracker on the website.  
2. John Swain-Bulkhead work to start this week weather permitting.
3. We will be looking at a $50 dues increase for next season.
4. We will also be looking at $100 fee per dock per year towards a bulkhead repair fund for 2024.
5. Bill Reilly asked if there are any expenses over $1500 need membership approval, why do they have a separate account?
6. An associate suggested that we have 2 or 3 slips available on a rotating basis for associates to use.
7. Looking at the possibility of having an additional meeting in 2024.
8. Roy met with an insurance agent who was pleased with us having all the signage and safety options.  He said our liability rate was ok.

BYLAWS

NEW BUSINESS

1. Gil Eubank has agreed to be the lead on the Deep Blue project.  A motion was made and approved to donate $500 again this year.
2. John Swain shared that the bulkhead repair contract has been signed by all parties for Phase 1 and work is planned to start Tuesday.  If work is not completed this week, we will try to move those docks included in the repair to a temporary spot until the work is done.
3. It was suggested that we add sand in the mud areas but it would wash away as soon as it rained.
4. Roy read the contract that was signed by Greenlight and Mike Downes and us.
5. John was authorized to look for another contractor if they don’t show upon Tuesday.
6. The Poker Run was a success.   $2600 was split between the winners and the boat club.  After extra hands and buy backs, the boat club got $1540.00.  First place winner Kieran Kurtz donated $100 back to the club, second place winner was Maria Syvester and third place was Chris Morgan.
7. There are 13 slips left that don’t have wear deck on their catwalk.
8. Moving forward we would like to use stringers with plastic coating and pilings with a coating.  It will help save on future maintenance.  We are looking at pricing for those items.
9. We are looking at a dues increase of$50/pp for 2024.  The bulkhead is deteriorating and will continue to need repairs.  Previous costs were $1,000 per foot with $1500 foot at this time and continued increases every year.
10. There are many things that need repaired and we will vote next meeting.
11. We are also looking at $100/pp each year to be put in a restricted fund just for bulkhead repairs.
12. There has been a suggestion for a different level of membership that includes Beach Use Only.  The EC is addressing the options.  We cannot restrict use of the beach by anyone but we can limit the number of vehicles using the ramp.
13. Ed Rowe was questioning why the membership didn’t vote to approve the $4000 cost for beach cleanup.  Teresa said it was included in her $5,000 annual budget.
14. Someone was questioning the roadway repair.  John explained that repairs need to be completed in order—first bulkhead repair, then the electric and then the roadway.  They have to be done in order.
15. Another question about the contractor for the bulkhead repair.  John said the other estimates were over $1M and that it was hard to find someone to come here.
16. Alan Emsley made a motion to approve buying CDs from Cecil Bank.  Ash said why aren’t we using the long-term savings option that has no penalty for early withdrawal and our money is not tied up should we need it.
17. After a very heated discussion, Alan’s motion was tabled, voted on and passed.

BYLAWS

The bylaw vote for this meeting had to be tabled because the secretary sent out the wrong bylaw to be voted on.

MEMBERSHIP

Gretchen said she had 2 new associates and new members, Bill and Michelle Rhoades to vote in to replace Dave Brown.  Vote was unanimous.  Welcome!

NOMINATIONS

Gerry  read a notice from Mike Kelly that there being no nominations from the floor last meeting and the nominations being closed, the slate of officers is:

Commodore  Roy Thompson

Vice-Commodore Gerry Baffone

Secretary  Dawn Fluman

Treasurer  Bev Duff

COMMODORE COMMENTS

Roy said he was embarrassed by the behavior of some of the members at prior meetings.  He wants everyone to raise their hands and be called on to be sure everyone is heard.  We do mess up – but we must move forward.  Starting in 2024, we will limit the time for meetings to 1 hour, 15 minutes.  When we reach that time limit, we will finish the current topic and move everything else to the next meeting.

Evelyn Holmes wants minutes posted on the website before

they are approved. 

BEACH

Theresa wanted to thank Ken Hatt and Bob Sheldon for taking the buoys out of the water.  The picnic tables need to be stacked.  Weed wacking still needs to be done around the fence .  Lots still to be done.  Ask Theresa, John or Roy if you have not done your hour of volunteer.

John Swain said it is the same people that do most of the work around the marina.  He wants to raise the annual fee to $200 for those people that don’t do an hour of work.  He said it seems like some people would rather pay the $75 instead of doing any work.

WEBSITE

Jim said the service for the website has been discontinued but it is still currently in operation.

VICE-COMMODORE

Gerry says it seems like the Executive Committee seems to always putting out fires.  In the off-season, he wants to address cumbersome by-laws and separate items that should be on a list of rules not necessarily a by-law.

EVENTS

John Swain said the Golf Cart Poker Run will be next Saturday the 23rd starting at 11:30.  Cost is $30 per hand and there is food donated for after the event.

  Motion was made to adjourn.  

   Dawn Fluman, Secretary