LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
March 2009—Our community has been enjoying many improvements recently. To name a few, we've just had a remake of the web site thanks to our Secretary, Dr. Helene Rodriguez McConnell, and of the new AOTB Directory which we all should be receiving very soon, courtesy of Mary Miller. Our community newsletter has been enlivened by its editor, Dr. Philip Allen.
Also, we have enjoyed a virtual moratorium on crime thanks to our Security Committee Chairman Dr. Irving McConnell and our community Security Patrol Officers, led by Deputy Sheriff Michael Harris. Our road conditions have improved through hard work by Planning Committee co-Chair Alan Hinman and his colleagues. Lawns and landscaping will continue to impress us all thanks to Roy Karten. Overall, we are steadily improving in many ways, and we appreciate the time and effort those listed, and so many others, have given to make our continued progress possible.
The POA-AOTB is very aware of the recent fire and loss of homes in Oyster Harbor. We have been in touch with the then President of Oyster Harbor to express our sympathy and to cooperatively plan for future joint community safety. The ability of AOTB to respond to such an emergency is among the concerns brought to mind by such an event. We asked our neighbor Milton Harrod (retired AA County Fire Captain) to address the February Board of Director's Meeting on the subject of improving emergency access to our current water drafting sites. Milton is also providing advice on the appropriate gravel and road construction for these drafting sites. Installing hydrants to convey city water would require agreement with other communities as well as significant public and residential funding. Hence, we are not able to plan on city water for emergency requirements for the foreseeable future. Moreover, the fence constructed by Oyster Harbor at Narragansett Avenue on AOTB's northern boundary has also provoked much consternation and debate, as Narragansett provides the only alternative community access other than Arundel-on-the-Bay Road. Currently seeking legal advice on this matter, we will continue to convey information as we receive it regarding all these issues.
Spring is almost upon us, and is likely to increase the number of visitors to AOTB, as the days get warmer. Please keep a close eye on children and pets. And please don't hesitate to contact the police if you witness any vandalism or threatening activity. Let's keep our community safe and fun for everyone.
Best Regards,
Harvey F Young, President, PAO-AOTB