June 2018 Update

Dear Member:

Happy Independence Day

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...

Notification of Non-Compliance

Belmont Water Corporation received a notice of non-compliance with the maximum allowable tolerance of the newly regulated compound 1,2,3-TCP as expected.  An official notice was then sent to the members on July 2, 2018.  Please call a board member if you have any questions.  Phone numbers are listed on the contact page of the website.

New Neighbors

Our long time friends, John and Tammy Paige, left for a new home on the coast this month. Their home was purchased by Jeff and Cassondra Capshew along with their two sons, Logan and Auston.  They were welcomed to the neighborhood with a block party held in their new front yard.  I believe the number of children in the neighborhood is now at 20, soon to be 21.  We all will miss John and Tammy, but we welcome Jeff, Cassondra and their family.

Block Party

Megan Barbeau and Kristine Sorrells organized a great block party for the neighborhood on Saturday, June 30. Although it was a warm afternoon, the children had a terrific time in the bounce house/water slide.  There were plenty of cold refreshments and
 

a wood fired pizza truck served up delicious thin crust pizza.  

Several neighbors from Belmont Manor and a few members of Belmont Country Club stopped by. Fantastic job Megan and Kristine. We look forward to the next one...

Belmont Country Club Director Election

Self nominations are in progress for four openings on the Belmont Country Club board of directors.  Nominations close on July 10. Proprietary members in good standing with at least two years of membership are qualified to run for the open positions.  A nominee must collect and submit the signatures of 25 proprietary members with the self nomination.

The success of Belmont Country Club has a direct effect on our neighborhood.  A member of Belmont Water Corporation on the Club board would add our voice to their discussions.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 90-100%.  If you have a Rachio controller, the seasonal shift was made for you this morning automatically.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was up from May to nearly 78,000 gallons per household. It was 3% worse than the target and 2% worse than last year.  Year to date, we are 15% worse than the target and 25% worse than last year. Click here for a larger view.  

1,2,3-TCP Mitigation

We met with the owners of Bakman Water Company, a private supplier of water, this month.  Their closest water lines are about two miles from Belmont Water Corporation.  They do have an interest in either supplying water or operating a treatment plant.  We will be collecting information for them to draft a proposal for us as a stand alone and a combined treatment plant along with Belmont Country Club and Belmont Manor.

If you have any questions, please call Nic Pope or Mike Emigh.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
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May 2018 Update

Dear Member:

May Weather

May was a Chamber of Commerce month. If May lasted all year, we couldn't afford to live here.  Temperatures were right at normal and very pleasant.  Statistically we're done with any rain for this season.  Here comes summer. 

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/golf/article133241264.html#storylink=cpy

Annual Assessments

The annual assessment invoices were due on April 30, 2018.  Be sure and include your certification with your payment.  To certify on line, click here.  To print the certification form and mail with your check, click here.  Remember, there is a $100 credit coming with the certification.

Officer Election

At a board meeting held this month, Nic Pope was elected to the position of President to fill the vacancy created by Mike Gerosa's resignation.  Belina Breckenridge was elected Vice President.  Congratulations to both.  I'm very happy to see new younger faces involved in the governance of our water supply.

New Neighbors

Russ and Sun Plewinski have purchased the home formerly owned by Sam Reid and family.  Russ and Sun will be moving in late June with their two teenage sons.  Welcome to the neighborhood.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 90-100%.  If you have a Rachio controller, the seasonal shift was made for you this morning automatically.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was up from April to nearly 61,000 gallons per household. It was 1% better than the target and the same as last year.  Year to date, we are 21% worse than the target and 39% worse than last year. Click here for a larger view.  

1,2,3-TCP Mitigation

We are working towards an agreement with Belmont Country Club on a mutually beneficial solution for both water systems.  We have made progress with a signed mediation agreement.

The notice of non-compliance with the new regulation has not been received as expected from the SWRCB.  We believe there are so many wells out of compliance that it is taking the agency time to work through the sheer numbers.  Once received, we will have 45 to 60 days to submit a general plan for mitigation.  This submission will start the clock running on actual mitigation.  We will have up to three years to complete. If you have concerns about drinking our water, you can purchase a small household activated carbon filter, such as a Brita filter.  If properly monitored, it will remove the compound.

This month we met twice with City of Fresno Public Works Department personnel.  We had a general discussion with the interim head of the department about a connection to their closest water line at the corner of Belmont and Temperance.  They do have an interest in supplying water to our well head, but there will be a large connection fee in addition to the cost of the piping. The second meeting was a tour of a filtration site at Clovis and Belmont which is treating contaminated water with granular activated carbon. Representatives of BCC and Fresno County also attended both meetings. 

If you have any questions, please call Nic Pope or Mike Emigh.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
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April 2018 Update

Dear Member:

April Weather

April was quite nice, as it most always is in Fresno. The month came with a cool ending reminding us of which we will pine for in July and August.  Both the average low and high temperatures were over two degrees higher than normal.  The first seven months of the rain season year is averaging three degrees above normal. It could be a long hot summer.

Director Resignation

Mike Gerosa resigned from the board of directors this last month.  Mike served on the board for over seven years and as president for the past two plus years.  Mike has also acted as the water operator for both Belmont Water Corporation and Belmont Country Club.  Mike will continue on with management of the water for Belmont Water Corporation.  Thank you, Mike, and best of luck with your new business.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/golf/article133241264.html#storylink=cpy

Annual Assessments

The annual assessment invoices were due on April 30, 2018.  Be sure and include your certification with your payment.  To certify on line, click here.  To print the certification form and mail with your check, click here.  Remember, there is a $100 credit coming with the certification.

Annual Cinco de Mayo Party

Nic and Katie Pope cordially invite all Belmont Country Estates neighbors to attend a Cinco de Mayo party at their home this coming weekend.  There will be music, activities for the kids and a taco truck.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 70-80%.  If you have a Rachio controller, the seasonal shift was made for you this morning automatically.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was up from March to nearly 39,000 gallons per household. It was 35% worse than the target and 30% worse than last year.  Year to date, we are 34% worse than the target and 72% worse than last year. Click here for a larger view.  

1,2,3-TCP Mitigation Settlement

The Belmont Water Corporation settlement committee made a presentation to the Belmont Country Club board of directors at their April board meeting.  The presentation included a suggested solution to the handling of the mitigation fairly. Unfortunately, there was not a quorum of the board present.  We will make the presentation again in May.  

We have agreed to work closely together to make an agreement that works for all.  We are in this together and most of our neighbors are also members of the country club.  We want to see an agreement that works for the betterment of both.  If you have any questions, please call Nic Pope or Mike Emigh.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
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March 2018 Update

Dear Member:

March Weather

The rain finally came in March, almost 4.2 inches.  We are now almost two thirds of normal. Local reservoirs are all near capacity and our local farmers should have enough irrigation water for the summer. Temperatures were right at normal for the month.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/golf/article133241264.html#storylink=cpy

Annual Assessments

The annual assessment invoices have been mailed and are due on April 30, 2018.  Be sure and include your certification with your payment.  To certify on line, click here.  To print the certification form and mail with your check, click here.

Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting was very successful with a few new neighbors attending.  Thank you all for joining us.  

New board members elected at the meeting are:

• Belina Breckenridge
• Mike Emigh
• Mike Gerosa
• John Paige
• Nic Pope

John Paige later resigned his position and Trevor Barbeau volunteered to fill in.  Thank you John for you service to the neighborhood, especially through the litigation process.  We will still seek your counsel on occasion.

1,2,3-TCP Mitigation Litigation Settlement

The lawsuit against Dow Agrosciences and Shell Oil has been settled without a trial.  The settlement should make a significant contribution to the cost of removing this chemical from our water.  The regulation requiring clean up was effective January 1, 2018.  We will receive notification from the SWRCB of non-compliance to the regulation within the next few weeks.  We will then file a plan of mitigation and will be given some time to complete construction of a treatment facility or connect with a clean water supply.  

The settlement has been complicated because we joined with Belmont Country Club to come to a settlement sooner.  Belmont Country Club is now demanding a share of the settlement even though they have not shown damage.  We may need the assistance of all neighbors who are members of Belmont Country Club, whom I believe number about 25.  We will keep you posted.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 60%.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down slightly from February to about 27,000 gallons per household. It was 7% worse than the target and 11% worse than last year.  Year to date, we are 33% worse than the target and 102% worse than last year. Click here for a larger view.  

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
.

February 2018 Update

Dear Member:

February Weather

February started out very nice with temperatures running about 10 degrees above normal, but it cooled down mid-month.  Overall, we were about 4 degrees above normal on the high side with normal low temperatures.  Rain total for the month was .26"  We're now almost 6" behind normal.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/golf/article133241264.html#storylink=cpy

Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting will be held for all members at 6:00 PM on March 14, 2018 at Belmont Country Club, 8253 East Belmont Ave, Fresno, California 93737. Appetizers and a no-host bar will be provided with the meeting beginning immediately following. Please plan on attending this important neighborhood event. An agenda will be mailed prior to the meeting. If you have yet to RSVP, click here.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 40%

Please check your sprinklers and timers.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was up slightly from January to about 28,500 gallons per

household. It was 46% worse than the target and 285% worse than last year.  For the first two months of the year, we are 51% worse than the target and 235% worse than last year. Click here for a larger view.  
This is now the 6th month in a row we have used more water than the prior year and the eighth month in a row we have been over the target.  If we don't reduce our usage, we may face penalties from the SWRCB and possibly an accelerated installation of water meters.  Let's work together on reducing usage and waste.  

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
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January 2018 Update

Dear Member:

Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting

The Belmont Water Corporation Annual Membership Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on March 14, 2018 at Belmont Country Club, 8253 East Belmont Ave, Fresno, California 93737. Appetizers and a no-host bar will be provided with the meeting beginning immediately following. Please plan on attending this important neighborhood event. Topics for the meeting are annual assessments, contamination remediation and penalties for watering rules violations.  The full meeting agenda will be mailed prior to the meeting.

January Weather

January was six degrees warmer than normal following the five degrees higher than normal temperatures in December.  We did receive 1.23" of rain in January, but this was about half the normal rainfall for the month.  We are now over 4" or 71% behind normal rainfall at this point in the rain year.  There are no rain clouds on the horizon.

Watering Rules

There seems to be many in the neighborhood who have forgotten that we have watering rules.  There is water running in the street on a daily basis.  This waste is showing up in our usage and in the cost of pumping our water.  Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 20% unless you received a new free Rachio Smart Controller from Fresno County.  It will make all the necessary adjustments for you.  My total watering cycle for the month of February is 40 minutes, an increase of 12 minutes from January.  I receive an email from Rachio on the first day of the month with details of adjustments made.  The Rachio also turns the sprinkler system off when it rains.  Check your sprinklers and timers.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from December to about 28,000 gallons per household. It was 56% worse than the target and 195% worse than last year.  Click here for a larger view.  
This is the fifth month in a row we have used more water than the prior year and the seventh month in a row we have been over the target.  If we don't reduce our usage, we may face penalties from the SWRCB and possibly an accelerated installation of water meters.  Let's work together on reducing usage and waste.  Check your sprinklers and timers.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.
A crab dinner dinner is scheduled for April 23.  Call Shannon Hashimoto at 559.251.5078 ext. 15 if you are interested.

December 2017 Update

Dear Member:

December Weather

With the arctic cold gripping the East Coast and Midwest, I feel somewhat guilty wearing shorts to play golf.  December was five full degrees higher than normal and January is starting out the same way.  The amount of rain we received in December could almost qualify as a day of high humidity, 04".  We are now over 3" behind normal rainfall.  The Old Farmers Almanac is predicting drier than normal weather for the next two months.

Congratulations

These past couple of weeks found a uniting of our friends and neighbors. Jack and Annie Engle and John and Tammy Paige moved from couples status to wedded bliss.  Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together.

Watering Rules

Please water only three days per week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Change your sprinkler controller seasonal setting to 10% unless you received a new free Rachio Smart Controller from Fresno County.  It will make all the necessary adjustments for you.  My total watering cycle for the month of January is 28 minutes.  The Rachio also turns the sprinkler system off when it rains.

Neighborhood Disturbances

On December 20, I reported suspicious people in the neighborhood early in the morning.  I received a response from Linda Kinchen that someone had taken a gift she had left for the waste removal people.  No one else reported anything missing or damaged. The Belmont Country Club grounds crew saw a man carrying an object jump over the fence on the fourth fairway and speed away in a waiting car. 

I have received comments about the possibility of installation of a gate on Sanders Court to prevent unwanted people from gaining access to the neighborhood.  We looked into this several years ago and found that Sanders Court is a county road.  The neighborhood would need to petition the county supervisors to abandon and deed it to an HOA.  We would then be responsible for the upkeep of the road along with the gate.  Abandonment of a public thoroughfare requires a unanimous vote of property owners of adjacent properties. This hurdle was impossible to overcome.

My suggestions are:

1. We need to be vigilant and pay attention to unknown persons in the neighborhood.
2. We need to keep watch on our neighbors and their homes. If you are going to be away for a period of time, let your neighbors know, ask them to pick up newspapers, mail, and deliveries.
3. Install and turn on lights, street lights, yard lights, lights on timers in your home, motion sensor lights.  The more light, the fewer places for people to hide and cause harm.
4. Invest in an alarm system.  There are many alarms for sale or rent at reasonable prices.
5. Again, be vigilant and pay attention.

Water Conservation

Water usage for the month was down from November to about 36,000 gallons per household. It was 84% worse than the target and 117% worse than last year. Year to date, we are now 8% worse than the target and 5% worse than last year.  Click here for a larger view.  
Annual usage was 24,400,000 gallons.  This volume is 1,000,000 gallons more than last year and 2,000,000 gallons more than the target.  With the low rainfall experienced to date, it is likely that we will be required to reduce our usage again this coming year.  Let's work together on reducing usage and waste.

Belmont Country Club Take-out Dinners

In addition to the takeout menu, you are invited to try out the restaurant and bar.  Prices are very competitive and the fare is excellent.  Hours are 10:00AM to 2:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM Friday, and 6:30 to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday.  We look forward to seeing you there.