JULY 12, 2014; Taste of Cambridge

14 RESTAURANTS COMPETING IN TASTE OF CAMBRIDGE CRAB COOK-OFF JULY 12

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Top chefs from 14 restaurants around Dorchester County will go claw to claw during the 10th annual Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-Off and Festival on July 12. If you buy a Crab Cook-Off ticket, you will have the opportunity to taste and vote for your favorites among the 16 crab dishes. Restaurants will compete in categories including crab cake/balls, crab soup, crab dip, and crab specialty (which might include dishes such as crab spring roll, crab fritters, crab risotto, and more). In addition to the People's Choice awards, Judge's Choice awards will be selected by a panel of celebrity judges.

The 2014 restaurants lined up for the Crab Cook-Off are:

• Bistro Poplar
• Blue Point Provision Co. (at the Hyatt Chesapeake)
• Cambridge Yacht Club
• Cranium's at the Beach (opening in downtown Cambridge later this summer!)
• Elliott's Baking Company
• High Spot Gastropub
• Jimmie & Sooks Raw Bar and Grill
• Leaky Pete's
• Madison Bay Restaurant
• Ocean Odyssey Seafood Restaurant
• RAR Brewing
• Squoze Healthy Carryout
• Stoked Wood-Fired Eatery
• Water's Edge Grill (at the Hyatt Chesapeake)

Find out more and buy tickets in advance on the Taste of Cambridge web page. 

FEMA Open House: New Flood Zone Maps

Deep Harbour Owners:

FEMA Flood Plains and Flood Insurance:

FEMA hosted an Open House at the Dorchester Library, Tuesday, June 10, 2014, From 4:00–7:00 PM.

The public was invited to discuss general issues and the specific circumstances of their property.

Multiple experts were available to provide answers to any questions related to the technical, risk, and insurance aspects of flood insurance.

FEMA Maps for 900 Marshy Cove and Deep Harbour:

Attached is a copy of a FEMA map printed for 900 Marshy Cove. (available also on website.)

The upper image shows the previous flood plain limits.

The lower image shows the newly created mapping.

You will note that the flood plain is now defined by the bulkhead perimeter.

Flood plain limits are defined by elevations above sea level and vary by locale.

The elevation of the flood plain and the top of the bulkhead is not shown; but, it is within inches.

The previous map had 900 Marshy Cove partially within the flood zone.

Take-aways:

1. 900 Marshy Cove is not in a flood plain and therefore is at lower risk to flood damage.
2. All buildings on the Deep Harbour site are outside the flood zone as defined by FEMA.
3. The marina is entirely within the flood plain. (I did not inquire about the marina.)
4. 900 Marshy Cove is not required to purchase flood insurance
5. 900 Marshy Cove can purchase flood insurance at a low risk rate if desired.
6. FEMA regulates the rates for flood insurance through listed insurance providers.
7. Flood due to high water levels whether rain, high tide, or storm surge is covered by Flood insurance.
8. Damage due high water erosion or undermining is not covered unless the flood intrudes the structure.

Other facts:

1. If your property is in a FEMA Flood Plain and financed by a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is mandated.
2. Most mortgage companies will require flood insurance if the property is in a FEMA Flood Plain.
3. If any part of the structure on the property is in the flood plain, the entire structure is in the flood plain.
4. Flood Insurance can be purchased for any property and/or structure regardless of its location relative to the FEMA flood Plain.
5. “Shopping around” for a better rate is fruitless as the rates and standards of coverage is only available through FEMA and their listed insurance providers.
6. Flood Insurance only covers flood damage. Wind damage and rain related damage are not covered even if flood damage accompanies the event.

More Resources: FEMA Region III web sites

1. www.R3coastal.com
2. http://riskmap3.com/MD   After locating Deep Harbour, Click on the DATA ICON at the top of the page to see flood lines.
3. www.floodsmart.gov

Bottom Line:

• 900 Marshy Cove is at low risk according to FEMA as a result of tidal flooding.
• Our condo Association can purchase FEMA flood insurance as an option. 
• Flood insurance will not protect us financially from other hurricane or storm related damage, e.g. wind, hail, snow, ice, etc.

Should the 900 Marshy Cove Board of Directors purchase flood insurance coverage?

What is your opinion?  Send your comments to mc900@comcast.net

900 Marshy Cove Board Meeting Notes; May 10, 2014

Yesterday, two of the incumbent board members were re-elected to their positions.
There were no challengers. There were no changes in the officers. A quorum of 12 was barely achieved.  6 unit owners were present and 6 proxies.  4 of the proxies were gathered by knocking on doors.    We must do better! 

Issues:

Delinquent Accounts: Mainly because of one unit owner, who has since vacated, 900 Marshy Cove is in arrears for approximately $6000 to the Master Association. 

• The question: who should pay this?  The board has decided not to pay the amount to the DHMA as it is the unit owner's debt not 900 MC's responsibility.  There are conflicting legal opinions on this matter.  The same individual owes much more than $16000 to our 900 MC association. This debt is most likely non-collectible.
• On May 2, 2014, Sentry is now under contract to manage the entire Deep Harbour Site. TPW elected to abandon their contract giving notice 90 days prior. Todd will be our principle contact.
• Last year's swimming pool passes will be be honored. If you need passes contact Sentry at 410-221-0398.
• Refreshing the decor in the front lobby. 
• A committee was established to investigate restoration and replacement of the furnishings. After estimates and designs are considered, a budget will be determined.
• Lawn Sprinkler systems: Two areas are under consideration for sprinklers. The flag pole area which in the domain of the Master Association and the garden immediately around the 900 MC building.  To do both areas would cost approximately $7000.
• The Master Board will be approached for funding of the flag poll areas.
• A new fire system maintenance company will be under contract. 
• The previous service company failed to maintain a dry sprinkler valve which costs Cattail Cove approx. $7000 to replace.  The failed valve could have potentially caused sprinkler pipe freezing and extensive water damage.
• Building Maintenance:Various work requirements were identified.  
• A new Air Conditioning unit will be installed to replace a failed unit that serves the 3rd and 4th floor hallways.
• You may contact Blackwater AC to have your unit's AC serviced. 
• If you wish to report a problem in the building, contact Sentry Management directly.
• Todd and Michele can be reached at 410-221-0398. 

Any other comments?  send an email to mc900@comcast.net

High Street: Not so High!

Ever wonder why High Street is in such bad shape?

WBOC reports on High St., Cambridge

Tyler Butler local reporter for WBOC, visits the street and the issues.

Many thanks to DJ for this article.  Good Stuff!

Send your news stories to mc900@comacast.net.
We will gladly post all relevant stories.

Annual Meeting Tomorrow, Proxies and attendees needed.

The Annual 900 Marshy Cove Condo Association Meeting 

is Saturday, May 10, 2014, 10:00 AM, 

at the Sentry Office in Cambridge, MD.

601 Locust St., Third floor.

A quorum is required to elect officers to open positions on the Board of Directors.
Please attend the meeting to vote or submit a proxy.
If a quorum is not achieved,  another meeting may be required to elect board members.

send your comments to mc900@comcast.net   

Cannery Park:

On Tuesday, at the City Council building, seven teams of students from University of Maryland competed.  Each team was challenged to develop a design to convert idle industrial property located behind the Original Phillips Packing Plant on Dorchester Avenue between Cedar Street and Washington Street.  This idle piece of land has a smoke stack, a piece of abandoned industrial equipment, and an original building.  It also is the source of the Cambridge Creek.

The students were judged on several criteria including environmental restoration, recreational value, historic preservation, community linkage, and feasibility.  All of the proposed concepts were first class.  Presentation graphics and supporting data included water run-off studies, habitat surveys, public opinion surveys, and historic research on the land.

The designs included landscape plant selections, pathways, dog parks, play areas, children museums, skate board parks, quiet areas, observation decks, cafes, fountains, foot bridges, and even an ice skating rink.  The wow factor was high, but all designs were feasible.  Students also submitted budgetary estimates for their proposals ranging from 3 million to 6 million dollars.

The winners received a free weekend in Cambridge which included lodging, meals and free passes to town attractions.
The panel of judges included the City Mayor, Director of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, City Engineer, an Architectural Consultant, an Eastern Shore Land Conservancy representative, and a representative from the Cambridge Planning and Zoning Commission.

The city and county have committed a combined $100,000 to acquire the land and to develop a plan for the park. The students proposals provide an opening to the discussion on the use of this land.  This project will be several years in the making.

See posting on April 29, 2014 for more information. 

Send your comments to mc900@comcast.net  

Cambridge Creek Bridge: No change in its operation

Currently, the Cambridge Creek Bridge opens on demand of marine vessels with fixed structure that cannot clear the bridge. An operator is on duty to service marine traffic 24 hours per day on all days of the year.  The only exception is weekdays from 12:00 PM -1:00 PM to service land vehicle traffic during lunch hour.

There was an effort to alter this protocol to relive land traffic. the proposal was to limit opening to periodic openings. Here is an article from the Dorchester Star that reports on the results of the hearing.

Please note the comment directed at our gated community.
(You may need to use the zoom function to read the text.)

Cedar Street Park Plan, Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Proposal for a new City Park will be presented to the Cambridge Public.

A Design Presentation by the Seniors of the University of Maryland's

Landscape Architectural Program

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

2:30- 4:30 PM

City Council Chambers

305 Gay St.

Cambridge, MD 21613

This property is directly across Cedar Street from Deep Harbour.  

Questions?  contact Vicki Chanse (301) 405-4345; vchanse@umd.edu

Many thanks to the Marshy Cove resident that forwarded this message to our web site.

GARAGE POWER WASHING; Thursday, May 8, 2014

The garage, stair well entrances, and other utility areas will be power washed on Thursday, May 8, 2014; from 8:00AM - 5:00 PM

Please park your car outside for the day.
Any cars left in the garage are subject to over spray.

If you don't want your car cruddified, move it.
A good idea is to move it the night before so you don't forget it the morning.

Send your comments to mc900@comcast.net.

Don't forget to mail or fax your proxy for Condo Association Officers.

Very Important!
You should have received the following documents in the mail. I understand that zero have been received to date.
If you cannot attend the Annual Meeting on May 10, send your proxy. Proxies are usually required to constitute a quorum.  In the past, quorums were difficult to achieve.
Contact Todd at Sentry Management if you need assistance or an explanation of the process.
Todd's office number is (410) 221-0398.  You can also send an email to mc900@comcast.net. It will be forwarded to Todd at Sentry.

See below for more information.

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