ECA Highlights
SAVE THE DATE FOR UPCOMING ECA MEETINGS
You Ask, We Answer: Live chat on the Annapolis City website.
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Eastport Civic Association
P.O. Box 3539
Annapolis, MD 21403
eca@eastportcivic.org
Copyright 2022 © Eastport Civic Association. All rights Reserved.
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AN EasTport Welcome
The ECA is a non-profit, member-based community association. We engage in activities that improve the quality of life in the Eastport Community and build relationships with our local officials.
Membership is open to homeowners and renters who reside in Eastport.
City CoNnECTIONs
Annual Meeting
Guest speakers. Mr. Reichhardt stated that presentations on two topics would be presented on Trees and the Annapolis Tree Canopy, and Chesapeake Bay Water Quality. The first presenters were Brian Adams, Annapolis City Arborist; and Sue Wheatley and Virginia Woolridge of “Save our Trees.”
Mr. Adams explained that he is the only person on the City’s payroll who has responsibility for issues related to the tree canopy in the City of Annapolis. He depends on citizens to alert him when neighborhood issues arise, although he does his best to stay on top of all matters involving new developments and home improvements. He said that the tree canopy in Annapolis and nationally is in decline. For example, studies show that more than 36 million trees have been lost in the past year. In 2017, approximately 42% of the U.S. was tree covered; the coverage percentage has declined to about 40% today. In response to questions about the removal of trees by developers and homeowners, Adams said that a permit is normally required to remove a tree, even by a homeowner. Some area developments now underway were authorized years ago and are not subject to the ordinance. He urged ECA members to contact his office anytime a tree is being threatened by a development project. He will do his best to respond. Asked if there was one thing he would like the City to provide for his office, he responded, “Funding for a tree planting coordinator.”
Sue Wheatley and Virginia Woolridge of “Save Our Trees” reported on the activities of their group, which was founded to help keep trees alive that are being attacked by non-native English Ivy. They said the ivy kills trees by stealing their water and nutrients, rotting their bark, and blocking their sunlight. SOS has saved 500 trees since their founding and has an ongoing list of projects that need volunteers. The next project will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Jones Cove in Eastport on December 3. Volunteers can sign up by visiting their web site at https://saveourtreestogether.org/ .
Doug Myers, Senior Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said his organization was founded to protect and restore the Bay. He talked about matters affecting water quality in the Bay and the ongoing efforts that CBF, the six states (and Washington D.C.) that border the Bay and the federal government are undertaking to protect this incredible habitat. He noted that the most pressing problems are agricultural run-off from farms that border the Bay, and chemical pollution from storm water run-off and wastewater discharges. He reported that the Bay is in better shape today than it was several years ago, but often these improvements prove to be temporary. He was asked about the impact of the Conowingo Dam which is situated on the Susquehanna River. Myers said that the Dam has both positive and negative impacts on Bay water quality. He does not favor taking down the dam. CBF conducts numerous programs that citizens and students can work on as volunteers. These include attending educational workshops offered by the group; participating in voluntary programs designed to track current use sources of PCBs and other chemicals and supporting the organization with donations. Myers noted that a new “State of the Bay” report will be issued by CBF at the end of November.
Prepare Me Annapolis Mobile App: Notifications of what's affecting the Annapolis area, including severe weather alerts, traffic reports, school & government closings, and more.
Eastport Lofts Apartment
Attorney Heidi Halleck sat down for a 25-minute interview on Zoom to help us understand the status of the Eastport Shopping Center development. She explains the complex back and forth that has taken place since 2018 involving the developer, shopping center owners, and the local residents ("the Petitioners").
Proposed Change to ECA Bylaws:
Financial Report to be Moved to Spring
On January 18, 2022 the Financial Review Committee submitted its report to the ECA Board. The report was also presented at the ECA membership meeting on January 20, 2022. The report recommended that the Board should no longer have the financial review report presented to the membership at the November meeting because the ECA had recently changed its fiscal year to coincide with a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Given this change, it now makes sense to report the fiscal condition of ECA to the membership in the Spring.
The Board agrees with this proposal. However, in order for the proposal to take effect, the ECA Bylaws must be amended. This article serves as notice to the membership of a proposed change to the Bylaws directing that the annual ECA financial report be presented to ECA members in the Spring. The proposed change (in italics and underlined) follows below:
Article X – Committees. The ad hoc Financial Review Committee shall consist of two regular members of the Association chosen by the Board. No officers or directors shall serve on this committee. The committee shall examine the Association’s accounts and report to the members at the March Membership meeting.
ECA Membership was hereby advised of this proposed change to the Bylaws prior to the September Membership meeting. This is the second notice sent via the Newsletter prior to the November Membership Meeting, at which a final vote will be taken.