A Letter to BLERMA Members Regarding Road Conditions

5/12/17

Dear Members,

For a long time our road maintenance regimen of grading, filling, brush cutting, ditching and installing new culverts as needed has kept the camp road in a reasonably consistent, usable state. Unfortunately, that appears to be changing as evidenced by increasing erosion in the past few years generally and the significant washout at Shorey Brook this month.  In addition to seasonal camp use, ATVs, logging trucks and blueberry company equipment we have increasing year round use adding pressure to the road. We on the board believe we need to begin issuing regular reports on the road conditions and planned maintenance so that you can all stay informed.

First and most important, Shorey Brook. As discussed at last year’s annual meeting, the washout last year prompted the paper company to propose putting in a bridge to replace the culvert.  The paper company has fortunately assumed most of the cost for the repair which is a $50,000 fix. The conditions at Shorey Brook have worsened recently with a sinkhole close to the middle of the road.  The paper company has filled it once, and then again after it washed out.  Area to pass around the sinkhole is limited, and they have indicated to us that if it washes out again it could result in the road being closed at that location.  The paper company is ready to go as soon as the permit is issued, which requires a sign off by several parties. At this point we’re told that the Salmon Federation has not yet signed off and the paper company is working with them on this. We are recommending that anyone who possibly can get to their camps through the road in the blueberry barrens do so to relieve the traffic over that section of road and for your own safety.

We are also working on finding a fix for the wash boarding on the hill there, but this is a very tough problem. Stone dust could make it more solid, but is expensive and due to the slope probably won’t stay on the hill. The West side of the lake uses this on their road, but that road is flatter than ours. It has been suggested that anyone with 4 wheel drive use it going up that hill to minimize wheel spin.

Weather has had an adverse effect over the last year. Last summer we had a very dry summer followed by a warm wet winter and a lot of snow at the end. The road kept thawing and freezing. If there is a snowstorm and the road is not frozen when it is plowed then the gravel is plowed up.

We have not been able to have the road graded so far because of the wet spring.  If we grade the road when it’s still wet we will create an erosion problem.  The weather has definitely NOT been cooperating. The paper company has only opened the gates on their roads today to traffic. As soon as the road is in good enough shape to grade we will have that done.

Close to the beginning of the road coming in from Route 9 there is a bare spot that is down to the rocks.  We will be having fill brought in to fix that as soon as weather permits.

Over all we are researching different materials that we could use on the road, beside gravel, to make the road stronger and hopefully have less erosion. Stone dusts and calcium are a couple of the thing we are looking at. Any constructive suggestions as to possible materials from you are very welcome and we are glad to research them.

We will be updating you on a regular basis and welcome any suggestions you have. We are all in this together.

                                                                                                         Peter, Marlene and Jean

Minutes to May 12, 2017 Board Meeting

May 12, 2017

Meeting called to order at 4:00pm

Present: Peter Aten, President; Marlene Sullivan, Vice-President; Jean Heath, Treasurer

The board discussion focused on road conditions, especially at Shorey Brook.  A sinkhole developed last week, was filled in, but it washed out again.  The paper company filled it in again, but if it continues to wash out they may need to close the road at that point.

Repairs for the bridge are in discussions with the Salmon Federation

Marlene reviewed road conditions with Herb Jordan:

• Very dry last year, so bad for road
• Never got fully frozen road over the winter
• Snow storm at end of season kept road wet longer
• Plowing road has an adverse impact
• Moves gravel off of the road.  Herb pointed out piles of gravel on the side of the road.
• Because the full width of the road isn't plowed, it leaves snow berms on side of road which melt right back on the road keeping it wet for longer as it is driven on
• Jordan hasn’t graded any paper company roads yet due to moisture, and may not do ours until after Memorial Day
• Gates to paper company roads have just been opened

The board discussed options like stone dust and calcium for helping to better preserve the road surface, particularly the hill at Shorey Brook.  We need estimates and advice on the best solution. We've gotten some feedback that any treatment will wash away due to the slope of the hill.  Logging in the area will start soon.  The paper company confirmed to Marlene that they will grade when done.
The board discussed applying any possible treatment to the road after logging is complete and the road is re-graded.

Jean suggested posting a letter to the membership with an update.  It was decided to post it on the blog and link to it from the Facebook page.  

Meeting adjourned at 4:35pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Aten