Dear Members, 

Spring has finally arrived and I’m sure all of you are eager to start the boating season, so here are the latest updates: 

Club Opening
As of today the club is officially open for business!  We are aware of the difficulties some members had with the Department of Motor Vehicles this year, however we feel that we are past the major hurdles.   Slip Holders are reminded that they must have their paperwork filed with Online Moorings http://my.onlinemooring.com/DarienBoatClub/ prior to berthing their boat.  Should you encounter any issues with internet access or document imaging issues, please mail your paperwork to Darien Boat Club P.O. Box 121 Darien, CT 06820.  If you should have any questions about slips or rack/lockers, please contact the Fleet Committee at fleetadmin@darienboatclub.org  or  Rob Komminsk at rackslockers@darienboatclub.org respectively.

Open House
This year's ‘Open House’ will be Sunday May 22^nd from noon to 4pm and is open to all Darien residents.  The DBC Executive Board will be there to answer any question regarding the Club, E.G., Membership, wait lists, etc.  Additionally, representatives from the Darien Police Marine Division, Noroton Fire Department Marine Unit, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be in attendance.  Refreshments will be served. 

Season Opening Picnic
Our Opening Picnic will be Sunday June 5^th from 1-3pm and is open to all club members and their families.  We are trying something new this year.  We will have a great new menu catered by “The Boatyard” including pulled pork and chicken sliders.   Come down and enjoy live music, fun for the whole family! 

Improvements and New Facilities

• We have extended the grilling area in the sand behind the beach, which should improve the cooking and dining experience for our members.  Members are reminded to grill on the cement patio and not the wooden part for fire safety reasons.

• We will be replacing most of the deck furniture in the coming weeks to update the club and provide more seating for peak periods.

• We have enclosed the outdoor shower for a bit of privacy.  Members are reminded that this shower is for rinsing only, please refrain from using soap or chemicals that may affect the fragile marine environment around our club.

• We have made improvements to the 3 season room to provide some storage and some seating.

• We have installed a new weather station for your convenience

• Both the Gas Dock and a portion of C-Dock were resurfaced this year.  We will be continuing to improve the surface of the docks in years to come.

Boat Camp
The Boat Camp program to benefit the inner city youth of Connecticut will continue this year on July 29^th.  This is an opportunity for members to take some great kids out on Long Island Sound for the day and let them experience the wonderful natural resource that is so close, yet inaccessible to most of them.  This is a tremendously rewarding experience and I encourage all our members to participate.  For details please contact Paul Johnson at pdgjohnson@me.com 

Mentor Program
We have started a mentor program for new or struggling boaters that need a bit of assistance to get started boating or fishing on Long Island Sound.  We have literally centuries of experience available from members of our club who are willing to share this knowledge with new boaters.  From launching, maintenance and docking to places to go, our mentors have seen it all and are willing to help.  If you feel you need some help, or would like to extend some help, please contact Paul Johnson at pdgjohnson@me.com. 

Fishing Contest
As in years past, the club will be sponsoring a fishing contest again this year.  It will be consistent with Connecticut recreational fishing regulation and include 7 different species.  It is open to all members young and old!  The entrance fee is a $10.00 which is matched by the club and awards are presented at the end of the boating season.  Please contact Glen Osberg with any questions at glenosberg70@gmail.com. 

Club Dock Expansion
As presented at the last general meeting, the Connecticut DEEP has asked us to scale back the plan that was approved by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Our consultants have produced a modified plan and will be submitting the DEEP Pre-Application in the coming weeks.  The plan now calls for approximately 57 additional slips, and the major expenses (dredging) has been scaled back commensurately, so the business case remains as presented at the March 23^rd special meeting.  We will continue to update the membership as changes happen. 

Fuel Tank Replacement
As most of you are aware, our fuel storage tanks are reaching their serviceable life.  They set to expire in May of 2018.  Thus, we are working with the Connecticut DEEP and the various town permitting agencies to begin the process of replacing them.  We have initial approvals from all parties involved and have begun the process of identifying contractors and getting initial estimates.  This project will have significant cost to the club and we will be calling a special meeting for the purpose of approving the expenditure and financing plan as soon as our investigative work is complete.  We expect to perform the replacement in the off season starting this Fall ahead of schedule. 

That’s it for now and I look forward to seeing you all at the Club, 

Jerry Kutz 

Commodore