October 2001

The Darien Boat Club, Inc.

NEWSLETTER

Just a brief word about recent events which have effected us all before detailing some important
dates and Boat Club business.

On behalf of the Executive Board of The Darien Boat Club, I want to extend our deepest
condolences to all those whose loved ones, friends and neighbors were either lost or injured on
Tuesday, September 11th.  We all hope and pray that our members and their families stay safe.

Now, with regard to the Club's closing and our annual Dinner-dance/General meeting, here are
important dates to keep in mind:

        CLUB CLOSING: 5-pm October 14th.

        NOVEMBER DINNER-DANCE: November 10th.  Cocktails at 7:30pm.  Dinner, dancing
        at 8:30pm.

The most important date is the deadline for removing all boats and brackets from the docks.  In
addition, boats on moorings in the river adjacent to the Boat Club must also be vacated.  That
date is 5-pm Sunday, October 14th.

That deadline is absolute.  No extensions will be granted.  The Executive Board has
established fines of fifty dollars a day for any owner who does not comply with the deadline.
Our Dredging contractors will begin moving their equipment into the Club area, weather
permitting, soon thereafter.

The Boat Club's annual dinner-dance is scheduled for November 10th at the Piedmont Club.
Cocktails at 7:30pm, dinner to follow at 8:30 with live music from what is reportedly on of the
tri-state's best bands.  More about that later.

DREDGING PLANS:

The Boat Club dredges its footprint once every ten years.  The State Department of
Environmental Protection sets the dates for dredging based on environmental concerns and not
on the boating season.  Our window granted by state permit is October 1st to January 31st.  The
entire project has to be completed before severe winter weather makes it possible to operate.
That's why it's incumbent on us to start digging as soon as possible.  Once icing sets in, the
"diggers" stop.

Our dredging plans have been in the works for more than a year and a half.  It has taken that
long to get permits, establish budgets, secure vendors, etc.  As many of you know from
attending General Meetings for the last year, our plan is to remove approximately 16-thousand
cubic yards from the Club's footprint.  That includes the section from the Darien Town ramp out
around the docks to the "gut" of the harbor.  Of course we also plan to remove shoaling from
between the "lines" as well.  It's the biggest dredging project in our part of the Sound and
exceeds the recently completed town project which essentially dredged from the farthest edge
of the "gut" out to the end of the mouth of the Darien harbor.  Total cost for the project is
budgeted for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  That includes replacing some piles and
docks that have to be displaced because of the dredging and movement of the contractor's
equipment.  Additionally, The Club's plan to replace dock sections will proceed as planned.

DINNER DANCE:

Rodney and Jennifer Johnson and Hank Gioiella have been planning a gala evening with one of
the best bands in the tri-state area.  In fact, several of our members have heard the band and
the reviews are outstanding.  Cocktails at 7:30pm, dinner and dancing to follow at the Piedmont
Club.  The band will play all types of popular music and we'll circulate request forms for them
during the evening.  It's also an evening to welcome our new officers-elect for the coming year.

Dinner will be an expanded buffet which includes roast beef, chicken, and pasta.  The menu has
been changed to accommodate member suggestions.  One cautionary word.  Maximum number
for the Piedmont Club is one hundred twenty five.  We already have more than fifty people who
have indicated they want to attend.  So, get your reservations in early.  We'll have a special
mailing on the Dinner-dance in a week or so with specific instructions on how to send in your
reservations.  Total cost for the event is forty dollars per person and includes beer and wine.  A
cash bar will also be available.  The major point to keep in mind is that we have expanded the
menu, upgraded the band and will accommodate requests for special music selections.

OFFICERS:

Nominations for officers of the Club for the coming season includes the following:

Commodore - Bill Nolte
Vice Commodore - Tom Williams
Rear Commodore - Phil Raymond
Treasurer - Chris Mangan
Financial Secretary - Paul Larson
Secretary - John Keena

I'd like to extend thank you's to our staff for their outstanding service during the season.
Dockmasters Jim Baker and George Kelsey have done an absolutely outstanding job.  I've
heard nothing but compliments from the members about their attentive caring service.  Our
Dock Assistants Sara Baker and Erica Godfrey were also terrific additions to this year's staff.
They were also simply outstanding.

I would also like to thank each and every member of the Executive Board for volunteering their
time to make this season one of the best.  In each and every instance their efforts were
commendable.  We all look forward to another season of great boating.

All the best to you and your family,

Vin Burke
Commodore