Beach Update

Published May 21, 2020 | By admin

When the information concerning opening of our pools was sent out it raised several other questions. The beaches will follow the same guidelines as our pools. Only members in good standing of the RomeRock Association will be admitted to the beaches. We ask that you maintain the six foot social distancing guidelines with other family groups while on the beach and that groups are no larger than ten people. We also ask that you wear face coverings whenever you approach or speak to any of our employees. We want them to be kept as safe as possible because they are wearing face coverings to keep YOU safe.

The other major concern was as to who is allowed to accompany the homeowner to the pools and beaches. Only those who have been issued Membership Cards may come to the pools or beaches, this includes the Property Owner, their children, the children’s spouses, their grandchildren, and those who reside in their homes permanently. Membership cards were mailed Tuesday morning to those who have paid their Dues and Assessments in full. Please bring your cards or a picture on your phone for each card holder each time you visit.

We are all facing some unprecedented changes for the time being and it’s hard to cover everything. If you should have any questions concerning this or any other situation that arises, please contact RRA Board President Rick Brothers via Email.

Thank you. Your Board of Directors

Summarized COVID-19 Operations Guide

ResponsibleOhio Restart Guidelines

Summer 2020 Pool Operation

Published May 19, 2020 | By admin

Your Board of Directors met with Operations Manager Dan Mullins and Barb Buckley, who is in charge of our summer gate guards, on May 18^th to discuss the State of Ohio guidelines for public pools. Although we live in a private lake community, our pools are regulated by these guidelines as well as those of the Ashtabula County Department of Health.

We understand how important being able to use our swimming pools is to our Members, especially after all of these weeks of dealing with COVID-19. Because of this pandemic, we will need to implement several changes to our pool operation for the summer of 2020.

First of all, only Members in good standing of the RomeRock Association will be admitted to the pool area. All Members will need to provide the gate guard with either a membership card or picture of one on their phone. Unfortunately, because we are required to limit the number of people in the pool area, members will not be able to bring guests to the pool this summer. There is also the concern that bringing non residents to the pool will increase the risk of transmission of the virus to others.

There will be no chairs or lounge chairs in the pool area. Members who wish to have a chair will need to bring it with them and take it home when they leave. The pool area will be marked with social distancing tape lines every six feet. We ask that only family members from the same household congregate in one area and groups keep the six foot distancing guideline between them.

Our gate guards will be wearing face coverings to protect others and it is recommended that when residents come in contact with our employees, they also wear a face covering to protect the employee as well. We understand that coverings are impractical in the pool area but we are trying to follow the guidelines as closely as possible and keep everyone as safe as possible.

Other changes include a reservation system that will be implemented on weekends. Members can sign up for a two hour time slot with the gate guard on the day before they plan to come. If numbers indicate that the pool will not reach maximum capacity, the two hour time limit will not be enforced. There will, however, be 15 minute breaks called the last 15 minutes of every two hour block to enable our employees to sanitize the area.

Bathrooms will also be sanitized every two hours and we ask that anyone using the bathroom use the hand sanitizer provided before re-entering the pool area.

Pool hours will be from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. The exercise class will be from 9 to 10 a.m. before pool hours. Finally the concession stand will not operate this summer. Please bring your own snacks and drinks, which can be consumed at the picnic tables outside the pool area. Picnic tables will be spaced to allow for social distancing under the pavilion areas and on the grass area.

We realize this is a lot of information and we will be repeating it throughout the summer. We will also have copies available at the gates to both pools, which we hope to have open the first weekend in June. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we are all learning to deal with this unprecedented situation. Please know that these rules are being implemented because they are mandated by the state and health department. If we do not follow them, we may be forced to close our pools.

Our Boating Community is Unique

Published May 26, 2020 | By admin

Lake Safety Committee

By: Bruce C. Bower

Among all the other situations I have moaned about, the boaters on our lake still manage to surprise me. Three or four years ago I noticed young parents taking their infant children for a ride on their jet-ski. Considering I’m not sitting on my deck for hours at a time, I saw many more than one incident every year. I called ODNR Watercraft Enforcement and asked about age limits for passengers on a ski. I also asked about what PFD is mandatory for infants/children under 30 pounds. I was told it was being considered to make an addition to the Ohio Revised Code. I was doing yard work at the lake last week and saw a young woman on a jet ski with an INFANT. The youngster could not have been more than six months old! Mom was holding the child and driving the ski at I estimate around 12 to15 mph.

I called ODNR Columbus and asked what was happening with the possible law to limit this activity. Here is what I got back: “there are no current proposals to set a minimum age or size for a passenger on a personal watercraft. The situation you describe is fairly uncommon so a law change would likely not be supported”. Do you hear that, our situation is FAIRLY UNCOMMON? We are UNIQUE. I do not have a degree in early child behavior or child psychology, but after watching my two children and four grandchildren grow and develop, I say youngsters do not remember occurrences before the age of one. What are these people trying to accomplish by putting their children in un-needed danger, certainly not for life long stunning memories? What about “shaken-baby syndrome, does that not apply here?

Here’s a list of What If’s: what if you run out of fuel, what if your engine quits, what if your engine catches fire, what if you hit debris, such as a semi-submerged log, what if you catch a wave incorrectly and tip over? What if you tip over, will you be able to save your child? If you must continue this behavior, at least you should get a proper fitting PFD that keeps the child’s head up when in the water and one that is designed to flip the baby over to be face up.

This is the first article this season and I’m already hollering at you. As always, call me if questions or comments. Bower out 216.906.2301

Lake Safety Update

Published May 22, 2020 | By admin

Last year many residents expressed concern that safety violations were occurring on a frequent basis. There were multiple complaints regarding a variety of infractions. As we begin a new boating season we ask each of you who enjoy time on the water to be aware of the rules and laws that are in place to keep everyone safe. You will see our Lake Patrol on the water more often than you have in the past. Please be respectful to our lake patrol officers. They are there for your safety. If you are approached, listen to the reason and understand it is not to put a damper on your enjoyment but to ensure the lake is safe for everyone. We have also been in contact with ODNR and they plan to frequent our lake more this summer as well. The pandemic has altered our plan for Police presence on the lake but we are working towards this goal.

We want everyone to have an enjoyable and fun time on our beautiful lake but we must be respectful of others and certainly we want to see everyone stay safe. We have multiple activities happening at the same time; swimming, kayaking, skiing, fishing, “pontooning”, paddleboards, etc. We are blessed to have the type of lake that accommodates so many different interests. Consideration of your neighbors goes a long way to creating a great water environment.

Please familiarize yourself with our Rome Rock requirements and the state of Ohio boating laws. Make sure you have the appropriate decals on your boat, don’t allow non-residents to launch their boats on our private lake, and certainly don’t allow your children to “captain” any vehicle unless they have their certified boating certificate. Respect the no wake requirements.

We are also offering a Safe Boating Course right here at the Shores. It will be held on Saturday, July 18 from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m at a cost of $35.00 per person and includes the test you need to get your Ohio boating certification. Make it a family event and have everyone participate. It is a great opportunity to become current on the skills you need to be safe while boating. Please pre-register with the RRA office. Ohio law requires all motorized boat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1982, who will be operating a vessel over 10 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card. This is a great opportunity for all to ensure you are appropriately certified. If you happen to have been born before, January 1, 1982, this course will be helpful to you as well!!!!

Thanks in advance for your part of making our lake the best place to ensure a wonderful on water experience.

When You Feed Geese

Published May 22, 2020 | By admin

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

The Canada Goose is one of the most beautiful animals in the world. But in recent years, flocks of local-nesting or “resident” geese have become year-round inhabitants of our recreational areas, waterways, and residential areas, where they can cause significant problems.

When you feed geese, you convince them that Roaming Shores has a year-round supply of free, easily-accessible food – too nice a place to leave. Thus some of these migratory birds have literally stopped migrating. Winter food shortages used to induce their yearly flight south, but free food handouts from naive citizens and their guests–who think they’re doing the geese a favor–can short-circuit millions of years of evolutionary instinct compelling the geese to stay put.

In actuality, you aren’t doing the geese any favors when you feed them (or any other wildlife). Bread and popcorn are incredibly harmful to both individual animals and entire populations. Filled up on junk food, the birds won’t seek out the natural, protein-rich staples of their usual diet, leading to widespread malnutrition and wing deformity in goslings. Further, biologically unsustainable population spikes lead to the quick spread of Enteritis, Aspergillus, and Avian Botulism, diseases that have killed scores of birds across North America.

Hand-feeding doesn’t just hurt birds. Unwieldy bird populations are also potentially harmful to humans: goose feces contain E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium. Exposure to contaminated droppings can also cause Swimmer’s Itch and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Feeding (and pooping) usually occurs in the most accessible areas, making a mess of heavily used walkways, lawns, boat ramps, docks and parking areas. In the Shores, goose poop is everywhere.

The long-term answer is acting responsibly when we interact with our environment – do not ever, under any circumstances, feed a Canada Goose. And if you see someone doing it, politely inform them that despite their good intentions, they are actually harming the animals by malnutrition, increasing disease vectors, and preventing them from migrating. Be Lake Responsible.

Blessing of the Fleet – May 23rd

Published May 15, 2020 | By admin

5/26 Detour Alert:

Published May 15, 2020 | By admin

State Route 45 between State Route 307 and Clay St. will close on Tuesday, May 26 through mid-August for a bridge replacement. The detour will be State Route 307 to State Route 534 to State Route 84. Estimated completion, mid-October 2020.

May 7th Board Meeting Recap

Published May 8, 2020 | By admin

The RomeRock Board of Directors met at the clubhouse on Thursday, May 7 with the following members present: Rick Brothers, Rory Marshall, Louise Lisac, Nadine Pope, Cheryl Fain, Dave Emick and Scott Soble. Also present were Operations Manager Dan Mullins and Pat Sowry. This was a closed meeting conducted with social distancing guidelines.

Cheryl Fain gave the invocation. May 7 was the National Day of Prayer.

The March Treasurer’s report was approved and Louise gave the board an overview of year to date collections. Based on the current situation, it is not surprising that we are behind 2019 in collecting dues and assessments. We are urging all residents to pay their 2020 dues and assessments as soon as possible so we are able to meet our financial obligations. The board, however, will not assess late fees as long as they are paid by July 1, 2020.

Dan Mullins gave his April report to the board. The new metal roof has been installed on the clubhouse as well as the restrooms and pump house at beach two. This project was carried over from last year. The project was completed by Will Smith Construction. The maintenance crew has been busy ditching, patching pot holes and getting ready for the summer season.

All lake buoys have been installed and much debris has been removed from the lake. Buoys on the north end of the lake have been moved out farther south to make that area a safe mooring spot for boaters to anchor.

The barges are in the water and dredging should begin the week of May 11^th.

There is a new sign at the boat ramp that marks the high-water mark for when the lake will go into NO WAKE condition. Amber strobe lights will also be placed in nine locations around the lake to be activated during NO WAKE, to greatly increase visibility to residents.

Lake safety is extremely important to your Board of Directors, as it should be to all residents. This summer we hope to have ODNR patrolling our lake more frequently as well as our own lake patrol. Residents should be aware that citations will be issued for any unsafe behavior on the lake. There have also been several incidents of residents allowing guests to use their key fobs to gain access to our lake. Use of key fob numbers are recorded and any resident allowing anyone unauthorized access to the lake will be in jeopardy of having their key fob deactivated.

The Board would like to thank Denny Crandall, Howard Tuttle and the Shores Community Preparedness Club for the food pantries that have been placed at both the clubhouse and beach two. The structures were donated by Denny and Howard and their generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to all who have helped to stock the pantries. They are there for our residents and we are so proud of everyone who came together to make this happen.

The board would also like to thank Jason Krippel owner of True Care Landscaping for the spring clean up and new mulch for the front of the RRA Office. It looks amazing and we really appreciate the generous donation.

Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to make a decision as to whether our pools will be able to open this summer. We are waiting for guidance from our governor and will keep you posted as soon as we have an update.

Along the same lines the association will not be sponsoring our annual Community Garage Sale on Fathers’ Day weekend. We feel with the social distancing guidelines in place and the number of people who come into the shores for this event, we would be placing our residents at risk to sponsor this event. We hope to be able to reschedule it for later in the summer should guidelines be changed.

It is our hope that everyone is staying safe and well and that this too shall pass in the near future.

Shores Strong!

Published April 27, 2020 | By admin

Leave what you can. Take what you need!

Mini Food Pantry locations are now at the Clubhouse Parking Lot and at Beach 2 by the pool!

Kathy Crandall making the first generous donation to our neighborhood food pantry cupboards! A huge thank you to both Kathy and Dennis Crandall as well as both Howard Tuttle and Christina White for making this possible! Roaming Shores, what a great place to live because of wonderful people! Now we need your help to spread the word!

The mini pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Whether a need for food or a need to give, mini pantries help neighbors feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods. It allows for neighbors to put non perishable food in the cupboard and it allows for neighbors who need the food to help themselves and feed their families. It is totally on the honor system and is a self help program. Simply take your non perishable items at your convenience and put them on the shelves. If you need to feed yourself and/or your family, do not hesitate to take the food and use it in your home. They will be open 24 hours a day and have no locks.

We live in an amazing community with truly amazing neighbors! This COVID-19 attack has left all of us reeling from uncertainty to reeling from financial changes. Many of us have felt like there is little we can do to change things. From a high level that’s true, but from a local level each one of us can make a difference. Several of our own have made that difference a very positive one!

Christina White, a local resident who has worked in the past with the Community Preparedness Club setting up informational seminars. Christina contacted me and suggested we consider installing a local food “cupboard” where residents could leave non perishable food for other residents who need it right now. This type of movement is taking place all over our country.

Not to be outdone, Dennis Crandall and Howard Tuttle, came to the rescue and provided the “cupboards”. A big thank you to them for their prompt generosity and action.

The Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club will sponsor and monitor the program. Please spread the word! This is for all of us! It is blessed to be a giver! It is blessed to be a receiver! That’s what community is all about! While we can’t invite each other to dinner, we can invite our neighbors to take what is needed to fix a nourishing meal for themselves and their family.

In addition, you may leave small toys, books or puzzles for some added entertainment. A small supply of bags and boxes will be at each location for your convenience.

Spread the word to your Shores neighbors and friends! Let everyone know of this neighborhood sharing program! Any suggestions or questions can be emailed to lakeroamrockprepared@gmail.com or contact me directly at lowreylouise@gmail.com.

Goosebusters: Good job so far!

Published April 22, 2020 | By admin

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

I have begun to see goslings hatching out around May 1^st. We did a pretty good job neutralizing the goose nests that were located earlier thanks to the support and reports we received from many concerned residents. Now and through June is the time to be vigilant in watching for goslings and begin harassing them the day they show up. The longer you wait, the harder our job is to get rid of them.

According to Geoffery Westerfield of the ODNR, harassing the goslings is very important for limiting the number of resident geese on our lake during the rest of the year. Separating the goslings from their parents even for a short time is an effective form of harassment. Geoffery advises that whenever you can, try to separate goslings from the adult geese by stepping between them shooing the goslings away from the adults by waving your arms and making loud noises (do not make contact). “Don’t stop anywhere short of the geese leaving your property”, says Geoffery. Simply chasing them to the water or the neighbor will not keep the geese off of your property (and is actually also counterproductive). Geese will “shift” around the property, especially those without goslings. Keep up the consistent and persistent harassment. Your goal is to send the message to the adult geese that your property is not a safe place to raise their young and to the goslings that Lake Roaming Rock can be a scary place.

June 1^st is an important date. Geese will begin to molt (i.e. lose their flight feathers) around June 1^st. If you don’t harass them off the property by that date, it becomes very difficult to remove them and you will likely be stuck with the geese till mid-July.

Geese excrement is a contributor to the E. coli levels in our lake. In addition, it provides excess nutrients that feed the algae and weeds. We love our geese, but a few less wouldn’t hurt either. Thanks for being lake responsible!