Category Archives: Beau Chêne
Keeping you Informed
The Board and Management are working on many items vital to our continued success. The following are highlights from the recent Board meeting
-) Dana Brown & Associates was approved by the Board to develop a Master Re-Image Plan for the community. The Master Plan will be developed based on the desired wishes of the entire community and once implemented will keep us competitive in the housing marketplace for the next 40 years.
-) The new website is now active and available as a resource for the community. You can find us at www.bchoa.org
-) The Board approved an increase in the pollution insurance coverage limits pending a request to cover “all locations” owned by BCHOA. This will give residents peace of mind that in the event our sewerage & water infrastructure is damaged or fails we have sufficient insurance limits to handle a claim.
-) The street overlay project was awarded to Huey Stockstill Company. With the low bid of $253,000; Huey Stockstill will soon begin work on what is our continued efforts to keep the roadways maintained.
Use of Golf Carts in the Neighborhood
As recreational use of golf carts continues to increase we wish to provide, for informational purposes only, a reminder that safety for all residents should be a priority. When children are allowed to drive golf carts without adult supervision in the neighbor we are putting both residents and non-residents at risk. An unlicensed golf cart is not street legal in St. Tammany Parish and or the State of Louisiana and subsequently driving them on the street as an adult or child is breaking the law.
Being involved in an accident could potentially create personal liability risk on the part of the golf cart’s owner and or driver. Many of the golf carts in the neighborhood do not have headlights, so please be careful as this causes added risk at dusk and or after dark. It is important to know that only golf carts that are “property of” Beau Chêne Country Club or private owned golf carts “registered” with Beau Chêne Country Club are authorized for access to the cart paths that are property of Beau Chêne Country Club.
As a precaution, should you own a golf cart and drive it on the streets in Beau Chêne, you may want to consult your insurance agent to determine what type(s) of coverage you have for your golf cart. Insurance policies and carriers have different coverage terms therefore, on a case by case basis, it is important to know whether or not coverage is provided under your automobile, homeowner, and or personal general liability policies. It is important to know what options are available to make sure you have proper insurance coverage.
As parents, please do what you can to ensure that the safety of our children comes first. Please obey the traffic laws and use good common sense so that we can keep the community safe for all residents and visitors.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips for Residents
Be prepared should a hurricane evacuation be ordered by the Parish. Make sure your car is ready in the event of a possible evacuation. Make sure to map out a route before you get on the road to your destination.
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas before a storm arrives.
- Check your spare tire.
- Charge your cell phone before you lose power.
Emergency supplies for the trip:
- First aid kit
- Duct tape
- Jumper cables for a dead battery
- One or two blankets
- Flashlights
- Bottled water
- Some sealed, shelf-stable food (like energy bars)
- Some basic tools like a screwdriver and pliers
- A couple of brightly colored cloths to tie on your rearview mirror to signal for help if you need it
Recycling News
Recycling waste in our own neighborhood is important both now and for the future therefore we want give you options currently available to you as residents of Mandeville.
The Mandeville Recycles program, initiated and implemented by Keep Mandeville Beautiful, consists of four focus areas: outdoor recycling at special events, two recycling drop-off sites, school recycling and increasing curbside recycling.
There are two recycling containers in Mandeville. One is located at the corner of Girod Street and General Pershing in Old Mandeville and the second recycling drop off container is located on Dalwill Drive in the Rouses Supermarket parking lot, 4350 Highway 22.
Both containers are opened every day for anyone wanting to recycle. Important to note: you do not have to separate materials. The container is removed for servicing for two hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. If the container is being serviced or is full DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS ON THE GROUND. Currently, 90 cubic yards are being collected and recycled weekly. Thank Progressive Waste Solutions for their commitment to the Mandeville community. The program is a partnership between KMB, Progressive Waste Solutions and the City of Mandeville.
Pay your dues via ACH bank processing
Since February 2009, the automatic clearing house (ach) banking process for Beau Chene Homeowners Association has been in effect and is an easy way to make sure your dues are paid on time. This is a service provided at no charge to the homeowner. All you need is to complete an ACH form and attach a blank, voided check. Forms are available on the Documents & Forms page or at the administrative offices located at 105 Beau Chene Blvd., Suite 100.
Water System Update
The HOA maintenance team is taking every step possible to make sure you have safe water. The following information is to keep you informed and to educate the community on the recent happenings around the State.
Through the recent discovery of the Naegleria Fowleri ameba in two water systems in Louisiana and in consultation with EPA and CDC experts; LDHH-OPH is recommending that ALL public water systems maintain a minimum 0.5 mg/1 free chlorine residual if disinfection is by chlorination. This level of free chlorine residual is determined to be sufficient to kill the ameba. Prior to the discovery of the ameba 0.2 mg/1 of free chlorine residual was required by the LDHH-OPH throughout a water system. Beau Chêne Homeowners Association has always maintained average free chlorine residuals well over 0.5mg/1. As an example, in the month of September, our system free residuals averaged 1.2mg/1. The free chlorine residuals are tested in five locations throughout our water system on a daily basis and results have been logged and maintained for more than ten years.
The two systems that tested positive for the Naegleria Fowleri ameba are among a total of 84 systems in Louisiana that disinfect by chlorimination instead of chlorination. Beau Chêne uses the method of chlorination to disinfect the water in our system. The LDHH-OPH is recommending that ALL systems utilizing chlorimination switch to disinfection with free chlorine (as Beau Chêne uses), maintain a free chlorine residual of 1.0mg/1 throughout their system for a period greater than 60 days, and increase monitoring for the system free chlorine residuals by 25 percent.
The Beau Chêne Homeowners Association Water System is way ahead of the new requirements which means your potable water is safe to drink.
Truly,
Dave Vinson
Marina Beau Chêne
Now that summer is here, we hope that you take advantage of what the Marina has to offer. Boat slips are available for 30’ 40’ and 50’ yachts. Should you be interested in keeping your boat in the water please contact Norma Roberts at the Beau Chene Marina Office. (985) 845-3454.
Whether your boat is docked, anchored, or in dry storage, remember to have a storm strategy ready to implement well before a hurricane hits.
- Designate a friend to prepare your boat if you are out of town
- Remove important documents and valuables
- Remove non-secure items and excess gear
- Check openings to make sure they’re watertight; shut off your fuel tanks; close all thru-hull fittings
- Check that batteries are fully charged so you can run your bilge pumps during the storm
If your boat is docked, remember to double-up on chafe protection.
Also, double all lines, attaching them high on pilings to allow for a storm surge. The longer the dock lines, the better a boat will move with high and rough tides.
If your boat is anchored, do not tie it down parallel to the shore.
Leave plenty of room between your boat and others and be sure to use enough line to allow for a storm surge. Consider several anchors and clear self-bailing cockpit drains.
If your boat is in dry storage, store it in an area higher than the expected storm surge.
Lash it to its cradle with heavy lines and consider adding water to the bilge to help hold it down. Never leave your boat on davits or on a hydro-lift. If your boat is stored on a trailer, take some air out of the tires and secure the wheels with blocks between the frame and the axles.
Of course, the most important thing to remember is to protect yourself first. Never put yourself in danger while trying to protect your boat. Boats can be replaced, but lives cannot!