General Policy Letter

The APIA has found it to be in the best interest of all the members and guests to issue a General Policy Letter covering subjects that involve common courtesy, consideration and the use of private property. Having such easy access to a beach and boat launch (cove) is a privilege for all of us. Everyone must follow these policies to make the experience pleasant for all beach-goers.

All references to “APIA member”, “Associate member” or “member” are referring to someone who has paid their membership for the current year.

APIA STREET BOUNDARIES

Anyone within the boundaries listed below MUST join the APIA and pay the membership fee in order to use the beach and/or boat launch. The street boundaries to become an APIA member or Associate member are as follows: 1 – 123 Shore Drive (odd side) or 2 - 120 Shore Drive (even side) or on one of the following side streets: Chase, Coburn, Edwards, Frary, Griffin, Henry Taylor, Hoyt, Hunt, James, King, Palmer, Rolfe or Wilson.

Memberships expire annually and you and your children CANNOT be the guest of a paid member, if you live within the boundaries and have not paid your dues.

Those who do not pay but still use the beach or cove are TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. BEACH PASSES ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES A beach pass must accompany members and their guests at all times. This will be strictly enforced. If you or your guests do not have your beach pass, you may be asked to go home and retrieve it. This is in reaction to the increased number of people who are at the beach, but do not belong there, claiming to be a guest of someone who is not with them. This enforcement is expected to reduce the number of excuses and confrontations that we encounter from non-members.

If you pay by mail, we will be sending out beach passes very promptly after receiving payment. If possible, please include your email address with payment. Please keep the wrist strap you received with last year’s beach pass if at all possible. We will not be sending wrist straps through the mail when we send your beach pass. We always have wrist straps on hand, and you may obtain one as needed by asking one of your APIA officers.

DEFINITION OF A GUEST, & EXPECTATIONS - A guest is someone who cannot become an APIA member or Associate member because they live outside the boundaries mentioned above. Guests may choose to pay for use of the boat launch (cove) each year, but cannot use the beach without the permission and/or accompaniment of an APIA member or Associate member. Property owners, renters, and children living within the boundaries of the APIA membership or Associate membership are not eligible to be the guest of another member. If you live within the designated boundaries, without having paid your own membership, you, your children and renters should not be at the beach at all. Guests are expected to be polite and cooperative at all times. The conduct of a guest is the responsibility of the sponsoring member. Guests or other non-members on the beach or at the cove will be asked to leave if they cannot produce the membership tag of the member who is sponsoring them. If an APIA member is sponsoring more than two guests, the APIA member is required to be at the beach or cove with their guests at all times.

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS A member has the right to ask someone to refrain from certain activities that are disruptive or offensive. Examples include: throwing sand, playing games that kick up sand, careless disposal of trash, use of profanity, etc. Tactfulness is extremely important in all situations, and the concern raised should be due to an obvious offense.

A member does not have the right to confront or accuse another member of an action or crime, if the behavior is not witnessed. All members have the right to be at the beach peacefully, without feeling threatened or falsely accused. If a situation is not being resolved peacefully, please contact an APIA officer as quickly as possible.

POLICIES - The following policies are designed to keep us safe and provide a peaceful environment:

Health and Safety Concerns:

Keep the beach clean – take out your own trash, no burying of trash, cigarette butts, etc.

Glass bottles are prohibited at all times.

No fishing at any time throughout the year

No feeding the ducks

Children are not allowed on the beach without adult supervision, if they are under the age of 13.

Children are required to be 16 years of age in order to supervise other children under the age of 13.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time throughout the year.

Dogs are welcome at the boat launch/cove.

No street parking near the beach

No bikes parked outside the fenced area. They can be parked at the top of the beach.

Motorized boats are prohibited from nearing the shoreline.

General peacefulness and respect for others

No profanity – the beach is a family friendly environment

Be courteous, polite and respectful at all times.

Show humanity and be neighborly.

Everyone is expected to abide by state, local and federal laws or is subject to suspension or permanent loss of membership.

Boat/Cove rules

Boat & Cove memberships for someone outside the APIA boundaries are $40.00 per year and do not include beach privileges.

Boats and cars are prohibited from parking at the cove. Violators will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Boats with paddles or oars, that belong to paid members can be brought onto the beach along the perimeter, out of the way of beach goers, but should not be left at the beach for more than one hour.

It is expected that members and their guests will fully cooperate at all times and will not challenge the current policies or the APIA officer(s) trying to enforce them.

Members are asked to inform their children and their guests to abide by these rules and to be polite and cooperative at all times.

Memberships can be revoked:

Failure to respect these policies could result in loss of membership at the beach and cove.

APIA Officers have the right to make decisions to remove someone from the beach or cove and/or revoke or suspend memberships for incidents, harrassment or threats, whether explicit or implied, and for circumstances not specifically stated in the General Policy Letter or the Annual Newsletter.

For more information about the APIA, please go to our website at http://www.apiasalem.com

Following these rules will enable all of us to have an enjoyable and safe summer!

Thank you for your cooperation.

ARLINGTON PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OFFICERS