The Colony Mountain Community Club’s water pump is not working. We are working to find a solution. But in the meantime, we are currently limited to the water already available in the tanks (approximately several days worth), so it is important that we all work together to conserve water during this time. Please conserve your water use until further notice.

Also, please check your water meters for leaks. With the recent weather it’s possible that frozen lines could cause leaking now that everything is thawed.

Contact us right away if you have any concern that you may have a leak: info@colonymtcc.org.

We will continue to update the website as more information becomes available. Thank you.

A message from your Internet Access Ad Hoc Committee

Dear Neighbor,

The Skagit County Broadband Action Team (BAT) is requesting your help in support of their application to Washington State Broadband Office Infrastructure Grants, to bring affordable broadband service to our community.

Please take a few minutes to write a testimonial describing your need for high speed internet and how the lack of reliable and affordable services has impacted you and your family – and/or how reliable and affordable internet would enhance your quality of life.

These testimonials are vitally important in supporting and enhancing the grant application with real citizen accounts of need.

Points to make in your letter:

• Are you a property owner and taxpayer?
• Do you have access to internet?
• Have you tried different carriers or types of internet?
• Is your current internet adequate for your (or your family’s) use and or need?
• Do you have issues with internet connectivity, reliability, or stability?
• Is your internet affordable or does it pose a financial burden?
• Has your job/livelihood, education, health, safety, or quality of life been negatively affected by your (inadequate) internet service?
• How will affordable, reliable internet service improve your quality of life if available?

The following is a template/example you may use for your testimonial, just change the details to tailor to your situation. Your testimony will be attached to the grant proposal.

All testimonials are due via email before January 12, 2023. Please send testimonials to Linda Tyler at LindaT@portofskagit.com.

In addition, one of your neighbors came across the following:

Department of Commerce—Mark Barkley, Commerce Assistant Director, reported on a national broadband mapping effort release by the Federal Communications Commission on November 18, and encouraged all to participate in the effort (https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home).

And when they visited the website and input their address, they were informed that Sound Internet Services(POGO) claims to provide fiber internet to their address. We encourage you to check your own address, and if you are listed for having internet access through POGO (or otherwise) contact them for more information or to challenge the accuracy of the data, as it may be used in informing grantmaking.

Thank you!

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Date: todays date
To: Skagit County Broadband Action Team
Attn: Sara Young, Port of Skagit Executive Director
RE: Washington State Broadband Office Infrastructure Grant

I am writing on behalf of (myself, family or organization) located in the Colony Mountain Community of rural western Skagit County. Our family has lived here for 20 years and are property owners and tax payers. We are active community members and volunteer our time….

Due to our location we do not have access to high speed internet via cable or cellular services. We have tried different carriers, and currently use a monthly satellite service, that is limited, but others are too expensive for our family’s budget.

While we greatly enjoy living in this community, the lack of high speed internet has limited our ability to work from home, and was an extreme burden during the pandemic. Our children also need to access the internet for school assignments and communication which is not always possible with our current service.

It is our understanding that over a decade our community has tried to convince Wave Broadband to extend their service throughout our community but they have refused citing high costs and lack of infrastructure. As a small rural community we don’t have the ability to make up the cost difference or make infrastructure upgrades.

Having reliable and affordable broadband in our community would greatly benefit all of us to function in today’s internet dependent world.

Thank you for your consideration,
Name
Contact Information

Tree removal work will be performed on Mountain Drive that will require the road to be closed for the majority of three days early next month. This will effect lots 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, and 60. Removing the trees at the road edge and around the power lines will benefit us all by reducing electrical outages and unplanned road closures, though we apologize for the temporary inconvenience.

The work is currently planned for January 4, 5, and 6 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (weather permitting).

If you need to leave the mountain during this time, please make arrangements to leave before 8:00 am or park your vehicle at the bottom of the road ahead of time so that you can come and go during the work hours (park on the East side at the entrance of Pond Lane).

Affected lot owners may want to have their mail and packages held for pick up at an alternate location or arrange for delivery after January 6.

Additional tree work along the road is scheduled from January 7 thru 13 that will not require road closures but please drive with care and be aware of worker safety.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@colonymtcc.org.

Thank you!

As part of our regular maintenance, Colony Mountain Community Club roads will have mowing done along the shoulders November 28 through December 2. These roads include: Schultz, Toad, Park, Mountain Drive, Pond Lane, Linda Lane, and Colony Mountain Lane.

If you live on any of these roads, please check your property and surrounding areas, and be sure to remove any large debris that may have fallen along the roads, or any other obstructions to allow for safe easy access for the mower.

Thank you so much!

A more detailed message was emailed out to the community today. Below is a summary, but is missing personal details such as Chris’ contact information. Please check your email inbox for the full message, or contact us at info@colonymtcc.org for more information. Thank you.

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A message from your Neighbor: Chris

Well neighbors, we managed to survive another hot dry summer without any wildfire in our community. For this I am grateful, because we still have a lot to do before fire shows up here.  Colony Mountain has been a Firewise Community for five years now, and we will be re-writing our action plan this year. While there are many good benefits for being a Firewise community, perhaps the most helpful is that it makes us eligible for Federal, State, and local grants. Grants that could help us prepare for wildfire. In the past the grants have been rather minuscule, a couple of hundred bucks to rent a chipper, for example. However beginning in 2022 The USDA Forest Service is making millions of dollars available to communities just like ours, so that we can get some real work done to reduce our wildfire risk.

Our new action plan will need to list projects that can be done to reduce our risk as a community. For example: Removing dead fuel, limbing trees, and removing hazardous trees within 100’ of each residence (if the property owner wishes). Perhaps building permanent fire breaks in logical locations within our forest. None of this has been determined, but we are working with the Skagit Conservation district, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to determine what projects would bring us the best results.

So, I am requesting two things from everyone:

First, I need to report how much effort we have made over the last year.  Please let me know approximately how many hours you have worked on your place preparing it to resist fire. Things like reducing brush near your home, replacing a cedar roof with a fire resistive roof, or removing hazardous trees. If you hired any of this work please estimate how much you paid. For example, I spent about three days piling and burning brush this spring, so I estimate I worked about 24 hours.

Secondly, a forester from Skagit Conservation would like to survey our forest for health and resiliency. Please let me know if you would allow him to walk on your property for this purpose.

Please write or call me [see email sent earlier today, or contact info@colonymtcc.org for Chris’ contact information].

I think it’s important to mention that no one in our community is required to participate in any Firewise project or action. Your property is private and your responsibility. Fire, however does not care about property lines so If we work together, we are all more likely to have a better result.

Thank you!

Chris

On Saturday October 29 the Community will be performing the bi-annual water system flushing per Washington State Department of Health Guidelines.

This involves running large volumes of water through our water system in an effort to remove sediments that may have collected with the distribution piping.

As the water is flushed through the lines, Ferric Iron (res water iron) that is loosely adhered to the inside of the pipes will be scrubbed loose and flow downstream. Most of the loose Ferric Iron will be flushed out, but you may find your water is cloudy and has reddish brown particles in it for a few days. This has no effect on the water quality (other than visually).

If you experience this condition you may run water through all of your taps (inside and out of the dwelling) for 5 to 10 minutes. This should remedy the condition. If the condition persists please contact the CMCC water system Manger for further guidance.

Additional Notes:

• CMCC does not add chlorine to the water system for routine system flushing.
• To avoid cloudy water within your house plumbing, you could opt to consider installing a whole house filter. An example of a water filter installation can be found on this site under the Water System section.
• Learn more about your water quality in the latest Consumer Confidence Report which is sent to you annually, and filed under the Water System section on this site.

Don’t forget that the 2022 Colony Mountain Community Club Annual Meeting for all lot owners will be held this Saturday:

Saturday, Aug 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM
at the North end of Colony Mountain Drive
(at the end of road, in the cul-de-sac)

Click here for Full Agenda

The business meeting will start at 10 AM, followed by presentations from special guests, including:

• Skagit County Undersheriff, County Fire Marshall and Patrol Lieutenant
• DNR District Director
• CMCC Firewise Program Coordinator

Then join us for social time afterwards! If you would like to, bring a dish to share or your own picnic lunch. *A volunteer has offered to bring paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware, as well as trash bags and water – so we’re set there.

NOTE: This is a bring-your-own-chair event. There may be a few chairs on hand, but if you want to be sure to have a seat, please bring a chair for each person in your group.

Reminder: This is your opportunity to raise questions, concerns, or ideas and discuss these things with your community. & Your attendance is very important! A quorum (participation of at least 25% of shareholders) is required in order for the meeting to proceed successfully. If however, you are unable to attend the annual meeting, please complete and return this proxy statement.

We look forward to seeing you at this Saturday!

The 2022 Colony Mountain Community Club Annual Meeting for all lot owners will be held:

Saturday, Aug 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM
at the North end of Colony Mountain Drive
(at the end of road, in the cul-de-sac)

The business meeting will start at 10 AM, followed by presentations from special guests, including:

• Skagit County Undersheriff, County Fire Marshall and Patrol Lieutenant
• DNR District Director
• CMCC Firewise Program Coordinator

Then join us for social time afterwards! If you would like to, bring a dish to share or your own picnic lunch. No plates, utensils, or beverages will be provided, so please bring along whatever you might need.

NOTE: This is a bring-your-own-chair event. There may be a few chairs on hand, but if you want to be sure to have a seat, please bring a chair for each person in your group.

Reminder: This is your opportunity to raise questions, concerns, or ideas and discuss these things with your community. & Your attendance is very important! A quorum (participation of at least 25% of shareholders) is required in order for the meeting to proceed successfully. If however, you are unable to attend the annual meeting, please complete and return this proxy statement.

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s annual meeting!
 
All our best,

CMCC Board of Directors

Community volunteers are needed to assist with maintenance and repairs around the well house, shed, and surroundings, as well as for roadside repairs on Shultz Lane. The work will involve shoveling and raking, lifting and placing blocks under the storage shed, moving the communications sign-board, repairing road drainage, and other manual labor involving bending, lifting, moving dirt, etc.

If you are able and available, please meet at the well house at 10:00AM on Saturday, Aug 6 for this important work party.

Thank you for your help!

Independence Day weekend is a wonderful time for celebratory gatherings. But as a reminder, there are limitations regarding outdoor burning and fireworks in our community.

Per the CMCC Consolidated Policies and Procedures:

To reduce the risk of fire within the CMCC properties, the Colony Mountain Community Club Covenants, Restrictions and Agreements do not allow unattended outdoor burning. They also do not allow either storage or use of explosives (including exploding fireworks) without the written permission of the Board of Directors. In addition, explosive and firework devices are illegal in Washington State (except on Indian reservations) per RCW 70.77 specifically [70.77.255 (2) – setting off fireworks without a permit] and [70.77.495 – unlawful for any person to set off any fireworks in a forest, brush, fallows, grass or brush covered land…].

Keep in mind that fireworks not only pose a wildfire risk, they also create trash, are harmful to wildlife and pets, and can cause trauma for those with PTSD.

So maybe plan to skip the fireworks this year, or catch one of the nearby sponsored fireworks displays like Mount Vernon’s Fabulous 4th of July show, Bellingham’s 4th of July Celebration, or another nearby community celebration.

Thank you for honoring our community restrictions so that all of our neighbors can enjoy a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!