Frequently Asked Questions
In order to ensure that our neighbors and friends have a full understanding of the history of the community, how the civic association operates, the roles and responsibilities of the membership and the board, county benefits and much, much more, here are some Frequently Asked Questions. If you have other questions that you believe can be answered in this document, please let us know!
Here are some fun facts about our community:
Holly Hill Harbor is a non-covenanted community; the Association has no purview or enforcement ability on any household;
The Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association, Inc. is not an HOA nor a Property Management Company. It is a non-profit 501(c)7 entity, we are tax exempt – dues are not tax deductible; donations are;
There is no common property in Holly Hill Harbor, all roads and public services are maintained by the county;
The Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association, Inc. is a private corporation that holds title to the Park area for the maintenance and use of residents, the Park is not community owned;
Access and use of the Park is open to the residents, the $50.00 per year (per individual deed holder membership; 2 deed holders (2 signatures on the deed) is $100; 3 deed holders (3 signatures on the deed) is $150 - fee is not a ramp fee; the fee provides membership in the Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association and provides voting rights on HHHCA matters. (1 vote per paying deed holder). Park improvements and amenities are for use only by HHCA members IN GOOD STANDING.
Membership is voluntary and open to all who reside in the geographical subdivisions considered to be Holly Hill Harbor;
The Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association, Inc., and therefore its Board of Directors, is the only authority over all activity on the grounds.
What is the Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association?
Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association (HHHCA) is a non-profit organization responsible for maintaining the community property located on Holly Road. In 2014 the association became a tax exempt 501(c)7 entity.
The standards for which are:
The club/association must be organized for exempt purposes;
Substantially all its activities must further exempt purposes;
The club/association has de minims income from nontraditional sources;
The club/association must provide opportunity for personal contact among members, and membership must be limited;
The club/association must be supported by membership fees, dues, and assessments.
Historically speaking, the HHHCA was revived to take title to the two parcels of land that comprise the Community Park:
The Tarwater Deed which gives the HHHCA ownership of the Park, and
The Anne Arundel County park parcel which includes the storm water gully.
The HHHCA holds no other deeds to any other property.
What can I do to help?
Click here for ways to get involved!
How do I join Holly Hill Harbor Civic Association?
Currently, a little over 60% of the residents pay their voluntary dues (thank you to those that do!). That means that 70 out of 111 households pay on average $50 which makes for a very lean budget. This all contributes to funding issues for the HHHCA.
Membership is limited to residents of Holly Hill Harbor and your membership is critical to continuing our mission.
The organization is run by volunteers from the membership. We cannot exist and continue our mission without your participation.
Who can use the Park?
The park property may be enjoyed by all residents. Park amenities and improvements are for use only by HHCA members IN GOOD STANDING. Guests must be accompanied by a resident. In addition, only marine vehicles owned by members may use the ramp. No vehicles of any kind may stay overnight in the parking area. All marine vehicles must be under 25 feet. Keys provided to members may not be duplicated or lent.
What are the agreements required for park and ramp access?
All gates must be locked after entry. Leaving a gate open only allows other people to use paid member’s parking spaces and increases ramp usage;
Our liability insurance does not cover property damage, damage to the park or the non-authorized user’s marine vehicle – we are not a marina. The key holder will be held responsible;
Our resources are limited, wear and tear have financial costs. Please don’t damage the park by bringing oversize vehicles of any kind into the ramp area, especially when it is extremely flooded and muddy;
If non-members are given access to the park and ramp, there will be more boat traffic on Holly Road;
The safety of our members and their children is vital; we should be confident knowing that our private spaces are secure.
What should I do if I see a trespasser in the park or on the dock?
In 2011, the Anne Arundel County police held a joint meeting of all the Association Presidents in the neighboring areas to institute The Sweeps Program. All the Presidents signed a waiver that allows the County Police to enforce Park rules at any community park – without contacting anyone first for permission. This means that the Anne Arundel County Police may enter the Park, ascertain whether a trespassing event is in progress and proceed with enforcing Park rules; including the arrest of habitual offenders. If you see someone suspicious in the Park, pier or ramp areas, do not approach them. Please contact one of the Board members or call 911.
What was done about the overgrowth of vegetation at the Park entry, near the ramp and at the water's edge (phragmite)?
The overgrowth at the park entry was removed due to a complaint with the county. It will be maintained by the HHHCA.
Regarding the Phragmite eradication, Anne Arundel County has a Vegetation Management Plan. Included in the plan is an important clause that restricts any construction or plant removal within the “critical area” which is stated as 100 feet from the water.
That said, the HHHCA in 2012 embarked on a program of Phragmite eradication at the park over a 6-year period. It was quite successful, not free, but the Phragmite has returned for many reasons, but mainly surrounding neighborhoods did not remediate their Phragmite. Heron Cove by report refused to address their problem. Since the initial abatement project, laws and assistance have changed. Chemical treatments are permitted by the State and can only be applied by licensed contractors in the fall. The County also has specific guidelines.
An application has been submitted as of 9/24/2020.
Regular spraying has been done and will continue to be done by the board members for eradication of the poison ivy.
Why is the lot in front of the ramp always so muddy, and why does it flood?
The site where the neighborhood members built the ramp put the structure in where historically people had been launching rowboats, small craft. As you know, that side of the park shoreline is prone to heavy flooding when the tides rise. In 2011, The Board had a study made of the area to gather recommendations for improving the area. The results found that there is no remediation available due to the way the property is situated. The property is too shallow, and we do not have the required run for an adequate boat ramp.
Recently, it was found that one of the swales has failed. The outflow from the swales extends underground below the drive to about the BGE pole location. The water exiting the swales is surfacing in the road and washing across the road past the dock and into the creek at the boat ramp. There is a major amount of damage to the drive cause by the outflow of the swales that needs correction. Also of concern is the silt and other contamination washed into the creek.
The Riverkeepers and the County have been put on notice formally as to the County's contract with HHHCA to repair any park swales that fail. Their suggested remedy was to spread stone to stabilize the roadway, however HHHCA and the HHHCA Vice President, Tim Meyer, believe that this is a temporary fix for an ongoing problem. The Board and Tim are currently working to resolve the situation.
If you regularly use the parking area, ramp and/or dock, please consider donating to the Civic Association. You can do that by visiting our Dues & Donations page.
Why don’t we have a playground in the park?
The equipment was removed due to the age and lack of compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s guidelines for Playgrounds. The State of Maryland uses these guidelines in all injury proceedings. Due to this issue, the HHHCA’s liability insurance provider informed the Board that they would not cover any injuries. HHHCA then became liable for any injuries incurred.
With the help of the community, the board is attempting to raise funds and install new playground equipment.
What should I do about people trying to sell me things in the neighborhood (security systems, roofing, tree removal, etc.)? Can I call the Police?
Through-out the year, individuals or teams may walk through our neighborhood and attempt to sell a product or service. If you do not welcome their attempts to get you to come to your door, you should have a “No Trespassing” sign posted on your property. Without that sign, you cannot have an individual removed from your property. For that reason, we recently posted a “No Trespassing” sign in the Park.
Does the County provide a community dumpster to Holly Hill Harbor?
The community dumpster is provided annually. Follow the Events page for the scheduled dumpster dates. Please follow the guidelines on what is acceptable. The county will remove anything not allowed and leave it for the community to remove. Also, we can lose our participation in the program for violations.
Does the County spray for Mosquitoes? If so when, and can I opt-out?
The Maryland Department of Agriculture does spray for Mosquitoes on regular intervals and as needed, due to the risk of West Nile virus. Residents may request a spray exemption; however, they will be suspended during times when West Nile has been found in mosquito pools in Anne Arundel County.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture suggests that residents take precautions to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites. These measures include:
· Wear long, loose fitting, light colored clothing
· Wear insect repellents according to product labels
· Avoid mosquito infested areas during prime periods of activity (between dusk and dawn)
· Install, inspect, and repair window and door screens in homes and stables
· Regularly clean bird baths and bowls for pet food and water
· Remove or empty all water-holding containers