Another year has gone by and, like most years, Hide-A-Way Lake has undergone a number of amazing changes. In order for HAWL to remain a “wonderful place to live,” the constant dedication and collaboration of the staff, Board of Directors, and the committees of
Hide-A-Way Lake is necessary and never lacking; so, for that I would like to say “Thank You!” Additionally, the restaurant staff has gone above and beyond this year with their superior service and professionalism, providing our residents with another great amenity. While a number of the community’s changes may be obvious, there are also a great deal of ‘behind-the-scenes’ changes of which many of you may be unaware but are certainly deserving of acknowledgement.
On September 18, 2023, Hide-A-Way Lake Club, Inc. purchased 119.59 acres of land on the north side of our community from the original developer, Hide-A-Lake, Inc. The deed was filed with the Pearl River County Chancery Clerk Inst #2023008589 Bk: 2023 Pg: 8589 and it was recorded on September 19, 2023. The cost of this capital improvement purchase was $274,581.09.
Many things took place in the community in February. The annual software update for the Great Plains accounting system was completed last month. Aims Technology was paid $4,265.80 for this capital purchase. A replacement computer for the HAWL Office was purchased through NIV Technologies for $1,332.05. A replacement 12’ x 14’ rollup door for the Maintenance Shop was purchased from and installed by Picayune Door. The total capital cost was $3,425.07. Security contract bids were opened on December 5, 2023. Professional Security Corporation was awarded the contract and began on site on December 21, 2023.
March saw plenty of activity. The purchase of two replacement trucks, a 2023 Ram 1500 4x4 and a 2023 Ram 3500 4x4 3 yard dump truck, were purchased in March. These capital purchases totaled $114,025.30 from Woolwine Dodge. The 2010 Ford F-150 and the 2002 GMC dump truck were sold for a total of $8,000.00. Both trucks were becoming too costly to keep repairing and the new trucks were planned purchases as replacements for the Maintenance Department.
Also in March, the Gate Sentry Visitor Management System was renewed and updated for a total capital investment of $7,022.92. This system/software is working very well for the community. Additionally, the Lodge alarm system was updated through All Safe Technologies for a total capital cost of $906.29.
All insurance policies were renewed with Eagan Insurance for the period of April 30, 2024, through April 30, 2025:
• Property/General Liability: $74,426.14 • Crime: $1,127.00
• Directors and Officers: $7,715.00 • Tower: $13,256.10
• Auto: $7,406.00 • Hull/Boat: $2,277.00
In June, a contract/agreement with the Pearl River County SPCA has been signed for animal sheltering services. The cost is $1,200.00 annually based on current shelter needs.
Many projects took place to preserve and maintain Hide-A-Way Lake’s largest amenity, our lake.
The Maintenance Department cleaned and sealed the main spillway in November. Tar was ordered from Home Depot and the capital cost was $2,050.71.
In February, VIF, LLC completed the project of bulkheading and replacing the older docks at both the East and West Marinas. The total cost of this capital improvement was $107,770.00.
March saw an influx of fish. The first delivery for the lake management project for 2024 spring stocking through American Sports Fish Hatchery was completed on March 8, 2024, and included 23,391 3”- 4” bluegill and 247 6”- 7” Northern largemouth bass. The total capital purchase was $20,424.30.
May was a busy month for the lake. Dungan Engineering has completed the sedimentation investigation of the newly acquired 120 acres where Mill Creek feeds over the lake. The cost of this was $2,500.00. The report has been given to the Board of Directors. The best option is the continuation of the “small-scale” dredging operations, along with all efforts to prevent stormwater erosion and sediment runoff on construction sites.
Lake lowering was done this past year for our formal inspection by an engineer which is required every five years by the MDEQ Dam Safety Division. Lake lowering is planned for every five years to coincide with this inspection and it will be a major drawdown/lowering. Annually it will be reviewed if lowering is needed sooner based on needs. Shows, Dearman, and Waits, Inc. completed the final inspection for the DEQ Dam Safety Division in May. The cost of this inspection was $6,500.00. Planning is in works to conduct the spillway maintenance this fall.
Recently in June, bid requests were sent to three companies: Envirodredge, American Sportfish, and Timmons Land Solutions for four areas of lake sediment removal/dredging. Bids will be received on July 17, 2024, for Board Review.
The permit with US Fish and Wildlife Services for Canadian Goose Nest and Egg Depredation was completed for the year in June. The permit number is RG-04840A and was closed with 6 nests and 34 eggs.
Many improvements took place with our water system, which is owned and operated by Hide-A-Way Lake Club, Inc.
On September 11, 2023, an emergency purchase and installation occurred of two 8” valves that control the 20,000 pressure tank with our water system from Ferguson Water Supply and Lyman Well Service.
In October, Stephen’s Tank Service has completed the painting of the interior and exterior of both pressure tanks (13,000 gallons and 20,000 gallons) in our water system. The exterior of the 200,000 gallon water tower was pressure washed and inspected. The total capital improvement cost was $45,000.00.
The purchase of 65 water meter total replacements and 20 valves from Ferguson Waterworks was delivered in February. The total capital improvement cost was $21,160.37. All meters and valves were installed by the HAWL Maintenance Staff.
A replacement fire hydrant was installed in February at the fire station by the HAWL Maintenance Staff. The total capital improvement cost of $2,917.64 was paid to Ferguson Waterworks.
The water system loan through CoBank Qualified Patronage Distribution for 2023 cash distribution was $2,472.75 and was received in April.
The Lodge area also had many improvements and updates this year.
Additional pool umbrellas were purchased through Amazon in July for a total capital purchase of $1,332.75.
November was a busy month for pool and restaurant updates. The replacement pool lounge chairs were ordered from Kozyard for a total capital purchase of $5,098.32. Replacement pool umbrellas and stands were ordered from Amazon for a total capital purchase of $1,535.27 Replacement chairs and tables for the restaurant deck were ordered from Home Depot. The capital purchase price was $5,431.67.
The main pool pump was replaced and an additional pump was purchased for redundancy in February. The electrical panel also had to be upgraded to accommodate the new pump. Demco Motors and Gulf South Electric were paid $8,752.63 for this capital purchase.
While the projects I have mentioned were all necessary, they are only a fraction of what goes on in HAWL. The community continues to grow and we, as the Board of Directors, will continue to focus on the improvements necessary to keep HAWL the wonderful place that it is. Thank you so much for taking part in your community.
