Common Fence Point Improvement Association
Quarterly Newsletter
June, 2014
CFPIA Egg Hunt, 2014
The Annual CFP Easter Egg Hunt was held on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the CFP playground. A large number of parents and children gathered to enjoy the day and fill their baskets with plastic eggs filled with candy. Numbers were placed in the eggs which were turned in for prizes in three age groups. The Easter Bunny was assisted by Sam Pridgen, Laura Backman, Kaitlyn Shaker, Kacey Shearman,Jessie Jefferds, Sammi Jefferds and Helen Craft. Thank you to the generous person who donated 4 filled baskets, and other items used for prizes. We appreciate your support!
Thank you also to the adults who assisted with raffles, prizes, set up and also cleaned up: Jan Backman, Tracy Boyd, Marilyn Napier,Pat McHale,andKaren Shearman. The event was organized again this year by Jackie Shearman.
Our CFP Bunny never misses a photo op!Myra DeLanoy is on the left and Serenity Backman is on the right. Some say that was Sam Pridgen in a Bunny costume! What do YOU think?
Thank You From the Sweeney Family
Dear Common Fence Point Community,
It is with sincereheartfelt gratitude that we’d like to thank you for your recent contributions to our recovery efforts after our house fire in February. Your generosity and support has been greatly appreciated. It has helped us to be able to move forward with many aspects of our lives. We are looking forward to the day when we can call Common Fence Point our home again!
The Sweeney Family – Kevin, Aimee, Quinn and Shaun
New Trustees Selected
Chris Mueslerand Mike Zanihave been selected to replace Tom McHale and John Silvia as Trustees, effective immediately. Tom and Johnhave spent manyyears as Trustees and we thank them for their long tenure of service to the Community. Mike and Chris joinour other Trustees, Jonathan Gerwicz, Carlton Johnson, and Bill Lund.
Officer Elections to Be Held in September – Looking for Candidates!
Elections for CFPIA officers are held every 2 years and will be held at the meeting on September 15th. The following positions will be elected: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. If you are interested or need more information, please contact Pat McHale at 401-683-4826.
4th of July and the CFPIA Bonfire Policy
Bonfires on Common Fence Point Improvement Association property are only allowed on the July 4th Holiday, either July 3rd or July 4th. An application to hold a Bonfire must be submitted to, approved and signed by a CFPIA trustee or officer. Once signed, the application must be presented to the Portsmouth Fire Department to further obtain a permit from them. Please refer to page 4 for a copy of the 2014 application form.
Exceptions to the following requirements require approval of membership and only in an extraordinary situation.
CFPIA BONFIRE REQUIREMENTS:
1.)Bonfires can be constructed no earlier than 7 days prior to the burn, and the applicant must agree to remove any and all remains with 7 days after the burn
2.)Only clean brush and untreated wood can be burned.
3.)Location is restricted to not less than 50 feet of any structure and adequate provision must be made to prevent fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.
4.)Any open fire should be constantly attended by the applicant or a competent person assigned by the applicant until such fire is extinguished.
5.)The Chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department or a designee may prohibit any bonfire when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous or if the smoke or fumes from such fire become a nuisance to adjoining or surrounding property or people.
6.)Any applicant must fill out a Bonfire Request Form to request authorization from the CFPIA. An officer or trustee must sign the application.
7.)A signed CFPIA application is required to get a permit from Portsmouth Fire Department.
8.)The Portsmouth Fire Department will inspect the bonfire site and bonfire contents and issue a permit, if approved.
If you want to have a Bonfire this year, please follow these rules to insure a safe 4th of July for all residents. Please notify the Portsmouth Police if you see anyone building a bonfire without a permit.
2014 CFPIA Membership Dues Mailing Coming Up
The CFPIA Annual Membership mailing will be going out in mid-July. Requested membership dues are $50 per household per year, but any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated. Having your support is the most important part. You can also join or donate via our website, All credit cards are accepted or you can use PayPal. From the “CFPIA” drop down, select “Join CFPIA”.
All property owners and residents are welcome to join the Association. While income from hall rentals, donations, and fund raisers helps us to operate our Association, membership dues are the foundation of our financial security.. Many thanks to all who contributed last year – please do so again and encourage your neighbors to do so as well.
Thank you from the Membership Committee - MaryAnn Jenks,Chairperson.
What’s New at the CFP Community Hall?
If you haven’t been to the CFP Hall recently, there are quite a few changes. During the past year the walls have been painted, the kitchen floor tiled, and the floors refinished. Now that the sprinkler system is installed, the kitchen appliances are usable. The other big update was the installation of air conditioning! This makes it the perfect place for those summer functions – regardless of the weather!
So now is the time to book those birthday and anniversary parties and family gatherings! Remember CFPIA members get a 50% discount in rental fees so if you haven’t joined the Association,here is a great reason to! Check out the calendar on for availability and point of contact.
Earth Day Volunteers of 2014 Deserve Your Thanks!
Boy Scout Pack 50 pulled out all the stops again during the 2014 Earth Day Cleanup this past April. Under the leadership and endless energy of Cynthia Mello-Wolz, and new Scoutmaster, Chris Byrom, the Gillis, Donahue and Benson father/son teams, joined Paul Byrom and his brother Sam to pull a wagonfull of large debris out of the bushes along Common Fence Boulevard. The boys used their survival skills to create a tire sling from garbage that they found, to carry even bulkier items
Amy Parameter and her partner, Neal, helped clean another area of the Point. Ever faithful Gail DeSisto did her part to clean an area near her home. Carlton Johnson manned the Hall so that Mil Kinsella and Cynthia could clean up around the railroad entrance area. As they gathered more than 60 nip bottles under the bridge they talked of all the money the Town could rake in with the new $1000 littering fine being enacted. $60,000 sure would help boost Town coffers! As the nip bottles are piling up again, please help by calling the Portsmouth Police at401-683-0300 with a license plate number or other information when you see someone littering. Littering is a crime against nature. Nature needs our help!
Thank you to Mil Kinsella, for again organizing this event, and getting the word out through publicity.
Missed Earth Day Clean Up? Another Clean Up is Coming In September
Please consider investing a few hours of your time on Saturday September 20th, for the International Coastal Cleanup. The timing of this event is tide dependent. Look for an update on the website or Entrance Garden.
Last year, 648,015 worldwide volunteers picked up12,329,332 pounds of trash and cleaned 12,914 miles of beaches! The top ten items gathered globally last year matched Rhode Island’s top ten items. Those items were: cigarette butts, food wrappers,plastic beverage bottles, caps, straws, plastic grocery bags, glass beverage bottles, other plastics, paper bags, and beverage cans. In 3 hours, 1188 volunteers in Rhode Islandcleaned 68.4 miles of beach and catalogued 11,921 pounds of trash.
Sign up tohelp turn the tide on trash this September! Call or text Mil Kinsella at 401-633-2606.
Thinking of Making Alterations to Land Around Your Home?
Check Out the CRMC Red Book First!
If you are making alterations to your own land and these alterations are within 200 feet of a coastal water feature OR if you are unsure - we strongly encourage you to check the rules and regulations of such alterations with the RI CRMC. Here is a link to the Red Book, which is the most relevant set of rules and regulations -
This publication can help you to determine how to measure, gives a clear definition of a coastal water feature, and explains what alterations are permitted. This document will also assist you if you would like to apply to get approval to make alterations within 200 feet of coastal water feature.
If you are considering making alterations to land that is the property of the CFPIA, you must consult with one of the Trustees before commencing such work and you must get approval in writing before working on any CFPIA land. Thank you!
CFPIA
PO Box 134
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Meetings Held 3rd Monday of the Month 7:15 PM
Postal Patron
RR 5
Portsmouth, RI 02871
2014CFPIA Bonfire Application Form
To request CFPIA approval for a bonfire on July 3rd or 4th, fill out this form, and contact an Officer or Trustee of the Association to get their signature. Bring the signed application to the Portsmouth Fire Department to apply for a permit with the Town.
Applicant Name: ______
Applicant Address: ______
Applicant Phone #: ______
Date of Bonfire : ______
Location of Bonfire: ______
I agree to the policy for the construction, monitoring, and clean up of Bonfires on CFPIA property and by signing this document, take full responsibility thereof.
Applicant Signature:______Date:______
CFPIA Officer/Trustee:______Date:______
Officers:Trustees:
Dennis Macedo 401-573-5915 Jonathan Gerwicz 401-640- 8864
Kristina Thompson 401-683-7677 Carlton Johnson 401-683-2546
Marilyn Napier 401-293-0345 Bill Lund 401-683-3835
Jackie Shearman 401-683-0916 Chris Museler 401-835-5406
Mike Zani 401-486-4126