Beckett Point Community Website
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Welcome to Beckett Point Fisherman's Club

Beckett Point Fisherman's Club is a community of 100 families fishing, vacationing and living on Discovery Bay. We're 10 miles west of Port Townsend, Washington, on the Quimper Peninsula. Map

I'm pleased to announce our new website. Leaseholders will need to get an account or sign in to see most of the new features. I haven't yet pulled over elements from the old site, so if you're missing something, you can find it here.

Announcements

4th of July, 2008

Please join us for our annual 4th of July activities.

July 4th Friday

  • Parade: 10:30am - starts at the boat ramp
  • Community Potluck: 12:20pm in the Paul Bunyan room
  • Games: 1:30pm

July 5th Saturday

  • Annual Meeting: 10:00am at the Cape George Fire Hall
30-Jun-2008 by Clyde McQueen | More

The septic system is complete!

The septic system was completed on 2/22/08. We are pleased to report that it was a job well done! You may notice that there are a few clean up tasks left; these will be taken care of this spring.

We now move to financing. All members who have pledged up front money will be asked to send a check before March 25th. The final numbers will be determined March 3rd.

More details are available in the letter that was mailed to all members: Septic Announcements 22-Feb-08

23-Feb-2008 by Clyde McQueen | More

The latest poop on the septic project

"Beckett Point resident Bill Smith was among 40 happy homeowners who could flush their toilets with a clear conscience last week after contractors for Jefferson County Public Utility District successfully switched on part of the community's new septic system and drain field."

01/20/08 Peninsula Daily News:

21-Jan-2008 by Colleen McQueen | More

Septic system project to finish by end of November

"The contractor building a $2.8 million Beckett Point community septic system and drainfield expects to finish the project by the end of November."

10/10/07 Peninsula Daily News:

11-Oct-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

Dept. of Ecology grants $ to compensate Jeff Co. for septic project

Jefferson County has been awarded a $50,000 grant to help with the expenses of the Beckett Point septic project.

8/27/07 Peninsula Daily News:

28-Aug-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

Septic project to resume work !

The state historic preservation office has given the green light for work to move forward on our septic project. No more significant cultural resources were found after 91 six-foot-deep test holes were dug where grinder pumps would be installed. The PUD says work will resume after Labor Day.

8/23/07 Peninsula Daily News:

23-Aug-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

Dept of Ecology denies grant -- County commissioners step in to help

The State refused our grant, but the county agreed to fund up to $250,000 for the archaeological study and costs associated with construction delays. Work continues, and the PUD hopes the septic project will be completed by year's end.

8/9/07 Peninsula Daily News:

9-Aug-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

Beckett Pt. findings may be thousands of years old

7/18 Peninsula Daily News:

19-Jul-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

Grant from Dept of Ecology to help pay for required archeological services

7/3 Port Townsend Leader:

5-Jul-2007 by Colleen McQueen | More

4th of July Activities

Everything happens on Saturday, July 7th this year. Please join us for the fun!

  • Annual Meeting: 9:00am at the Cape George Fire Hall Annual Meeting Agenda 7-Jul-07
  • Parade: 2:00pm - starts at the boat ramp
  • Community Potluck: 3:00pm in the Paul Bunyan room
3-Jul-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Seattle Times features our story in Local News section (with pictures)
3-Jul-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Remains probably predate recorded history
2-Jul-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

More remains found
30-Jun-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

News Coverage on the Beckett Point Septic Project
Beckett Point Community Septic Project Stakeholders Meet

Keith Hansen, President of Beckett Point Fishermen's Club, read the following statement at the June 11th Board of County Commissioners meeting at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Beckett Point Fishermen's Club was established in 1939. It is a group of approximately 160 members owning 85 acres of land on Discovery Bay. The Club is organized as a non-profit Corporation. Each lease holding member has an equal voice in the operation of the Community.

For the last 7 years the Club has worked in cooperation with Jefferson County Department of Community Development to develop a Large On Site Septic System.

In 2003 the Washington State Department of Health conducted a routine survey of the shoreline around the Discovery Bay shellfish growing area. The survey monitors the effects of septic systems on the bay. It was recommended that Beckett Point be placed in concerned status because of the high density development and potential lack of treatment arising through the gravity fed drainfields.

The Beckett Point Large On Site Septic System (LOSS) is an example of a community that got together to solve the problem of concentrated homes in close proximity to the water by creating a community septic system that moves the effluent away from the water.

Beckett Point started a relationship with the PUD #1 of Jefferson County to engineer, install and operate such a system. This was to be funded by State and private loans. At the time the project started, the total cost was estimated to be $2.8 million with 1/3 being funded by public trust loans and 2/3 private loans. The private loan requires that the project have reasonable fixed costs and completion time. The system provides 102 connections; each one costing approximately $28k. This represents a significant financial commitment from each leasehohlder connecting to the system.

This process has now failed. There is no ability to determine the total cost or time frame of the LOSS System.

In 1953 Beckett Point Quit-Claimed to Jefferson County a road of 40 feet wide to access the entire spit. Recently, while digging a trench to install a main on this road, the remains were found.

Beckett Point Fishermen's Club respectfully requests that any use of its property for any archaeological digging or investigation by any government or tribal interest needs to be first approved by the Board of Directors representing the ownership of this land. Beckett Point Fishermen's Club is dedicated to completing the LOSS system. We attempted to do this with out the help from the State or the Federal Government through grants or other hand outs. Under the current conditions Beckett Point, the PUD and probably the County cannot achieve this goal. Only the State is able to help resolve the problems while respecting tribal interests and help with the necessary financial and organizational resources. I believe our project will help the state to improve water quality. We look forward to working with the PUD, the County, the State and the Tribes.

I'm sure other communities throughout the region are looking at this situation and the outcome will affect their willingness to attempt similar projects.

UPDATED 6/12 - news coverage:

11-Jun-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Crab Season Opens Early
7-Jun-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Septic Project Paused

The contractor found some human remains by the boat ramp Sunday, 5/27. After a quick assessment, the PUD called a halt to the digging and called in archaeologists to evaluate the site. From the Peninsula Daily News:

The discovery of the remains - that were turned into the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday - put a stop to the work where they were found, as is the state protocol when bones or artifacts thought to be Native American are unearthed.

UPDATED 6/7 - the Peninsula Daily News is providing daily updates; see these articles:

UPDATE 6/6 - and the Leader has an article:

2-Jun-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Next Board Meeting May 20th

The Q2 board meeting was moved from 4/15 to Sunday, 5/20. As always, it's at Patti's house at 10AM.

29-Mar-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Septic System Approved - Contract Awarded

We had a great turn out at the 3/17 Special Meeting - over 60 voting members showed up on short notice - and we didn't even offer refreshments. :-) The vote was overwhelming: we voted almost unanimously to move ahead w/ the Septic System. I want to thank the folks from the PUD and Jefferson County for making presentations and taking the time to answer our questions. Hats off to Al Scalf, Jim Parker, Malcom Harris and Kelly Hays.

The PUD awarded the contract on 3/19 to Pape and Son, so we're off and running.

Here we go!

21-Mar-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Financing FAQ Available

Check out the LOSS Financing FAQ - it describes the costs and financing options for the septic system. We'll discuss this at the meeting on Saturday.

14-Mar-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Special Meeting of the Beckett Point Fishermen's Club

The Board of Trustees has unanimously called a Special Meeting as authorized under the By-Laws, Article V, Section 2. 40 members must be present to vote.

  • Date: Saturday, March 17
  • Time: 11:00 AM
  • Place: Cape George Fire Hall

Purpose: To announce the cost of the septic project including contractors' bids, the design costs and administrative fees.

The board will present financing options including loan terms, pre-payment options, incentives, and possible real estate sales.

Vote: A motion will be made to go forward to formally approve contract as discussed above.

If approved, BPFC will contract with the PUD as owner and operator. Attorney Malcolm Harris, representing the PUD, will discuss the requirements the PUD will place on BPFC.

By-Law amendment: An amendment will be presented to fulfill the needs of the PUD and the lender.

Additional amendment: An additional amendment will be presented allowing for future membership votes to be conducted by mail, without the need for a special meeting.

Please contact any board member for details.

24-Feb-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Special Membership Meeting in March - Date TBD

The Septic project has slipped into high gear!

The Septic Bid Documents are out, and final bids will be opened by the PUD on March 5th. While we wait for the bids to arrive, the septic committee has hired a contract attorney, arranged bridge financing, and submitted the assessors' plat documents to Jefferson County. We've been meeting weekly by phone conference to keep tabs on all of the moving parts.

Heads up! We will be asking all members to attend a special membership meeting in March - after the bids have been opened. We haven't yet nailed the date - please stay tuned.

10-Feb-2007 by Clyde McQueen | More

Member Potluck on November 11, 2006

Would you like to meet board members and neighbors and informally discuss current issues? Come join the community for a potluck. We hope to see you there!

  • Cape George Fire Hall
  • Saturday, November 11
  • 5:30 PM - 8 PM

Please RSVP to Kim Fairbanks, Patti Sahlinger or Keith Hansen so that we can organize the food.

28-Oct-2006 by Clyde McQueen | More

Committee Assignments

I've posted the committee assignments in the Board section. We have a bunch of work to do on the Septic, Shoreline and Wetlands committees, among others.

17-Oct-2006 by Clyde McQueen | More

Board Meetings for 2006-2007

Keith and Patti announced the board meeting schedule for 2006-2007:

  • October 1 - Sunday, 10:00 AM
  • January 14 - Sunday, 10:00 AM
  • May 20 - Sunday, 10:00 AM (was April 15)
  • July 6 - Friday, 6:30 PM
  • July 7 - Saturday, 9:00 AM - Annual Meeting
14-Jul-2006 by Clyde McQueen | More

 
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Beckett Point Fisherman's Club - PO Box 1657 - Port Townsend, WA 98368
Site by Clyde McQueen