Estling Lake

Community Update for May 19, 2021

The water has been on for over a month and it’s great to see the many families that have already moved in this season.  I wanted to share some information that may help you to plan for your season and enable you to get the most enjoyment of your time at the Lake.  Many of the tips below were sent to me from members of the community and I thank you for taking the time to pass this along.  Looking forward to seeing all of you soon!

Thanks,
Scott

2021 Operations and NJ COVID Orders

• Let’s start with the really good news.  NJ has ended it’s Travel Advisory and visitors to NJ no longer need to quarantine!  I know this advisory was problematic for many residents and hopefully this enables more of our friends and family to come visit.
• For outdoor events and activities, capacity restrictions have been removed and masks and social distancing are no longer required.  However, for indoor events, masks are still required and there are capacity and spacing restrictions.
• We are still waiting for official guidance from the state and township around beach and lake activities, but we anticipate that will be coming soon. The Board is meeting on Monday to evaluate how we will operate this season, so expect to hear more next week.

Contact Information

• Throughout the year you may have questions about our operations and facilities or may need to report a problem.  You can look at our Committee Information page to see Director responsibilities and reach out to the appropriate person.  You can find contact information for current Board members in our Directory and Phone List.
• Our caretaker, Brian Williams, is standing by should you need to report a non-emergency, safety issue (such as trespassers on the property).  You can call or text him, but be aware that he may not be able to respond immediately.
• For all emergencies (such as fires, medical issues, and urgent safety concerns), please call 9-1-1 as this is the fastest way to connect with Police, Fire, and EMS.
• If you are interested in hearing about local road closures and other township updates, you can sign up to receive alerts from the Denville Police Department.

Mail

• As you open up your cabin and scare off the critters, take a few minutes to clean out your mailboxes as well.  To make it easier for people to access, please clear any overgrown brush around your mailbox and make sure that any “winter residents” have been removed from the inside as well.
• During the season you may notice the flag on your mailbox has been raised.  This is an indication that someone has left an item in your mailbox and you should look inside.
• If you plan to have mail or packages delivered to your lake address, please be sure to use the following format to ensure it is delivered properly:
  
  65 Estling Lake Road
  Camp XX
  Denville, NJ 07834
  
• For those who plan to set up mail forwarding, be aware that the USPS online site will not allow you to specify a camp number.  You will have to use “65 Estling Lake Road” alone.  If you visit your local USPS office, you can pick up a Movers Guide which includes a paper version of form PS 3575 where you can add a camp number.
  

Upcoming Events

• Our community calendar will be finalized over the next couple of weeks and can be accessed via a browser or added to the calendar on your mobile phone.  Work Weekend is scheduled for June 12th and 13th and we need all the volunteers we can get to help open things up.  A note will be sent out as we get closer with opportunities to support the community and prepare for the upcoming season.
• Morris County is hosting hazardous waste drop off events over then next several months.  You can find the schedule and list of accepted materials at the MCMUA website.
• The Denville Library has a number of activities for kids and adults including passes to museums, outdoor summer reading events, and “take and make” kits.  You can sign up for these events and their weekly email updates at the Library website.
• On June 3rd at 7PM, the Newark FBI office is hosting a virtual information session on how to project yourself and your family from the latest frauds and scams (including online, phone, and mail).  The event is free and registration is not required.
  
  
  
  

Estling Apparel Sale

Good morning Campers,

We’re coming up on one month away from the close of our Estling apparel and accessories sale, 6/13, if you still need to secured your items! In case you haven’t had an opportunity to visit www.customink.com/fundraising/estlinglake75thanniversary, here is an overview of the fresh new Estling kit we’re offering!  Remember, all of these items are unisex, machine washable and may insipre great longing for our cool calm banks. They are also the fundraising springboard for the big 75th anniversary shindig, scheduled for July 2022!

Additionally, the early bird registration special of $35 for the 5K/One Mile Fun Run will end on 6/18! After that day registration will be $45 up until the day of the event. www.estlinglake75th.com/estling75th/5k

We’ve also made a change to the registration fee for participants of the One Mile Fun Run under the age of 5 which is now $5 and will not include a T-shirt but you are welcome to purchase one through www.customink.com/fundraising/estlinglake75thanniversary.

We thank you for your support and the enthusiasm we’ve received already, keep it comin’!

Your co-chairs,
Robin & Erin

Estling 75th Website

Thank you all for taking the time to view our updated website!
For the moment the site is only accessible by way of your personal computer. We are working on the mobile site and will let you know when it is available. Your patience and understanding is much appreciated!
https://estlinglake75th.wixsite.com/estling75th

—
Your co-chairs,
Robin & Erin

New Apparel & Inaugural 5K

Greetings Campers,

The 75th Anniversary Committee is very excited to announce two fundraisers for next year’s celebration!
Firstly, registration for the very first Estling Lake 5K Run/Walk is now open! Below you will find the link to the 75th Anniversary website where on the home page you can see where to register.

We are also welcoming your participation in our One Mile Fun Run/Walk which will take place shortly after the 5K. 
Early bird registration for these events ends June 18th, $35. After that date registration is $45 until the day of the event.

You can simply make a donation through this link as well!
www.estlinglake75th.com

Secondly, we have created an exciting array of NEW Estling Lake apparel and a tote for your purchasing pleasure! The link below will take you directly to our collection of goods hosted by Custom Ink. Ordering of these items will be open until June 13th!
www.customink.com/fundraising/estlinglake75thanniversary

You can also access this through the Goods & Apparel page of our 75th website.

Please note that more than one checkout process may be necessary. Consider them 3 different “shops”.

1. Estling Lake T’s and sweatshirts
2. Estling Lake Totes
3. 5K T’s (If you’re registering for the 5k or Fun Run your shirt will be included there, this “shop” is for extra T’s)
Please reach out if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help!
—
Your co-chairs,
Robin & Erin

Athletic Field – Mowing Plan

Hi all,

I hope this email finds you well. As we get ready for the season ahead, we wanted to trial a shared approach to keeping the athletic field mowed and maintained throughout the season. Below is a link to a sign up site that campers can reply to and select weeks throughout the season where you could commit to having that responsibility for the particular week. A mower is available to borrow or you are welcome to use your own. When signing up for a date, you do not have to mow on Saturday, just coordinate your plan with the volunteer from prior week. Thank you Brian for lending his mower and that will be stored in the open shed along the back path of the ball field. We will offer the chance to get volunteers familiar with the controls when we have the final list.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044BA5AB2FAAFE3-athletic

Some may even say a ride around the field is relaxing and therapeutic! Another lake activity to look forward to.

Please reach out to me with any question or concerns.

Appreciate your consideration and time to help.

Todd

Certified Letter from Einhorn Barbarito

Over the next few days, you may receive a certified letter from Einhorn Barbarito regarding an application by Estling Lake Corporation to the Denville Planning Board. No action is needed on your part and you are not required to attend the meeting. This is just to give notice to residents and neighbors that we are going to be preparing a portion of our property to receive materials removed from the lake. This topic has been reviewed during past Town Halls and Corporation Meetings. Should you have questions, please reach out to Chuck, the Director in charge of Lake Maintenance, who is overseeing this project.

Annual Email List Confirmation

Thank you for being part of the Estling Lake General Email List. This message is to confirm you want to remain on the list so that you can continue to receive updates related to our community. To stay on the email list, no action is needed, you will automatically remain in the group. If you wish to be removed from the list, please reply to info@estling.org and we will unsubscribe you from the group. If you have other family members that would like to be added to the list, please reply to info@estling.org with their names and email addresses and we will ensure they get future updates.

Family looking to buy a camp

Hi campers

We hope you’re all well and that you’re enjoying the fact that Spring is finally here.
Friends of ours are very interested in buying a camp at the lake. They have two daughters (aged 6 and 9) and live in Glen Ridge, NJ.

If you’re thinking of selling or if you know of anyone who isn’t on this distribution list who might be, we’d be really grateful if you’d contact us.

Thanks
James and Carol (Camp 60)

Are you ready for summer yet?

I hope that everyone has been able to enjoy the winter season and you have stayed healthy during these unusual times.  While NJ still has a number of COVID restrictions in place, we have seen progress toward reopening and allowing for social activities.  It is still unclear how we will be operating this season, but I am optimistic that we will see the return of many of our favorite events.

Generally speaking, the off season was quiet, however, there are a number of updates I would like to share with everyone.

• Water turns on April 10th: Weather permitting, our dedicated team of volunteers will open up the water line on April 10th.  Anyone interested in helping should meet at the beach parking area at 10 AM on Saturday the 10th.  The process typically takes several hours and can go longer if problems are found.  An email will be sent out once the work is complete and water is available to all campers.
  
• Caretaker: Our new caretaker, Brian Williams, and his family have settled in at the cottage and made a number of improvements to Camp 58.  Brian diligently watches over the property and provides the Board with regular reports of his activity.  Be sure to say hello to Brian, Dana, Leah, and Aimee when you arrive this season. Below is a picture of Brian and the family when he was promoted to Sergeant in 2019.
  
  
  
• 75th Anniversary: While COVID may have delayed our larger 75th anniversary celebration until 2022, we are still moving ahead with a smaller celebration in 2021.  Activities are planned for Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st, so make sure you keep those dates open on your schedule.
  
• Calendar: Our online calendar has been updated with a draft of the events planned for 2021.  As we get closer to the summer season, we will be able to confirm this schedule and inform the community of any restrictions (such as maximum capacity, social distancing, and mask requirements).
  
• NJ COVID Restrictions: NJ has made progress toward reopening and I’m hopeful that the trend will continue.  Here is a summary of the current limitations, just be mindful that these can change (for the better or worse) at any time.  As of now, restaurants are operating at 50% capacity (EO-230). Masks are still required at all indoor activities and outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained (EO-163).  Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people and outdoor events are capped at 50 people (EO-230).  Those coming from out of state are still required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination or COVID test status (Travel Advisory).
  
• Dam/Spillway and the DEP: In February, a letter was sent by the NJ DEP to NJ Transit and Estling Lake.  The letter states that they accept the conclusions of the NJ Transit consultants as set forth in the PFMA report and includes instructions to submit permits for the remedial work by April 30, 2021.  While we all have many questions around this remediation work, I don’t have any additional information to share at this time.  The letter and the PFMA report can be found on our website on the Dam/Spillway Committee page.
  
• Development near Thurmont/Estling Lake Rds.: As part of the Township’s affordable housing obligation, an agreement was reached with a developer (Lennar Corporation) to build an estimated 106 units off of Thurmont Rd.  Lennar has approached the Corporation to discuss a possible easement for access to the sewer line.  An initial meeting was held with Estling and Lennar to share information about the project.  The developer expects construction will not begin for at least 12-18 months (possibly longer).  You can get a high level overview of the project on the Denville Township’s COAH page (scroll to the bottom and look for #4 – Lennar).
  
• Emergency Access Road: At a recent Town Council meeting, it was announced the NJ Transit would be working with the Township Engineer to create a permanent Emergency Access Road between Thurmont Rd and Lacawanna Ave.  The timeline for this project was not shared and it’s unclear if this road will be open to normal traffic.  You can read the minutes from the 1/19/2021 meeting and the 2/2/2021 Town Council agenda for more details.
  
• Email Validation: Later this week you will be getting an email confirming that you still want to be part of our mailing list.  If you want to stay on the list, you do not need to take any action, you will continue to get emails.  If you would like to be removed, reply to the message and indicate you wish to leave the list.

That’s all for now, looking forward to seeing all of you soon!