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In the late 1970s, whenever there was a big storm, sinkholes appeared beside the sidewalk in front of the clubhouse. The remedy for this problem was the reconstruction of the bulkheads along the waterfront, an ongoing task that was completed in late 1995. (The following remarks are based on interviews with Michael Bergmann, Gary Groo, Norman Tardiff, and Todd Voltz.)
The reconstruction started in 1982 when Linda Muller was commodore. The first place reconstructed, by a crew headed by Sal Cerniglia, was at the base of the gazebo. Much hard work by many people building forms led to a successful concrete pour. In 1983, under the direction of Commodore Al Califano, the crew then added bulkheading to the south including the Little Gunmount. John Chobar's experience with concrete construction was invaluable.
Gary Groo remembers literally working in the trenches in 1983. Under the direction of Ed Livingston, he helped to dig a trench in the water at the South Point, build forms, and install the forms in the trench. After the concrete was poured, the result was the wall on which the ramp to the dinghy docks rests.
Michael Bergmann was able to borrow prebuilt forms which he and Ed Livingston used with the help of many club members to complete the south end of the bulkhead. On one day they were able to pour the classic "nine whole yards" of concrete. The then teen-ager Gardner Murphy is remembered for his efforts on that day.
The elegant wooden fence that embellishes the bulkhead in front of the clubhouse is the work of Ken Green.
Meanwhile, under the direction of Rear Commodore (Grounds) Bruce Conklin, reconstruction was started in 1986 of the bulkhead at the northwest corner of the North Point. The wall on which the davit for the drysailers is mounted took thirty cubic yards of concrete. In 1989 the wall along the west side of the North Point was completed. One big event was the placing of the two 12 foot by 20 foot slabs that make up the boat ramp. Carl F. Schneider and his team cast the slabs in forms on land and lowered them into place with a crane.
One problem in 1991 was a STOP WORK order issued by the Town of Wappinger Fire Inspector in 1991. (Town of Wappinger order October 18, 1991). The order required work to cease on the bulkheads because Chelsea Yacht Club had not obtained a proper work permit. This problem was resolved when Commodore Chris Bunker assured the Town of Wappinger Zoning Administrator that the forms which were blocking the Chelsea Fire Company's standpipe had been removed (Chris Bunker letter, November 25, 1991). Access to this standpipe, located on Chelsea Yacht Club's property, was granted to the fire company by an August 3, 1948 agreement between the Chelsea Yacht Club and the Chelsea Fire Company (Recorded in a deed @ Liber 918, Page 249).
In the December 1995 issue of MAINLINES, Commodore Charles Strong announced that the bulkhead was finished and gave special thanks to Todd McKenzie, Tom Snell, and the bulkhead crew for the completion of the long-term project..
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