Tamarac Tidbits - June 2026
- Courtney Pitt
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Download the printable version of Tidbits!
TLA Contacts
Athletic Committee Organized Sports and Athletic Events Dan Favilla athletic@tamaraclakes.org (609) 714-2172 | Membership Committee Directory and Membership tamaracmembership@gmail.com |
Beach Committee Beach, Lifeguards, Projects Ken & Brooke Oborne tlabeachcommittee@gmail.com | Property Committee Green Space, Parks, Trail Entrances Chad Bellay property@tamaraclakes.org |
Children’s Committee TLA-Sponsored Children’s Events Lindsay Cowperthwait Lindzr14@yahoo.com | Social Committee Beach Opening, Beach Closing, Adult Events TBD social@tamaraclakes.org |
Civic Committee Zoning, Land Use, Development, Township | Technology Committee Website, Communications, Data Gavin Potts tamaraclakesassociation@gmail.com |
Lakes & Dams Committee Maintenance of Lakes Kevin Sparkman tamaraclakeswater@gmail.com | Tidbits Editor TLA’s Monthly Newsletter Courtney Pitt tamaracnewsletter@gmail.com |
|
President | Melissa Bettner | |
Vice President | Tim Norris | |
Treasurer | Brian Domboski | |
Secretary | Bruno Berenato | |
Trustee | Jessica Pinto | |
Trustee | Ashley Filipone | |
Trustee | Nini Waring |
BALLFIELD RESERVATIONS Between Heath & Indian Pipe | Mike Stoughton | tamarac.ballfield@gmail.com - (609) 636-5568 |
CANOE REGISTRATIONS If tag is unreadable, email for new one | Joe Berezansky
| TLAboats@gmail.com - (609) 707-8250
|
JUNIOR BOARD | Chair Needed | TBD |
PAVILION RESERVATIONS Memorial Day through Labor Day | Olivia White | |
TLA PLAYGROUP Ages 5 and Under | Jen Berezansky
|
TLA Board Report
Treasurers Balance report, Balances current as of 5/13/2026, Total: $665,752.78, Operating Account: $204,589.72, Lifeguard: $14,049.30, Money Market: $447,113.76
Updated list for unpaid dues for tags
Does it make sense to order beach tags sooner?
Make sure Brooke and Angela have visibility to the shared calendar
Space behind dock. Things have been said over the years, and I believe the path was recently cleared and marked to encourage TLA residents to utilize
Lifeguard Update:
- 8 lifeguards hired
- 2 head guards
- 1 at all times
- Uniforms will be ordered shortly
- Wristbands will be ordered
- Lifeguard meeting Sunday night, 5/17 at 7 (Board invited to meet them)
- Pick a date to meet the guard in early June
- Date for lifeguard drills TBD
TLA continues to seek volunteers. Please reach out to the board if you have an interest
Next item on the agenda is the proposed camera policy and an official vote to adopt, but prior to doing so, we would like to open it up to residents for questions or comments. We ask that questions and comments be specific to the camera policy. We will be opening up an additional Q&A at the end of the meeting for other topics. Please be sure to put your name and address in the chat if you would like to make a comment or have a question.- Motion passed
Next meeting- June 8th, 2026- Virtual
TLA Sponsored Events
Lakes & Dams Committee Updates
Lawns vs. Lakes
There has been a recent and dramatic sudden growth of green filamentous algae in Tamarac. There's a certain amount of algae present in the lake water that is normal. However, this is not normal.
Algae growth is fueled largely by polluting fertilizers (excess nitrogen and phosphorous) getting washed into the lake during rain events. In Tamarac, all homes are essentially "lakefront." The pathway for fertilizers, and in some cases pet wastes, to move from your property into the lake is direct via a storm drain near your home; all storms drains lead to a lake or creek.
So, while some home owners like pristine, weed free lawns, the cost to lake health can be significant if you aren't careful. Most lawns don't require heavy applications of fertilizers. Often, one application of "slow-release" nitrogen based fertilizer a year in the fall is adequate. And many lawns don't need fertilizer at all. Healthy lawns really depend on healthy soil, so your best strategy might be to find out how to improve soil health rather than just apply chemical fertilizers.
Also, when a homeowner moves in and converts their property (often in violation of township tree ordinances) from a lot with numerous trees to one with lots of lawn, it represents a potential threat for the lakes. Wooded lots and patches of woods throughout and around Tamarac are absolutely essential to lake health. Rain water that falls in wooded areas follows the pathway of tree roots into the ground where it recharges the surficial aquifer that is the source of water in our lakes. This groundwater is what fills our lakes. There is no upstream impact on our lakes; in other words we can't point the finger and a lake community upstream or anyone outside of Tamarac. We are wholly responsible for the quality of water in our lakes.
This isn't about lawn-shaming. Many homes feature lawns. There is a way to have a lawn and not pollute our lakes. Some things to keep in mind.
-- Don't over fertilize. Understand exactly how much is required (if you are doing it yourself) and don't add a teaspoon more. If you end up with extra fertilizer don't just toss it on your lawn. Grass won't consume or use extra fertilizer; it just runs off or soaks into the groundwater under your lawn.
-- If you fertilize, use only a slow-release nitrogen product. Do not use any phosphorous.
-- Never fertilize before a significant rain or storm event.
-- If you use a lawn service, make sure the service is certified with the State to apply fertilizers.
-- Don't believe your lawn service when they tell you that their products are perfectly safe for lakes; there are no fertilizer products that are safe for lakes.
-- If you fertilize, only do it once in the Fall and also consider getting your lawn aerated at the same time.
-- Never fertilize your lawn during the summer. Grass does not want to be fed when stressed by the heat. Instead reduce the amount of mowing and cutting, and raise your mower to keep your lawn higher during hot weather.
-- Use a mulching lawnmower (most are mulching) and leave grass clippings on the lawn. The clippings are a natural source of nitrogen for the lawn grass.
-- Consider landscaping that minimizes lawn areas and instead makes use of native trees, shrubs and flowers. Native landscapes with minimal or no lawn areas protect our lakes, provide habitat and are excellent for pollinators (beneficial insects, hummingbirds, etc).
Many people move to Tamarac because of the quality of our lakes. All home values overall in Tamarac (whether you are lakefront or not) are inextricably linked to the health of our lakes. Kill the lake; kill your home value.
Learn more about how to landscape without harming the lakes or our local environment at www.JerseyYards.org
Beach Committee Updates
Do you know all that goes into running the beach and getting ready for beach season?
Several volunteers are working hard behind the scenes getting everything ready for our season. Part of the beach opening involves coordinating with the Burlington County Department of Health. We are required each year to be inspected by the Department of Health and need to meet certain standards and requirements. One is getting our water tested weekly. Each week our water is tested to ensure the safety of everyone using our lakes. We also have to meet other safety standards, make sure the lifeguards have proper certification, ensure state regulations regarding swimming are enforced and all of the paperwork is either submitted to the Department or accessible for their annual visit. The water tests are submitted weekly to the county.
We also have to make sure lifesaving equipment is updated and in proper working condition and supplies are restocked. Most of the State requirements and rules are on the front of the lifeguard shed. The Tamarac specific rules are on the side. Our lifeguards help enforce these rules while keeping our residents safe.
Lifeguards will also be checking beach tags daily to ensure only residents and their guests are using our facilities. Members must be present with their guests. You cannot give tags to non members for use, this is against the rules, guests will be asked to leave and it will be immediately reported to the board. If you have any questions or need tags please reach out to the beach committee or lifeguard committee.
Meet the Guards
Kan Jam 2026
TLA Playgroup
TLA Fishing Contest
2026 Annual TLA Basketball Tournament
TLA Kindergarten Mixer
Reminders & Announcements
Babysitter or Youth Services List
Is your child interested in being added to the list? Please email their name, date of birth, and phone number.
Is your child on the list and no longer wants to be included? Please email.
Would you like a copy of the Babysitter or Youth Services List?
Please email tamaracnewsletter@gmail.com.
Sponsors - Support Local Business!
Tidbit Guidelines
Tidbits is published monthly (with the exception of January) and delivered to all TLA Residents electronically.
Tidbits encourages any articles or information which may be of interest to your Tamarac neighbors, as are any suggestions concerning the Tidbits. We’d like to include family news like births, engagements, weddings or other happy news you’d like to share.
With a circulation of more than 500, resident and nonresident business owners may want to consider paid advertising. Please refer to our rate table published monthly below.
June 2026 Calendar
Comments