I am now in the final year of my SIPOA Board term. Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on four different committees: Safety and Security, Environmental, Long Range Planning, and the General Operations and Maintenance Committee (GOMC). Serving on the Board has given me a much deeper understanding of how our community is managed and exposed me to countless details I might not otherwise have known. While many committee names clearly reflect their functions, GOMC is often the least understood by property owners—even though it plays a critical role in daily operations.
Purpose of the GOMC
The General Operations and Maintenance Committee is responsible for overseeing SIPOA’s physical assets from both a facilities and land-management standpoint. The committee reviews and makes recommendations on policies, programs, and projects, and advises the Board of Directors whenever the maintenance or modification of existing assets—or the creation of new ones—is under consideration.
Committee volunteers typically bring expertise in construction, engineering, architecture, design, or community planning. Our staff liaison is Steve Hirsch, Director of Engineering, who has been with SIPOA for more than 12 years. Steve’s leadership is vital to tracking and managing the wide range of facilities, projects, and maintenance activities that keep our island functioning smoothly.
Scope of Responsibility
GOMC oversees the operation, maintenance, and improvement of a wide array of SIPOA assets and contracts, including landscaping, garbage collection, lake management, and infrastructure projects.
Highlights include:
- Land Area: Seabrook Island encompasses roughly 4,700 acres (7.3 square miles), with 1,800 acres of highlands situated above four feet of elevation.
- Buildings & Facilities: SIPOA maintains the Administrative Building, Gate House, Lake House, Oyster Catcher Community Center (OCCC), three swimming pools, maintenance building, recycling center, crab dock, kayak launch, viewing tower, and 10 boardwalks.
- This year, we completed an OCCC floor and bathroom repair, interior painting at OCCC and the Lake House, and a crab dock assessment, while also initiating Lake House Master Plan conceptual design efforts.
- Roads & Traffic Improvements: The island’s 82 named roads total 27.5 miles. A condition assessment this year confirmed the need for a community-wide repaving in 2028. Additionally, Phase 2 of the Lake House Median Project was completed, adding a second crosswalk and extending a multi-use path while providing a traffic-calming effect.
- Bike Paths & Wayfinding: More than 1.5 miles of bike paths are maintained. This year, bicycle wayfinding graphics were added to guide riders safely through high traffic areas.
- Bridges: Five bridges were assessed this year—all found to be in good condition.
- Parking: SIPOA manages over 500 parking spaces across facilities and beach access boardwalks.
- Storm Drainage: The system includes 13.4 miles of pipes, 1,500 structures, and three pump stations. Pump Station 2 upgrades were completed this year, with further work planned for Pump Station 1 in 2026.
- Several outfall excavations are also underway or planned to improve drainage.
- Lakes & Ponds: SIPOA maintains 23 of the island’s 45 lakes and ponds, ensuring water quality and wildlife balance.
- Signage: The island has 208 traffic signs, 110 street signs, and 50 alligator signs. Late last year, all street signs and mailbox posts were repainted.
- Street Lighting: 157 streetlights are maintained by Berkeley Electric, electricity paid by SIPOA.
- Beach Management: GOMC oversees Cap’n Sams Cut relocations (next scheduled for 2028), beach sand relocation (11 projects completed to date), and seawall maintenance.
- Beach Access: The island has 10 boardwalks and viewing areas totaling nearly 9,000 linear feet, plus 241 parking spaces.
- This year, BW4 was replaced, sections of BW2 and BW3 were rebuilt, and BW9 was repaired after repeated storm and high tide damage.
- Beach as Trust: About 100 acres of protected Dunes, Vegetation, and Marshes are owned and maintained by SIPOA. This is the area above the high water mark at the beach, up to ocean-front property lines. The Trust is home to various wildlife and nesting area for endangered Birds and Sea Turtles.
- Conservation Land: About 45 acres, donated by property owners, are maintained by SIPOA as green space.
- Community Gardens: 64 garden plots are available for residents to grow vegetables and flowers.
- Walking Trails: Six trails totaling four miles are maintained, including Lake House, Old Drake, Hidden Oaks, Six Ladies, Bobcat Dune, and Camp St. Christopher.
Closing
As you can see, Steve and the GOMC oversee a tremendous scope of responsibilities that keep our community functioning and our assets preserved. Through careful planning and stewardship, GOMC ensures that your SIPOA dues are effectively directed toward maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure and amenities that make Seabrook Island such a special place to live.
Submitted by Sue Ferland, GOMC Chair
