ALL BOARD MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: Nancy, Joe, Tony, Deb, Jim, Butch and Elaine.
Nancy opened the meeting by thanking Mike as well as Bob and Mariom for scheduling pool maintenance and security this summer. It was a wonderful, incident free summer. She also explained that Delmarva Power had removed some trees and other vegetation from our community, which it felt were encroaching on the power lines.
TREASURER REPORT: The 2009 budget will be presented at the Oct 18 BOD meeting. There is expected to be a $50 increase in the assessment. A fence between Bethany Breeze and pond #2 has been approved but with a cap on the cost. The Double Bridges entrance will undergo renovation: removal of rotting wooden fence to be replaced with vegetation. Also wooden curbs will be removed in Half Moon Bay. Three homeowners are in arrears:one foreclosure, one bankruptcy, one no pay. The HOA has taken legal action to preserve it's interest. In 2009, for the first time, the budget will include a provision for bad debts. The HOA is lucky that late fee income helps lessen the impact of non paying homeowners.There is money in reserves but we must maintain that for major projects in the future, such as road resurfacing. The BOD is looking to cuts costs for pond maintenance and landscaping
DRAINAGE: The Newport Village project will be done in 2009. The East Hampton problem was deemed not to be a problem as the area drains within 24 hours, which is the Sussex County standard.
PONDS: BOD is shopping the contract ( in an effort to lower costs) which currently expires Feb 2009. Extensive maintenance of the buffer zones was done this year and two aerators were upgraded.
POOL: A major upgrade of pump room to be completed this winter. Mike thanked his crew: Rudy, Tony, Bob, Jim, Lloyd and Doug.
ROADS: A major road upgrade perhaps in 2010 at a cost of $40,000.
TENNIS COURT: Will be resurfaced green and blue this fall at cost of $7,000. BOD asks that homeowners observe rules: No skateboards, bikes or pets.
ARCHITECTURE: Two new memebers of committee Jim N and Tom N. Thanks.
UPCOMING BOARD ELECTIONS: There will be FOUR openings on the Board in 2009. Joe encouraged homeowners to run for the job. If you wish to run, please submit a brief bio and summary of your goals for the community. COMPETITION IS GOOD. (Note: BOD members should be able to attend nine of the 12 monthly meeting. That is the only commitment.)
OLD BUSINESS: BOD approved the removal of the wooden curbs in Half Moon Bay as there was no homeowner objection. There was a discussion of restricting entrance to the community via Double Bridges Road, due to the construction across the street. Our roads are already a short cut for locals and road maintenance is a large expense. Gary presented several scenarios for the entrance; barriers to restrict traffic flow. This is just a discussion at present but will need further investigation on how best to preserve our roads AND keep homeowners content.
NEW BUSINESS: A proposal to prohibit smoking at pool; BOD to discuss. A reminder that State Law requires dogs to be on leashes. A reminder to homeowners that they own this community and they all have a right and a responsiblity to speak up to anyone. Dangerous tree inspection will be done this winter. Homeowners with tree problems should contact ARC committe or tree committee to determine if trees belong to HOA; unit property plots are available.
There was negative feedback from some homeowners about new fence; re cost and appearance.
ADJOURNED TO GROTTOS.
