DRUM POINT
VILLAGE WEST HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE
BOARD MEETING
May 8, 2002
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Martin (President), Dolores Tappert (Vice President), Ed Kocher (Treasurer), Paula Groppe (Secretary), Kim Feliciano.
HOMEOWNERS PRESENT:
Gladys Pfeiffer, Harriet Martin, Helen Bertch, Ken Bertch, Cheryl Friguletto
Smielewski, Tammi Horowitz, Mandana Yazdani
This meeting was called to order on May 8, 2002 at 8:10 p.m.
Bob Martin stated that the signing of the authorization cards is done.
All County promised to complete all remaining work this week. Bob Martin said there are a couple of areas where we are not satisfied with the siding and they are going to talk to All County and Mignatti to see who will repair those areas. Bob Martin stated that we could also bring the Manufacturer in as a third option. Ed Kocher spoke to Brook from All County and told him that he wanted a status regarding what the result was with the conversation Brook had with his boss. All County Enterprises (Company owned by the same people as All County Aluminum) were the people that did the siding installation on the Mignatti side. Ed Kocher's concern is with the Mignatti side; when the sun is not shining on the wall, it's wavy. Fred Weintraub had recently brought up that he is concerned with both sides. Ed Kocher is awaiting a reply from All County.
Bob Martin said that there is no update but he understands that there are some markings on the streets and in between the houses and he thinks that they are going to be digging. Ed Kocher knows that they were here doing fieldwork but he does not know for what. Ed Kocher left a message for Scott McFadden but he has not returned his call. Bob Martin stated that there is really no update.
Bob Martin stated that they are waiting to hear back regarding the startup date. The landscaper hired a sub-contractor for this purpose. That sub-contractor's excuse for not turning on the system as of yet is that he is very busy. Ed Kocher stated that the sub-contractor was given the message that he better start by this Friday or he just lost a $5,000 annual account and we will get someone else. Ed Kocher stated that, if absolutely need be, we can turn the system on but we will be wasting water because there are definitely broken heads.
Bob Martin said that he was talking to George Morano the other day and he is going to work up an estimate for two things: 1) Hydro-seeding the bad spots or 2) Give him a price on sodding. Bob Martin also discussed the fact that around trees there are a lot of surface roots. What he proposed that he is going to do is go around the base of the tree (2-3 feet out), and put top soil and mulch covering it and build it up a bit so people can put flowers in it if they want to. Ed Kocher added that this should happen before the end of the month.
Bob Martin inspected the area where the fence is to be installed and looked for the surveyor’s monument – we can’t put the fence up unless we have a definite property marker. Bob was not able to locate the monument. If that we cannot find the monument then we will have to hire a surveyor to locate the property line and install monuments or markers. Once that is done, then we can get fence contractors to come in and give estimates. Ed Kocher guesstimated that it would cost about $500.00. Ed Kocher made a motion to appropriate up to $500.00 from the fencing reserve of the replacement fund for the purpose of hiring a surveyor – but only if we cannot locate the monument. Kim Feliciano seconded the motion. All were in favor. Unanimously approved.
Bob Martin reported that he completed the repairs to the front lighting. He relocated the lighting fixtures so they are behind the landscaping. Bob reported that the cost of the parts was only about $30.00 and the cost for his time should be in the $50.00-60.00 range. Bob stated that he would submit the receipts for the parts and an invoice for his time to Ed Kocher for reimbursement.
Bob Martin and Kim Feliciano reported that they had talked to Mr. Tacetta to find out where he wanted to put the trees and they thought it would be okay to put it in the back of the property where it starts to go down toward the wetland area. They feel it would be appropriate to install the buffer in the mulch area but not on the sodded area. Ed Kocher said that the only reason we considered this buffer was because he has no homeowners backing up to him and, most importantly he backs up to the mailboxes and the dog walking area. Mr. Tacetta states that people are walking dogs in that area, or retrieving their mail every half hour, and it feels to Mr. Tacetta that people are constantly standing outside his back window. Mr. Tacetta has stated that he will pay for the expense of installing this buffer out of his own pocket. Ed Kocher stated that Bob and Kim should clearly mark the boundary lines where the trees would go, and find out what kind of trees Mr. Tacetta wants. Ed Kocher stated that Leland Cypress trees should be used for this proposed buffer – the same type of trees used for the existing buffer and proposed buffers. Ed stated that this type of tree grows quickly (about a foot per year) and they are relatively inexpensive. Ed Kocher made a motion to allow Mr. Tacetta to install the buffer at his expense with the stipulation that the buffer boundaries are clearly marked and that Leland Cypress trees are used. Bob Martin seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The minutes of the previous meeting were already distributed to the Trustees prior to this meeting. Bob Martin made a motion to approve the April 2002 minutes and Paula Groppe seconded the motion. All were in favor.
At the February 2002 meeting, a buffer between the backs of #’s 24, 26 and 28 Manhattan Drive and the backs of 52, 54, 56 White Swan Way was approved by the Trustees. This buffer has not yet been installed. Ed Kocher stated that in the past few weeks, he received an unsolicited e-mail from an affected unit owner stating their opposition to it being installed. As a result, Ed Kocher asked that the affected unit owners attend today’s meeting to discuss any concerns. It was pointed out by Mrs. Bertch that she was not specifically invited to this meeting for this purpose. Ed Kocher replied that he assumed that she would be coming to the meeting, as she regularly attends most meetings and was aware that this item had been discussed with her by other unit owners based upon her phone call (or letter) to the Association prior to today’s meeting. Mrs. Bertch also pointed out that this buffer had already been approved and she did not feel it was appropriate to re-open discussion on the matter. Ed Kocher said that a mistake was made in that the Trustees assumed that the homeowners would be in favor of it because it would give them privacy. Ed also stated that there was no opposition to the previously installed buffer, and we therefore assumed the same would be true for this buffer. It now appears, based on the feedback that Ed has received, that this assumption was a mistake. Bob Martin said that the Trustees try to do what is best for everyone, that the buffer was not yet installed and that, if necessary, the Trustees can undo it. Bob went on to say that the discussion would happen, regardless of the objection. Discussion then ensued between that various unit owners present and the Trustees. The major points of this discussion were:
o Ed Kocher and Bob Martin described the location of the buffer – to run from the edge of the retention pond to the parking area.
o Tammi and Mandana were concerned about losing space behind their units if the buffer was installed closer to their building than the other building. Ed Kocher stated that the buffer would be installed equidistant between the buildings. Mrs. Bertch stated that she was not concerned about the location and that it was OK with her if the buffer was installed closer to her building than the other building.
o Helen stated her opposition to including 52 WSW as an affected unit. Ed Kocher stated that the buffer is very close to the unit and would affect the view from 52 WSW, and that therefore the buffer directly affects that unit.
o Tammi asked what would happen to the small trees and bushes that are on “her side” of the buffer line after the buffer was installed. Ed Kocher stated that it might be removed. Tammi went on to say that she felt that she needed a definitive answer on this item prior to giving her opinion on the buffer. She felt that the two were integral.
o Madana raised her earlier (last year) proposal about a fence around the parking area and wanted a decision to be made on it at this time. Ed Kocher stated that this was a separate item and would not be included in this discussion.
o It was agreed that Bob Martin and Ed Kocher would use water-soluble paint to mark out the proposed location of the buffer.
o Mrs. Bertch stated that she was in favor of having the buffer installed.
o Mrs. Bertch stated that her neighbor, Carol Bailey, was in favor of having the buffer installed. Ed Kocher pointed out that Ms. Bailey was not in attendance and Ed would speak to Ms. Bailey directly about whether she was in favor or opposed.
o Cheryl Smielewski stated that she was opposed to the buffer being installed.
o Tammi Horowitz stated she was opposed to having the buffer installed.
o Mandana Yazdani stated that she wanted to see the proposed location marked out before she made her decision.
o Ed Kocher stated that the DeVaughns were not present, but that Ed is pretty sure that they had not yet made up their minds about the buffer either.
o It was agreed that Bob Martin and Ed Kocher would use water-soluble paint to mark out the proposed location of the buffer.
o It was agreed that, after the location was marked out, the Trustees would seek the opinion of Bailey, Devaughn and Yazdani, and then a final determination would be made by the Trustees as to whether the buffer would be installed or not.
o Mrs. Bertch presented the Trustees with several gutter spikes and nails that she stated she picked up from the lawn in front of her unit in the past week. Mrs. Bertch stated that she has an issue with the quality of lawn maintenance being performed, and asked why she still has to clean up the lawn in front of her unit. Ed Kocher stated that he would ask George Morano to scour that lawn area for further debris.
o Mrs. Bertch presented the Trustees with several pictures of the curb and parking area behind her unit showing pine needles lying on the road. Mrs. Bertch then asked why these were never cleaned up, only moved from week to week. Ed Kocher stated he would ask George Morano to remove the pine needles.
o Tammi Horowitz stated that the area by the Mignatti mailboxes was poorly lit and when walking dogs in that area at night, it was difficult not to step in dog poop. It was suggested that we put up a light by the mailboxes because it is very dark over there at night because there are no streetlights on that side of the street. Bob Martin pointed out that there is no electrical source on that side of the street. Ed Kocher stated that we could possibly ask JCP&L to replace the light at the top of the pole across the street to provide directional lighting to that area. Bob Martin disagreed, stating that the township pays the electric bill and that neither JCP&L nor the Township would be likely to approve such a change. Ed Kocher said that regarding the dogs, there is a certain area for dog walking but a lot of the owners do not clean up after them. Ed advised those present that if they see a dog owner not cleaning up after a pet, to advise the Association in writing of the their specific complaint (including the offender’s name) and then the Association will send a letter to the offender advising that if further complaints are received they will be fined and the Township and/or County Health Departments will be notified of their behavior. Ed stated that such complaints would be kept confidential.
o Tammi Horowitz stated that the front lower portion of her unit is infested with spider mites, and asked who was responsible for treating for them. Ed Kocher stated that, if necessary, the Association would treat the exterior, but the interior was the unit owner’s responsibility – especially due to the fact that a small child lives in the unit. It was agreed that Tammi would get a quote from her exterminator for the interior, and also for the interior and exterior, and that Ed Kocher would get a quote from Ozane for the exterior only. Then Ed and Tammi would speak further on the subject.
o Helen Bertch started to say something about flag etiquette, but Ed Kocher stated that the subject was tabled and that Mrs. Bertch would be receiving a reply on the subject by letter in the next few days.
The open portion of the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 p.m.