Board Minutes April 2017

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Meadow Hill
Board of Directors Meeting
April 18, 2017

Executive session

The monthly meeting was convened in executive session at 12:30 PM downstairs at the Clubhouse. A quorum was present with the following in attendance: Directors: J. Goselin, K. Wanat, R. Bouchard, E. Litke, and APM’S E. Schaefer. Ended 1:30 PM.

Regular session

The same four board members and APM’S E. Schaefer reconvened at 1:32 PM, outside of executive session on the second floor.  E. Schaefer opened the meeting and advised unit owners of new landscaper, Highlight, he also informed unit owners of letter from the Glastonbury Fire Marshal.

Minutes

March 21, 2017 regular meeting minutes were approved unanimously by e-mail.

Maintenance Reports:

  1. Covert referenced the project list on four pages , #1 & 3 are completed, working on #8, finished cleaning up the barn.
  2. Covert received clarification on replacing deck boards and staining of decks upon request from unit owners. Staying up on work orders, 26 work orders with 12 complete.
  3. Schaefer mentioned about hiring summer help, J. Goselin said May 1st, D. Covert said one hire. J. Goselin asked E. Schaefer for motion to approve. D. Covert mentioned rate of $13.00/hour he has someone in mind who shoveled snow in the winter.  Position would be part/full time and does not work on rainy days.  E. Schaefer suggested that we start him right away, E. Schaefer motioned, J. Goselin seconded, All Approved.

Committee reports:

Amenities Committee – B. Kolwicz

Hollister House – request to Board to remove one toilet bowl, patch floor, center remaining bowl and add grab bar in future time.  Waste bowl is in place and would not require major work, no time limit as fill-in job.  E. Schaefer stated that forward looking is to set up handicap bathroom.  K. Wanat motioned to modify bathroom to handicap, All Approved.

  1. Kolwicz mentioned that residents requested couple of benches by the river, R. Bouchard is concerned about placement due to age of residents. J. Goselin recommended to place benches by the top of paddock hill. E. Schaefer recommended to go with good quality benches, E. Litke agreed.  D. Covert suggested to go with same bench that is in place, B. Kolwicz to research.
  2. Kolwicz mentioned to the Board that they did a great job on the proposed stable Rules and Regulations. E. Schaefer outlined the protocol of the proposed stable Rules & Regulations.

Friends of the River – R. Bouchard

  1. Bouchard stated that they had contracted with Highlight to clean up the lower area. Central CT Lawn will be out to spray the phragmites.

Welcome Committee – Linda Fillion

Did not welcome anyone in the past month.

Owner’s Forum: The following were brought up by owners:

  1. Carter-Menendez – concerned about applications being put down by landscapers which are not pet or person friendly. Can an area be set aside for pets to go to the bathroom, E. Schaefer said Highlight is not applying chemicals that Central Ct is doing the applications, he is not aware of product used is harmful. E. Schaefer to contact Central CT for exact chemicals used and will be put in Lark.
  2. Collins – said on Monday while walking her dog she asked Central CT if this was new application and was advised that they had already sprayed. E. Schaefer said there are 6 applications, grub, lime, etc. E. Schaefer to check.
  3. Rosenthal – asked is anything was going on with second tennis court as a dog area. E. Schaefer said that this was being looked at, R. Bouchard provided status update; cost for removal of fence at eastern side of court, two prices have been received $3,700 and $5000, there would be additional cost to remove blacktop and to put up two fences. Due to cost the Amenities Committee stopped, possibly use shuffle board area as an area for dogs off leash.  J. Goselin said this project most likely will not be done in 2017 as money might be needed to allocate to upgrade the clubhouse.  B. Kolwicz agreed with R. Bouchard to use area for dog area, Board to consider.
  4. DeMay – asked about wedding at clubhouse at end of May, E. Schaefer said Board determined maximum capacity is 130 persons. E. Schaefer gave technical overview and OK’d 130 persons. J. Goselin said to shut down clubhouse end of August. K. Wanat advised Association is filing for 90 day extension.  E. Schaefer stated position is they will refer to code and how it is calculated.
  5. Vollinger – asked about his blinds, he was advised to hold off till New Business.

Financial Report

  1. Schaefer – only into three months of fiscal calendar year, not much to report. Page 10 income is on accrual basis, in good shape, YTD $255,000 income with $117,000 in expenses. Need to reserve money coming from operating budget to reserves.  Have a surplus of $38,000, cash position extremely strong $368,000 with $51,000 in checking and $316,000 in savings.  Association is constantly funding reserves.  Association is current with payables.  J. Goselin notified residents that D. Faxon is on a two month leave of absence.

Calendar

  1. Goselin – month of June: June 13th is the Board election. E. Schaefer started with April, asked if decision had been made on mulch.  J. Goselin said it may be none at all.  R. Bouchard asked if they only would dress up the mulch.  R. Bouchard asked what they can do to control what unit owners will use, should the Board have input on what color mulch to be used: died dark brown mulch, to be posted on website.  D. Covert to advise which units have black, red or other color mulch.

Electrical – done

Furnace filters – done

Fertilization – done

Seeding – to be done in the fall, D. Covert to work on high visible areas.

Correspondence

Old Business

#129 & #133 Tabled

#97 Blind review / new shades (blind) – J. Goselin ask why J. Vollenger brought in sample.  E. Schaefer said the Association would replace his current shade at no cost.  J. Goselin stated that J. Vollinger should be able to paint existing blind, E. Litke suggested that a new shade be installed.  Determination made to replace J. Vollinger’s shade with new one at Associations expense.

New Business

#115 Waiver of late charges – Board declined.  E. Schaefer asked for motion to deny, E. Litke seconded, All Approved.

Notice and Comment period – Stable Rules & Regulations:  Comments – J. Goselin asked number of people here to talk about stables, 3 unit owners raised their hands.

Fire Marshal – E. Schaefer gave overview report, advised that more information will be given at later time.

106 Braman treatment for termites has been performed.  Proposal from Braman to manage existing 6 bates for cost of $313.73 per building on annual basis with one more to be added in 2018.  R. Bouchard said it would be foolish not to be proactive.  S. Crone asked for clarification on type of termites she had, E. Schaefer provided her with information.   M. DeMay asked if her unit was on the list, this was confirmed.  Motion to engage Braman for the six existing units plus one more (106) in 2018, discussion called, All in Favor, Approved.

175 Patio Installation – Downspout to be moved, R. Bouchard motioned to accept revised patio plans, All Approved.

175 Ramp Installation – Asking Association to take care of regrading of asphalt from path to front of unit for approximately 17’.  New England Blacktop to give price.  Tabled.

175 Work Order to replace glass pane in front light.

167 Estimate $850.00 including tax + stump to take down tree and put chips on bank.  Board Approved maximum of $1,200 ($600 Association and $600 Unit Owner).  R. Bouchard stated he received e-mail from unit owner today advising not to exceed $600.00.  All Approved.

115 – Tabled

Notice & Comment Stable Rules & Regulations, Exhibit #A – 106 S. Crone requested to store hay in loft in barn as she likes to buy in bulk during summer months.

  1. Wilson commented on bi-weekly removal of horse manure to be every two months instead of bi-weekly. B. Wilson asked if there was any way to have access on side of maintenance shed north of office for manure removal. Board needs to do further research and communication on storage, manure and removal.  B. Kolwicz suggested to relook at proposed rules. E. Schaefer advised that he is concerned with load in barn and to have someone take measurements to determine safe capacity.  Too many open items, Board does not wish to incur additional expense, Tabled.

106 – Asked by J. Goselin to move her golf cart to her garage.

Pool – D. Covert inquired about pool proposals, Board Approved Savol.

Adjournment.  Meeting was adjourned at 3:48 PM

By Linda S. Schmidt, APM, Acting Secretary