SALT POND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOPARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 16, 2010

 

Attendees:

 

Board members present: Tom Anfinson, Jim Beachboard, Gary Clipp, Dick Crawford, Michael Headman, Jim Kennedy, Loeda Stango and Gerry Buckley.

·        Homeowners present: Marilyn Adams, Cynthia Headman, Al Stango, Pat Johnson, Fil Ryan, Jim Stephan, Bill Wanesky, Joan Wanesky, Pat Milstead, Nick Montella, Bud Hillman, Al Preziosi, Bill Loschmann, Fred Chiccone, Ed Berger, Dick Malone, Ann Crawford, Linda Regan, Wanda Beachboard, Pat Kennedy, Paul Marley, Wendy Parker, Bob Buckley, Michael Mallon, John Conaway, John Fitzgerald and Karen Taylor

·        Community Manager:  Mary Davis

 

CALL TO ORDER OF MARCH HOMEOWNERS MEETING:

 

Gerry Buckley, SPHA President called the meeting to order at 2:00PM

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Michael Headman made a motion to approve the minutes and Tom Anfinson seconded the motion.  All approved.

 

TREASURES REPORT;

 

Profit & Loss Statement:  The SPHA accounting system is based on accrual accounting guidelines.  Therefore, revenues are booked on invoices billed, not assessments made.  Based on the March 2010 financials, the SPHA billed revenues were $659,404 year-to-date (YTD). Most homeowners paid their assessment on time; however, a few homeowners still have not paid their 2010 assessments.  The board is in contact with these homeowners.  Expenses are booked as incurred.  Through March, after $163,724.96 in expenses is subtracted and $7,439.72 in other income is added, the YTD 2010 net income was $503,118.76.  The main budget category over budget was snow removal due to the heavy storms in January and February.  It was $1776.85 over budget. All other categories are close or within budget.

 

MANAGEMENT REPORT:

 

Best Aquatic submitted their contract for the outdoor pool for the summer season retaining same rate as last year, $22,280, divided into four equal payments.  They included a clause adding $490 for keeping the pool open an extra hour, Sunday thru Thursdays.

 

On April 13 the homeowners and the golf course received their three-year electric power supply contracts from Washington Gas Energy Service.  The contract terms begin May 2010.  The billing will remain with Delmarva Power.  The estimated savings for the SPHA facilities is between $3,000 and $4,000.  The golf course is separate.

 

The Fire Marshal inspected our clubhouse facility on March 25 and found to violations, which have been corrected.

 

First State Inspection Agency completed a visual inspection of our electrical systems in the clubhouse and found us in compliance.  This inspection is required every 5 years and costs $80.

 

All 60-kayak slots have been assigned and there are 12 people on the waiting list.

 

The owners of lots 175 and 176 on Bethany Loop and lot 363 on Walkabout have been contacted regarding lawn maintenance.  Lot 46 has been notified to remove large fallen tree branches.  Lot 221 has been notified to remove dangerous stake at the corner of the property.  Lots 22, 316 and 317 have been notified to remove the green mold from the homes.  Bruce Mears Construction has been contacted and will reseed lot 190 on Oyster Shell at the end of the month when they complete the renovation of the house across the street.

 

The Board has determined that we do not have to allow “For Sale” signs in the community.  Joanne Young has asked if we would permit “Open House” signs, which generally are posted only a day or two.  SPHA is exempt from the statute that allows for signs; no signs shall be posted.

 

 

HOMEOWNERS FORUM:

 

Linda Regan gave each board member a copy of a proposal she is submitting to drop the $500.00 capital contribution a buyer makes when they purchase property in the Salt Pond.  She is asking that this fee be waived if the buyer is already a property owner in the community.  The Board will discuss this at the May meeting.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

A letter was sent to the owner of Lot 105 explaining that the Salt Pond would pay $1000.00 towards the correction of the water problem directly to the landscaper who corrects the problem.  This is money in the ARC account that was on deposit from the developer.

 

Jim Stephan’ request for permission to construct an exterior, side located elevator on his Schooner Village property as an accommodation for his claimed peripheral neuropathy disability was denied in a unanimous decision of the Board.  Jim Kennedy stated that Mr. Stephan might take this matter to Delaware Relations Commission to seek an appeal under the DE fair housing law.

 

The condition of the roads was discussed.  This winter did more damage to the roads and it does not appear that we can wait much longer to repair/pave them.  The Board met with the county in January to discuss the program that the county offers to homeowner associations.  They estimated that it would cost about three million dollars for them to do the project.  If we decided to go this route it would increase our property taxes by almost double for the duration of the loan-10/15 years.  In 2006 Kirchner Engineering did a study on the cost of paving the 6 miles in the community.  The Board approved $4,000 expenditure to update this study and will then have a working session on which program to follow.  Jim Beachboard will set up the study with the company.

 

SALT POND PLAZA:

 

From all reports it appears that the Grand Opening of Harris Teeter on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 was successful.  AdArt delivered and installed two new SP main entrance signs as well as 3 “Private Community-No Thoroughfare” road signs. The river stone planter has been finished at the entrance off Fred Hudson Pky.  While most issues related to the plaza have been finalized with the developer, 7 issues remain outstanding at this time:  (a) restoring lighting to the main entrance off Fred Hudson; (b) reconnecting lighting to the median off Central Ave; (c) retrofitting interior lens and installation of fabricated exterior shields for the parking lot lights; (d) replacement of inferior or dead trees on commercial side of Bethany Loop; (e) planting of oak trees on plaza and completion of plantings in bio-retention basin at back of store; (f) replacement of dead or/unhealthy hollies on the berm/residential side of Bethany Loop; and (g) hot-mix repair to potholes due to construction vehicles and late winter site work.  Please contact Michael Headman Board liaison to the SPP work group, should you have any further questions or concerns.

 

FRED HUDSON BIKE PATH:

 

John Gilsenan, who spent much time and effort getting DELDOT to mandate the owner of Salt Pond Plaza to construct a bike path along Fred Hudson Road, contacted Senator Bunting and Rep. Hocker about DELDOT’s reneging on the arrangement.  Senator George Bunting contacted DELDOT Sec. Carolyn Wicks concerning this matter and has requested a meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

All homeowners, whose property boarders on the Salt Pond and or loop canal received a letter from the attorney for Salt Pond Associates informing them that dock leases would not be renewed.  Some individuals have a ten year lease others have none.  After much discussion the Board asked Tom Anfinson to chair a committee to investigate what ramifications this would impose on the homeowners.  The Board was divided 5-4 as to whether or not a committee was needed.  Tom has accepted and will report back at the May meeting.

 

Notices will be mailed early in May announcing the annual meeting on June 4, 2010 with biographies of the four candidates who have submitted an application to run for the three vacant seats.  They are: Loeda Stango, Fred Chiccone, Bill Johnstone and Jeff Rupprecht.  Michael H. will prepare the papers for mailing and Gary Clipp will obtain photos of the candidates.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Architectural Review:  Nothing to report

 

Calendar: Nothing to report

 

CC Maintenance:  New floor in the kitchen

 

CC Rental:  Nothing to report

 

Communications:  Gary C. reposted a computer crash caused a slight problem with the SPHA email addresses.  The situation is under control and being remedied.  Gary also recommended all SPHA related emails copy Info@SPHAMembers.org in an effort to fix BOD communication problems.

 

Engineering:  Nothing to report

 

Finance :                   

 

Golf Club                    Dick could you fill in

 

Insurance: Nothing to report

 

Landscaping:  Grass is being cut and Lawnworks will mulch.  Flowers will

arrive the second week in May.

                                    

 

 

Legal:   Collection efforts are underway for the owners that remain delinquent for annual and/or special assessments.  Jim asked for and received the Board’s unanimous approval to proceed with the filing of actions in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas to reduce the past due accounts to judgment. He also stated that the Sheriff is in the process of personally serving the owner of Unit 33, Mainsail Village for the past due assessments.

The owner of Unit 4, Mainsail Village made a counter proposal to pay off his past due assessments over five years.  The Board unanimously rejected this counteroffer and instructed Jim Kennedy to have the Board’s lawyer restate its acceptable proposal to pay the past due amount plus all fees, penalty and interest in twelve equal monthly installments.

 

Newsletter :  Members were reminded of the April 20th deadline for newsletter submissions

 

Planning and Zoning:   Nothing to report

 

Ponds and Wetlands:  Nothing to report

 

Recreations:  Tennis courts will be resurfaced.  A request to keep 

The pool open until 7:00PM during the month of July was approved on a trial basis.

 

Salt Pond Plaza:  See above report.

 

Transportation:   Nothing to report

 

Website:  It is up to date

 

 

Next meeting will be on May 21, 2010