• Louis DeCuzzi
• Kevin Fink
• Toby Foote
• Debbie Geyer
• Sam Mangano
• Keith Papa

Minutes:

Meeting was called to order at 7:13 P.M.

ARC Report:

There was no ARC Committee report.

Parks Report:    

• Report on a concern expressed by a resident over a dead evergreen tree (1 of 10) which had been planted last year. NLCI was notified in April, with no response. A second attempt at contact yielded no response.
• No more graffiti has been reported.
• Broken rails of split rail fence have been fixed.
• One springloaded rocking horse has been reported as broken. It is still useable, but only has one handle.
• The lawn maintenance contract has been renewed for 2 more years (2012, 2013).

Treasurer’s Report:        

• Bank balance: $25,069.42
• Outstanding HOA dues: $6,591.18 (23 houses)
• Past due notices are already printed and are sent out every other week.
• Houses with greater than $1,000.00 past due amount will be forwarded to a collections agency in January 2012.

New Business: 

• It was noted that some non-functioning gas lamps have been repaired, although many still remain out. The HOA has the authority to fix broken lamps and bill the homeowners.
• Proposal for replacement made by Lou (see below):
  • Survey of broken lamps on Benjamin Dr will be performed by Sam; nonconforming house addresses will be turned over to HOA.
  • Non-conforming houses will be given letter stating they need to replace lamps December 31, 2011.
  • Those houses that still have not replaced lamps by December 31, 2011 will have the solar lamp replaced by HOA contractor. This expense will cost roughly $189.00 – $200.00 plus shipping. Homeowner will then be billed for expense.
  • HOA will not incur an expense of more than $1,000.00 at a time.
  • Motion was made to put the above proposal to a vote (Sam).
    • Motion was seconded (Toby).
      • Motion passed unanimously.
      • Lou researched the issue of a potential vote to change rules regarding tree planting on tree lawns. This would require a change in the by-laws which would require a 51% vote by all homeowners. No changes are being pursued.

Open Forum:

• The attorney representing the LED sign/billboard contingent would like to schedule a date to walkthrough the proposed site. The attorney had stated in a previous meeting that she would attend tonight’s meeting, however she did not attend.
• Two Brunswick City Councilmen – Elect (Mike Abella Jr.; Keith Housley) were present for the meeting. They excused themselves prior to meeting commencement, upon realization that the LED sign/billboard attorney was not in attendance.

Motion was made to adjourn meeting (Lou). Motion was seconded (Toby).

Meeting adjourned at 7:45PM.

This meeting was not open to the public.

Next meeting is Thursday, January 19th.

Louis DeCuzzi – HOA President

Kevin Fink – HOA Secretary

Minutes:

Meeting commenced at 7:00 P.M.

Minutes from the May 19, 2011 meeting were reviewed and approved.

There was no ARC Committee report.

Parks Report:    

No new issues since last meeting.

Occasional litter still found. Requested continued vigilance.

Treasurer’s Report:        

Awaiting Heather’s final report.

Quickbooks has been purchased by HOA. Keith Papa and and Louis DeCuzzi are on the account.

New Business: 

Park issue and resolutions – One basketball hoop has been removed to curb poor behavior in park. Improvement was noted.

No public attended this meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M.

ARC Committee:  Reported 1 porch approval
Parks Committee: Reported decision made to remove one basketball hoop based on park issues.  Will revisit at later date.

Treasurer Report: unavailable

• Still 12 houses with past due dues will be turned over for collections
• Send collections letter to each home non-certified so they can see the ramifications
• Approved by unanimous vote

New Business

1. Motion to open the meeting to the public
2. Appointment of new treasurer – Keith Papa
3. Proposal for new accounting software – passed unanimously
4. Proposal for Electric and solar lamp post – passed unanimously (see link – [ Approved lamp posts list ] - for lamps which are approved for replacement.  Only model listed in attachment in black are approved for use.  The solar light is simply a topper for the posts which makes it a home owner change.)
5. Proposal for repair notices on gas lamps – passed unanimously
6. Park issue and resolutions.  Lt. Olin, Gary Werner, Mayor and Jim Lukas, City Manager spoke about what we can do as a community with the park issues

New election of trustees
If we have new volunteers, 1 new member needed
Kevin Fink voted in.  Assigned to secretary position

Open Forum

Closing Statements / Meeting Adjourned

A couple points that were brought up at the meeting:

• The park has had spray paint and other graffiti show up twice in the last year
• Litter in the park and on the street is a major issue as seen in these 2 pictures [pic 1] [pic 2] (note: taken on separate days, a week apart) Shirts, shoes, cups and other containers are being left carelessly and purposely behind on the bench, grounds and in trees.
• Vulgar language is not appreciated by the residents that border the park and are playing with their kids in the park
• 10-15 cars parked along the front area of Benjamin during afternoon rush hour is a major safety concern.  A child was hit by a car in this area just last year.
• Police visited the park just prior to the meeting and determined that of the 24 basketball players, only 5 of them lived inPark Placeat Benjamin Farm. A clear violation of our bylaws which state only residents are permitted in the park.
• 3 homes in the area were burglarized, and multiple cars were broken into in the last 12 months.  Both in our neighborhood and the adjacent developments.  The board feels this is in direct correlation to the increase of outside individuals passing through the area.

To combat these problems, effective immediately, one of the rims will be removed from the court this week and a sign will be posted with this information.  If the individuals who play ball there want the rim back, they will need to start following the rules of the park and rules of plain decency  –  no vulgarity, no littering, no trespassing, cut back on cars parked out front.

Board In attendance   Louis DeCuzzi , Toby Foote , Keith Papa , Deby Geyer,  Ryan Smalley, Sam Mangano

Not In Attendance  Heather Horn

Notes from  Last meeting review none to review

ARC Committee:  Report  no new items

Parks Report: 

• Beaver Dam cleaned out
• Landscaping out for bid new contractor chosen
• Bids received for play ground mulch and will get done next month
• Entrance sign will be cleaned up and re  planted

Treasurers Report: See print outs

Budget for 2011 and 2012 reviewed

 Based on current expenditures and aging equipment our  expenses would exceed income

• 12 Properties have yet to pay Dues  for 1 to 3  years all over 2 years will be turned over  for collections

1. Resolution passed unanimously to raise association fees.
2. Resolution passed only to maintain 1 park.  West end will eventually be all grass area.  As fixtures/benches etc need maintenance, they will not be replaced due the to expense and budget restraints

  IE: Pavilion will not be replaced at paths end or benches as they  deteriorate.

 Major expenditures

• Additional trash cans put on hold.

New elections for trustees:  No new elections  

 Meeting Schedules for 2011: Are as follows  5/11/2011 , 7/21/2011, 9/15/2011, 11/17/2011

Closing Statements/Adjourn Meeting