Beckett Ridge HOA Board Meeting

June 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at Tri County Baptist Church

Call to Order
Dennis Bender called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Board Members present were Dennis Bender, Dave Burling, George Hulsizer, Debbie Olszowka, Sharon Palm, and Terri McGill-Wong. Burt Young was absent with notice. Representatives from Towne Properties and Brickman were also in attendance.

Homeowner Requests/Concerns 

1. Joe Cionni addressed the Board about the clogged drain next to his home on Woodglen. Although the work has been approved, the area is too wet to get equipment in to dig out the creek bed and clear the drain. Mr. Cionni suggested a temporary solution would be to have someone remove by hand the debris blocking the drain so the water will drain. Brickman will have a crew take care of the problem.
2. Marsha Barnholtz from Shepherd’s Farm II addressed the Board requesting help from the Master Association in getting the Windbrook Trail fire lane cleared of overhanging trees and bushes. This service had been previously paid for by Shepherd’s Farm I. The Board said they would look into the matter.
3. A group of Tollbridge owners sent a letter to the Board requesting the Board consider replacing the missing buffer trees along Beckett Road and Smith Road. Brickman will get a count of what is missing and put together a proposal using the suggestions made by Bruce Rankin. The Board will consider this in the fall when working on the 2011 budget.
4. Bryan Hellard with West Chester Veterinary Care contacted the Board about installing dog waste receptacles along the walking path along the Boulevard. The hospital is willing to purchased 3-4 holders along with the bags. They would like to add a logo on each holder. The Board requested more information before they make their final decision.

Minutes Approved
The Minutes of the Board of Trustees May meeting were approved with no changes.

Landscape Committee Report
Bruce Rankin updated the Board about the landscaping plans at the end of Eagle Ridge Drive.  Several members of the committee and Board met with representatives from West Chester Township. A draft of a letter from the Beckett Ridge HOA to Judy Boyko outlining the Association’s proposed landscaping improvements at the Lakota West and Eagle Ridge intersection, including the traffic circle was shared with the Board. In the letter, the Association is asking for financial support from the Township and the County to help offset the expense of installing irrigation at the traffic circle and with the initial landscaping expenses. The Board voted to approve the letter. Bruce also reviewed with the Board the planned irrigation expansion at the bottom of Eagle Ridge and Four Corners. The estimated cost, including the tap fee is $14,000. The Board voted to proceed with the plans.

Brickman
Bob Wilson gave the report. He reviewed the monthly maintenance calendar and presented the Board with several proposals to transplant landscaping at Saratoga Farms, Four Corners and Eagle Ridge. The proposals were tabled until Fall. The drainage swale project behind Tollbridge is going to be a much larger project than originally discussed. The Board agreed to have Brickman proceed with a proposal to fix the entire area from the corner of Beckett Road and Smith Road down to the concrete swale and to clean out the drains in this section of common area. The proposal will be reviewed at the July meeting.

Architectural Review
Three new applications were submitted. All were approved.   

Managers Report
Debi Perkins - the Board reviewed the current Management Report

Financial
The Board reviewed and approved the current cash statement and delinquent status report. As of June 9, 2010 the delinquency amount was $68,804.08. Towne sent letters to 103 owners who owe the Association informing them that they must pay their accounts in full or the Board will take further action including possible legal action. The Board agreed to review the July delinquency report and determine what legal action they want to pursue. The Association’s attorney has suggested taking action via Small Claims Court, which would be cheaper than filing liens. This may be a viable solution for those who owe for just one year allowing the Board to file a more expensive lien on those owing two years or more. All legal fees spent in the pursuit of collection are added to the owners’ account who is responsible for payment of the fees along with any past due amounts.

Phone Log
The Board reviewed the phone and email log from Towne Properties.

Old Business

1. Revised HOA – Rules and Regulations/Covenants – The Board reviewed the proposed language for the ballot, which will be sent to all owners in Beckett Ridge.  After discussion the Board voted to approve the information on the ballot and agreed on a timeline for the voting period. Ballots will be mailed the first week of July with a return deadline of July 28, 2010. A post office box will be rented at the West Chester Post Office, which will be the mailing address for the ballots, not Towne Properties. The ballots will be collected and given to the Association’s attorney who will count the votes and certify the results. Any owner who is delinquent will be ineligible to vote.  Towne will provide the Association’s attorney with an updated owner list and delinquency report.

New Business  

1. Vision Committee – Steve Mullin Vision Committee Chair, updated the Board on a proposed new logo, branding the Beckett Ridge community, and plans to do a door-to-door survey of all the Beckett Ridge owners.  After reviewing the logo, the Board voted to adopt it. The new logo will be incorporated onto all printed materials and the website.  The committee would eventually like it used on all the community signage.   

Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, the general meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Next Meeting
The next Board of Trustees Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Tri-County Baptist Church.