Craneridge Board of Directors Meeting

Transcription

1 Craneridge Board of Directors Meeting September 9, 2015 Attending: Dave Harris, Cory Bowen, Tim Lazarus, Jeremiah Belnap, Ted Welch, Nancy Welch, Mike Hall, Jennifer Parsons, Debbie Dietrich ABSENT: Tara Beaudoin President: Cory Bowen called the meeting to order at 7:05PM August s meeting minutes were approved. President: Received feedback from residents in regard to camping at the Meadow. Several residents are in favor of allowing residents to camp overnite. Dave Czaplicki will help with the Craneridge website, as will Rory Rinaldi. Vice President: No new business Treasurer: Reserve Account balance is $39, Checking Account balance is $51, Secretary: No new business Executive Secretary: Total past due assessments for 2014/15 are $3, Architectural Committee: Recent meeting held to approve four requests: sign at 8 Woodstock, garage door at 24 Ridge trail, new roof at 29A Ridge Trail, deck at 110 Pine Run Court. A previous approval for a shed on Meadow is problematic, due to the construction. The resident will be asked to remove it when they move. Maintenance Committee: Possible small bathroom at the Meadow? Pool house doors will wait, due to expense for new doors. Rocks are in place at the sign on 240, will be readjusted when volunteers have time. New security lighting will be installed at the mail center. October 24 is fall workday, 9am to 12:00 pm. (coffee and doughnuts at 8:30AM) There will be a chili cook-off after workday. Some residents have commented on number of dead trees in the common areas. The dead trees will remain due to cost of removal, and DEC guidelines for amount of dead trees that provide shelter/food for wildlife. Pool: Closes on the 14 th of September. Good year for the pool, lots of usage. Pool will be open over the weekend. Health department came out in August and had no complaints. Woodlands: A notice will go up at the mail center for tree removals in the fall. We are concentrating on hazardous trees. Social: Band on September 26 th at the pool shelter. Gourmet dinner on September 12 th. 1

2 Old Business: Two residents on Ridge Trail sent documentation to the Board in regard to their pot bellied pig. The Board voted unanimously to allow them their pig. Gas light meeting with the Town of Concord and NFG is set for September 14 th. New Business: In regard to signs posted in Craneridge; letters will go out to residents with signs in order to maintain fairness. Letters will go out via regular mail. The signage issue will be tabled over the winter. In regard to the sentiments expressed at the meeting on September 8 th, about a conflict of interest on the part of several Board members due to KB Moto issues, the Board will consider all options at a future meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM 2

3 Craneridge Board of Directors Meeting September 8, 2015-Pool Shelter Attending: Dave Harris, Cory Bowen, Ted Welch, Nancy Welch, Tara Beaudoin, Mike Hall, Jennifer Parsons, Debbie Dietrich, and Jeremiah Belnap. Several residents were in attendance. Residents that signed in were Amy Shaul, David Czaplicki, Jeff Randall, Rich Barber, Donna Harris, Amanda Bowen, John Lukeman, Hannah Lukeman, Denise Lukeman, Fritz Ehmke, Debra Ehmke, J.T. Sweeney, Jess Raymond, Alan Raymond Several residents were in attendance to meeting with wishes to speak about concerns they have with board members that are participants in the CALM lawsuit, signage violations, and other issues to do with the HOA and by-laws. August Minutes: postponed to be approved at additional board meeting to be held on 9/9/15. President: Cory Bowen called the meeting to order at 7:02PM. Cory went on to explain that we have a lot of business to take care of, and that we would try to get through all of the members of the community who wished to express their concerns. Cory stated some simple requests for everyone who wanted to speak, as to ensure that everyone would get a turn, and it would stay orderly. Cory also went on to reiterate that the Board s stance on KB Moto/CALM remains, and will continue to remain, neutral. Public Comments: Amy Shaul 111 Pine Court Run. Amy had some questions about the bylaws and asked that the most recent official set be posted to the website. Amy also had some questions as to the bylaws that state that no signage is allowed. She did some research and feels that the HOA cannot take away the right of a person to post a sign, but can only monitor the size, shape, duration, etc. of the sign. Amy asked that she be provided with a directory with all members of the HOA s contact information. She also wanted to know if any of the Board members were given any training to their positions, and brought up that Board members could be sued for misconduct if they didn t perform their tasks at hand correctly. Amy was concerned that the Board was issuing rules within the community that they have no legal rights to issue such as: no camping in the meadow, imposing additional late fees for assessments above the stated bylaw of 6%, and no smoking on common grounds. Amy also feels that all Board meetings should be held as a public forum, and thinks that if they are held in a Board members residence, that it is difficult for non-board members to attend. Amy also feels that she has tried to volunteer within the community but feels her help isn t welcome. Cory stated to Amy that the most current bylaws are about 15 years old and he will check to make sure that is the copy that is posted on our website. As to the right to post signs, the Covenants clearly state there is no signage allowed, and it is the responsibility of the Board to enforce them. Cory agrees that some of the bylaws and covenants should be updated, but until they are the Board must enforce what exists. Cory also told Amy that she would be provided with requested directory of all HOA members in a timely fashion, not to exceed a few weeks. As far as the smoking and camping, Cory explained that the bylaws clearly state that the Board may set up rules for common land and these decisions are based on majority vote of Board members. He also said that the Board does not get any formal training, and that we are humans and make mistakes. 3

4 Pam Witter of 131 Deer Run was next to speak and stated that she thought it was un-neighborly to get a certified letter about her KB Moto sign, and disagrees with comment that having the signs is unneighborly. Jeff Randall of 82 Hardwood, who is also spokesman of CALM (Community Alliance to Limit Moto), spoke next. Jeff stated that his cell phone number was available to anyone that had questions or concerns about the lawsuit. He stated that Kissing Bridge has responded to the subpoena and is being represented by McGaverin & McGaverin. Jeff also made a comment about the post of highlighted members of the CALM lawsuit that was posted at the mail center. He said that if it was aimed at public humiliation, it was unsuccessful. Jeff again reiterated that any one that has questions about CALM can directly contact him. Jeff also gave an apology to Tim Sweeny for comments made on social media directed at him. J. T. Sweeney of 126 Deer Run expressed his concerns that if Kissing Bridge were to close due to this lawsuit, what would happen to property values here in Craneridge. He stated that his kids don t want to buy property here already due to the HOA. Tim explained that he is former president of the Board and respects and understand the Board to an extent, but feels that it is a conflict of interest to have 5 of 9 Board members that are part of the CALM lawsuit. He feels that it gives off the perception that Craneridge as a community is anti KB Moto, and looks bad for the community in his opinion. Tim accepted Jeff Randall s apology for the FB comments. Tim also brought up the signage issue. He wants to know what is considered a sign and if the covenant pertains to flags, realtor signs, and security signs, and who decides if it is in violation. Tim also states that many Craneridge residents enjoy having KB across the street. He said there is no legal enforceable noise ordinance, and that there are many other noises such as plows, and birds etc. He feels that any Board members who are associated with the CALM lawsuit should recuse themselves for now. Tim stated that he thinks the lawsuit is a quick money grab for those involved, and if KB goes under there will be loss of jobs for many Craneridge members and he believes that property values will go down. Tim stated that there are ways of dissolving the association and processes for removing Board members. He stated that he respects the majority of the Board members, however he will not be removing his sign supporting KB Moto. Tim said that KB has been a good neighbor to him, and asks CALM members to rethink what they are doing with the lawsuit. He also stated that he would volunteer in a committee to amend the bylaws. Rich Barber of 14 Crane Road spoke and stated that listening to each other and discussing issues is important. He told a story of a close friend of his that shared very different political views, and they would debate and argue the differences, however were able to remain friends and agree to disagree. Rich said that he trusts all of the Board members to make decisions on behalf of Craneridge. He doesn t see a conflict of interest with the Board members who are on CALM, as the board has stated neutrality on several occasions. Rich said he would like to remind community members that the Board is a volunteer position, and volunteers are hard to come by. He stated that the community voted in the current Board members, and must trust them. Rich states that if you want change then volunteer in your community and participate in the voting process. He has hopes that KB and CALM can meet and come up with a solution that will be viable to KB, and compromise with KB Moto supporters and CALM 4

5 members. Rich suggested closed groups on social media that will allow for discussion among community members that is not open to the public. John Lukeman of 63 Deer Run spoke out to say that he doesn t trust the Board and is tired of getting threatening letters. He said he is embarrassed to live here. Tara responded to this with explaining that is isn t fair to label all members of the Board as one entity. There are 9 members who volunteer time from their schedules and families to help the community run smoothly, and that their job is to uphold the bylaws. She stated if someone isn t happy with the bylaws, volunteer to help amend them instead of just complaining about them. Cory also responded, saying he understands the complaints and that community members need to step up to make changes with the bylaws and covenants. Jessica Raymond of 9364 Crane spoke and agreed with Tara s comments, however said that the Board should be more neighborly and personally call or come to person s house with violations, rather than send threatening letters. Cory responded by stating that letters are sent to keep faces and emotions out of the issues. In the past, phone calls were made and at times resulting in arguments and the perception that the messenger was acting on their own behalf instead of the Board s. He also explained that with 23 signs, it was take too much time to volunteer to make phone/house calls. Dan Owens of 81 Hardwood Court spoke asking to schedule and open forum for KB Moto supporters vs. CALM members. He feels that the Board is taking sides with the CALM members. He asks the Board members to step back and see how it looks from the outside to have 5/9 of the Board members participating in the CALM lawsuit. He suggests going forward with a whole new board. Dan said he doesn t have confidence that the Board is fairly representing the community and asks that the CALM members on the board do the right thing, and step down. Brittany Whalen, tenant of 67 Hardwood spoke to let her frustration be known that she didn t get a letter for her posted KB Moto sign, that the property owner was the one who got it. She said it was unfair that she didn t get a copy of the letter, and she didn t even know it was a violation. Brittany says she pays the assessment and should have gotten a copy of the violation letter as well. She stated that her landlord only asked her to take the sign down, because he was concerned that the architecture committee wouldn t approve his request to have work on his property done if the sign remained. Jen Parsons, head of architecture, stated that was completely false, and an architectural request would never be denied on those grounds. Brittany then stated that she had removed her sign, but would be reposting it. Brittany also feels that there is a conflict of interest with 5/9 Board members on CALM. She said it became a conflict of interest when they used media outlets and issued a press release on the law suit. Brittany feels that is how everyone found out about the lawsuit and it hurts people in Craneridge who support KB, and KB Moto. Fritz Ehmke of 115 Tarn Trail stated that his wife, Debra, was responsible for making all of the KB Moto support signs. He claims that realtors use KB to boost sales in Craneridge, and that KB boosts property values. He says that the violation letters the board sent for the posted signs were nasty and unneighborly. Fritz said that if members of CALM hadn t issued a press release of the lawsuit, none of this would be a problem. He also said that one of the Board members on CALM wrote a letter to KB and 5

6 signed it as a member of the Board. Cory replied that the Board was aware of this, and action to correct the matter was taken. Fritz believes there is a conflict of interest with the Board members that are in CALM. He said that at the annual meeting when elections took place, it was stated that there were no Board members that were a part of the CALM lawsuit. Jeff Randall responded to this, that at that time there wasn t even a lawsuit filed at that point, and no money had been paid to any attorneys. Tyler George of 21 Woodstock thanked the Board for the meeting and the way it was being handled. Tyler said his thoughts were that the goal of the Board was to constantly be striving to increase property values. He feels that if KB went under, that property values would decrease. Cory Bowen again restated that the board is neutral on the matter of KB Moto vs. CALM. He said he doesn t see a conflict of interest and went ahead to define the term as any situation in which an individual is in a position to exploit a professional or official capacity in some way for their personal benefit. Cory also stated that there is no proof that property values would be affected one way or another by KB. There are strong opinions and experts that have opposite viewpoints. Debra Ehmke of 115 Tarn admitted to posting the sign with the highlighted CALM member names at the mail center. Debra stated that the snowmakers at KB produce significantly higher decibels than motocross does. She also said that motorcycles in the area are also at high decibels. Deb stated the board can send her as many letters at they want, that she isn t going to remove her KB Moto sign. Deb asked that the Board members who are a part of CALM step down or there would be multiple repercussions. Debra mentioned that Anne Cooper has written a letter that Cory was in possession of, that she wanted read at the meeting. Cory read the letter written by Anne Cooper of 50 Tarn Trail. Anne feels that the Board members and Executive Secretary involved in with CALM should resign as they have a conflict of interest. She feels that the use of the word community in CALM s acronym implies association with the Craneridge community. She also asked for a special meeting in the community to discuss this issue so the Board s neutrality could be explained. Additionally she asked for a clear communication policy for the Association. Cory also read a letter from Mitch Alegre of 56 Tarn Trail. Mitch expressed that he did not see a conflict of interest and that the bylaw were being enforced consistently. He stated that the issue about signs has to do with association rules and not KB Moto. Jen Parsons suggested that a committee be started to amend the bylaws. The following people have volunteered to form the committee: Tara Beaudoin, Debbie Dietrich, Pam Whitter, Amy Shaul, and Timothy Sweeny. This will be discussed in more detail at a future Board meeting. Fritz Ehmke wanted to read an that Mike Hall had written to Anne Cooper in response to her letter. Mike Hall stated that was a private , and that he doesn t give permission to have it read out loud. Arguments escalated, and Cory made the decision to end the Board meeting with plans to reschedule for executive session to cover standard Board business that was not discussed at this meeting. 6

7 Meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM 7