HOA Board Meeting – Sept 4, 2013
The Crossings Homeowners Association
Board Meeting
Date: September 4, 2013 at 7:00pm
Location: Bogdon Residence
The meeting began promptly at 7:00 PM at the Bogdon residence. The following board members were present: Chris Bogdon, Brian Kile, Jim Lacey, and Chuck Kraynik. Work obligations delayed Jack Curran for about 30 minutes. Out-of-town work travel prevented Kevin Sullivan and Ray Speicher from attending.
At the open-floor portion of the meeting, a group of five Crossings residents attended to express their concerns about the property maintenance at 800 Trowbridge. Photos of the property were provided and a discussion was held about the appearance and upkeep of the yard. The grass and weeds are chronically overgrown and the landscaping is in need of some attention.
This group of Crossings residents requested that HOA Board initiate action to remedy the situation. Board President, Brian Kile, noted that the procedure to follow for remedy is defined in the amended covenants and will be followed. To that end, a registered letter will be sent and a copy hand-delivered to the property owner requesting that this situation gets corrected within 20 days of notification. If it is not, the HOA will contract with a landscape/maintenance contractor to get this work completed at the homeowner’s expense. The Board will monitor this situation to ensure that it gets resolved.
Treasurer's Report
As of September 4, 2013:
Savings Account balance - $5,721.18
Checking Account balance - $18,737.22
2013 Dues collection is current.
The $448.02 invoice for the uniform T-shirts used for The Crossings Team that participated in The Cranberry Cup was paid. The shirts are being collected for re-use next year.
Congratulations to those participating for a winning record of 2 and 1 this year.
Grounds Report
12 trees on the Fleck property have been cut and stacked. The brush is piled up. The Board discussed either renting a chipper and requesting volunteer assistance to chip the brush or just arranging to have brush hauled away. There was a motion to haul away that was seconded and approved unanimously.
The stacked firewood in the free-space next to the Fleck farmhouse is available at no cost to Crossings residents.
Several other trees need to be removed. The Board approved a bid for $100 for tree-removal in the free-spaces near 108 Crossing Ridge Trail, and between 139 and 141 Crossing Ridge Trail.
Another bid for the removal of 3 trees in the free space near 226 Hunting Ridge Trail was also approved by the Board.
At the free-space near 166 Crossing Ridge Trail there are 3 very tall (approximately 50 feet) trees that need to be removed. A bid from The Stump Man was received for $6,250. A second bid from Pete Kohler for $2,500 was also received. In a subsequent conversation with Jim Lacey, Mr. Kohler expressed concerns about being able to safely remove these trees without using some additional equipment that could increase the cost to approximately $3,500. He will take a closer look at these trees again and advise if his bid needs to be modified. The Board agreed that we would wait for the final Kohler bid before making a decision on this work.
Someone started a small fire near the pavilion in the Phase 1 Park. Goerl Landscaping cleaned up the charred debris and will replant the grass that was scorched. A notice will be posted on the web-site reminding everyone that this is a “no burn” area.
The list of maintenance items noted in the minutes of the July 10th meeting was discussed. It was decided that many of these things can be addressed at next year’s Spring Clean-up day. Some of the items (e.g. pavilion roof repairs and picnic table repair/replacement) may be contracted for repair next Spring.
New Business
Brian Kile advised that Cranberry Township has a revised plan for Park Place that has now reinserted the walking path at the existing trailhead on Crossing Ridge Trail to The Crossings and Park Place.
A Crossings resident e-mailed the Board that a truck is often parked on the street in front of 160 Crossing Ridge Trail. This is a violation of Cranberry Township rules and as such, the owner of the truck is subject to citation and fine from The Township.
Another resident reported that some storm water drain line replacement work on the homeowner’s property is necessary. Hopefully, this resolves the problem. The question was asked that if additional sections of line possibly traversing Crossings free-space need to be replaced, is the HOA responsible for the cost. This was discussed by the Board and it was determined that the HOA is not liable for these costs. The next question from this homeowner requested permission to dig on the free space for this line replacement if it is needed. The answer is that residents can dig on the free spaces for this type of maintenance issue and that it is assumed that when the job is completed, the ground will be restored to its original condition.
Several residents (4) expressed interest in conducting a Fall Crossings Garage Sale. When additional details are known, we may put a notice on The Crossings Facebook Page.
The next meeting of the HOA board is scheduled for 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 16th at the Speicher residence at 110 Crossing Ridge Trail. As always, anyone wishing to provide comments and concerns is asked to join us for the first 30 minutes open-floor session of our meeting.
