HOA Board Meeting Minutes – Feb 12, 2014
Board Meeting
Date: February 12, 2014 at 7:00pm
Location: Speicher Residence
The meeting began promptly at 7:00 PM at the Speicher residence. The following board members were present: Chris Bogdon; Jack Curran; Brian Kile; Chuck Kraynik; Jim Lacey; Ray Speicher; and Kevin Sullivan.
A homeowner from Hunting Ridge Trail attended for the open-floor portion of the meeting to address a few topics. They are:
- Disagreement with the decision to purchase T-shirts for The Crossings softball team that participates in The Cranberry Cup Tournament.
- Disappointment from no response to an e-mail requesting where to find spending authorization in the amended covenants.
- The impression that residents have no say in the decision-making process and no means of appeal for the Board’s decisions.
Addressing these points in order above, members of the Board responded:
- The opinion of the Board is that The Crossings projected a positive image for our neighborhood during the Cranberry Cup as a result of having T-shirts bearing The Crossing logo. This benefits the entire HOA and not just those playing on the softball team. Additionally, the shirts were collected for re-use in future tournaments.
- The presence of the amended covenants residing on The Crossings site on the web-address at the top of this page have been published multiple times in notices; meeting minutes; mailings; etc. Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the amended covenants contains language describing the purpose of assessments and the HOA budget.
- Several board members pointed out that there are multiple means of offering input such as attending the regularly scheduled board meetings (as this gentlemen did); posting comments to the meeting minutes on the web-site; or even running for board positions that become vacant annually.
A good discussion followed about possible consideration given to extending mulch and wood chips for the entire length of the walking trails in the free spaces; about communicating the need for dog owners to clean up after their dogs; and about the need for residents to keep their sidewalks clear of snow.
The 30 minute open-floor portion of the meeting ended and the Board members appreciated the comments offered by this gentlemen and his participation in the process.
The minutes of the January 8th, 2014 meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer's Report
As of February 12, 2014:
Savings Account balance - $5,723.55
Checking Account balance - $31,415.04
The status of 2014 HOA dues collection is 148 homeowners are paid in full. Reminder notifications will be provided for the 2 remaining.
The taxes are due March 15th. These have been prepared and are ready to go.
Grounds Report
Several items were recorded in the notes from the October meeting that would be remedied in the spring of 2014. So that we don’t lose sight of these, we will include them in the minutes of each meeting until then. These include:
- Remove and replace shrubs at the Stonehenge entrance to the plan.
- Check into some tall grass plantings for the Phase 2 retention pond area.
- Phase 1 pavilion and picnic table repairs and repainting of the playground equipment.
- The damaged fence on Winchester Court caused by a free-space tree that fell was reviewed with the homeowner. It was agreed that the tree removal will be done in spring 2014 and the fence damage will be repaired.
Ray Speicher presented sign options and cost for the weatherproof bulletin-board type signs that were discussed at the January meeting. This topic will be discussed in more detail at the next board meeting. There are questions that need answers such as:
- Do we really need sign(s) or does the web-site meet our communications needs?
- How much should be spent to ensure proper durability and functionality?
- Where would sign(s) be located to maximize exposure and not create a traffic hazard?
- Who is responsible for maintaining and updating the information on the sign(s)?
Another observation survey was done this month to identify homes that do not have working post lamps. This was the third observation in as many months. Homeowners with non-working post lamps at the time of all three observations will be given written notice that they are in violation of section 7.13 of the amended covenants and that unless remedied, fines will be imposed.
Kevin Sullivan volunteered to contact on clean-up day this spring, those homeowners not yet registered to use the web-site. Roughly 2/3 of the homes in our plan have at least one registered user. We are trying to increase the number of users.
New Business
Brian Kile reported that an e-mail notification from Cranberry Township advised that a meeting will be held at the Municipal Building at 6pm on February 19 regarding expansion/upgrades of the Brush Creek Wastewater facility. Anyone is welcome to attend this public comment meeting.
A notice will be posted to the web-site, reminding everyone that they have been mailed nomination forms for those interested in running for election to this year’s vacant board positions.
The annual budget will be prepared for the next meeting for review by the Board.
As noted above, another notice will be posted to the web-site reminding everyone to keep their sidewalks free of snow. There is a safety concern associated when pedestrians are forced to walk in the street. Also, this notice will remind everyone that blowing or shoveling snow into the street must be avoided.
At next month’s meeting, the Board will finalize the day and location of the Annual meeting.
The Board received notification expressing concern regarding a portable storage container having been placed in a homeowner’s driveway. There is also a vehicle parked in the drive that has had a flat tire for an extended period of time. Brian Kile will prepare a letter for this resident.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 12th at 7pm at the Curran residence at 501 Sheffield Court.