The December 17, 2011 meeting of the Board of Directors was opened at 8:10 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present were President Jerry Beskovoyne, Dan Braun, Gina Florio, Peggy Kostyshyn, Al Cucciniello, Ted Couillou, Jerry LaStella, Advisory Board Liaison George McMullin, General Manager John Carney, and Recording Secretary Marge Kenny.

 

The November minutes were reviewed and approved, with the following corrections, on a motion made by Al Cucciniello and seconded by Ted Couillou: Page 2, Line 6 corrected spelling of Braun; Page 4, Line 11 corrected spelling of Campground, Page 7, Line 7 latticework fence changed to latticework skirting.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Dan Braun

 

Monthly Report as of November 30, 2011

WLE POA Cash in Bank Accounts Totaling: $1,785,444.66

WLE POA Equity (Cash Basis): $2,984,076.89

Dues Assessments Collection Rate (Cash Basis): 97.5% on a Budget Year-to-Date Basis (excluding $8,009.44 in pre-paids); $72,286.01 in cumulative annual prior dues (less than one year in arrears); 18 judgments filed, 10 civil complaints satisfied, total legal collections of $29,199.83.

 

Significant individual line item actual-to-budget, cash-basis negative variances from the annual budget as of November 30, 2011:

Due to the increased price of motor and heating fuels, a total annual cumulative negative variance of approximately $8,500 was realized across multiple departments.

·    Maintenance expense in excess of $9,500 in Pools/Recreation, pertaining to Beaver Pool and interior lake algae treatments.

·    Increased frequency of water testing as mandated by the EPA resulted in an approximate $11,775 excess cost.

 

Studies and Projects:

·    Finance Committee reviewed monthly financial statements and received clarification of questions.

·    Treasurer completed the analysis of the heating costs of the outdoor pools (Beaver and Rockledge). Results of the efficacy of reducing thermostat settings and use of liquid solar cover additives will be presented to the BOD.

·    Treasurer and Finance Committee are conducting an ongoing investigation of alternative revenue sources to assist in the funding of our community. 

 

                    In further discussion with the Board regarding the community pools, it was noted that renovations to the indoor pool have been completed and it is reopening today.  Bathroom floors have been treated with new products that will substantially improve footing and mobility in those areas.  Also discussed was a comparison of heating expenses for the outdoor pools between 2009 and 2011 which demonstrated that lowering the water temperatures (the majority of the savings realized) and application of the liquid solar blanket at a cost of about $20 per month (a smaller portion of the savings realized), resulted in a 40% drop in the number of gallons of propane used and a monetary savings of approximately $1,000 for 2011, so both procedures will continue to be followed for 2012.  Additionally, it was determined that the cause of the leak at Beaver Pool was a hydrostatic valve and it will be repaired before the pool reopens next summer.

 

General Manager’s Report – John Carney

 

1.    It took very close to our renewal date of December 1 to finalize a contract with Geisinger Health Insurance, but everything is in place for employee health care coverage.  Geisinger’s quotes came in very favorable over our existing provider of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and two other companies that forwarded quotes.  The difference between Geisinger and the renewal for Bl.Cr./Bl. Sh. will net approximately a $68,000 savings for 2012. The coverage meets or exceeds the previous coverage.

2.    I met with our insurance agent from EHD to review our property and liability coverage for our renewal in March.  Coverage will not change much from our existing coverage and we will need to wait and see what prices come in from the underwriters.  Our representative relayed that our history of low claims filed will always help us at renewal time.

3.    The indoor pool was closed for the last week for maintenance and will reopen this weekend.  The pool was painted along with some interior painting.  Cleaning and maintenance took place in the indoor pool building and bathrooms.  After the holidays, the Fitness Center will be closed for a short period of time for the same.

4.    We took advantage of the above-normal temperatures and continued scheduled drainage work.  This past year, with the above-normal rainfall, we are attempting to resolve some drainage issues that we experienced due to the very wet season we had. Some of these situations will not occur during normal seasons, but better to prepare for the worst.  For 2012 we have scheduled certain areas to better handle flows of water and will look to improve on roadside ditching and cutting back the shoulders on the roads and replacing some culvert pipes.  We also continue to work with neighboring Associations controlling the water from WLE into their Associations.

5.    To avoid repeating Brian’s sewer and water report, Brian indicates some important things taking place in that department that will be relayed in the next coming newsletter.

6.    Kathy and I have been in contact with an outside source for our newsletter and I will further discuss it at the meeting.

 

In further discussion with the Board it was noted that the new health plan from Geisinger has both a lower deductible and more participating doctors than our prior health plan, two additional benefits for our employees.

 

Regarding changes to our newsletter, John discussed how impressed he and Kathy were with the person who came in to meet with them about publishing our newsletter.  He is already working with many Associations in our area and John brought in samples of those newsletters for the Board to look at.  Previously, in addition to just collecting articles for our quarterly newsletters, Kathy had to put in many additional hours on proofreading, working with the printer, and also bringing in volunteers from the community to put together and mail out the newsletters once they were completed, taking up valuable time that she could devote to other WLE activities and projects, and also costing the community in both manpower and mailing expenses.  Changing over to this new system will eliminate all of that.  Once our articles have been submitted, all other functions, including mailing out the newsletter to our members, will be covered and paid for by the publisher, there will be NO cost to WLE.  Their income will come from the advertisers, which it will also be their responsibility to secure and maintain.  We will also be receiving five newsletters each year, rather than the previous four, with an additional issue coming out during the summer months.  The new format will look more like a local newspaper and carry articles of interest to our area in addition to items pertaining only to WLE.  All members of the Board were pleased with what they saw and look forward to comments from property owners once the first newsletter starts arriving in mailboxes early in 2012.  It was also decided to have a contest to name our “new” newsletter, so please send your suggestions to Kathy Sollenne at the office between now and March 31^st.  There will be a prize awarded for the winning entry.

 

Next was a general discussion by the Board regarding the snack bars for 2012.  John Carney will speak to the 2011 contract holders to see if they wish to renew for another year.  If so, the Board wants to be sure that all preseason deposits have been received and personal insurance requirements complied with.  If not, or if the present contract holders do not wish to renew for 2012, the Board wants to open up the bidding process as soon as possible so that new arrangements can be made well in advance of the pools opening for the summer season.  The Board is also concerned with making sure both snack bar locations maintain reasonable hours of operation while the pools are open, and that all recommendations made during health inspections are adhered to, so those items will be revisited for inclusion prior to new contracts being issued for 2012.

 

Marina – Al Cucciniello

No meetings until April.

 

Building Committee – Al Cucciniello

No meetings until April. 

Building permits to date: 1350 – no new permits.

 

Sewer & Water – Ted Couillou

 

Parts have arrived to rebuild the ultraviolet treatment unit at the sewer treatment plant and this unit will be undergoing a major overhaul.  Both sewer pump stations have had their yearly maintenance overhaul with no major problems found.  Manhole and valve protectors have been placed on manhole and valve lids to protect them from damage from snow plowing.

 

Water system flows have been up and a few service line leaks have been found and repaired.  The chlorine levels are running higher due to new EPA mandates and there will be a taste and odor difference in the water, but these new regulations are federal and we must be in compliance or be subject to fines.

 

This winter please protect your water meter and plumbing with heat tape and/or heat.  Disconnect your garden hoses from outside spigots, freezing can cause damage to both.  And most importantly, protect your home by turning off your water when leaving for more than 24 hours.

 

Maintenance – Ted Couillou

 

Great job done by Maintenance in closing down the marina, clearing culverts and putting up holiday decorations.  Thanks, too, to the community volunteers that helped with this year’s decorating!

 

Most people handled their own leaves this year rather than pay the $1 per bag for WLE pickup.  Just a reminder that bringing branches to the dump is okay, but do not bring whole trees.  The only exception is Christmas trees, and there will be an area at the dump designated specifically for those.

 

Public Safety – Jerry LaStella

 

Calls are down, all is well, and the community is quiet.

 

Recreation – Peggy Kostyshyn

 

A $5,000 CD that matured in June was not rolled over, but rather put into the checking account due to the interest rate in that account being the same as would be available for a new CD.  If CD rates improve, reinvestment will be reconsidered.

 

Recreation will continue to sell tickets for both adult and children’s events as they have in the past.  The Board of Directors’ agreement with the new policy of handing out the phone numbers of the Recreation Tri-Chairmen to anyone having a complaint about ticket procedures was relayed to the Committee, and also the Board’s thanks for the wonderful job that Recreation does in sponsoring activities throughout the entire year.

 

Winterfest was a huge success, the lantern lighting in the evening was spectacular! Lunch With Santa was well attended.  In order to allow for better attendance at Winterfest in the afternoon for 2012, there will be Breakfast With Santa instead of lunch, so those activities will not overlap.

 

CDC Committee – Peggy Kostyshyn

No meeting held in December.

 

Neighborhood Watch - Peggy Kostyshyn

 

The new Neighborhood Watch building is completed and all members are very happy with their new facility.  There was a small Christmas party held and gas cards were given out as a thank-you to members for all they do for the community.

 

It was suggested during further Board discussion that there needs to be more communication between Neighborhood Watch members, as they are coming on duty, with the on-duty Public Safety personnel as to what is happening in the community at that time, what areas patrol cars are in, and what they may need to watch for during their shifts.  This suggestion will be taken back to Neighborhood Watch.

 

Advisory Board – George McMullin

 

There was a discussion at the Advisory Board meeting about culling deer and why do we need to do it when other communities around us are already doing it, such as Lakeland Colony, Lacawac Sanctuary and the Boy Scouts.  The answer given at that meeting was because it seems to be working according to the statistics.

 

There was a question directed to the Board of Directors as to why the November meeting had not been open to all property owners.  The Board’s response is according to the bylaws, the requirement for open Board of Directors meetings is one per year, which has always been the spring meeting when new Board members are elected. Additionally, the Board has always been sensitive to any controversial issues arising in the community and tried to schedule additional open meetings to address those issues as they have come up. After Labor Day, our community population, activities and committees begin to quiet down and there is not a great deal of information to pass along to property owners until spring. During that time especially, the Board of Directors is very grateful to have the Advisory Board to rely on as an important liaison between themselves and WLE property owners to maintain communications and share opinions.

 

Also discussed and sent to the Board for response was the feeling that there are areas of the community which have been designated No Smoking, but that compliance with this regulation in all areas so designated is not being enforced.  The Board’s response is the No Smoking areas in WLE are all pool areas and the interiors of common buildings.  The exterior area of Kasper Lodge is also No Smoking, but smoking is permitted outside the Adult Lodge and the Main Clubhouse.  Safety vehicles are also designated No Smoking.  The Board does agree with the Advisory Board’s opinion that there should be no smoking at all bus stop locations in the community while children are present and getting on or off the buses.  Public Safety will be asked to more closely monitor compliance by property owners.  Those persons found smoking in restricted areas will be spoken to as a first response before any citations are issued.

 

Old Business –

Cleanup & Repair of Section 4 (Tennis Lane) – Underway

Beaver dam in Section 6 – Ongoing project

Ice Machine – Still researching cost.  Suggestion by the Board to let the snack bar permit holders check with their vendors about machines.  Also, John Carney will check with our soda machine vendor for a price.

Property located on Eskra Road - not part of WLE.  A second survey has been completed and shows that the first survey was correct, our WLE water and sewer lines are running underneath this lot that is not owned by the community.  The consensus of the Board of Directors is to relocate those lines onto WLE property.  Brian is checking on pricing to move the lines and we will get multiple estimates.

 

New Business –

Purchase and installation of new projection screen in the Main Clubhouse – Dan Braun presented to the Board his results of researching the cost to purchase a large pull-down projection screen to be mounted above the ceiling in the Main Clubhouse to be used not only for presentations during Public Board Meetings, but also for Recreation functions during the year.  Recreation has indicated in the past that if such a screen were available, they would probably make use of it, but that their budget could not cover such a purchase.  Dan described to the Board the various types and sizes of screens available and the costs, and it was the consensus of the Board that we could purchase a high-quality wide-angle screen from Focupix for less than $1,000 and gave Dan their unanimous approval.  Due to savings realized in 2011, approval was given to expense this purchase against the 2011 budget and not wait until 2012.  It was further suggested that since we now also have a popcorn machine, maybe this new screen could be put to good use during the winter months for a series of movie nights in the community.

 

Motion to adjourn, Peggy Kostyshyn.  Second, Al Cucciniello.  Meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.  There will be no Board of Directors meeting in January.  The next meeting will be February 18th at 8:00 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Marge Kenny

Recording Secretary

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