The September 15, 2007 meeting of the Board of Directors was opened at 8:05AM with the Pledge of Allegiance.  In attendance were President, Paula Whitney, presiding, Vice President, Steve Sollenne, Treasurer, Gina Florio, Secretary, Elvin Quinones, and members Ted Couillou, Conrad Zabransky and Jerry Beskovoyne. Also in attendance was Mick Henry representing the Advisory Board.  General Manager John Carney will be in attendance during the Informational Meeting opened to property owners in good standing scheduled for 10:00am.

 

The minutes of the August 18, 2007 were reviewed.

 

A motion was made by Gina Florio, seconded by Conrad Zabransky to accept the minutes as written.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Gina Florio

The Board reviewed the August 31, 2007 Treasurer’s Report.  Gina Florio reports that expenditures are in line with the 2007 budget.  The budget process will begin the week of September 17, 2007.  Department heads will be submitting their respective budgets for the 2008 operating budget.  The Board extends their thanks to Nancy Settepani for her outstanding performance collecting back dues.  Gina reported on the Finance Committee and informed that three resumes have been received.  The Board reviewed the resumes and unanimously accepted Gina’s recommendation to have Frank DeAngelis, Karen Ferguson-Moran and Daniel G. Braun as members of the Finance/Budget Committee.

 

General Manager’s Report -  John Carney

 

1. I have corresponded with a property owner as to their concerns documented in their letter received at the August meeting. Mainly a certain unsightly lot and a property that had a lack of trees planted on a property where trees were removed. The property owner and I spoke on a few occasions and then a meeting was set up with them where Rocky, Larry and I were all present. It was a good meeting and we were able to explain where we were with each situation and what we would be doing to rectify the situations. We will remain in contact with them.
2. As stated in the August minutes, we were going to set up a meeting with the USDA to review our situation with the deer population in WLE. The problem extends to more than the deer eating property owner’s shrubbery and flowers, but the obvious browse line through the forest and the lack of re-growth of new vegetation. The other concern is having a healthy herd for the amount of food and space available that would range in the area of 10 – 15 deer per square mile. Paula and I met with Willie Wenner, Wildlife Biologist from the USDA. Willie reviewed a proposal with us to initially do a survey to determine the amount of deer and damage. The survey would start in October and go through the spring of 2008. Details of the proposal will be put in your board box.
3. Kasper Lodge is progressing very well with the framing near completion. The exterior siding will be started shortly. When the contractor finishes the shell of the building we will be coordinating the plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. As soon as we get a little further in the construction stages, we will be able to determine an opening date for Kasper Lodge.
4. We have received the permit for the fitness center; we have one proposal for the building and are awaiting two others from interested contractors. It is our intent to have the shell of the building done in the fall and work on the interior through the winter.
5. With the improvement of the area below the MCH we have seen more usage in this area. We will continue to improve this area by removing any large rocks from the lake bed that can be removed by hand. The rocks will be placed at the erosion point to avoid further erosion. We are also looking to replace the present dock.
6. Hiring of our own people to answer the phone after office hours is working out very well. This is the start of our own communication center and the future availability to monitor areas where security cameras are located.
7. Staff will be starting the 2008 budget process in the coming week to have a draft copy for the Board meeting in October. We will be forwarding drafts of the operating, new capital and replacement capital for the Board’s review.
8. Two contractors are giving us a price to repave the West Gate and Adult Lodge parking lots. Once I receive the proposals I will forward to the board the quotes and seek approval for the job. Both lots are in the need to be repaved. We still plan to do some road patching, mostly edge of road repairs.

 

Buildings and Grounds - Ted Couillou

The Board reviewed the report of the September 8, 2007 WLE Buildings Committee Meeting.   The committee welcomed the fine increase for unauthorized tree cutting up to $1,000.00.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2007.

 

Security – Elvin Quinones

The Board reviewed the report of the September 8, 2007 Citation Review Committee.

The committee asked the board to consider re-establishing safety inspections for golf carts and ATVs.  The Board finds equipment inspection may be more appropriate.  Some concerns were raised regarding potential liability exposure.  The Board is taking the recommendation under consideration.

 

The next scheduled CRC meeting will be October 6, 2007.

 

The Board reviewed the public safety report submitted by Chief Rock Kizer for the month of August 31, 2007.  A total of 171 calls were received:  52 emergency calls, 98 non emergency calls, 9 hang-ups, and 12 wrong numbers.  Total calls year to date; 352 emergency calls and 715 non-emergency calls.

 

Elvin Quinones summarized the August 25, 2007 Neighborhood Watch Meeting.  Concerns were raised regarding youths congregating in the area of the Adult Lodge late at night and use of cell phones while operating golf carts. 

 

The next Neighborhood Watch meeting will be September 22, 2007. 

 

The Security/Neighborhood Panel met on September 8, 2007.  Panel members present were: Elvin Quinones, Paul Pogozelski, Mick Henry, Jerry LaStella and Chief Kizer.  The communications officers are working out well.  Two security officers have been hired replacing existing vacancies.

 

The next Security/Neighborhood Watch Panel will be October 6, 2007.

 

Maintenance and Marina –  Jerry Beskovoyne

A comprehensive report from Maintenance was reviewed.  Nice job by maintenance cleaning up the marina area and dressing up the plaque dedicated to Robert Kempf “Kempf Marina”.  A suggestion regarding building bathroom facilities was discussed by the Board.  Jerry will explore options.  Progress at the U-dock area is going well.  Many property owners have been using the area.

 

Legal and Administration – Paula Whitney

There is no new information to report on the negotiations with Bill Spillane and Section 6.

 

Recreation – Conrad Zabransky

The minutes of the September 8, 2007 Recreation Meeting were reviewed.  Tricky tray was a huge success, thanks to all that made this event happen.  WLE games, another success, again, thanks to all that volunteered their time. Recreation has three co-chair persons, Pat Mongalieri, Janet Buxbaum and Kathy Pogozelski.  The Board, by consensus, agreed to change the current recreation guidelines regarding number of co-chair persons on the recreation committee.  The change will reflect that the recreation Committee can be chaired by up to three co-chairpersons. 

 

The next Recreation Meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2007 at 10:30 am at the Adult lodge.

 

Sewer & Water - Steve Sollenne

The Board reviewed the Sewer and Water Report for the period September, 2007.  A list of pressure reducing valves is near completion.  Sewer and Water will be addressing property owners that are not in compliance.  A new water fountain was installed at the tennis courts, section 4.  Planned for the near future is the installation of wireless communication between the plant and the sewer station, followed by setting up wireless communications between the sewer plant and the well houses.  It was suggested that Security coordinate with Water and Sewer.  Security is looking into setting up wireless communication to monitor cameras from the communication center.

The meeting was temporarily adjourned at 9:45 AM.  

The meeting was reopened at 10:05 AM.  Approximately 35 property owners were in attendance.

Elvin Quinones read what the Board has discussed at the temporarily adjourned meeting and read the General Manager’s report.

 

Paula Whitney discussed the status of the By-Law Review Committee.  It is ongoing and once the committee has completed reviewing the current by-laws, recommendations will be presented to the Board for consideration. The by-laws have worked for over thirty years.  The By-Law Review Committee is tasked to review and recommend changes to bring our existing By-Laws with the current times.

 

Paula briefly discussed the deer population in the estates. The Board is looking into options on how to correct and control the deer population.

 

Paula Whitney opened the floor for questions from the property owners.

 

1.   Property owner asked can we do away with lot and section numbers and use only the street address that is used for delivery, mail, 911, etc.

Ans. The only drawback would be for those properties that have not been built on yet.

 

2.   Property owner pointed out that the deer are being fed and that’s why there is a problem with the deer population.  People should stop feeding the deer.

 

3.      Property owner suggests doing away with badges, nobody uses them, so

why incur the expense?

Property owner advised that the badges are necessary especially for use of our pools.

Property owner advised that nobody checks for badges at the pools, nor does anyone sign in.

Property owner points out that the enforcement of badges at the pools is inconsistent.

 

4.      Property owner questioned why change the hours for the Adult Lodge to close at 2:00am rather that 12:00am.

 

5.      Property owner asked why can’t we have bathroom facilities built at the Marina

Ans. Building bathroom facilities at the marina are being discussed by the           Board.  Ten years ago a similar proposal was looked into, but turned out to         be too expensive.

Property owner questioned that with 300 slips at 350.00 per slip, where is the money going?

Property owner stated that sips on the lake run for $1,000.00.

 

6.      Property owner suggested that a paved walking trail be built around the ball field where Kasper Lodge is being built.

Ans. Walking trails are being considered in section 7.

 

7.   Property owner wants to limit the power of the Board to spend money to ¼ of the existing limits.

Ans. Limits do exist, adjusted by inflation rate.

 

8.   Property owner points out that in past meetings, Kasper Lodge was to be replaced, now the new Kasper Lodge is not considered a replacement, in fact, Kasper Lodge was never an amenity.

Ans. The proposed recreation center was voted down, Kasper Lodge is not considered a new facility, it is a replacement of the old Kasper Lodge.

 

9.   Property Owner asked, what is the cost for the new ball field?

Ans. Minimal cost, some of the money allocated for the land swap         regarding building Kasper Lodge will now be used to build the ball field, if it is decided to build a ball field.

Property Owner stated that the cost of the ball field should be part of the cost for building Kasper Lodge, since the existing ball field can no longer be used.

Ans. the existing ball fields will only be smaller, but it will remain where it is. Most of the work will be done in-house, the cost will be minimal. Property Owner advised that drainage will be a problem, in order to do it   right, drains must be engineered first.

Ans. agreed, that will be the biggest expense.

 

10.  Property Owner made the that observation that if decisions were left up to the property owners, nothing will never get done. Let the Board members make decisions, and if you don’t like, then vote someone else in as a Board member. The Board should look into the future and try to do what they can within the budget.  If the costs exceed the budget, then bring it to a community vote.

 

11.  Property Owner, what is the maximum homes that can be built in WLE.

Ans. Approximately 1,516 homes

 

John Carney arrived at the meeting at a 10:50am.

 

12.  Property Owner, if ATVs are being band, why does the community permit utility vehicles?

Ans. Utility vehicles are operated as golf carts. Only adult licensed drivers are permitted to operate this type of vehicle.

 

13.  Property Owner wants golf carts to be operated only by licensed drivers.

 

14.  Property Owner suggested that Board meetings be posted on the bulletin board.

Ans. will do it in the future.

 

15.  Property Owner learned of the control hunt in the local papers.

Ans. what was reported in the paper was accurate with exception that WLE has not yet decided to go forward with a control hunt. A study will first be conducted. The recommendations will be taken into consideration. The USDA Wildlife Service state that a healthy herd of deer should range between 10 – 15 deer per square mile. WLE is roughly 2 square miles. Property Owner stated that we are killing the deer with kindness by       feeding them. Property Owner, in case of a harsh winter, should a dead deer be found, who can be called.

Ans. call the office, or security.

 

16.  Property owner has observed that young kids on golf carts are more courteous and follow the rules as opposed to the adults. Thumbs up for the kids.

 

17.  Property owner suggested that children driving golf carts should have a curfew, not drive after dark.

 

18.  Property owner sees that property owners are not picking up after their dogs.

 

19.  Property Owner sees no problems having Lakeville fire company place signs indicating that Lakeville services the community, it is an accurate statement.

 

20.  Property Owner, golf carts should not be permitted in section 7 after dark.

 

The meeting was temporarily adjourned at 11:15 A.M.

The Board of Directors Meeting was reconvened at 11:27 A.M.

 

Advisory Board – Mick Henry

The minutes of the September Advisory Board Meetings were reviewed.  Highlighted were concerns regarding ordering sufficient number of golf carts and ATV flags for next year.  Consideration should be given to place a Porta-Potty at the boat launch area at Beaver Lake. Golf cart inspections should be reinstituted and performed by volunters.

 

The next Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for October 7, 2007 at the MCH at 11:30am.

 

Correspondence

 

a)      A letter from a non-property owner asking for sewer hook-up. The Board will take this into consideration with the possibility of bringing the property into the WLE core, as it is within the boundaries of WLE.

b)      Letter to the Board from a property owner.  The draft letter response will be forwarded to our attorney for review.

c)      Letter of appreciation to Donna Henry.

d)      A letter from a property owner regarding clarification to the definition of Developer Member.  A response letter will be mailed to property owner.

e)      Email for property owner concerning contract work on Saturdays. The Board discussed the matter at length.

 

A motion was made by Ted Couillou and second by Elvin Quinones to change   Article VI, Section 2; Hours of work to reflect the following:

Contractors are allowed to enter WLE property for work Mon. through Fri. 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.,  Saturday 9 A. M. To 5 P.M. for the period between Labor Day and Memorial Day.  Contractors are allowed to enter WLE property for work Mon. through Fri. 8 A.M. to 6 P.M.  for the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. No work on Sundays or the following holidays: New Years Day - Memorial Day -July 4th - Labor Day - Thanksgiving - Christmas.

The motion was passed unanimously.  Jerry Beskovoyne and Steve Sollenne excused themselves from voting.

 

Unfinished Business

 

a)      Kasper Lodge

b)      Lakeville Substation – The letter of intent was reviewed by the Board, corrections were noted, John Carney will contact Lakeville Fire Company to discuss changes.

c)      Fitness center – Building plans were approved.

d)      The By-Law Reformation Committee – recommendation are expected by December.  The Board will review the committee’s recommendations.

e)      Development of Section 7/new ball field – the Board will be looking into the costs involved and what is needed to develop this area.

f)        WLE Forum – The Board extends their appreciation to the former moderators of the Forum for all of their time and effort performing their duties as moderators.

g)      Deer control –

Motions was made by Steve Sollenne and second by Jerry Beskovoyne to proceed with the study and survey as proposed by the USDA Wildlife Services at a cost not to exceed $3,875, to begin on or about November, 2007 through April, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.

h)      Adult Lodge Hours – The board discussed extending the hours of the Adult lodge.  Concerns were raised regarding potential of abuse of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age. Several options were discussed. After a lengthy discussion regarding extending the hours at the Adult lodge from 12A.M. to 2 A.M.

A motion was made by Steve Sollenne and second by Jerry Beskovoyne to extend the hours at the Adult Lodge from 12A.M. to 2 A.M.  The motion passed.

WLE rules and regulations will be strictly enforced: property owners will need to sign in/out with Security for use of Lodge, current WLE badges must be displayed and if alcohol is present, all in attendance must have proper ID displaying age of individual."

i)        Open Houses – balloons and signs in the community are not permitted. No other letters of concern regarding the matter were received.

 

New Business

 

The BOD agreed by consensus to purchase an additional piece of equipment for the skate park at a cost not to exceed $1,800.

 

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for October 20, 2007

 

A motion was made at 1:30pm by Steve Sollenne and second by Conrad Zabransky to adjourn the meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elvin Quinones

Secretary