The September 17, 2011 meeting of the Board of Directors was opened at 8:07 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Excused were Dan Braun and Peggy Kostyshyn.  Also present were General Manager, John Carney. and George McMullin for the Advisory Board.

 

Jerry Beskovoyne took a moment for a special thank-you to the Memorial Committee members, Steve Sollenne, Dolores Russo, Mick Henry and Jack Gilleeny, for the wonderful job they did on both the Memorial itself and the dedication ceremony.

 

The August Minutes were reviewed and accepted with two spelling errors on a motion by Jerry LaStella and a second by Al Cucciniello.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Dan Braun (as submitted to John Carney)

 

Monthly Report as of August 31, 2011

WLE POA Cash in Bank Accounts Totaling:   $1,869,401.97

WLE POA Equity (Cash Basis):  $2,903,481.89

Dues Assessments Collection Rate (Cash Basis): 98.1% on a Budget Year-to-Date Basis (excluding $52,578.80 in pre-paids); $67,098.81 in cumulative annual prior dues (less than one year in arrears); legal/collections not available at time of Treasurer’s Report.

 

Significant individual line item actual-to-budget, cash-basis negative variances from the annual budget as of August 31, 2011: 

·    Due to the increased price of motor and heating fuels, a total annual cumulative negative variance of approximately $7,500 was realized across multiple departments (holding steady for last two months).

·    Maintenance expense in excess of $10,000 in Pools/Recreation, pertaining primarily to Beaver Pool.

·     Increased frequency of water testing as mandated by the EPA resulted in an approximate $11,655 excess cost.

 

Studies and Projects: 

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

·    Treasurer and members of the Finance Committee have continued an assessment of alternate investment strategies from commercial investment sources that could yield a better return on WLE POA funds.  The two proposals received have been evaluated; follow-up questions were submitted to the presenters as a result of the presentations to the BOD during the August 2011 BOD meeting; responses have been evaluated and a recommendation will be made to the BOD at the September BOD meeting.

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

·    Treasurer continues to develop options and pricing for all projects on the “Wish List” to convert it to a Five-Year Plan for New Capital Projects.

 

Dan’s recommendation to the Board, based on last month’s presentations regarding alternate investment strategies and the follow-up responses received from both presenters, was to select the Merrill Lynch program.  Following a discussion by the Board members, a motion for approval of that recommendation was made by Al Cucciniello, seconded by Jerry LaStella, and unanimously approved.

 

General Manager’s Report – John Carney

 

1.      WLE was approved for 10 coupons by PA Game Commission for the Association’s deer management program.  The Association has designated areas in Section 6 for the coupons to be used in efforts for deer management.  Anyone interested in the program can contact the office.

2.      With recent tropical storms, WLE fared well.  Flooding was minimal, mainly confined to poor drainage areas.  Our biggest challenge was Tropical Storm Irene, with the winds causing falling trees and power outages.  The lake level on Lake Wallenpaupack was also a challenge, first with the lake level being low, then rising above the normal summer high level.

3.      During the storms, the pond leveler in the lake in Section 6 performed well, with no flooding of homes on Rolling Hills.

4.      The area below the ball field was checked during the storms and there was no evidence of flooding in Oakview Community.  Oakview notified us earlier in the year about water coming from below the ball field and damaging their drainage.  One area of concern is from Mustang through Sunrise into Knollwood Community.

5.      We are checking with local propane gas companies for comparative pricing for propane gas.

 

            Jerry Beskovoyne asked John Carney about the air temperature in the indoor pool area being very hot.  John replied that water temperature for that pool is set at 82 to 84 degrees and the air temperature must remain two degrees above the water temperature to avoid condensation. The fascia was replaced on the indoor pool building, the fascia was rotted. Above the ceiling, insulation needs to be checked when the pool is closed down to check to make sure that no moisture is getting trapped.

 

            Jerry also mentioned that although the thermostat in the Adult Lodge has been preset to the correct temperature and locked, the temperature is still being tampered with.  Security does a good job of monitoring the temperature in all public buildings while on patrol, but residents are reminded not to tamper with the thermostats.

 

Building Committee – Al Cucciniello

A property owner expressed concern about builders posting a board for all the necessary permits while building a new house; this board contains the builder’s name.  Is this an advertising sign?  Following a discussion, the Board of Directors agrees with the Committee that these permit boards may have the builder’s name ONLY on them and will not be construed as an advertising sign and will make it easier for deliveries, etc.

 

The recent storms inspired discussion of the regulations governing trees, tree removal, and tree removal with replacement plantings.  The Committee requests that the Board consider if tree regulations need to be updated in view of the fact that many of WLE’s existing trees are at or near the end of their lifespan. Fran has asked if the Board would want to require inspection by an arborist to determine if a tree is dead or not.  Following a discussion, John Carney will check with other communities regarding their regulations for tree removal/replacement, and a decision on revising WLE regulations is tabled.

 

One letter of application for the vacant spot on the Committee was received and reviewed.  Al Cucciniello also presented a verbal application.  After discussion, it was the Board’s decision to request a more formal written application be submitted by the second applicant, prior to the next Board of Directors meeting in October, for consideration at that time.  A decision on a replacement member is tabled until next month.

 

Marina – Al Cucciniello

 

Due to the recent heavy rains, the F Dock ramp was under water.  John Carney mentioned that part of the reason for that was to stay within PPL’s regulations of dock length and not lose any slips, we were forced to remove styrofoam from the first section of docks. PPL’s measurements start at the first section with styrofoam.  With all the recent rains. the lake level has come up to a level higher than at the beginning of a boating season.

 

October 12^th is still the mandatory date for removal of docks.  All boats must be out of the water by then, but the Board of Directors and General Manager recommend removal before then.  Even though PP&L is behind schedule with lowering the water level in the lake due to the heavy rains, the lake is currently dropping at the rate of one foot per day during the week.

 

The section of the ramp that was recently washed away by the heavy rains and was patched, has washed away again and will require placement of the pavement with concrete.  John Carney will arrange for a concrete delivery.

 

 

Recreation – Al Cucciniello

 

Chuck Miller has been appointed Tri-Chairman of Recreation, together with Rachele Harmuth and Pat Mongalieri.

 

Fall Festival will take place on October 8^th, with Kathy Sollenne as Chairman again this year.  There will be events running all day beginning at 11:00 AM, culminating with the History of WLE, a DVD produced by Kathy, being shown at 5:00 PM, followed by a Scary Outdoor Movie at 6:00 PM.  All volunteer workers will be wearing special lanyards during the Festival, so they will be easily recognizable if anyone needs assistance.  Suggestions were made, which will be forwarded to Kathy, regarding changes in procedures for this year’s beer tasting.

 

Dan Braun wants to purchase a large projector screen for the Main Clubhouse.  Suggested prices are from $700 for a manual pull-down screen up to $1400 for a motorized screen.  Unless Recreation would use it, too, the Board felt the expense could not be justified.  Recreation said they would use it if available, but they did not want to pay for it.  Further discussion was tabled.

 

Plans are already being made for Winterfest for the weekend of December 3rd.  Suggestions are to sell Christmas trees and wreaths, if there is snow on the ground maybe bringing in a sled, Lunch with Santa, the official lighting of the WLE Christmas lights, and other possible activities still under discussion.

 

Halloween parties will be Saturday 10/22 for the children and Saturday 10/29 for adults.  Bingo profit for the year was $2,752.  The boat building and racing events during the WLE Games weekend were both very successful.

 

Citation Dispute Committee – Jerry LaStella

 

In addition to the report submitted by the Committee, there was a discussion by the Board members regarding deadline dates for auto and RV stickers.  At this time, there was no decision to make any changes to the current deadlines.  There was also a discussion regarding whether too many citations are being issued, and the feeling of the Board was no, but Rocky and John Carney are discussing the feasibility of a system of written warnings only for a first offense with regard to some non-moving violations.  Under that proposal, a second citation for the same violation would result in an automatic non-negotiable fine.

 

Security – Jerry LaStella

 

There has been positive feedback regarding the speed sign we are testing.  It is now located on Indian Drive and property owners located there say it is working.  The next location to be tried will be Wallenpaupack Drive.  There was discussion about putting it on Lakeland Drive, too, as there is always speeding on that road, but the response was since that road does not belong to WLE, we cannot ticket violators unless we get special permission from the other communities that share that roadway, which is doubtful.  Jerry Beskovoyne polled the Board as to the desirability of purchasing a speed sign.  The majority said yes, but any monies to buy it would have to come out of the 2012 Budget, and if approved, a new 2012 model would be preferable to what we are testing now.  The question was also raised as to whether one could be rented for just the summer months instead of purchasing it outright.  Rocky will be asked to investigate that further.

 

Sewer & Water – Ted Couillou

 

Through effective monitoring by our water system sensors, it was discovered that one property owner had used 3,000 gallons while away from his residence.  The property owner was advised and came in for a key to turn his water off at the street.  The Committee has asked that all persons who attended the recent special meeting regarding water usage please spread the word to other property owners about WLE regulations and enforcement.  Recent changes to SOC testing procedures and frequency by the EPA have resulted in driving costs up extremely high and unfortunately will impact the budget.

 

Maintenance – Ted Couillou

 

Thanks to everyone in the Maintenance Department for their hard work getting the Memorial grounds ready for the Dedication, and their usual excellent job maintaining all the other areas of WLE.  In regard to the big tree that fell at the corner of Lakeland Drive and Wallenpaupack Drive during the hurricane, that will be cut down as soon as possible.

 

Legal and Administration – Gina Florio

 

In regard to a previous sledding accident, opposing counsel will be deposing Rocky.  Our attorney, Howard Terreri, will come in advance to prep him for that deposition.

 

Regarding the Murray Insurance case, assets are being sold off, but reimbursement has not yet reached the level of our $18,000 claim.

 

Legal issues regarding a former WLE employee remain open.

 

Janet Havet, our new Collections Administrator, is learning her position quickly.  She is very precise and has previous association collection experience.

 

Advisory Board – George McMullin

 

Property owner in Section 5, Lot 92 asked if the Board of Directors know that a property owner is selling guns out of his residence.  The consensus of the Board is that it is not illegal to sell guns, but you must register a pistol.  John Carney will relay this when he answers questions from the Advisory Board.

 

The property owner in Section 2, Lot 179 inquired about how best to regulate the building temperatures in all public areas of WLE.  In addition to the monitoring of the thermostats by Security, as mentioned earlier in these Minutes, it was further suggested by the Board that heating and cooling system fans should be left on all the time, which will keep temperatures regulated more evenly, without a burst of air moving through due to a fan going on at irregular intervals.

 

Neighborhood Watch

 

Officer Bob Vladika advised the Committee that the electronic sign advising “Your Speed Is” is here and will be put in operation shortly.  He asked George to make a list of anyone that could be on standby on Sunday, if needed, to assist.

 

Harvey Abramovitz was checking a campsite for a friend and had a difficult time finding the number.  We will let the office know this.  It was Number 16.

 

Max read highlights of the 7-1 to 7-31-2011 Public Safety report.   Discussion followed.  Alice asked all to pass the word that the Main Clubhouse and Beaver Lodge will be open Sunday if anyone needs to use them in case of power outages.  Generators have already been set up.  There will be a dispatcher on duty throughout the storm.  Discussion followed regarding the storm.

 

George asked if anyone could assist next Sunday with traffic control and bringing people to the office area from the field for the 911 ceremony.

 

Correspondence

 

1. Letter of response from Jerry Beskovoyne to POA regarding the wearing and checking of badges.
2. Letter of response from Jerry Beskovoyne to POA regarding suggestion for a Bed & Breakfast within WLE.
3. Letter of thanks from Scott Clemens, Financial Advisor from Merrill Lynch, to the WLE Property Owners Association, for the opportunity to meet with the Board of Directors and members of the Finance Committee regarding his investment management program.

 

Old Business

 

Wildlife Management – The restocking program for our lakes will be for three years.

 

Propane – John Carney is gathering information now on rates with Superior, Modern and Keystone and will report back to the Board at the next meeting.

 

Development of Section 7 – Nothing new to report.

 

Five-Year Development Plan – Done.

 

Section 6 Beaver Dam Pond Leveler – Done.

 

New Business

 

Committees & Volunteers - The Board of Directors is asking that any members of the community that would like to sit on committees other than Recreation, please submit your name to the Administrative Office so that you can be contacted when openings are available.  Currently, we are looking for a new member for the Citation Dispute Committee.  Other committees which are comprised of property owners are Building, Marina, Neighborhood Watch, Water & Sewer, Security, and the Advisory Board.  And volunteers are always needed for all of our community activities, so please sign up for that as well, so that committee chairmen may get in touch with you.

 

Jerry LaStella suggested a No Parking area be set up directly in front of the Memorial so that it can be seen from Wallenpaupack Drive.

 

Tennis Lane is in need of a clean-up.  Maintenance will be asked to get that done.   The tennis court area is also in need of repair.

 

Terracing of the Rockledge Area – Request under consideration and getting pricing.

 

 

Motion to adjourn, Gina Florio.  Second, Al Cucciniello.  Meeting adjourned at 11:14 AM.

 

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be October 22^nd at 8:00 AM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Marge Kenny

Recording Secretary