April 1, 2003 Minutes ~ Annual Meeting

The April 2003 Skippack Ridge Community Association Board of Directors meeting was held at the Skippack Township Building.  Attendee's included  Bob Arch, Mike Roynan, Fran Tendall, Bill Turner, Mike Washington and several community homeowners.

Topics addressed included:

• Minutes of March 2003 meeting approved.

• The 2003 Operating Budget was distributed, reviewed, and approved by all in attendance.  An addition to our expense category was the cost of Snow Removal ~ amounting to $350 (to date).

• Our Annual Association fee's were reviewed and a proposed increase in these fee's was discussed.  An $8-$10/month increase (per household) will balance the budget.  No fee increase was presented for the year Jan 2003 - Dec, 2003 therefore a slight deficit will be incurred.   The current Board is recommending that at least a portion of the $8-$10/month increase (per household) be introduced in the January 2004 billing cycle.

• The floor was opened for "Community Questions & Concerns".  

   

  • Folks were questioning the Boards' interpretation and enforcement of by-laws.  Specific items included unleashed pets and fence installations around the neighborhood.  

   

  • The Board stated that unleashed pets (and incorrect curbing of pets) is a direct violation of the township ordinance and violators may be fined.  Evidence of the violation should be submitted to the township for further action.  The Board has distributed letters to violators asking them to better control their pets behavior in these areas. 

   

  • Our Community Association by-laws reference Fence installation guidelines in 2 separate sections.  The first reference is crystal clear - fences are allowable w/ approval from the Skippack Ridge Board of Directors.  However, the second reference is nebulous and presents confusion.  The Board will review this 2nd reference and provide (rewrite) a clear interpretation.  This interpretation will then be reviewed and voted upon at a later date. 

   

  • Questions arose pertaining to unresolved ground problems around the community.  Included were the water retention and run-off basin between Barb/Marlene's & Max/Lynne's homes and the water retention on Mountain Laurel in front of the Vitari's residence.  Mike Roynan presented his findings that Tim Woodrow (Skippack Township engineer) confirmed that the Township retains Fieldstone's bond for a period of 18 months after acquisition - meaning the bond money would be re-imbursed to Fieldstone in August of 2004.  The Board will contact Joe Thoma at Fieldstone to resurrect the resolutions to the water retention basin introduced in the fall of 2002.

   

  • Quan Nguyen identified a missing concrete slab on Buck Hollow Rd.'s sidewalk ~ adjacent to the Geissel's home.  This will be researched by the Board and presented to Fieldstone for resolution.

   

  • Pam & Brian Ley introduced the idea of "friendly", non-obtrusive speed limit signs to be posted in our community.  The Board will contact the Township for follow-up on this request.

   

  • Marlene Ferris requested that the Board contact the township regarding the reconstruction & cleanup of Perkiomen Creek Rd.  Open discussion resulted with the idea that our community team up w/ our neighboring community, Hillendale, and pull together a petition including signatures w/ our request outlined in detail.  Bob Arch offered to discuss this w/ the Township Officials

• The Board will review the by-law related to having 2 of the 5 Board members serve a 2 year term.  Amendment to this by-law has not yet been decided. 

   

• An election for the 2003-2004 Skippack Ridge Board of Directors was held.  The final vote resulted in the following three candidates being selected as Board Of Directors - ELECT with their term commencing on 6/18/2003:

   

  • Bob Croke     ~    Barb Hallman    ~    John Pritchard

   

  • Official titles for all Board members will be established over the course of the next two board meetings 

   

  • Please take the time to congratulate these folks for their achievement and their willingness to contribute to this cause.   By managing the Association ourselves, voluntarily, we are each saving a few hundred dollars annually.

   

• The annual "Cleanup our Community" date has been set for Saturday April 5, 2003 at 10am.  Volunteers interested in assisting w/ a Community clean-up effort are meeting at the Gazebo (at the entrance to Skippack Ridge).  Coffee & Doughnut stations will be set up to provide refreshments for the volunteers.  We could really use a hand in this effort!

• Our annual "Easter Egg Hunt" has been scheduled for Saturday April 12, 2003 ~ 10am-Noon at 825 Mountaintop Dr.  Once again, Barb & Marlene will be our generous hosts.  Please bring the children out to enjoy the Games, Activities, Food, Fun, & the Hunt !!!

• If you would like to participate, place 1 dozen filled eggs with the name and age of the children in the box on Barb and Mar's porch

• If you would like to help ~ please call Barb at 610.454.9664

• Rain Date ~ Sun, April 13th

• Providence Landscaping will be contacted by the Board of Directors for the purpose of understanding their preliminary work schedule - when will weed & feed, grass cutting, & bed maintenance commence.   

• Now that Spring time is just around the corner, many of you are probably planning to enhance your grounds w/ structures.  Please submit any requests for sheds, fences, satellite dishes, etc. to the Board@SkippackRidge.com.  We all need to respect one another's property and by receiving approval on any planned enhancements, you'll avoid potential conflicts w/ the community at large. 

• The following Fieldstone-related items will be addressed in early Spring, 2003: In a follow-up  to John Genovese's statement regarding tree replacement and water retention basin corrections:

   

  Mr. Genovese stated that Fieldstone Associates will replace the dead trees "if" the township enforces the request under the existing enforcement bond.  It should be noted that in the June 24, 2002 Board of Directors meeting (click here for minutes) John Genovese committed to following:

• Statement regarding street tree warranty:

  • Fieldstone Associates has received a 1 year guarantee, from Cedar Hill, on all street trees throughout the community

   

  • Skippack Ridge Community Association has received an 18 month guarantee, from Fieldstone Associates, on all street trees throughout the community -- Fieldstone's warranty period (to Skippack Ridge) begins at the end of the warranty period between Cedar Hill and Fieldstone 

   

• Mike Roynan parlayed the following information:  Chris Badali, Esq. (832 Mountaintop Dr.) contacted a Skippack Township engineer; the township is aware of the dead trees and the problematic water retention basin and  stated that they will direct Fieldstone Associates to have these problems resolved in a timely manner