May 6, 2003 Minutes

The May 2003 Skippack Ridge Community Association Board of Directors meeting was held at Barb Hallman's home.  Attendee's included  Bob Arch, Mike Roynan, Fran Tendall, Bill Turner, Mike Washington, Barb Hallman, Bob Croke, Barb Croke, John Pritchard, Marlene Ferris, Pam Ley, and Susan Jablokov.

Topics addressed included:

• Minutes of April 2003 meeting approved.

• The issue regarding permissibility of fence installation was discussed at length.  The discussion resulted in the decision to put this issue out for a community-wide vote.  The Board of Directors will prepare and distribute literature on this issue in the coming weeks.  Please contact the Board of Directors with any questions on this issue. 

• An increase in the Annual Association 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.

• Joe Thoma was contacted by Bill Turner regarding the unresolved ground problems with the water retention and run-off basin between Barb/Marlene's & Max/Lynne's home.  Fieldstone dispatched a crew to this site and applied maintenance.

• Dead Trees are still an issue in our community.  Fieldstone is liable for the replacement of these trees.  The Board has contacted Fieldstone for dead tree replacement on "common grounds only"  throughout the development.  If you are a homeowner and have a dead street tree, planted by Fieldstone on your property, please contact Fieldstone's warranty department at 215.348.8473 for tree replacement.

• The outgoing 2002-2003 Board of Directors is recommending that the incoming Board research alternative options for investing the Associations cash reserves.  It has been brought to the Board's attention that our current checking account w/ Harleysville National Bank limits us to writing 3 checks and 3 withdraws per month ~ a fee is assessed on exceeding these limits.  In addition, it was suggested that at least a portion of our Cash Reserves be invested in a higher interest bearing account.

• Our new lawn service, Providence Landscaping, initiated the maintenance of all common grounds throughout the community.  The 1st (of 2) lawn treatments was applied on May 1, 2003.  In addition, the Board voted YES to Providence Landscaping's proposal for the installation of 200 plants at the Skippack Ridge entrance  ~ for a cost of $358.

• It was noted that the trees recently planted on the common grounds adjacent to the Geissel's home have started to slope into an awkward position.  The Geissel's will be notified and we'll attempt to have the trees uprighted.

• Home Owner's Requests:

• The Mark's request to install a shed was approved by the Board.  We do ask that, in accordance with Skippack Township by-laws,  the shed be placed 4 feet from any property line and that a township permit be purchased prior to installation. 

• The Mark's request to cleanout the dead tree limbs behind their yard was approved by the Board.

• The Mark's request to plant shrubs and tree's was approved.

• The Older's request to install a fence was placed on hold pending the outcome of the community vote (see 1st bullet above)

• The New's request to install a fence was placed on hold pending the outcome of the community vote (see 1st bullet above)

• Pam Ley is investigating the idea of installing "community-friendly" speed limt and/or child-at-play signs.  She is working w/ Mr. Horroucks at the Skippack Township building.

• The Skippack Ridge Summer Picnic was discussed.  The Board voted NO on reimbursement of any Summer Picnic related expenses.  The Summer Picnic Committee is investigating the idea of a Caterer - and shared costs among those in attendance.

• Three 2002-2003 Skippack Ridge Board members resigned after successfully fulfilling their obligation to serve.  Their resignations become effective June 18, 2003

• RESIGNATIONS:

  • Fran Tendall - President

  • Bob Arch - Vice President

  • Bill Turner - Secretary (Bill will continue as Webmaster for SkippackRidge.com)

• Our three newly elected Board members were in attendance at their inaugural Board meeting - Official titles for the 2003-2004 Skippack Ridge Board of Directors will be assigned at the June 2003 meeting.

• 2003-2004 Board of Directors (Official Titles pending):

  • Bob Croke

  • Barb Hallman

  • John Pritchard

  • Mike Roynan

  • Mike Washington

• Still Outstanding: 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.