Minutes IHGE October Meeting
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Diane Nicholson at 7:00 PM. In attendance were Board members Susan Braddock, Melissa Bowen, Jim Gooding, Diane Nicholson, Sophia Phillips, and Teresa Woo. Excused: Dara Adams, Bill Anselm, and Ralph Johnson.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as submitted. (All minutes are posted on the IHGE website.)
The Treasurer’s report was given by Sophia Phillips. The annual financial report has been submitted to the County. We are now waiting to receive information on the latest property tax figures for the community so that we can prepare the next year’s budget.
Melissa Bowen reported on the pool and club house. The committee will be making a decision on next year’s pool contractors by early January. Melissa may have two groups do presentations to the committee and perhaps to the Board. Jim Gooding asked for permission to do repairs on the siding of the shed and clubhouse and was not only given permission, but thanked for his willingness to do this work and save the community dollars. Jim estimates that materials for the repairs will cost approximately $150. Melissa also noted the donation of an ice machine to the community by Greg Lily. His company also installed the machine free of charge, a considerable contribution, since it took two days of labor to install the machine. Diane Nicholson will send a thank you note to Greg for his donation and great community spirit.
Mosquito update - Jim Gooding reported that some homes have been surveyed for mosquito control suggestions, but that others will be done next spring. The Board suggested that if possible, it would be good to know when the Dept. is coming in order for the homeowners to get specific questions answered. Jim will give that information to the Dept. of Agriculture Mosquito Control Section. Homeowners can still sign up to be surveyed next spring by contacting Jim Gooding at jimbogoodski@verizon.net
Zoning appeal update – Diane Nicholson reported that she has been in contact with Cathy Vitale concerning the rezoning of the Forthofer property, and that Ms. Vitale seems disposed to find ways for the property to be used for commercial purposes, even if the zoning is not changed to C1. The Board will continue to voice opposition to additional commercial development on the part of Ritchie Highway that is still residential: between the Sunoco station and Rt. 50.
Sign committee report – Tracy Kruk and members of the sign committee presented renderings of potential signage for the Rt. 2 entrance to the community and suggested two options for signage.
1st option: Lettering both walls at Route 2 (Indian Hills – Glen Eden) and molded sign for Glen Eden wall. $4,950 to $7,000 depending on size and material choice. Option 1 would allow us to complete all three walls at the same time. Seven out of eight sign companies recommended lettering the Indian Hills walls and feel the walls would be able to support the letters. With any leftover funds the board could purchase solar lighting to see if we could illuminate the names without having to add voltage. Additionally we would recommend to the board to have a sealer put on the top of the Indian Hills walls to prevent water damage in the future. Also make sure all three signs are covered by insurance for damage or vandalism. The county is responsible for the electric pole in front of the north/bound wall on Route 2. In order to relocate the pole we would have to put a request in writing and pay for the move -approximately $1000.00. If in the future we would like to have electric run for the entrance walls it can be done; we would just need an electrician to quote a price. This would be more effectively done once we have signage.
Demolish the existing route 2 walls $1200 and build two new walls (Indian Hills – Glen Eden) $9605.40. This price is for 2 –4’ x 8’ x 24” Synthetic Stucco Monument Signs. The Glen Eden sign portion of the cost would stay the same approx $2500.00. Total $13,300 Given the budget of approximately $9,000 for this year, the committee assumes that Option 2 would require a phased approach. In addition we recommend that we consider relocating the pole and adding new lighting for the walls that would be constructed, possibly costing an additional $1500-$2000. The contractor who gave us a price for demolishing of the old walls is very much aware of the need to carefully protect the landscaping in front of the existing walls, and is committed to doing so. |
The Indian Hills-Glen Eden Board voted unanimously for Option 1. Tracy will follow up on getting a contract, which will be signed by the President of the community association. Teresa Woo will ask a family member who is an electrician to look at the Rt. 2 walls and let us know what needs to be done to add electricity to them. BG&E said they will run the lines if they know what we need, and the bill will be added to the clubhouse electric bill. Tracy will ask the sign company that was chosen (Sign Central) if they can seal the walls when they install the signs. Sophia Phillips will also check on prices from stone masons who were consulted during the work of the sign committee. The Board did not recommend moving the utility pole at this time.
Since there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday November 18th at 7 PM.