Date of Meeting: 09/06/06 Start time: 7:00pm
Location: Corbit-Calloway Library
Attendees: Board Members - Brian Falla, Eric Nichols, Michelle Falla, Jim Peraro and Judy Smith, Paula Marsilii (NCC), Approx. 6 homeowners
Treasurer’s Report:
- The balance as of 09/06/06 is $19,342.46.
Balance as of 06/07/06 was $22,790.15.
$1589 received in dues paid.
$5036.69 paid out.
- Status of 2006 dues:
5 homes unpaid
- Status of past due accounts (collection of these dues has been turned over to our attorney):
2005 – 1 home unpaid
2004 – 1 home unpaid
2003 – 1 home unpaid
- Brian noted that one past due account was paid after the house went up for sale and he contacted the realtor. He asked that a Board member volunteer to review the properties for sale and verify that assessments are paid up – if they aren’t, then contact the listing agent. Judy volunteered.
- Account balances as of fall of 2005 represented approximately 60% of expenses. The goal is that the corporation has a running reserve of about one year of expenses, which averages about $21,000 each year. The board is pleased that this percentage looks as if it will increase for 2006. This is mostly a result of several expenses coming in under budget.
- Brian reminded those in attendance that a treasurer is desperately needed. Please consider volunteering for your community!
Pond Update:
- The two ponds have been treated for phragmites and the trash has been cleaned out. To date, approximately $2,000 has been spent on pond maintenance. The Board requested an update on the storm water utility, and Paula stated it was still being explored and overviewed the concept of the utility. The Board is eager to turn over control of these facilities to NCC.
- Marcia Fox of DNREC is suggesting that the Board consider planting vegetation (warm season grasses) around the ponds to prevent resident geese from moving in. Paula noted that any changes to the pond areas need to be reviewed and approved by NCC-Special Services.
**Please clean your grass clippings up off of the street. The rain will wash the clippings into the drain, which feeds into the ponds. Then we may have an uncontrolled growth of algae, which causes the maintenance expense to increase. We are required by the county to take care of the ponds, including algae overgrowth. (A recent walk down of neighborhood roads found many homes with grass clippings in the road. Please clean these clippings up! We really can’t afford to have another major expense!)
Open Space Update:
Michelle provided an update on the open space/natural habitat project and offered DVD’s and booklets on the program to anyone who wanted them. She encouraged everyone to share this information with his or her neighbors. Reaching out with information to those who don’t understand the program or are unhappy with it would be appreciated.
- DNREC is proposing reseeding the area adjacent to the playground with warm season grasses, and is including the planting of the same grasses around the ponds in its cost estimate and plan.
- Residents commented on some areas that did not evenly fill out with the grasses, and noted that there are areas being cut by several lot owners still. Some residents expressed concern at a previous meeting about ticks coming into their yards. Marcia from DNREC explained during her visit several months ago that ticks don’t come into cut grass. They will stay in the fields of the higher grasses. The mice will also stay in the fields because of the protective cover and instinctively they know they will become easy prey in the open areas.
- Broadleaf control for invasive species will be done under the power lines in the fall. Wildflower seeds will be planted in November under the power lines, but only within the areas where the grasses are flourishing, not the areas where people are mowing. Black eye Susan’s and other wild flowers will be mixed in with the warm season grasses to add some natural beauty. DNREC will provide 100% of the labor for this task. The community will pay for the seed.
- On OCTOBER 28, the community needs 10 volunteers to plant approximately 50 trees that are partially funded by the Appoquinimink River Association. A power auger will be supplied by DNREC. Please mark your calendars and help the community out. Cantwell Ridge has planted a total of 4,000 trees and was able to do so all because of homeowners who volunteered.
- DNREC will also be placing “Conservation Area� markers around the open space meadow areas.
Brian needed at least one volunteer to help erect the last purple martin house.
- Dumping of organic material is taking place in the open space. Basically, the board will need to budget for the removal of debris in open space as we move forward. This cost will unfortunately have to come from the dues that each homeowner pays. It was noted that as of January of 2007, yard waste cannot be put out with the trash so other means of disposal need to be explored to prevent this from becoming a community wide problem. The BOD will consult with the DSWA and/or Rep. Dick Cathcart for guidance.
- Since the meeting, one homeowner called DSWA and was told that this should not affect us because our trash goes to Kent County. We are encouraging each homeowner to double check with your trash service to find out their policy on this.
- Remember, no ATV’s, dirt bikes, go-carts or other unauthorized vehicles are permitted on open space.
General Items:
- Police Issues: New Castle County Police should be informed about all illegal vehicles, including motorized scooters. Any issues with speeding or school bus right of way violations should also be reported to the police. Residents are encouraged to go to www.NCCPD.com (click on the traffic tips link) or call 995-7696 to submit a traffic enforcement request.
- The wood entrance sign was stolen and the Board is requesting volunteers to help design a new one. Those in attendance agreed that the words, “Deed Restricted Community� needed to be added to the new sign.
- The stop sign at the entrance and the street blade were knocked down. DelDOT quickly replaced the stop sign, and later replaced the street blade.
- Please be careful when driving the roads of our neighborhood. There are reports of fast driving and non-compliance with school bus laws (not stopping when children are being picked up). We do not want to see any child in Odessa Chase get hurt. If someone is a witness to this kind of driving, get the license plate number and call the police.
Elections:
A request for nominations will be arriving by mail to develop the slate of officers for the next Board. Michelle and Eric are not running, and Brian has volunteered to be President again; but will not be the “sole� board member. Brian discussed the possibility of hiring a property management company and the potential impact on the assessments since Brian cannot be the sole board member and shouldn’t have to do all the work alone. Paula explained that the community is required to take care of the open space. If there is not a board to take care of things, the county will step in and each homeowner will be charged to cover all costs.
Correspondence:
Brian received mailings from NCC Emergency Services Corps and the Executive’s office indicating that a variety of speakers are available to address topics of interest at meetings. Due to the full agenda for the December meeting, guest speakers will be considered for the spring meeting. Brian also received information on House Bill 454 – which was passed to help alleviate the complications involved in deed restriction violation prosecution. The Board was invited to gather volunteers to serve at the “Imagine a Litter Free Delaware� clean up day being held on September 30. Civic groups will be provided with bags and vests. Volunteers were requested.
NCC Presentation:
Paula provided updated parcel lists and distributed the Register of Wills brochure. Due to time constraints, no other presentation was made.
Recent Updates:
Signs are to be placed in the tot-lot that say “Park use for residents only� and signs will be placed in open space that say “No ATV’s, dirt bikes or other vehicles permitted�. Still, the police must be called, especially if someone is riding on the roads. This is not a board issue, but a law enforcement issue.
CPR Training:
An instructor is willing to come and do CPR training for our community. The cost is $12 per person and the certification lasts 2 years. The session is 3.5 hours. Please contact Michelle if interested. We need at least 6 people in attendance to meet the requirement.
Volunteer thanks:
Thanks to all past and present board members and many other residents who have volunteered their time in one way or another. Thanks to all who show up for the meetings. It has been said that the “people in Odessa Chase really care about their community�. We hope to continue this effort and pass it on to the next board. If you simply cannot make meetings because of schedule conflicts, we understand. Nevertheless, here are things you can do to help:
- Pay your dues on time.
- Read your deed restrictions.
- Follow your deed restrictions.
- Submit plans for additions, etc, to the board for approval.
- Store personal items on your own property, not on open space.
- Don’t throw yard debris on open space.
- Clean up your grass clippings on the sidewalks and road.
- Keep unauthorized vehicles off open space.
- Don’t mow into meadows or wildflower areas.
- Keep cars off roads during snowstorms for plowing purposes.
- Contact a board member with an issue.
- Check the website regularly for community news, budget/maintenance information, deed restrictions and more.
If every homeowner cooperates in these ways, the community will surely benefit. Let’s all work together to ensure a nicely managed place to live. Doing a simple thing like cleaning up your grass clippings off of the road helps our ponds not become infested with algae. This in turn helps lower the cost of pond maintenance. We know everyone is busy so we simple ask you to follow these guidelines that will only take a minimal amount of your effort and it helps the community as well.
Next Meeting: DECEMBER 6th, 2006
Don’t forget the Oct 28th tree planting!
Meet some of your neighbors and help spruce up our open space!
We need volunteers!!
(See Open Space Updates above for more info.)
