Fishers Farm Homeowners Association

February 2001 Meeting Minutes

Introduction of board members
Members Present 6
Opened Meeting

Board member commented on the possibility of the meeting signs blowing away or at least are no longer there and that may attributed to the low turn out at this meeting. Or it could be that no issues were a concern for the community at large and this was a sign that most were happy with current activities as they are.

Board member commented that we would continue to put information out in the minutes through the mail.

Board member said that the three entrance signs need floral designs made & that this is being headed by the Arch. committee.

Board member said that last month we had talked about guidelines on upgrading common areas. We have an outline for the homeowners to review & give input on.

Board member announced that the new no soliciting & pond signs are in. The intent is to paint the poles and get them up ASAP.

A homeowner commented that the streetlight south of the first entrance is out. The homeowner also commented that someone form another neighborhood is putting their trash in with there's. They have contacted the police & they advised that charges could be brought but a better solution might be to contact the person through a letter from homeowner or the board.

Board member commented that if it persists the board would address this with them as we have offered help to others in similar situations.

Board member stated that the Board would come up with a cost efficient way to maintain the street lighting.

Board member commented on the possibility of adding trash removal to the dues by working out a contract with a trash removal company.

Homeowner asked if that would increase the dues.

Board member commented that currently the estimate is $150.00 a year per household paid in garbage removal and that there is a possibility that could be cut in half or more with a contract to do the whole community and bill the association and thus add only a small amount to the yearly dues.

Homeowner asked how does the board go about increasing the dues.

Board member said dues came only be increased by the means stated in the by laws, though no plans to consider an increase has been discussed to date. This only came up due to the conversation of trash removal.

Board member stated that we have started the construction of the Web site and the cost to the community will only be the fee for the domain name. The host is being done through another homeowners work.

Homeowner asked if the people who live around the common grounds could buy it.

Board member commented that the common areas are not for sale and that has not even came up for consideration.

Another homeowner commented that he had been in construction & a portion of common grounds is set aside strictly for drainage.

Board member asked if Arbor Homes would be doing anything with the plant beds this year?

Board member answered no; we will be on our own for that.

Board member asked if there is an irrigation system that waters the plants.

Board member answered that there is one on the Bruddy Dr. entrance but none on Fireside.

Board member commented that we will have to plant more drought resistant plants on Fireside.

Board member said that we want to get a community day set up to clean up the common grounds with a tentative date of April 29th.

Board member commented that planting day is sometime after the 15th of May & that we are looking for a few people to plant. Board member also said that we are announcing this in an open forum so that those interested will respond when the community reads the minutes from this meeting.

Board member commented that a homeowner wanted to build a bench for the common ground & that the Arch. Committee is coming up with a design to be brought up in an open forum in the next meeting so it can be discussed by any interested in this idea.

Board member said that the above mentioned community day and planting day is going to be in the newsletter that is coming out in March or April. The board hopes to get people involved with clean up in honor of earth day. The board will also write letters to any of the schools in which offer community service as extra credit.

Comments & opinions of one homeowner.

Homeowner commented on the new signs. He said that the community was unaware of the new signs & he wanted to know how it was that the board is purchasing them for the community with out asking first. Also stated that the money should not have been spent on the signs because the board could have found someone to make them for free.
The homeowner said that a lot of people in the community don't even take time to care what the board does.
He thought that the meeting signs were not appropriate, in poor taste and a waste of the community's money.
The homeowner said that the signs posted on week prior to each meeting at the entrances were not going to bring people to the meetings.
The homeowner said that the board should spend more money each month by creating & sending out "dressed up " flyers to try to get people to come.
The homeowner then suggested the board go door to door each month doing PR work and soliciting people to come to the meetings. (He stated that he would be going door to door himself and talk to the people. We said this would not be a good idea for most home owners seem to be happy with the current methods of communications set up. We also want make it clear that if he does this we did not ask him to do so.)
The homeowner questioned if the board might be receiving kickbacks from contracts they negotiated.
The homeowner questioned the time it took for him to receive approvals on his requests to the Arch Committee. He also stated that he didn't consider the approvals he has already received to be clear.
The homeowner said that it would be a waste to set up a web site since he believes most of the people in the neighborhood probably don't even have a computer.
He asked what gives the Board the right to make decisions for the community with out asking first.
He questioned why we would use the Democratic process of voting in people to do the general duties and responsibilities of the community.
He questioned why the President of this community wouldn't mow the weeds of the neighboring community instead of only making the calls to help in getting it done.
The homeowner commented that he represents the entire community & that the homeowners are not satisfied with the way Fishers Farm is being run at this point but he is the only one with the fortitude (not quite what he said) to go ahead and say it.
A board member commented on most of his concerns and went on to say that he didn't believe that the community was dissatisfied or they would use the many avenues to let the Board know that they truly are unhappy with the current board.
A board member also said they cannot be expected to come up with the answers to all community issues. However, it is the responsibility and duty of the board to make day-to-day decisions for the community as we were elected.

Adjourned