Wiltshire at Oxford Homeowner's Association Board Meeting Minutes – Final

 Call to Order / Approval of Minutes

• Meeting was called to order at approximately 6:15 pm.

• Minutes from previous meeting (6/27/2004) approved.

 Treasurer’s Report 

• D&O insurance bill – CCR requests payment of $1150.20 payment for annual Directors and Officer's insurance from Kevin Davis Insurance Services.  Mark notes that this should soon be reducible once a change in policy is allowed, but not until current lawsuit is resolved.  Andrew to confirm with CCR and Board agrees unanimously to approve payment.
• CCR Management Invoices – The July CCR invoice includes a +4% Billing Adjustment.  Andrew has received a copy of contract and will discuss with CCR the reasoning behind this increase.
•  July financials – A copy of the financials was e-mailed to the other Board members by Andrew.  Also, a paper copy was brought for perusal by meeting attendees.
•  NEBS bill – A bill from NEBS for new checks and envelopes for $132.48 arrived.
•  Hoang outstanding dues bill – This has been fully paid.
•  Allison outstanding dues bill – Homeowner is selling house.  Their outstanding dues are held in lien against the home and must be paid as part of sale.

 Old Business

• Wolf (86) Arc submission for driveway – Received specifics about driveway.  Arc committee members recommend approval.  Board votes  unanimously to direct CCR to issue approval letter.

•  Water problems for Nightingale (110) and Andersons (111) – AKA the “berm” issue.  Mark reports that Theresa is to contact township to see what is involved for them to check out status of pertinent area of the wetlands.  Andrew reports that Gloria Nightingale said that more recent episode of heavy rain did not cause flooding.  General consensus is that the flooding that occurred was a transient occurrence, likely due to the combination of a high water table and extremely heavy two-day rains that precipitated the event.  However, the Board continues its due diligence and awaits the availability of township assessment.

• Request for extinguish of right-of-way to high school – No new news.  Andrew to get update from CCR on status of letter.

• Inflatable pool issue – There was additional concern that Covenant section 5.09 needed further clarification as to whether the “above ground” and “above grade” pools specified covers non-permanent pools.  There was discussion that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania did not seem to consider these to be pools that require fencing.  The feeling is that small “kiddy” pools are not intended to be covered by 5.09, but that they seem to be from the language.  The Board agrees unanimously to get professional legal advice on whether the inflatable, semi-permanent pools are covered under 5.09.

 New Business

• Karlton (106) Arc submission  – Request for change of color of door and shutters from green to black received, discussed, and approved via e-mail.  Approval letter sent by Theresa Campbell of CCR 7/22/2004.
•  Sassi (11) Arc submission – Request for deck and fence installation received.  Arc committee members discussed issue before meeting and recommend approval.  Board votes unanimously to direct CCR to issue approval letter.  Note that fence approval is for the plan submitted and does not include fencing observed being built to conceal trash containers (see below).
•  Sassi (11) trash fence violation  -- Multiple people present observed that the Sassis have begun building a small fenced area apparently designed to provide a concealed area for trash.  This is separate from the fencing submission above and the type of fencing used is not split rail. All present agreed that this violates fencing regulations in section 5.11 of the Covenant.  Board votes unanimously to direct CCR to issue violation letter to the Sassi’s reference this trash-screening fence.
• Trash storage discussion – Prompted by the Sassi trash fence violation, a lengthy discussion of the general issue of homeowners’ options to store trash containers outside of their garage ensued.  Section 5.07 (“Debris”) of the Covenant figured prominently in the discussion.  The intent was generally accepted to be to prevent the unsightly storage of trash and trash receptacles.  While it was agreed that the use of fencing other than split-rail was not allowed under the current Covenant, other options were discussed, including Rubbermaid (tm) -style sheds, natural barriers (e.g. hedges, small evergreens), and actual attached architectural additions to homes.  Placement issues were also discussed.  The Board directs the Arc committee to further discuss the issue and make recommendations for the next meeting.
•  Landscaping committee report – Mark received some bids solicited by committed chair Nicole Harman, which were passed around.  Board agreed that it would be better to defer obtaining a contractor at this time, due to the fact that expense budgeted covered plantings only.  Board agreed that signage should be part of next year's budget.
•  Frost-maintained areas – Brian asked about parking lot next to newly sold model home.  Angela and Mark report that the parking lot is actually a lot intended for a new home, once the model has sold and sewer permits are forthcoming.  Brian asks if Frost is to demolish parking lot sooner, rather than later.  Brian also expresses concern that Frost continue maintenance of their areas.  Specifically, that they continue to mow and keep areas free of construction clutter.  Mark will contact CCR about discussing with Frost these issues and determine their intent.
•  Sheds that lack vinyl siding – Rob asked if this had been addressed.  He was informed that bylaws specify that the sheds must match the home decor and do not specify that siding is necessary.
•  Lot 61 shed door – Angela reports that homeowners have reported that Lot 61 has a shed with a garage-style door.  A submission for a shed with this style door was recently disapproved with the request to change the door style to one more shed-like.  Angela says she sent an e-mail Friday to CCR for a copy of Lot 61's shed Arc submissions to see if this had been approved.
•  Porch-style swings – Rob asked if there had been any ruling about porch-style swings in front yards and/or on porches.  The Board has not made any official determination on this matter and is inclined to wait for a formal homeowner complaint or Arc submission before deliberating on the matter further.
•  Advisory committee listing error – Rob noticed that he was mistakenly listed on the community web site as being on the Advisory committee.  Brian made note and will correct.
•  Swing set placement issues – Rob asked Board's opinion on move of his swing set to Northeast side of Lot 96.  Mark advised that this would likely result in a violation letter being sent if a homeowner complained, due to the fact that the North side of the lot is considered their front yard, even though roadway has not yet been built.
•  Lot 1 deck – Angela and Mark report that deck built at Lot 1 does not need submission, as it is part of the original build contract and thus allowed by the declarant.

 Meeting End

• Meeting ended at 8:05 pm.

• Next meeting date to be determined via email exchange.