Kent proceeded through the Agenda items and explained the Ballots and handouts. He then asked for nominees from the floor for the election of Directors for the 2015-2016 year. With no one being nominated from the floor, all eight homeowners’ names that appeared on this year’s Board of Directors Ballot were elected.  As a formality, ballots and proxies were completed and collected by volunteers from the audience, but were not counted. Kent introduced the new Board members.

Announcements were made as follows:

• Please keep walked dogs close to the curbs.
• Emails were received regarding vehicles being hit with eggs, and several unlocked vehicles on Little Pond Drive and on West Bullrush Drive were entered and items taken.
• A suggestion was made by a homeowner about supplying owners with stickers for their vehicles so that the Milford Police can identify those belonging in the community. Kent responded that the new Board can look into this.
• Sign-up sheets will be available in the lobby for the Grounds Committee, Architectural Committee and the Neighborhood Watch.

Dan Marabello, Treasurer, reviewed the FY15 Budget, the projected actual FY15 Financial Report and the FY16 Proposed Budget that kept the annual assessment fee at $130 per lot per year. Our CDs for the storm water pond realignment produce approximately $800-$850 interest per year, and soon reaching $1,000 per year. In June 2016 our reserves will be approximately $50,000. Due to unexpected expenses for the storm water ponds, we are almost $2,000 over- Budget. $7,500+ will be going into the reserves account for this year. FY15’s Budgeted Actual will be close to the projected figure, breaking even for the fiscal year.  We have recovered most of the monies owed by initiating liens on properties. Ballots for the FY16 Budget were completed and collected.

For the question and answer session, it was requested that each person keep their time at 2 minutes. Questions were submitted on 3 x 5 cards included the following: Regarding the Proposed Restriction for clotheslines, why wasn’t there a timeframe for when the clothes need to be removed from the clotheslines? Kent responded that it may be a moot point, but the next Board can address it. He also discussed the Restrictions and the Board’s obligations in enforcing the Restrictions.  There was also a question and discussion regarding traffic issues on Halloween and possible solutions.  Question arose about homes with visible mold.

Joe Palermo, Grounds Committee Chairman for FY15, explained current issues with the storm water pond areas and emphasized that a drainage pipe is badly damaged under the roadway on Meadow Lark Drive. He and a few Board members had met at the ponds with Jessica Watson of DNREC and an environmental ground engineer several days earlier, and she will suggest possible solutions to the HOA in the near future. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the storm water ponds.

Kent mentioned that there were two properties that owe nearly $2,000 to the HOA, and the Board may proceed to foreclosure action. The Board is powered by the Restrictions and Bylaws but other than send letters and initiate fines, it is ultimately up to the owners, as we are limited to what we can do.

Bob Shinholt, Architectural Review Committee Chairman, reminded everyone that in the City of Milford, if you plan to dig into the ground, you must call the city and dial extension 811. If you have a contractor, their name must be on the permit, not the homeowner’s name.

Last order of business was the election results for the FY16 Budget and the Proposed Restriction changes.  Votes tallied as follows:

FY16 Budget was approved:  43 Yes    4 No

Motion was made and carried to accept the Budget as proposed.

Proposed Restriction Amendment for clotheslines:    34 approved    53.5 did not approve Proposed Restriction Amendment for larger sheds:   80 approved    8 did not approve

Since neither of the Proposed Restriction Amendments received the required 122 affirmative votes, they were not approved.

Elected to the FY16 Board: