WALDEN WOODS CONSERVANCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES  - DRAFT

August 25, 2004 

Present:   Joseph Sikora, Deb Giampolo, Richard Ericson, Raju Barman

Joe Sikora called the meeting to order at 7:36.  

The Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting of July 29, 2004 were approved

Home Owners Forum: The following topics were raised:

1.  Joyce Armstrong, 106 Knollwood South, inquired about contractor work on the stone walls in her area.  Property manager Andy Carrier replied that the mason completely disassembled the walls and then re-built them.

2.  Alyce Lacey, 131 Primerose Lane, thanked Mr. Carrier for his prompt response to her request for repairs.

3.  Richard Armstrong (address above), inquired what the equipment was that was attached to his unit.  President Sikora indicated it was a transponder designed to sense moisture and turn off the sprinkler system when it rains.

4.  Larry Haber, 41 Sagewood Lane, asked about the recent increase in property taxes.  Bob Ellis addressed his question stating that it was not a Conservancy issue, but provided some background and possible individual actions that could be taken.

5.  Bill Robertson, 122 Heather Way, raised issues about the sprinkler system.

6.  Sandra Freedman, 120 Heather Way, and Richard Armstrong asked about shrub replacement.  Mr. Carrier explained that Russo landscaping was removing dead shrubs free of charge, but as Property Manager, he could not authorize replacements until Conservancy funding was available and he was authorized to do so. He also explained that he has not done a full survey of replacement requirements, and won't be able to do so until the Conservancy financials are finalized.  He will continue to order the removal of dead shrubbery as a beautification measure. 

Committe Reports
The following committees reported to the Board.  Their reports are appended, where available, to the notes for the record.  

Architectural/Covenant Control - Rick Ericson
Recreation and Social - Deb Giampolo
Communications (See WW Commuication Committee Guidelines) - Bob Ellis
Finance - Raj Barman
Landscape - Skip Kroll

Property Manager's Report
Andy Carrier reports:

1.  All eight vinyl fence replacements planned for FY 2004 were completed.  
2.  He has been evaluating the condition of driveways, as well as the condition of exterior paint on dwellings.
3.  He continues to move forward with the buget preparation process.  Part of the process is getting to know the property, which is quite complex.  Landscaping appears to be the biggest budget item and management issue. 
3.  Repair progress on the stone walls has been slow.  Six walls were targeted and budgeted for repair.  Sage Lane is done, as is the walls on Knollwood North and the mailbox stand on the Ridge. The mason is starting the repairs at Morning Glory and Primrose Lanes.  He expects they will pour the concrete caps in the second week of September. 

Financial Report 
Raj Barman reports:

1.  Collections on delinquencies are fairly current
2.  For the month, Receivables were roughly as budgeted, as were expenditures 
3.  Year-to-date collections are as budgeted, and YTD expenses are close to budget.  The most notable over-budget line item was Legal, which was not unexpected.  

New Business

1.  Rick Ericson moved, and it was seconded that the association retain Atty. Matthew Perlstein of Farmington, CT as counsel for the Walden Woods Conservancy, and to request that current counsel, Lisa Anderson, turn over all collections to Atty Perlstein as soon as practical.  The motion was approved.

2.  Deb Giampolo move, and it was seconded,  that the Board consider sending a letter to the Town of Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission, appealing for an exit from the proposed Lord Homes development onto Prospect Hill Road to take traffic pressure off Pierce Boulevard.  The motion was approved.  

3.  Rick Ericson moved, and Deb Giampolo seconded a motion to pay invoices from Atty. Perlstein for services render in connection with the transition meeting and the formation of the new Walden Woods Board of Directors. The motion was approved.   

4.  Bob Ellis requested a communication from each committee describing its mission or objectives for publication in a newsletter to be distributed by the end of the following week. 

5.  Rick Ericson moved, and Deb Giampolo seconded a motion to purchase membership in the Community Associations Institute.  CAI is a national non-profit association created to educate and represent residential community associations.  It provides a wide range of resources to its membership, including guidance to start-up associations. The motion was approved.  

6.  The Board confirmed that the Walden Woods pool would close following Labor Day, since there would be no attendant available. 

Next Meeting
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Richard Ericson
Secretary