WALDEN WOODS CONSERVANCY 
 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES 
DRAFT
February 23, 2005

Note:  The January 26, 2005 meeting of the Walden Woods Board of Directors was cancelled due to inclement weather.  The Board unanimously agreed in consultation with the Manager, Elite, that business would be held until the next regularly scheduled February meeting.  

Quorum
A quorum was present:   Joseph Sikora, Rick Ericson, Deborah Giampolo.  
Absent:  Warren Johnson and Raj Barman.  Quentin Hennessey and Frank Goeckler represented Elite Management

Call to Order  President Sikora called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

Reading of the minutes   
The reading of the Board of Directors meeting minutes of December 15, 2004 was waived, a corrected copy having been previously emailed to each member.  It was motioned, seconded and voted affirmatively that the minutes, as they appeared in the final version, be approved.  

Committee Reports  The following committees reported to the Board:

Standards Committee -  Chairman Rick Ericson reported committee approval of a residential dwelling design for Lot 70 requested by owner Ackley Beaumont.  Report attached.  

Recreation Committee  
1.  Jan Moller discussed pool and tennis court issues for the coming season.  He wanted the property manager to be aware of the opening date of the pool so that it was ready on time for the Memorial Day weekend this year.  He indicated that resident activities were planned for the opening weekend.  Elite responded that they have reviewed the contract and have it on the annual schedule. They will prepare in April for the May opening.  

2.  Mr. Moller inquired about planned repair of tennis court surface and equipment and about the gate lock.  The Manager stated that they couldn't respond to that at the moment and would report the status at the next meeting.  

3.  Mr. Moller stated that $8,000 was appropriated to purchase new pool furniture.  Vice President Giampolo amplified by stating that the Recreation Committtee will bring their purchase requests to the Board of Directors at the next meeting.  

4.  Ms. Giampolo related that the Recreation Committee continued to plan three resident events, starting with a childrens' Easter egg hunt on March 20.  She asked if the committee could use the Meeting House in the event of inclement weather.  She offered a motion to that effect, which was seconded by President Sikora, and unanimously approved that the event would be held in the Meeting House unless the weather was unusually warm.  Ms. Giampolo offered a preview of other events, including a Kentuck Derby Party for adults on Saturday, May 7, and a Memorial Day pool party with food and beverages.  
 
Communications Committee -  Mr. Bob Ellis reported that an issue of the Walden Woods News was published and distributed in February (and January).  He discussed the development of the Walden Woods Website which is proceeding on schedule.  Mr. Ellis indicated that as of this reporting, it was the committee's intention to include in the Website, a marketing description of the new Country Walk portion of Walden Woods; a list of residents and their addresses but without telephone numbers; a listing of the names of the Board of Directors, committee chairpersons and members; information regarding association rules and a link to the lastest version of the Walden Woods Guidebook; and a reference to available amenities.  Mr. Ellis distributed a thumbnail summary of each committee's function and membership (attached) and asked for feedback. He invited Elite to submit a summary regarding its management of Walden Woods.  He asked if the Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes might be posted on the Website, and Secretary Ericson answered affirmatively that they could, once approved in a subsequent meeting. 

Finance Committee -  President Sikora reported January status, reporting a Conservancy overrun of $5,000 for the Legal Expense line item.  He stated that this came as no surprise because of the expense of revising the Conservancy's legal documents.  The Conservancy also paid its annual insurance premium in a lump sum, which distorts budgeted expenses for the month.  He reported that Village Council expenditures were on target, but that Ridge Council expenses were running higher because snow removal was underbudgeted.  He stated that the derivation of those numbers were being reviewed.  

Document Revision Committee - See attached report from Chairman Johnson. 

Environment Pond - See attached report from Chariman Lynne Gilette

Meeting House Committee -  Vice President Giampolo reported that the Meeting House basement was organized, reserving a section for supplies and tables.  The building cleaning service started February 1.  She stated that the committee is researching the cost of purchasing 4 - 6 collapsable round tables, 48" diameter, and also card tables.  

Landscape Committee - President Sikora reported that snow removal operations on roads, driveways and sidewalks were going well except for the connecting aprons from the Walden Meadows sidewalks to the street.  Russo's crews dig them out, but when the Town plows them in, they sometimes can't find them all because they aren't staked.  Sikora also described the problem experienced the past two months when a buried photo-eye resulted in the street lamps around the Green burning 24 hours a day.  The sensor was re-located, but after uncovering, went bad, again resulting in the continual burning of the lamps.  

Welcoming Committee  -  Bob Ellis stated that the Committee was staying on top of its efforts to meet with each new resident soon after they move in. 

Property Manager Report
Frank Goeckler and Quentin Hennessey were introduced to the attending unit owners as the permanent managers for Walden Woods.  Mr. Goeckler stated that he and Mr. Hennessey would be sharing support duties.  He pointed out that part of the reason the Manager reports are abbreviated is that much of the business is conducted in executive session before the unit owner meeting.  

The Property Manager report is attached as part of the Meeting Agenda.

Old Business
There was no old business.

New Business
President Sikora reported that in executive session, the Board will approve a study to be conducted on the state of the Conservancy's capital reserves.  He advised that this had never been done by a professional in the past, and was needed  to assist the Board in better planning for capital expenditures.  He stated that quotations were obtained from three local companies, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, and the Board would commission one to conduct the study. 

President Sikora announced that a special unit owners meeting will be called soon to vote on the ammendment to build one versus three tennis courts.  

Home Owners Forum
Mr. George Hill, 11 Aster Place, asked if Russo (snow removal contractor) could get the salt truck out on the hills, like Aster Place and the Ridge, on those days after plowing when the freeze-thaw cycle results in morning ice. 

Mr. Bob Ellis, 144 Morning Glory Court, asked about the snow removal priority for driveways.  President Sikora replied that Russo has two plows, so he assumes they start at each end of the property. 

Mrs. Polly Ellis, 144 Morning Glory, asked if the unit owners will get a preview of the ammended conservancy documents before a vote is required.  President Sikora answered affirmatively, stating that, when completed, a meeting will be held at which the Document Revision Committee will present the highlights.  

Next Meeting:  March 30, 2005

Adjourned:  There being no addtional old or new business, it was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjorned, and unanimously approved at 8:55 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Richard G. Ericson
Secretary

Approved:

________________________
Joseph Sikora
President