Attending (Board): Heinz Mantel, Bob Weiss, Lauren Conte, Carole Pascarella, Susan McClements, David Riley, Jason Meade, Jim Sweeney.
Attending (Homeowners): Karen Mantel, Bob Conte, Carl Pascarella, Bob and Sandy Kord, Lindy and Eileen Dial, Bill Plawinski, Justin Stopczynski, Adam and Kari Allsop, Ryan Greene
President Heinz Mantel opened the Annual Meeting welcoming attending homeowners with an introduction of the Board Members and their committee positions.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bob Weiss presented the Treasurer’s Report (see handout) breaking down the income and expense by month for year 2012. Profit and loss was explained with a prior year comparison by cost and percent. Overall expenses were down and income increased due in part to the successful collection of past due membership fees. Legal counsel has been retained and property liens have been filed against the remaining lots in arrears. Dues statements will be mailed in February with no increase for 2013. Membership dues will be assessed per lot owned (DPHOA Covenant 25). Items to be completed include 2012 Income Tax Filing and Business Entity Renewal.
Maintenance/Landscaping: Committee Members Jason Meade and Jim Sweeney gave an update on the Russian Sage having been removed from the entrance wall beds. No vandalism to the entrances in the past three months, keeping replacement item costs down. Trees uprooted along Adams Road due to the recent wind storm have been removed. Additional trees have been noted for staking or removal.
Social Events: Committee Member Carole Pascarella gave a recap of the success of the 2012 social events and the intention to continue 2013 with a Garage Sale, Easter Egg Hunt and 4th of July Parade. The option of Luminaries for Christmas will be revisited if interest is shown. Request for additional social event ideas and volunteers was presented to the attending homeowners.
Communications/Publicity: Committee Member David Riley gave the report of 68 email addresses collected through the website and the need for 100% cooperation from the homeowners to allow quick and efficient communication of homeowners association information and the cost of regular mailings. Committee Member Lauren Conte gave a recap of the past attempts to set up a Neighborhood Watch start up meeting with the St. Joseph County Sheriff and the continued lack of interest or cooperation.
Architectural Control: There were no requests to report.
Covenants Committee: President Heinz Mantel reported that letters have been sent to homeowners not in compliance with the Post Lamp Covenant, but have had limited success in keeping homeowners’ properties illuminated to avoid vandalism and criminal activity. In addition, letters written with the request for homeowners to keep their grass clippings out of the drains has met with little cooperation.
The condition of Lake Taddington has worsened since the Board first notified the homeowners of the high phosphorus levels. Aquatic Weed Control has provided estimates of the remediation of the problem, all at extremely high cost to the association and ultimately each homeowner. There was discussion regarding the design of the drains and possible alternate solutions to treating and/or draining the lake, i.e. a possible filtration system. It was voted on and agreed that the phosphorus levels will first be tested by Aquatic Weed Control and a second company for comparison purposes before further action is taken.
Additional Comments: There was discussion regarding options for leaf pickup, ways to stop drivers from speeding through the neighborhood and an email request from a homeowner for the entrance street signs to be made more visible from Adams Road.