December Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association

Board Meeting Minutes

December 8, 2014

The monthly board meeting was called to order by President, Bill Bannister. All members were present.

Secretary's Report 
The report had been given to all members previously. Motion to accept with no corrections or omissions by Bob Mirisola and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. The motion passed 5-0.

Treasurer's Report 
The report was presented by Anita Haskell and given to each member (see attached) There were no issues to be discussed. Motion to accept was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Gerry Rainforth. The motion passed 5-0.

Landscaping Committee Report
Mainly Grass has treated all the trees that have scale with oil. Some trees were trimmed. The small black bugs that have plagued us this past summer have been identified as "Lace Bugs". Treatment will be discussed in the spring.

Social Committee Report
The Holiday Party will be held this Sunday, December 14th

Plowing Committee Report
See attached letter to John Patten sent by Ernie Wheeler outlining winter care of our roads.

Old Business
An official complaint has been logged with the town regarding the issue at the end of Ruch Lane.

New Business
Bill Bannister announced the purchase of an 8 x 12 vinyl shed. It will be tan in color, vinyl material. It will have a ramp, shutters and two windows (non-functioning). The floors will be treated wood.

John Patten has already treated the ground and it will sit up on approximately nine cinder blocks. We will decide a way to keep "critters" from setting "up home" under the shed. It was purchased from Sheds USA. The cost of the shed is $3,469.90. This does not include the cost from John Patten for the ground preparation.

The company hopes to install the shed on December 17th.

The board thanks Bill and Sue Bannister for the time spent in researching this purchase.

Respectfully yours,

<signed>
Sally Hudgins

Annual Holiday Pot Luck Party

The Annual Holiday Pot Luck Party will be held in the Community Center on Sunday, December 14th, starting at 6:30 PM.

Please remember to bring a Yankee Swap gift valued at $15 - $20 if you wish to participate.

Yum!

Monthly Board Meeting Next Monday, December 8

Just a reminder...

Monthly Board Meetings are held in the Community Center on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

The next meeting is Monday, November 8, 2014.

All homeowners are welcomed to attend.

November Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association

Board Meeting Minutes

November 10, 2014

The monthly Board Meeting was called to order by President, Bill Bannister. All members were present.

Secretary's Report
The Secretary's report had been given to all members previously.

Motion to accept with no corrections or omissions was made by Ernie Wheeler and seconded by Bob Mirisola. The motion passed 5-0.

Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer's report was presented by Anita Haskell and copies were given to all members (see attached).

Motion to accept was made by Bob Mirisola and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. The motion passed 5-0.

Landscaping Committee Report
The report was presented by Sue Bannister (see attached).

Fall clean-up and gutter cleaning will be held sometime between now and the first of December.

It was suggested that some tall reflectors should be placed around the corner of Spring Pond Circle and Styles Lane down by the entrance to Ruch Lane. Sally Hudgins will purchase these.

Social Committee Report
The Annual Holiday Pot Luck Supper and Yankee Swap will be held on December 14th.

New Business
A letter was received from homeowner Jane Laughton suggesting we place wreaths at the entrance to the community center, possibly one large or two separate ones.

Bill Bannister presented all the information he had obtained regarding the purchase of a utility shed to be placed on the right side of the Community Center. Bill explained that we will need to apply for a shoreland permit. Motion made by Bob Mirisola and seconded by Ernie Wheeler to purchase a shed not to exceed $4,000.00 including the foundation and preparation of the ground. The motion passed 5-0.

Sally Hudgins will contact Joe Strazzere to put notices on the web site regarding the fall clean-up, asking homeowners to leave lamp posts on for the evening hours and also asking homeowners who are away during the winter months to leave a telephone number where they can be reached in the event of an emergency.

Bill will continue to seek the best way to repair the walkways leading to 15A and 15B Spring Pond Circle and the entrance to the Community Center.

A thank you note was received from St. Christophers church for the memorial gift sent in memory of Jennie MacNeil.

The kickboards will be replaced in the spring.

New instructions for recycling may be obtained at the Town Hall.

Respectfully yours,

<signed>
Sally Hudgins, Secretary

Please Leave an Emergency Contact Number

The Board of Directors is asking all Spring Pond Estates residents to please leave an emergency contact number with Sally Hudgins.

In case something happens with your home while you are away for the winter, it is important that you can be reached.

Thank you!

Please leave an emergency contact number.

Please Leave Your Light On

The Board would like to ask all homeowners to please leave the light on their lamp posts on, until they retire for the evening.

During the winter months and with Daylight Saving Time ending, it gets dark so much earlier. Having additional lights on around the neighborhood enhances safety for all of us.


The Board thanks everyone for this consideration!

Please leave a light on until bed time.

Fall Clean-up and Gutter Cleaning

Just a quick note from your Board of Directors...


Fall clean-up and gutter cleaning will be happening sometime within the next month.

It's best to wait until all leaves are down, then get everything completely tidied up.

Monthly Board Meeting Next Monday, November 10

Just a reminder...

Monthly Board Meetings are held in the Community Center on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

The next meeting is Monday, November 10, 2014.

All homeowners are invited to attend.

October Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association

Board Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2014

The monthly Board Meeting was called to order by President, Bill Bannister. Bob Mirisola and Gerry Rainforth were absent.

Secretary's Report
Minutes had been given to all board members previously.

Motion to accept with no corrections or omissions was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 3-0.

Treasurer's Report
Treasurers report was given to each board member. (see attached)

Motion to accept was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 3-0.

Landscaping Committee Report
(see attached)

Maintenance Committee Report
Bill Bannister is waiting to hear from Dick Dewey regarding the replacement of some of the kick boards.

Social Committee Report
Some of the residents enjoyed a great trip around Lake Winnipesaukee last Friday.

Old Business
We are still considering putting in a storage shed on the right of the Community Center, downstairs. Bill will investigate the cost and material.

We are still investigating the name of the homeowner on Smith Field Lane to finalize the issue of removing the berm (garden) so emergency vehicles could either enter or exit if needed.

Also, we want to resurface the walkway to 15a, 15b Spring Pond Circle and also to the entrance of the Community Center. Bill will try to speak with someone to let us know what the proper material would be.

New Business 
The new residents at 25 Spring Pond Circle asked if there was some way to block out some of the light from the light pole at the entrance to the driveway at the Community Center, as it shines into their home. This will be taken under consideration.

Some residents have received an unofficial letter from a company in Portland regarding residents' responsibility with water pipes from our homes if there should be a problem with these. Sally Hudgins will speak with the water department and report back to the board. [see: Warning about HomeServe Water Service Line Insurance]

Motion to adjourn was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Bill Bannister.

Respectfully yours,

<signed>
Sally Hudgins, Secretary

Warning About HomeServe Water Service Line Insurance

Neighbors,

We have been asked by Carla Robinson at the York Water District (crobinson@yorkwaterdistrict.org) to pass along this warning about a mailing being sent by HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp.

According to police and the Better Business Bureau, this is not a reputable business.

Seacoast residents are being warned about a mailing sent by HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp., which is a sales pitch for "water service line (insurance) coverage."

On Monday night, Greenland police issued a statement about the mass mailing that warned, "This letter looks official. The company tries to sell insurance for your water pipes. A quick Internet search shows that they have been investigated for deceptive business practices in several states, including Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky. Please pass this information along and inform your elderly relatives and neighbors." 

Residents in Portsmouth also received the mailing Monday which states that "Portsmouth homeowners may not be aware that they are responsible for the water service line on their property." The mailing also informs residents that "your water company is responsible" for installing and maintaining water mains up to property boundaries and that homeowners are responsible for plumbing on their own property which could "fail without warning,' requiring "expensive" repairs which "typically" aren't covered by homeowners insurance. 

The company then pitches its insurance for that purpose at a cost of $65.88 a year.
In Portsmouth, the "water company" providing water service to residents is the city. Public Works Director Peter Rice said there are companies that provide that type of insurance and he urged residents to make sure that anyone they do business with is endorsed by reputable organizations, that they "read the fine print" and be sure the company has a good track record.  

According to the Better Business Bureau, there have been 314 complaints filed against HomeServe, 98 of which were about "advertising sales issues," while the BBB gives the company a rating of A-. Included in the the BBB report is a notation that the state of Massachusetts reached "an assurance of discontinuance" with HomeServe, that was a settlement containing allegations that "HomeServe designed and mailed solicitations and renewal notices to 946,000 National Grid customers in Massachusetts that gave the impression the notices were bills from the utility itself, rather than solicitations for optional repair service contracts." 

"The settlement also contained allegations that the solicitations gave false impressions about repair costs, as well as whether the repairs are the responsibility of the utility company, the homeowner, or the homeowner's insurance company," according to the BBB Web site.  

HomeServe agreed to pay a $125,000 fine in lieu of a civil penalty and did not admit to any guilt, according to the BBB.  

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009400#sthash.YQqJz4zV.dpuf

Monthly Board Meeting Next Monday, October 13

Just a reminder...

Monthly Board Meetings are held in the Community Center on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

The next meeting is Monday, October 13, 2014.

All homeowners are invited to attend.

Memorial Service for Jennie MacNeil

A memorial service for our neighbor Jennie MacNeil who passed recently, will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Christopher's Church here in York.

Proscape Irrigation System Closings

Proscape will be shutting down and blowing out all irrigation systems on Friday, September 19th starting at 9:00 AM on Spring Pond Circle.

If they need to enter your house or garage to do this, please make sure you are home, or that a neighbor can assist them.

If this date does not work for you, please call Rick at (207) 985-4783 to schedule another time.

No Footcare Service on September 18th

Note:

There will be no footcare service on September 18th.

Don't Miss These October Events!

Friday, October 10th

A scenic boat ride around Lake Winnipesaukee. A beautiful trip at a wonderful time of year. Cost is $30.

Sign-up in the Community Center by September 26th. A sheet is on the table.


Thursday, October 30th

Flu shots at the Community Center on October 30th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM.

Check the Community Center for details.

September Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association

Board Meeting Minutes

September 8, 2014

The monthly Board Meeting was called to order by President, Bill Bannister. All Board members were present.

Secretary's Report
The Secretary's report had been previously submitted to all Board members.

Two changes are noted. The new residents at 25 Spring Pond Circle name has been corrected to read Rosenstein also on the last paragraph of the August minutes that read Debbie Kaplan has been corrected to read Diane Kaplan.

Motion to accept this report with the above corrections was made  by Sally LeMon and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 5-0

Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer's report was submitted by Anita Haskell. (See attached).

Motion to accept was made by Gerry Rainforth and seconded by Ernie Wheeler.  Passed 5-0

Architecture Committee Report
No requests

Landscaping Committee Report

Sue Bannister, Chairman presented her report (see attached)

Maintenance Committee Report

Sally LeMon, Co-Chairman reported that Ed Collins had replaced the bulbs at the Spring Pond Estates sign. John Patten's workers will replace the bulb on the lamp post.

Both sinks holes at 12 Ruch Lane and 23 Spring Pond Circle have been repaired by RCH Paving.

The list for replacement of kick boards will be reviewed to see if these can wait until after the winter.

Bill Bannister will speak with John Patten to see if the his workers can clean the gutters around the time they do fall clean-up. Also, they will clean which ever storm drains need attention.

The deck at 2 Spring Pond Circle, including railings and posts will be done in the spring along with the deck at the Community Center. Clarification of why the association is responsible for the care of the deck at 2 Spring Pond Circle was discussed and approved. It is recommended that the maintenance on the deck at that address be every two years.

Social Committee Report
The Labor Day potluck was enjoyed by residents.

There is a boat trip around Lake Winnipesaukee on October 10th. There is a signup sheet inside the Community Center.

Old Business
It was suggested that we post a message about being careful not to lock Community Center.

Bill Bannister is continuing to work with the Fire Chief regarding the issue at the end of Ruch Lane.

New Business
Joe Strazzere introduced our new website which will be up and running soon. The new website will be http://www.SpringPondEstates.org. Sally Hudgins will be the contact person and it will include the monthly minutes and other interesting information. We will increase the proper information as the Board decides pertinent information such as important issues, upcoming events etc. The Board has thanked Joe for his volunteering to undertake this project.

Motion to adjourn was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Bob Mirisola.

Respectfully submitted,
<signed>
Sally Hudgins, Secretary

August Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association
Board Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2014

The monthly Board Meeting was called to order by President Bill Bannister, Anita Haskell (Treasurer) was absent. All other members were present.

Secretary's Report
Motion made by Ernie Wheeler and seconded by Gerry Rainforth to accept this report with no corrections or omissions. Passed 5-0

Treasurer's Report
Treasurer's Report was given to all Board Members. Motion to accept was made by Bob Mirisola and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 5-0

Architecture Committee Report
The driveways at #7 and #9 Ruch Lane have been widened after the original paperwork had been submitted. Motion to accept was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Bob Mirisola. Passed 5-0.

Landscaping Committee Report

See attached report by Sue Bannister

Maintenance Committee Report

New England Fence has repaired the "green fence" up on the hill on Spring Pond Circle. A thank you note was read from homeowner Jane Laughton, thanking the Board for their attention to this. 

The sink holes at #12 Ruch Lane and #23 Spring Pond Circle have been noted and we are waiting for RCH Paving to contact us regarding the proper repair. 

We are also waiting to hear from Dick Dewey regarding the replacement of numerous kick boards. 

We are still exploring the possibility of having a storage shed beside the Community Center.

Bill Bannister has spoken with the Code Enforcement at Town Hall and it was determined that the original plan shows an emergency access road at the end of Ruch Lane. The Fire Chief at the York Beach Fire Station will be notifying abutters on the other side of the fence.

It was noted that some of the gulleys still need cleaning out.

Welcoming Committee Report

Bob Mirisola reported that they had met with the new potential homeowners the Rosensteins who will be taking up residence at 25 Spring Pond Circle.

Bob Mirisola was thanked for taking the minutes of the July Board Meeting in Sally Hudgins' absence.

Old Business

Bob Mirisola has once again asked the Board for help in deciding what is the best way to handle the railings on his deck.

New Business

Sally Hudgins asked about donating something from the Memorial Gift Fund in memory of Jennie McNeil who just passed. Beth and Diane Kaplan will speak with the family regarding what their wishes would be.

Beth Kaplan has asked the Board to consider having on file, emergency contact numbers should a resident have an emergency event so as to notify someone.

Bill will be speaking with Joe Strazzere regarding getting a website up and running. This might be a place to keep these numbers. No definite decision was made at this time.

Motion to adjourn was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Bob Mirisola.

Respectfully submitted.
<signed>
Sally Hudgins, Secretary

Welcome!

It doesn't matter if you live on Spring Pond Circle or if you live on Ruch Lane, we are all part of the wonderful community that is Spring Pond Estates!

In the days ahead, we'll be posting our News, along with some other helpful information on this web site.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, or pictures - send them along. You can use the form on the right, or just email joe.strazzere@gmail.com.

-joe