March 23, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Elk Forest Civic Association Quarterly Meeting - March 23, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Sherri Mitchell – Co-President (SM)
Joanne Silverman – Co–President (JS)
Lule Megahed – Treasurer (LM)
David Silverman – Recording Secretary (DS)
Christine LaPense – Immediate Past President (CP1)
R. David Mitchell – Web Master (DM)
Christian LaPense – Bd. Member (CP2)
Ralph DiMartino – Bd. Member (RD)
Tom Melnick – Bd. Member (TM)
CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Travis Hembree
VERIFY QUORUM, CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
At 6:33PM the secretary confirmed that a quorum was present and the meeting was called to order by JS.
MEETING MINUTES:
JS asked to review the minutes from the previous meeting of 10/27/22. With no corrections or edits noted, JS asked for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion to approve was made by SM, seconded by LM. Motion to approve the minutes of 10/27/23 was passed unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
JS asked for the financial report to be made. LM presented the checking account balance (as of 3/23/23) of $4,057.51, the 18-month CD balance of $18,611.95 and the 12-month CD balance of $4,055.91 with a total balance of $26,725.37.
LM presented that the New Year Party on January cost $311.59
JS asked for comments and discussion. With none made, JS asked for a motion to approve the financial report. The motion to approve the financial report was made by RD and seconded by CL2. The motion to approve the financial report of 3/23/23 was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Board appointees:
JS/SM presented that as a result of the previous treasurer (Patti Truitt) resigning (moved out of community) Lule Megahead was appointed interim treasure to serve out the balance of the vacated term of office running through 2024.
As a result of Lule vacating her position as recording secretary, David Silverman was appointed interim recording secretary to serve out the balance of the vacated term of office running through 2024.
2. Mosquito Spraying:
The contract with Kirkwood Pest Control was renewed for the 2023 season. The agreement remained the same as last year with an upfront payment for the entire contract of $9,450 (increase of 8% over 2022) with a refund to be issued at the end of the season for unused spraying dates. One of the EFCA CDs that came due was used to pay for this contract in addition to the cash (checking account) from member dues.
There was discussion about passing the 8% increase on to the ECFA membership, however, it was agreed that the increase would be absorbed by the association funds and it would be mentioned in the upcoming Newsletter. Further discussion will be had at the Annual Meeting in August.
3. Spring Clean Up 2023:
The planned date will be April 22, with a rain date of April 23. Hold the date signs will go up at the beginning of April. CL1 will check supplies left from last year. DS will handle the coffee and donuts. Mike Leshner will provide “dump services” for the collected trash. It is acknowledged that there is a fee charged at the dump for the collected trash,
4. 2023 Holiday Party:
DSZ reported that 28 people attended representing 17 residences. It was agreed that a good time was had by all. Many thanks to the CL1 & CL2 for providing the venue to the community this year and next.
5. The Elk Forest Sign:
The Board officially recognized and thanked Tom Melnick for painting the Elk Forest Sign posts at the entrance to our community. Looks so much better!
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Nominating Committee:
SM presented that the nominating committee should be made up of the immediate past president and the current vice president. DS suggested that the committee review any upcoming board vacancies in the spring and then canvas the EFCA residents to find candidates that would be interested in filling these roles, hopefully enough to actually have a vote at the annual meeting. In reviewing the potential vacancies for the 23 – 24 term, it was discovered that only one board position will be eligible and the current member will remain on the board for another term. There are no vacancies at this time.
2. Dues notices:
LM indicated they will be created and mailed out shortly.
3. New Residents:
There are three new residents, The Hembree’s (1420 EFR), The Safrits (1662 EFR) and the Morrisons (1455 EFR). The Hembree’s and Safrits attended the New Year gathering. The Morrisons will need a welcome package delivered, RD volunteered to do the welcome packets.
4. The undeveloped lot across from 1525 EFR with access to the Coast Guard Light Tower:
There are many rumors swirling about concerning the use of this land for a commercial business or storage lot for snow plowing equipment. SM has been in contact with the multiple Town departments and has put them on alert of this. Our neighborhood is zoned residential and cannot be used as is rumored.
5. Consolidated Trash and Recycling pickup:
Mike Leshner (absent from meeting) suggested a consolidated contract with a single Trash company for the neighborhood. This would cut down on trucks, noise, and (in theory) costs. DS mentioned that he had been in contact with a number of companies in the recent past and learned from one that we would need 30 – 40 homes to commit. Lots of conversation about the pros and cons to this. RD suggested that we should take our trash to the dump individually, he also suggested one of the neighbors (“Dave”) possibly would take trash to the dump for us. RD will take the lead on this project.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
1. Speeding on Elk Forest Road:
Travis Hembree raised the concern about speeding on EFR, specifically in front of their home at the intersection of EFR and N. Lockwood. He mentioned that they are installing a fence around the front of their property to keep their child and dog safe. It was suggested that a call to the Sheriff to ask for an electric speed control sign could help. DS mentioned that it was done a few years back in front of their home on S. Forest with great success. SM stated that she (as Co President) would take on this task of contacting the Sheriff on behalf of the EFCA as well as adding a statement in the upcoming EFCA Newsletter.
2. What’s going on with that Orange Cable being installed:
SM reported that under state grant money, fiber optic cable was being installed to serve address throughout Cecil County that do not have access to high speed broad internet. The company doing the work is “Talkie Communications” out of Chestertown, Md. Their contract for the installation ends before the Deer Haven community. In speaking with the owners of Talkie, it was learned that if there are pockets of interest, with enough potential customers, they could extend the Fiber Optic cable. A detailed description and instructions for contacting Talkie will be in the newsletter.
ADJOURN:
With nothing else to discuss, JS asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn made by TM.
Meeting adjourned at 7:32PM.
The next EFCA Board meeting will be on July 13, 2023 @ 6:30PM
The Annual meeting/picnic will be held August 12, 2023 (rain date August 13, 2023).