Aerial view of the Elk Forest peninsula between the Elk River and the C&D Canal
The Community of Elk Forest Website for the neighborhood of Elk Forest, Maryland

July 3, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Elk Forest Civic Association Quarterly Meeting - July 3, 2023

MEMBERS PRESENT:

CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT:

GUESTS PRESENT:

VERIFY QUORUM, CALL MEETING TO ORDER:

At 6:35PM the secretary confirmed that a quorum was present and the meeting was called to order by SM.

In order to maximize the time of the Sheriffs, we asked for their report before conducting EFCA business. Sgt Keller reported that the speed sign was on site just past S. Forest Rd. on the west side of Elk Forest Road and recorded just under 6000 vehicles over the course of 25 days with an average of 230 per day. The average speed recorded was 30 mph with a range from 15 mph to 62 mph. I was determined that on a daily basis ~ 4 vehicles were considered medium to high risk (speeding) and that the sign acted more of a deterrent to speeding (good thing) possibly because of its highly visible location from a long distance. The sheriff agreed and also agreed to ask patrol to periodically station a patrol car at N. Lockward to write tickets. The report of the speed sign is attached. The Sheriffs handed out some contact cards. SM thanked them for the information and their support to our community.

Attached are the reports presented:

Elk Forest Road Report  

Elk Forest Road Risk

MEETING MINUTES:

SM asked to review the minutes from the previous meeting of 03/23/2023. With no corrections or edits noted, a vote to approve the minutes was asked for. A motion to approve was made by TM, seconded by DM. Motion to approve the minutes of 03/23/2023 was passed unanimously.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

SM asked for the financial report to be made. As the Treasurer was not present, a financial report spreadsheet was provided and the secretary read the balances. The checking account balance (cash as of 7/10/23) is $7506.28. The 18-month CD balance of $18,621.13 and the 12-month CD balance of $4,057.94 with a total balance of $30,185.35.

To date, 41 residents have paid their annual dues. A question was raised as to how this compared to last year at the same time.

Discussion ensued around rolling the CDs into higher interest rate instruments and laddering them. LM already indicated she will be doing this.

SM asked for a motion to accept the financial report as presented.or. The motion to approve the financial report was made by CL1 and seconded by ML (Judy). The motion to approve the financial report of 7/13/2023 was approved unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Mosquito Spraying: CL reported that the residents of 1600/1612 complained that they were not getting sprayed. CL investigated with Kirkwood and learned that these properties have very long winding driveways with nowhere for the truck to turn around, thus making the spraying impossible to achieve. When discussed with the resident, it was stated that the truck could in fact turn around. Kirkwood will reevaluate the location.
  2. Spring Clean Up 2023:  Successful. Great turn out, lots of trash picked up from Welches Point to McKeon Rd. Donuts and coffee were available and enjoyed by all present,
  3. Consolidated trash collection services: RD reported that there is no savings available by doing this. He suggested that we get a kid in the neighborhood to take all the trash to the dump.
  4. Web Report: DM reported that our site is hosted by a paid service and there are 10 - 100 hacking attempts per day. We do have on average 2 actual web visitors each day. It was suggested that a web page picture be posted. DM will look into using a drone for a new picture.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Nominating Committee: The following will be presented to the membership at the Annual meeting in August to be added to the by laws as an addendum.       “The sitting V.P. (Vice President) and the IMPP (Immediate Past President) will co chair a nominating committee to fill any and all vacant board positions as needed. In order to ensure ample time for this to occur the committee should canvas the community to determine residents with interest in serving on the board. The committee should begin their work during January of the calendar year in which there will be an upcoming vacancy. The President of the Board will determine which, if any, positions will need to be filled”.
  2. Annual Meeting/Picnic: The event is set for August 12 2023 between 1 - 4 PM (rain date 8/13/23). EFCA message boards will be posted on July 29, 2023 (two weeks prior). The event will once again be held at the LaPense back yard at 184 S. Shore Rd. CL1 will send out an email with a listing of items in inventory and what else is needed for the party. CL1/ CL2 will create and distribute flyers the week of July 24, 2023. The information will be available on the web with an RSVP number. EFCA will provide burgers/franks/brats/ beer/wine/water. Attendees will be asked to bring a side dish/dessert.
  3. Discussion about the EFCA “After Holiday Party” once again being hosted by LaPense, at their rental property. The date for this event will be Saturday, January 6th, as the 13th (that was) discussed, is Martin Luther King’s holiday weekend. 

OPEN DISCUSSION:

  1. Speeding on Elk Forest Road: following up on the presentation from the Sheriff, it is noted that while the speed signs did reduce the speed (while they were in place) it will have to be monitored as we move forward. We will watch for the Sheriff to be posted and write tickets.
  2. Following the overnight power outage earlier this month, it was mentioned by DS that we MUST call Delmarva when power goes out. The more residents that call the quicker the response. This should be on the web site as well.
  3. RD proposed that EFCA set up a “daisy chain” call system to be implemented when issues such as power outages, major storms, hurricanes etc. occur to check on our neighbor’s welfare. It was suggested that we post this on the website to garner interest.

ADJOURN:

With nothing else to discuss, SM asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn made by DS, seconded by TM.

Meeting adjourned at 7:36PM.

The next EFCA Board meeting will be on August 12, 2023 @ 1:00PM immediately prior to the picnic.

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