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

June 4, 2024 Meeting Minutes

ELK FOREST CIVIC ASSOCIATION, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, June 4, 2024

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Travis Hembree, Bill Class

GUESTS PRESENT: None

VERIFY QUORUM, CALL MEETING TO ORDER: At 6:32 PM the secretary confirmed that a quorum was present, and the meeting was called to order by SM.

MEETING MINUTES: The meeting minutes from the March 26, 2023, meeting (which were previously sent to board members) had no additional comments. Motion to approve as submitted made by CL1 and seconded by TM. With no additional discussion held, the motion was approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT: The financial report was presented by LM and reviewed by members present. The report showed a Balance of $7,892.27 in the Checking account and $29,112.28 in CDs. Total funds balance of $37,004.55. It was noted that $3,600 (60/120 property owners) was received in 2024-2025 membership assessments, $99.44 was spent in Community Sign lighting and repair and $50.04 spent on the Spring Cleanup. A motion to accept the financial report as presented was made by CL1 with a second by RD. With no additional discussion held, the motion was approved.

DS asked if there had been any “inquiries” on the reduction of the membership assessment. LM indicated that she had heard nothing.

OLD BUSINESS:

Spring Cleanup:  DS reported that the expected turnout (approx. 12 - 15) joined at the corner of EFR and SFR around 9:00am for coffee and donuts. Teams head west towards Welches point and East towards Sinking Springs. ML collected a truckload of bagged trash and at that point in time, the community roads were clean. Thanks to all that turned out.

Progressive Dinner: CL2 reported a good participation, although not as many “non board members” as expected. The Italian theme was a hit and the finish location (LaPense property) was a big hit with all. CL2 suggested another later this year, discussion was tabled till later in the meeting under new business.

Nominating Committee. CL1 and LL reported the following potential slate of officers to be nominated and at the annual meeting for election:

Co - Presidents:  Sherri Mitchell & Laurie Leone
Vice President:  Bill Class
Treasurer:  Lule Megahead
Recording Secretary:  Christine LaPense
Immediate Past President:  Joanne Silverman
Webmaster:  Dave Mitchell
Board Members:  
  Christian LaPense
  Ralph DiMartino
  Tom Melnick
  Travis Hembree

DS reminded the Board that this is a recommended slate of officers, there might be other nominations from the members present and that an election needs to be held. If there are no additional nominations from then a single “yes” vote for the proposed slate of officers is all that is needed.

Mosquito Spraying: SM reported she talked with a contact at the county on when the spraying will start and learned that the start of the program is mid-June, not mid-May as they had previously stated. SM spoke with the actual spray truck driver, and he pointed out that the county has not relayed the list of “opt outs” so all areas that fall within the spraying guidelines will be done.  Billing will be sent at the end of each month, due in 30 days. 

Solar Light and Elk Forest Sign Repair: DM / SM reported that the EFCA Community entrance sign now has a new solar powered light bar and that the “woodpecker” holes have been filled, repaired, and painted. The “gold” tone is not yet correct, SM reported that the correct color is currently out of stock but will be ordered as soon as it is available and will then finish the touch ups.

NEW BUSINESS:

The 2024 Annual Meeting. The meeting this year will be hosted by the Hembre’s on August 10th with a rain date of August 11th. A continued discussion on whether there is enough parking (yes) and it was recognized that because of the central location, many will be able to walk rather than drive.

DS asked TM if he would be able to hang/take down the EFCA sign boards. DS will hang the “Save The Date” sign at the end of June, and then TM can change the signs to the Annual Meeting announcement on July 27 (~2 weeks prior). We will hang the signs on the pole at the corner of EFR and SFR only.

JS led the discussion on food/drink/ supplies. It was agreed that as we get closer to the meeting, JS will reach out to board members for commitments on what they should obtain (water, beer, wine, burgers etc.). It was agreed that we would provide little bottles of water 8oz.

JS will create and distribute a flyer to all the residents’ mailboxes in June to include the upcoming annual meeting/picnic (save the date) as well as the complete slate of officers to be nominated at the meeting and voted on.

Progressive dinner – CL1 relating how successful the 1st progressive dinner was, proposed for the go forward we try to do it 2X per year. After some discussion it was agreed to do a second one on October 5th, 2024.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

Discussion was held on the amount of dumping of trash at Welches point. One of the board members mentioned she had spoken to a DNR Police officer about it, and it was suggested we bag it and they would pick it up. Someone suggested that we (the board) contact the High School about getting students to help keep the area clean as a school project. No further discussion was held.

2024 – Upcoming Events:

ADJOURN:

With nothing else to discuss, SM asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn made by CL1, seconded by LM.  Meeting adjourned at 7:13PM.

The next EFCA Board meeting will be on November 14, 2024 @ 6:30PM.

← All Minutes