B ENNINGTON   C OMMUNITY   A SSOCIATION

29 Goodport Lane Gaithersburg, MD 20878    (301) 977-3376   FAX (301)977-1686
email: BENNINGTONCOMMTY@aol.com    Web: http://www.BENNINGTONCOMMTY.org

MINUTES OF THE BENNINGTON COMMUNITY MEETING, Tuesday, February 08, 2000

Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Board members present: Wanda Harich, Greg Mott, Maggie Gifford, Collin Hill, Samuel Harris, and Richard Crow.

 

PRESIDENT'S REPORT (Wanda Harich):

Starpower will give a presentation at the annual meeting. Board members are requested to arrive early. Cindy Nelligan will cater the meeting.

Upper-level decks and parking issues will be on the agenda. Collin will be prepared to speak on the parking issue, and will form a committee at the annual meeting to look into possible solutions.  One solution will be to reserve spaces and to have the committee present a map to the community showing the assigned spaces when they poll the community. Seventy-five percent of the community is needed to change the bylaws.

Richard Crow will be working on the new directory. He will also be recruiting block captains at the annual meeting.

Troy Mitchell will be leaving the Board in March.  There are three positions open, including Wanda’s. The three positions are fore three years each.  Wanda will be rerunning along with Mel Karlinsky.

NEW BUSINESS:

·        Mel Karlinsky wants to place second-level decks on the agenda for the Annual Meeting.  He would like to specify what kind, the size, and on what houses they would be allowed.  Wanda is concerned about fairness and wonders if neighbors should authorize the building of decks.  The Board will find out if the community wants second-level decks, and if so, they will set up specific guidelines.  Mel states that decks add on to the property value of a house.  He thinks that there is a privacy issue, and suggests that we allow privacy fences.

Mel informed the Board that not allowing second-level decks is a guideline and is not in the bylaws, therefore, it does not require the community to allow them.  He says that the Board could change the guidelines allowing the decks.

The issue will be placed on the agenda for the annual meeting.  Maggie wants a committee set up if the community reacts positively.

·        Mel asked about “Volunteer Appreciation” night.  He would like to have one this year.  The Board agreed and will set it up.

·        Richard asked about the “Newcomers Tea”.  The Board will ask the Welcoming Chairperson if she would be interested in starting this up again.

·        Mel was informed about a missing storm drain grate. He will take care of it.

·        Mel is requesting $1,200.00 more than budgeted for the construction of the pool. He found out that Maryland would be requiring dual main drains to the yea? 2003. He would like it constructed now, as it would cost more if we waited.  MOTION to up the amount budgeted for the pool construction by $1,200.00 for the construction of dual main drains passes unanimously.

The construction of the pool will be complete before the pool opens. Mel is checking into a cheaper rate for the opening of the pool since all the pre-opening work will have already been done.

·        Mel will write an article for the “Crier” concerning parking courtesy during snow.

·        When will the lights in Bennington be taken over by the City?  Mel will find out.

·        Richard would like to look into the construction of a pavilion on Parcel “K” in 2001.

·        Another meeting will be held concerning the fence at the Bennington Corporate Center to give the final decision.

·        If residents would like to begin canvassing the community regarding the parking issue prior to the annual meeting, they may do so.

·        A new computer for the office is coming.

·        The deadline for the “Crier” will be pushed back until after the Annual Meeting.

·        Mel is concerned about the process of liens, and bankruptcy regarding dues.  He is concerned about the Administrator getting sued.  He will follow up with the attorney.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.