Meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m.

Board members present: Wanda Harich, Mel Karlinsky, Rick Nelligan, Maggie Gifford, and Colin Hill

Motion to approve the Minutes of December 12, 2000 passes unanimously.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Wanda Harich):

• Not enough Board members were present for a vote initially, however a fifth Board member arrived early in the meeting.

• As of December 13, 2000, Bennington was owed $9,832.20. On January 9, 2001 we were owed $38,160.48 because dues came due January 1st. When dues come due, Bennington is owed 55,500 total.
• The court date for January was cancelled because the owner said he would take care of the dues. Mel Karlinsky will wait to see if the dues are paid before taking further action.
• Four houses owe over $1000 and Mel will check to see if these are at the lawyer.
• Bennington has approximately $63,000 in checking account. Mel Karlinsky is looking at CD rates at this time. Bennington has 2 CDs right now – a 1-year for $50,000 and a 90-day for $50,000 as well as a $55,000 money market account. We will need money available to pay for the playgrounds and basketball court, which will cost approximately $85,000. Bennington will get $5000 back from the City for each of these ($10,000 total). If a plan for stairs off of Goodport Court goes through this year, it will come from Capital expenses, which is not part of the budget. The Pool Management Company will also want a deposit prior to the beginning of the season.
• Board approves a MOTION for $600 for Volunteer Appreciation night.
• Board approves a MOTION to approve $300 for a towed car from Goodport Court. This resident believes he never received a letter from Bennington in regard to a parking violation. The letter indicated that he had more than two vehicles in the Community, yet his tow sticker was for a car that had not moved for over 30 days. Mel is concerned because the resident has never contacted Bennington and Mel asked this resident attend the December Board to discuss the matter. The gentleman did not attend.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Parking.
  • MVA privatized all records effective July 1, 2000 and Bennington can no longer run tags to verify ownership of vehicles within the community. We may be able to have the police run questionable tags.
  • Procedure for towing a vehicle. Bennington will send a certified letter and a letter guaranteed with a certificate of mailing. If neither of these letters is responded to, Bennington will hire a process server to deliver papers to these residents.
  • Cab on Goodport Court- Phil Ochs, Bennington’s lawyer, advised us to give this resident a second chance to adhere to the contract made with him to keep his cab in the community if it remains covered at all times. If he does not, Bennington can tow him with NO notification. Rick Nelligan believes this will set a bad precedent. Bennington sent a letter asking for contact information of his lawyer and is awaiting a response. Board decided to make a decision on this at the next Board meeting.
  • Towing contract- Mel is still in the process of reviewing this.
  • Aerial Map- the Parking Committee will look at the map this month.
• ARC
  • ARC Board Jan 1st letters: Board members will check four properties by the Work Session to see if the completed the work necessary on their house by Jan 1st. 15 Darby Court was given an initial date of January 1st, however, since this job consists of painting, the Board will give her until April 15th to complete the work. There are still two properties that need estimates/letters that have been turned over to the Board – 6 Oak Shade and 9 Shuttle.
• New Lighting Charette. Ollie Mumpower called Wanda and said that the Charette was to be approved the first Monday in January. The lighting removal will be part of the total cost, so Bennington will no longer need to pay this. Ollie said the lights would go in as early as possible in March. Wanda will be putting in light sensors on her house that other residents can take a look at to determine if they would like to do the same once the old lights have come out.
• Directory update. The neighborhood Watch survey will also be used to update resident’s names and contact information. Children’s names will be identified as such and owner status will be clarified.
• HOA Document updates. Mel has been very busy and will get to these ASAP.
• Document for the Homeowners to sign over the use of Common Property to the Renters. Mel will contact the lawyer.
• Letterhead. Cheryl Crow will layout the letterhead.
• Neighborhood Watch. Patrolling has died out some, but there are still a few folks that are participating in this. Patrolling needs more volunteers so as not to burn people out. Committee has prepared packets for block captains. The committee needs to contact each captain to schedule a meeting and have him or her deliver the packages and get signatures.
• Star Power update: Gerry has been working to contact and firm plans with them.
• Digital Camera debated.
• CD-RW and Zip Drives- System back-up of entire computer. Zip drive needs to be hooked up to the office computer. CD burner will be used for archiving purposes. Zips are portable for Jill and Patricia to use when working at home.
• Parking problem: Kitty Costello came with a concern about parking. Patricia will follow up on the homes that are in question and send a flyer to Goodport Lane and Court re-explaining parking rules in Bennington. She is concerned about the Board not acting on unwritten or unsigned complaints. Bennington Bylaws require 15 days before a car can be stickered for towing. City and county laws require only 48 hours. Police will even follow up on Bennington’s orange stickers. If resident moves a car in violation but then replaces it several weeks later, the car needs only to be stickered and towed, no second letter is necessary. Houses in question 28 Goodport, 26 Goodport, and 2 Goodport Lane.