Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m.

Board members present: Steve Bentley, Samuel Harris, Maggie Gifford, Wanda Harich, Richard Crow, Gerry Bouffard and Mel Karlinsky.

Minutes of the January 8, 2002 approved.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT (Wanda Harich):

• Wanda updated the Board on the State of the City Address for Gaithersburg.

TREASURER'S REPORT (Mel Karlinsky):

• Arrears as of February 9 are $41,590. 100 homes are in arrears for the current quarter and 32 homes are at least 2 quarters in arrears.
• The City matched approximately $4200 for the renovation of Bennington's basketball court.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Annual Meeting Review of Agenda: Administrator will add information in regard to backyard decks if the resident who has been inquiring would like to bring it up at the Annual Meeting. Parking and Urban Growth will be added to the Agenda. Urban Growth and Landscaping need an assigned Board Liaison.
• Parking Towing Company suggested we use permit parking (hang tags) to enforce two spaces per unit. Phil Ochs, the Association's attorney said this would not violate the Bylaws and was a decision the Board could make without a 75% homeowner vote. Board discussed visitor parking (suggests 48 hour grace period), visitor permits, and expiration of homeowner permits. The Board decided to bring this up at the Annual Meeting rather than make this decision without notifying the Community. Richard Crow, as Parking Committee liaison, will discuss this at the Annual Meeting.
• Trash In Community Administrator suggested that children and teens needing to do Community service for damage done within Bennington spend this time in cleaning up trash in the Community. Letter from one has not been returned, so the Board has decided to send another letter indicating that a lack of response will lead to the Board assessing the house for the damage. Possibly, in the future, we could pay a teenager to clean up trash several hours a week.
• Security Cameras MOTION made by Mel Karlinsky to raise the budget for security cameras at the Clubhouse and Pool from $4000 to $5000. (The original was an estimate based on 4 cameras, but advise from security companies points to the need for five cameras.) MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
• Neighborhood Watch Board discussed increased vandalism of cars within the Community and the possible need for revisiting Neighborhood Watch. Community members are still patrolling on weekends. Board will ask for Volunteers at the Annual Meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

• ARC light letter approval - David Lorms and Mel Karlinsky will draft a letter by February's Board meeting to send to the Community describing the lights and Bennington's reasons for removing the old lights and the City's participation on providing new streetlights for the Community and include specific guidelines as to placement of light, maintenance, etc.
• Deck Vandalism Update - The parents of the children involved will attend a hearing next Tuesday.
• Lights on Wicker Place- will be in about 8-10 days and then Mel Karlinsky and Tony DeLisi, handyman, will install lights across from the homes on Wicker Place.
• Fire Lane Marking - Mel received a letter from Ollie Mumpower, City of Gaithersburg Public Works, who indicated that they would paint curbs and put "No Parking" signs in Bennington, but will not put "No Parking Fire Lane" signs because the City of Gaithersburg does not use those signs anywhere. The issue in Bennington is that the Fire Marshall cannot write a ticket without a fire lane sign.
• New Street lights - Fred Felton will walk the community with Wanda when all the lights are on to determine if any areas need additional street lighting.
• Clubhouse- Wanda showed the Board a sample for the new tile which will be installed in the Clubhouse this week.
• StarPower- Mel and Patricia met with StarPower who will provide the Clubhouse with free high-speed cable to the Clubhouse indefinitely as long as we announce that in the Crier.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm.