Airmont Civic Association

Airmont Civic Association

History of Airmont Civic Association

Some time after Airmont’s plans were approved by the county, the code was changed such that all developments must contain some community open space. Since Airmont had no community-owned property, it was not required to have a maintenance corporation. The county and DelDOT also abdicated any responsibility for plowing snow from community roads some time after the development was started. To facilitate plowing snow, a couple of attempts were made at forming a civic association. At least one attempt failed due to lack of interest, but later Gene Alderson was successful at forming the current Airmont Civic Association (ACA). Several of the charter members agreed to a civic association that would act to benefit the neighborhood, but would not become an arbiter for deed restriction disputes. The current ACA has no power to settle disputes between neighbors, enforce deed restrictions or in any way tell any of the neighbors how to develop and maintain their property. The individual residents retain that power through the existing county code enforcement system. What the ACA does provide is a central contact for government and private agencies to provide a forum to the residents. In addition, ACA administers the state’s snow plowing system, where neighborhoods contract for their own snow plowing and DelDOT reimburses them at least partially for the work. Membership in the association is voluntary, as there is no neighborhood-owned property that would require a maintenance corporation. All residents of Airmont development, and abutting properties on Lorewood Grove Road are eligible to join.

Airmont Civic Association By-Laws

AIRMONT CIVIC ASSOCIATION'S BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1 NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Airmont Civic Association.

ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE

Section 1 To provide a medium for cooperative action by the membership on matters of mutual interest to make the community a better place in which to live.

Section 2 To practice tolerance, to foster neighborliness, to welcome newcomers and to promote an atmosphere of friendliness and community spirit.

Section 3 To promote and assist in any worthwhile movement that would benefit the community.

Section 4 The Association shall have no jurisdiction over nor responsibility for the actions of its individual members.

Section 5 To represent Airmont in local civic association groups and before the local, state and federal governments.

Section 6 The Association in all of its activities shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian.


ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 All resident owners of property within Airmont and residential properties abutting Airmont and persons over 21 years of age whose legal residence for the purposes of voting in Delaware state elections is within Airmont or abutting properties are eligible for membership in the Association.

Section 2 Each residential unit shall carry two votes.

Section 3 Membership in the Association shall automatically terminate upon ceasing to be a property owner or resident in Airmont or abutting properties or upon nonpayment of annual or special dues.

Section 4 Annual dues shall be established at a regular membership meeting and shall be payable by December 15, 1997, and by October 31st in all following years.

ARTICLE 4 MEETINGS

Section 1 The annual meeting of the Airmont Civic Association shall be held in March of each year for the purpose of nomination and election of officers.

Section 2 Monthly meetings shall be held during the months of September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May.

Section 3 The rules in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all meetings of the Association.

Section 4 Votes for officers shall be conducted by secret ballot if there is more than one candidate for an office.

Section 5 A majority of votes cast at a meeting is sufficient to carry a measure.


Section 6 A minimum of seven members constitutes a quorum at a meeting.

ARTICLE 5 OFFICERS

Section 1 All officers and directors shall serve without compensation.

Section 2 Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. These four officers will comprise, along with an At-Large Member, the Board of Directors.

Section 3 President

The President shall preside at all meetings. The President shall execute, in the name of the Association, all contracts and agreements approved by the membership. The President all also appoint all special interest committees and be an ex-officio member of those committees.

Section 4 Vice-President

The Vice-President shall perform the duties of President in his or her absence or inability to attend the meeting. The Vice-President shall also assist the President in all duties. Upon the resignation or termination of membership of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the office of President.


Section 5 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate records of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Association. A full report of the Association's financial status will be required at every regular meeting. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies to credit the association in a suitable banking institution and shall disburse funds as approved by the membership. The Treasurer together with the President or Vice-President or Secretary shall sign all checks. The Treasurer shall also receive and keep current records of all dues collected. The financial records shall be audited annually by a three person committee not to include the treasurer.

Section 6 Secretary

The Secretary shall keep an accurate written record and a synopsis of the minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall issue all notices of meetings and any other such notices. He or she shall prepare and keep on file a record of all the Association's members and their addresses. The Secretary shall also record and keep record of all votes. All of the above shall be kept in a book for that purpose which is open for examination by any members upon reasonable request.

Section 7 At-Large Member

The At-Large Member shall assist other Board Members and serve as the tie- breaking vote for board decisions.

Section 8 Vacancies

In case of a vacancy in any office but the President, the office shall be filled by an appointment by the Board of Directors with the approval of the members of the Association.

Section 9 The principal office and mailing address of the Civic Association shall be located at the President's residence.

Section 10 Candidates for the office of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary may by nominated by the membership at large. Nominations may only be made with the consent of the nominee. One candidate shall be elected for each office by the highest count of voting members at the annual meeting of the Association in March.

Section 11 No term shall last more than one year.

ARTICLE 6 COMMITTEES

Section 1 Election Committee

Three members of the Association shall be appointed by the President at the January meeting, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to conduct the annual election of officers.

Section 2 Special Committees

The Board of Directors shall create such special, or temporary, committees as may be considered necessary. The chairperson of such special committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board. The chairperson shall appoint his or her own committee members.

ARTICLE 7 ADOPTION OF THE BY-LAWS

These By-Laws shall become effective upon acceptance by the majority of those residents of Airmont and abutting properties participating at the meeting called for the purpose of organizing the Association,

ARTICLE 8 AMENDING THE BY-LAWS

These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association by a two-thirds (2~3) vote of those members present and voting, providing written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given to the membership at the previous month's meeting.


Adopted October 2, 1997

About our association

Brief History of Airmont

Airmont was at one time the farm of Henry and Susan Retz. Henry and Susan decided that they would cash in on the development boom and become a developer. They partnered with Patterson-Schwartz realty and some time around 1986 began building houses on his farmland. The traditional 2-story farm house at the corner of Airmont and Oak was the original farm’s house where Henry’s father lived, but Henry was given a piece of land and built the bi-level house that now stands at 106 Airmont drive. Twenty-plus years later he decided to build more. Some of the first houses were not built by Henry but by other builders just to get the neighborhood started. Henry began building some stick-built homes and some modular homes. The modulars came from the Nanticoke and Ryland companies for the most part. For some time after the development was started the original barn from the farm still stood where the white ranch at 108 Airmont drive now stands. It included gas pumps for the farm equipment (the underground tanks were since removed) and a fire truck, which Henry said he had a grand idea of using to water the fields. It was never successful, but Henry said he used to give the kids rides around the farm in it. He gave the fire truck to a fire company from out of state and tore down the barn. His son, Bob Retz, built the house you see there today, although it has been enlarged since it was first built. Airmont was built in three phases, with section 1 including Airmont drive plus all of Oak drive to the west of Airmont, including Davis court. Section 1 was originally called Airmont Acres, but apparently that name was shortened to Airmont after section 1. Section 2 included Oak Drive east of Airmont, including Joy court and Center Lane. Section 3 included Beech Lane, Robinson court and Maple court. Some time before section 2 was completed Henry and Susan decided they had enough of the developer business, and sold the remaining lots to other developers and moved to Missouri. Rockford Builders was the one who ended up with most of the section 3 lots. Due to business troubles, Rockford was unable to build all of the houses originally planned, and sold off several of the lots to Delaware Homes and Renovations.