Franklin Estates Residents Association

Annual Business Meeting Minutes - Oct 2003

Oct 17, 2003

Franklin Estates Residents Association (FERA)
Minutes of Annual Business Meeting


Date: October 1, 2003

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: St. Mary?’s Church Hall, Export, PA

Attendees:
Matt D?’Onofrio, Co-President
Rich Mickel, Vice President
Solveig Peters, Past President
Fred Holcomb, Treasurer
Monica Diacopoulos, Secretary
5 Homeowners of Franklin Estates (Attendance Sheet on File with Secretary)

I Welcome
Matt D?’Onofrio called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. He introduced the members of the Board, as well as reviewed the Meeting Agenda (on file).

II. Old Business

A. Secretary?’s 2002 Annual Meeting Minutes Review

Monica Diacopoulos highlighted the information from last year?’s meeting minutes. The minutes were accepted.

B. Treasurer?’s Report

Fred Holcomb read the Treasurer?’s Report ending August 31, 2003. A copy of the Treasurer?’s Report is on file with the Secretary.

The Board had audited this information prior to the meeting, and all was acceptable.

III. New Business

A. Election of Officers

Current Board Members stated that they were willing to continue in their current roles, unless others were interested in filling the positions. No replacements were mentioned. The attendees approved the motion that current members continue their role on the Board.

B. Equitable Gas Issue

Fred Holcomb reviewed the issue of the gas lamps at the entrance of Mt Vernon/Harrison City Road. In the summer when construction crews were doing work at the entrance, the gas line was interrupted and was not powering the entrance lights once the line was restored. After investigation, it was discovered that Equitable Gas had never been charging FE for the gas. All was restored & the gas company graciously determined to keep the gas on at no charge as it was done for years past. The residents on both sides of the entrance have been maintaining the lamps and replacing the mantels, as needed. Motion was raised to have FERA begin paying for the replacement costs of mantels. Motion was approved.

On the topic of the lamps, Rich Mickel suggested that something be done to better light the entrance on Mt. Vernon/Harrison City Road. Many visitors often pass up the entrance at night and pose potential vehicle safety concerns. The discussion that followed surrounded potential solutions, such as installing a street light on Harrison City Road on the side of the street of Westmoreland Country Club. By installing the light on that side of the road, it would provide light to the entrance, while not being bothersome to the residents on the corner.

Another resident suggested that the residents who maintain the lights and surrounding shrubbery cut the bushes lower so that the lights can be seen better, thus lighting the entrance.

Another resident suggested raising the lamps above their current height so that they are seen over the bushes. Concern about the architectural feasibility was discussed.

A resident motioned that the residents be contacted about shortening the height of the shrubs. Motion seconded and passed. Rich Mickel to contact residents of corner lots, thank them for their efforts and time in maintaining the area so nicely, and ask if the shrub height could help solve the lighting & safety issues.

C. Signage Issue
D.
Matt D?’Onofrio stated that the Board had discussed the wooden sign at the entrance of Mt. Vernon/Harrison City. It appears that it is no longer being used to advertise Franklin Estates & is currently not visually appealing. A resident suggested that the sign be used to post neighborhood information. After further discussion, the desire to have the sign be ascetically pleasing, have a plexiglas case to keep documents protected from the weather, and possibly a small fluorescent light was posed. The attendees agreed to pass such a motion as long as the costs met FERA By-Laws of costing under $50.00. If the costs are more, the Board will have to review action. Rich Mickel will contact Howard Hanna and IDC to find out if the sign belongs to either of them, and if so, get their permission for FERA to use it.

E. Social Activities

Garage Sale ?– Monica Diacopoulos stated that the sale scheduled for Saturday, October 4th. Signs will be posted & ads had been run on 10/1/03. The cost is $23 which will be split by participants. No one volunteered to help this year, so Monica Diacopoulos will collect money the morning of the sale.

Halloween Parade ?– Monica thanked to Jeannie Muir and Kim D?’Onofrio who volunteered to coordinate the Halloween Parade this year. No other volunteers have stepped forward. Monica will contact Kim to review items that need to take place prior to the event. Solveig reminded us that the police should block off Jefferson to traffic. Monica stated that previous coordinators of the parade have been told that the police can?’t block off the street. Solveig stated to tell anyone at the police station that states otherwise that construction horses have been set up in the past to deter cars from coming onto Jefferson during the parade.

Directory ?– Monica informed the group that the E-Directory has just a few final updates to be made and will be ready for electronic distribution soon. There are only a few names listed for baby sitters and pet sitters, so residents are asked to bring any names forward soon to be added to the directory. Additionally, should anyone wish to have a paper copy of the directory, the cost will be $3.50. Monica will make copies as requested to keep expenses to a minimum. Solveig stated that she thought the e-directory was a great idea and a step in the right direction, but we should make sure the By-Laws support making the directory available in this manner. If the By-Laws currently don?’t note such a practice, then the By-Laws need to be updated. Monica to check By-Laws.

IV. Safety Issues

A. Matt thanked the Bonks who have been Safety Coordinators for several years in Franklin Estates. He also reminded people of the block captains and their role. Matt noted that block captains are noted by having their names underlined in the Street listing section of the Directory.
B. A resident noted that speeding on Jefferson continues to be a problem. Both cars and school buses have been noted on a consistent basis to travel at high rates of speed through the neighborhood. Speeding on Lexington was also brought up. As speed bumps are not permitted in neighborhoods, Monica referenced Fred Wilder?’s suggestion at last year?’s meeting of requesting electronic signs from the police. Solveig also stated that if you don?’t know who is speeding in order to address it with them, you can phone the police and either give them the license plate number or tell them the approximate time you see the speeding vehicle and the police can patrol the area and possibly ticket the violator. Matt will contact Fred Wilder and/or the police to request the electronic sign for both Jefferson and Lexington.
C. A neighbor brought up the issue of sanitation involving residents not cleaning up after their dogs while walking the neighborhood. The situation has been on-going and happens most notably around the Jefferson/Montpelier area, but was also reported happening on Lexington.

V. IDC Expansion Plans
a. As of the end of September, no plans have been officially submitted to Murrysville.
b. Preliminary plan ?– 19 single family homes that are low density and upscale in the price range of $400,000 to $600,000 and occupying 73 acres
1. 18 coming off of Jefferson/Mt Vernon dead-end, this would be the only access.
2. One 5.5 acre estate lot with private access off of Lexington Court. Buffer zones (no building buffer zones) are being discussed with the current lots.
3. the land between Jefferson and Lexington will be set aside as green space and turnover over to either Murrysville, Conservancy or FERA
4. Recreational space ?– It is not specifically clear at this point exactly where the park space will be allocated. It is believed to be off of Jefferson as what?’s being called Lot 18. IDC would provide money for the playground equipment and give FE 40 acres. Concern was raised by attendees at Annual Business Meeting as to if those 40 acres is all of the green space between Jefferson and Lexington or not. FERA Board to find out.
5. Murrysville would give the sewage treatment site to IDC and withdraw litigation over it.

No other issues were discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.