Potato Patch Cabinowner's Association

Potato Patch Annual Meeting Minutes May 2007

Jun 14, 2007

Potato Patch Owner?’s Association Meeting
Sunday May 27, 2007



Doug Sinclair opened the meeting at 11:05.

In honor of all our soldiers, Doug asked for a moment of silence.

Bud Mellor - Fire Chief of Walker Fire Protection Association (WFPA)

Bud brought the community up to date on fire department news.

?· Received and put in service a new type 6 Initial attack truck. Cost $70,000.
?· Installed a new Water Tender refill system. This reduced the time from 25 minutes to 7 minutes. Cost $1,200.
?· Installed a roll out rack in the medical rescue truck. Cost $1,600.
?· Will begin providing accident-medical insurance to active firefighters. Cost $2,000.
?· Purchased and put into service radios with phone capabilities to talk directly to 911 operators. Cost $5,000.
?· Medical incident problem improvements:
o Upgrade local maps with names and address numbers
o Train responders in traffic control
o Train firefighters to assist medical personnel
o Supply reflective address numbers to residents
?· Jill Maisonnueve has completed her paramedic training during the past year. Cost approximately 3,000 hours and $4,000.
?· Purchased a Zoll 12 lead heart monitor. Cost $23,000. Received NAMES grant of $9,500 towards purchase.
?· Continued training of department personnel. They have four new firefighters and three new dispatchers.
?· They have an emergency evacuation phone tree. Potato Patch residents need to be involved. They?’re also looking into a reverse 911 automated system which would call all residents listed and give information on situations.
?· In order to maintain all of our ISO rating of 8 they need a high volume, high pressure pumper truck. They had a 9 rating which is about doubles insurance costs. Their original pumper was an undependable truck belonging to the state and was returned to them without another available. Cost of a new truck, approximately $170,000. They have $77,900 saved for the truck and major donations are needed
?· They are looking for volunteers to go through fire training.
?· If a community member needs help, they should call 911 and the operator will call WFPA.

WFPA is looking for a place to house a fire truck; the location will require heating during the winter. They have two trained firemen about 15 minutes away in Comstock.

Bud suggested getting Neighborhood Watch signs from the fire department to be posted in the Patch.

All community members should have access to a land line telephone or cell phone while up at the Patch. Please keep the association updated with a Patch phone number that would be used in case of emergency. In addition, it?’s recommended that each cabin have a CB; the community uses channel 4. Please keep the association updated with phone

Current fire restrictions prohibit fireworks, chainsaws, outdoor smoking and open fires.


Building Committee ?– Howard Hecker

Howard stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the homes and properties of the community by submitting new construction or painting plans to the board for approval. He said the approval process has a turnaround of about one-week to 10 days and new construction includes changes to any exterior surfaces.

Potato Patch Park Committee - Steve Larson

Steve reminded the community we need park clean up volunteers for about an hour starting at 9:00 on the morning of community meetings. He also said we need help removing trash from the park after the meetings. The board is also looking into repainting the gazebo.

After seven years, Steve will be resigning from the board.

Potato Patch Community Water Company ?– Norm Crowell

Norm said the system is working well and we have good clean water for the community. The water company has replaced eight meters; most due to damage from the winter freeze, and filled in the trench in the park. He reminded the community that if they have a leak, we can turn off their water at the meter, but they are responsible for any necessary repairs on their side of the meter. All water meters are read twice yearly and were just read earlier in the month.

Projects for the year include replacing the booster pump and tanks. We want to fix the tank float and make more system modifications that will allow us to run the pumps automatically.

We have had an annual problem with the pipes freezing up Bluff. It will be necessary to locate the line the creek bed and bury the pipe deeper to protect them from the winter weather.

Community members can now set up automatic payments for their monthly water bills. Please contact Susan at ASUfan2000@cox.net or 480-839-0706 to request an authorization form.

Treasurer?’s Report ?– Larry Regen

Larry reported that as of 4-30-07, we have $13,493.83 in the homeowner?’s association account and $56,218.75 in the water company account at Wells Fargo Bank.

Board President - Doug Sinclair

Due to the fact that there is such a short period of time between the three yearly meetings, Doug suggested the number of community meetings held up at the Patch be reduced to one or two per year. For member convenience, additional meetings could be held down in the Valley.

Board elections will take place at the July meeting, three positions are available.

Larry Regen will be bringing the soda and ice to the next meeting on Sunday, July 1st.

Doug closed the meeting just after noon.

Respectively Submitted,
Susan Corey, Administrator