Annual Meeting – 05/29/10
NORTH SHORES ANNUAL MEETING
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Call to order & Quorum
President Margot Anderson called the meeting to order at 10am. She introduced the Board Members, all of whom were present: Paul Salditt, Vice President, Joan Churchill Secretary/Treasurer, Carl Schwarz, and Daniel Ramelli. She introduced long time staff member Phyllis Donovan. Ms. Donovan announced that a quorum of the homeowners was established. [There were 71 properties represented in person and 53 by proxy.]
Minutes – Joan Churchill, Secretary/Treasurer
The 2009 Minutes having been previously distributed by mail to all homeowners, a reading was dispensed with. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved. The minutes were approved.
REPORTS:
SECURITY – Lee Stewart, Chief Patrol Officer
Lee Stewart, Security Supervisor, reported that North Shores experienced two unusual circumstances over the winter: heavy snows and a series of break ins. The break ins occurred on Farview, Harbor and Holly. There were 6 in total, 4 on Farview, 1 each on Harbor and Holly. There were thefts from 2. An owner suggested installation of a Security camera at the entrance to the neighborhood to record license plates of those who enter. Mr. Stewart encouraged everyone to make Security the first call for their alarm systems, to avoid fines for false alarms, and because Security can arrive first at the scene as they are nearby. For medical emergencies, 911 should be the first call; Security can hear all the calls to 911. There was a round of applause for Security.
PRESIDENT`S REPORT – Margot Anderson, President
President Anderson reported that the beach suffered damage from 3 North Easters over the winter. She explained that we did bull dozing on the beach, that we would have liked to do more, but that DNREC limited the amount we could do. She commented that notwithstanding all the snow, the dune crossovers stayed perfectly in place.
She reported that the office will be open 2 mornings a week during the summer, the pool office will be open 7 days/week, and that she is always available by phone.
She announced that there will be a tennis camp this summer for children. She introduced representatives of the Marty Godwin Tennis Camps, who made a brief presentation, explaining that the camp is for children ages 4-12, and that it will operate M/W/F from 9am to noon at North Shores, and T/Th at Henlopen Acres Beach Club where N/S residents will have reciprocal privileges. The schedule at North Shores will be: 1st hour – tennis, 2d hour – fitness, 3d hour -free swim. The camp will operate from June 21 – August 20.
President Anderson reported that long time staff member Daniel Donovan has retired. She introduced Dion Johnson who will work part time for North Shores.
BATH & TENNIS CLUB – Maureen Brown, Manager
Staff: All the beach life guards returned from last year, as has the Assistant Manager. The pool guards are all new. Half the beach crew is new, and half returned. We shall probably be short on guards for the last week of the summer.
Hours: Pool hours will be 10am-5pm the first three and the last two weeks of the season. The rest of the season the pool hours will be 10am-6pm.
Equipment rentals: The Card system for umbrellas is working well. Mrs. Brown explained that it is a one card system, with the ID cards retained by staff. The computer is presently set to allow set up confirmations for the next 4 weeks.
There are 3 ways to notify the office about when set up is desired. The preferred way is to access the data base directly and input the dates on the web site: www.northshores.org. The web page is: www.northshores.org/confirm/confirm.asp. Alternatively, it is possible to email or phone the office. The email address is: nsbp@verizon.net. The pool office phone # is: 302-227-0959.
Anyone who wants their umbrella moved should request staff to move it. No one should move umbrellas themselves. The umbrellas are placed in regard to the tides expected for the day.
Everyone was asked to be careful with the chairs to reduce breakage.
TREASURER`S REPORT – Joan Churchill, Secretary/Treasurer
Joan Churchill reported that the budget for 2010 is balanced, with 55 of the budget allocated for beach & pool and Security expenses. She stated that the community is in a strong financial position. She reviewed special challenges that face the Board`s financial planning. These include the vulnerability on the coast to storms, the aging infrastructure, the unpredictability of storm damage and infrastructure failures, the lawsuit, and the need to make sure that there are sufficient funds to last each year not only until the end of the year, but until the next annual billing cycle the following April. North Shores benefits from the professional services donated by its Board and Committee Members, from the continuing involvement of founder Dan Anderson, and from the efficiency of our dedicated staff. These contributions make it possible to minimize costs while maintaining the high quality of the community.
Dan Anderson rose to congratulate the Board on its “tremendous” financial management.
BEACH & ROADS COMMITTEE – Dan Anderson, Chair
Regarding the beach, Dan Anderson indicated that he is aware of some discussion about a possible federal/state beach replenishment program, but it is uncertain at this time. If it is implemented, North Shores could “piggy back”. Regarding the roads, he reported that Delmarva Paving will complete repaving work on the Marina parking lot on Tuesday.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – Paul Salditt, Vice President & Architectural Review Head
Paul Salditt reported that 3 new houses were approved during the year and several renovations. He urged everyone to make sure their architects have copies of the North Shores covenants.
Tom O`Hara referenced a lot near him on Holly where he understands construction of a new house is expected to begin shortly. He suggested that pile driving be banned from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day given how disturbing it is. A straw poll was taken, in which those present voted overwhelmingly in favor of the suggestion to ban pile driving during the season. A resident suggested referring the proposed change in the regulations to counsel before adopting it.
Joan Churchill reviewed the process for Board approval of construction requests. Applicants are required to submit an application form and plans to the Board office in sufficient quantity for distribution to contiguous neighbors and Board Members, before the application is considered officially filed. The application and plans are distributed to the Architectural Review Head for his report and recommendation, as well as to contiguous neighbors and the full Board. Notice of the application is posted on the Board web site. The Board aims to issue its decision promptly after the end of the 2-week comment period.
STATUS OF LAW SUIT – Carl Schwarz
Carl Schwarz reported on the status of the lawsuit filed against the Board of Governors by owners of 3 beachfront properties, who want the dune crossovers torn down at the Cedar, Holly & Farview access paths. He reported that two of the three grounds of the claim were dismissed by the Master, whose report is available on the North Shores web site. The ground surviving is the nuisance claim. Mr. Schwarz reported that the Board has been trying to reach a settlement, and that both sides have agreed to Court mediation, for which the Plaintiffs have indicated availability in late August. Thanks were expressed to the Board for its considerable work on this problem.
DRAINAGE – Donnee Ramelli
Donnee Ramelli reported that storm drainage repairs were made at the Marina parking lot area and on Holly Road. He invited anyone with drainage problems to contact him. A request was made on behalf of Villas West regarding the placement of the Dumpster and a suggestion that it be screened on three sides. President Anderson announced that the dumpster (which is currently in the pool parking lot), will be moved back to the Marina area behind the shed after the paving work is completed.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE – Pat Stallings, Chair
Pat Stallings explained that the main objective of the Committee is to enhance and improve landscaping of the common areas. She reported that the Board approved a bid by RSC Landscaping (the low bidder) for enhancements of the landscaping at the entrances, but delayed implementation for financial reasons. She hopes that the work can be done later this year. Another concern relates to the area around the dumpster and shed. Mark Rohde, President of Villas West, requested assurance that there is money allocated to trim the crepe myrtle trees planted last year behind the Villas West. Mrs. Stalling assured him that the plan is to trim the crepe myrtle trees.
OLD BUSINESS
A resident inquired whether anything can be done to provide wireless service to the Community.
NEW BUSINESS – Community
Bruce Lane suggested that the pool building be replaced.
There was a complaint that the pool building bathrooms were not clean last year. It was announced that a schedule of cleaning 3 times per week has been instituted for this year, instead of 2 times per week as done last year.
James Stewart expressed his appreciation for the work done at the Marina the past couple years, commenting that the Marina and dock area is beautiful and safer and that the dredging was a significant enhancement.
A suggestion was made to add a trash can near the green space at the Marina. Dog owners were reminded to clean up after their dogs.
Mr. Rohde suggested that the annual assessments be held steady in the future, and that there be special assessments for special projects.
ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
It was announced that there were 2 seats on the Board to be elected, the expiring seats of incumbents Paul Salditt and Margot Anderson, both of whom have agreed to serve another term. It was further announced that no one else has declared candidacy for the seats. Carl Coan moved for the unanimous election of Paul Salditt and Margot Anderson, respectively, to another term on the Board. The Motion was seconded and passed.
ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting was adjourned at 11:45am.
JOAN CHURCHILL, Secretary