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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fearrington Homeowners Association

JUNE   2003  MINUTES

DATE:         JUNE 3, 2003

PRESENT:    Joyce Berg, Richard Bird, Frank Chut, John Custer, Jerry Gaudet, Mary Hammond, Cynthia Jones, Nancy Kern, Al Lebeau

ABSENT:    Jay Olson

GUESTS:     Murray Augenstein, Evy Barrow, Marilyn Band, Jack Cowan, Tom Hauck, Bill Kern, Bob and Nancy Oram

APPROVED:    July 1, 2003

President Kern called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., welcomed guests and briefly reviewed the procedure for resident input.

1. Resident input -none

2. Approval of minutes -Minutes of the May 6 Board Meeting and the May 22 Town Hall Meeting were approved as corrected.

3. Treasurer's report (Appendix A) was approved.

4. Issues requiring immediate attention - none

5. Old Business - none

6. New Business - none

7. Committee Reports

a. Community affairs - Chair Cynthia Jones reported that she had distributed an updated list of available emergency equipment to the block captains for any upcoming emergency.

b. Gathering Place - Director Berg reported that she had met with resident and interior designer Shirley Boychuck to discuss minor alterations in the cloakroom and kitchen to increase storage areas and work surface. This might include both ready made and custom cabinets. A plan and estimate will be presented prior to work being done during the summer.

Evy Barrow suggested that a caterer also be consulted so that their needs could also be considered and valuable workspace would not be lost. Berg stated that the plan would increase, not decrease workspace in the kitchen.

c. Grounds and facilities - Chair John Custer presented an update on ongoing projects. Tom Seaton's work crew is now at work on the mowing which had been delayed by his illness and the weather. Weathersfield has hired a new landscape contractor so mowing between FHA and this neighborhood will no longer be coordinated

Water continues to accumulate in Windstone Park. The water company is planning to come out to check chlorine levels to determine if a leak or a spring is the source. It is no possible to mow or clear the area because it is so boggy.

The 4 volunteers who have been working on the Gathering Place pods were congratulated for their attractive results.

Custer has spoken to Mr. Flynn about the damaged cedar tree on Village Way and the fact that the Farmer's Market signs block vision for turns onto the highway. President Kern asked about the high grass near the entrance and the debris from DOT clearing of trees. Custer stated they are working on clean up. FHA roadside Spring Clean-up is nearly complete.

Custer complimented the residents of Wintersage Circle on their clean up efforts and interest in improving their small park area. A stump will be removed and FHA will assist in the purchase of a bench. Sign painting is progressing.

Discussion then turned to the management of the Smokehouse Kiosk parking lot. Custer stated he had not obtained an estimate for partial paving of the lot, but did discover that the entrance is partially paved, but covered with gravel. He will evaluate paving the exit and or the pothole area.

Evy Barrow stated the park area at the kiosk needs clearing. There is a bench and the area is used. She feels FHA could do more to improve the park.

Resident Murray Augenstein spoke to the comments made at the last FHA Meeting regarding long-term expenses with compacting and gravel ($1750 plus $200 a year for upkeep versus $11,500 to pave). He felt that even over 10 years the gravel would be significantly cheaper, the paving would need additional upkeep and that that money should be used for projects effecting the whole community. He spoke to the poor conditions of the walking paths as an example. Custer said he would continue to pursue bids.

Marilyn Band asked about expenses for upkeep of the paved Gathering Place and kiosk lot. The lots have had some potholes, but have required minimal upkeep according to Custer.

President Kern stated there is more traffic now at the Smokehouse then in the past and that there is runoff, which may be undermining the gravel and would effect paving as well. Some type of drainage system may be required.

d. Gathering Place Office - VP Gaudet reported the office is running well.

e. Covenant Concerns - President Kern reported that Jay Olson is working on a single issue at present.

f. County Liaison (Appendix B) - Chair Al Lebeau reported that Chatham County officials, including Commissioners Emerson and Morgan, Siler City Mayor Charles Turner, Siler City Town Commissioners Sam Adams and John Grimes and Siler City Town Manger Joel Brower, recently met with Bill Stephens of the NC Department of Commerce who is the manager of industrial recruiting for the Triangle.

The meeting was to inform Stephens of Chatham County's interest in seeking industrial growth since the county needs to diversify its tax base to prevent residential taxpayers from carrying the tax burden. Stephens said his office would do all it could to help the County, but warned that industrial recruitment is very competitive. Stephens said, "With these big companies, it's who's willing to give them the most. You might as well anticipate it. A lot of counties around you are spending big bucks on getting themselves ready. A lot of them are investing heavily in industrial parks and getting real nice products to sell."

The committee next met with Rep. Hackney to seek his support of the mental health hospital. Hackney said Chatham County had certain advantages over other counties, but he also indicated that competition is fierce. Commissioner Emerson said, "We want to go down fighting."

The Chatham County Commissioners recently hired a lobbyist, Don Beason, for $25,000, to assist Representative Hackney in convincing the state legislature that Chatham County should be the site for the state's new $98 million mental hospital which would bring about 1,500 new jobs to the county. To support Rep. Hackney's efforts the Commissioners have offered the state, at no cost, 65 acres of the county's 459-acre property near the Wal-Mart in Siler City.

Progress Energy Company recently announced a possible halt, by 2005, to the shipping of spent nuclear fuel rods to the Shearon Harris plant.

For many developers the next hot spot for future growth in the Triangle is Pittsboro. This growth will be accompanied by an increasing number of public hearings. Accordingly, Town Planner Jim Hinckley suggested several changes to the way in which the commission and planning board conduct public hearings. Among his recommendations are that both the Commission and Planning Board be in attendance at public hearings. Another was to post, in a conspicuous location at least 10 days prior to the public hearing, the property under considered for rezoning.

The County is considering a FY 2003/04 budget of $55,474,277, which is a 0.03% decrease from FY 2002/03 while retaining the current 64.64 cent/$100 tax rate and maintaining the current level of county services. The proposed budget is considered a "hold the line - maintenance budget" which delays some county needs for the future but doesn't allow the County to get in front of its needs.
Directors Jones, Chut and Lebeau discussed the recent decision by Weyerhaeuser to sell a number of forested plots around the county because taxes were too high to support forestry. All agreed this would lead to more development.

g. Financial Officer Bird reported there are only 2 lots with outstanding dues.

8. Resident input - none

9. President Kern reminded the Board and residents that the next open FHA Meeting will be on 7/1/03 at 7 p.m. There will be no August meeting.

10. The Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Hammond, Secretary