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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fearrington Homeowners Association

OCTOBER 2003  MINUTES

DATE:         OCTOBER 7, 2003

PRESENT:    Richard Bird, Frank Chut, John Custer, Jerry Gaudet, Mary Hammond, Cynthia Jones, and Nancy Kern

ABSENT:    Joyce Berg, Al Lebeau, Jay Olson

GUESTS:     Jim Abrahamson, Marilyn Band, Steve Bodner, Chris Farnan, Jim Granger, Carol-Ann and Forrest Greenslade, Tom Hauck, Bill Kern, Janet Lorant, Elizabeth and Bob Lovelace, Lisa Stewart, Dik Van Iten

APPROVED: November 4, 2003

President Kern called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

1. Approval of minutes -Minutes of the September 2 meeting were approved without changes.

2. Treasurer's report - Treasurer Chut presented his monthly report, which is attached (Appendix A). The budget remains on target except for a surplus, which will pay the second insurance bill. A small surplus will remain for transfer to the reserves. A 13-month CD was purchased with a rate of return of 1.5%. The board approved the treasurer's report.

3. New Business- Secretary Mary Hammond reported that the Newsletter Layout Editor has resigned. She asked the Board and the audience for assistance in recruiting an interested individual with computer graphics experience. The activity requires 6-8 hours a month. Jerry Gaudet asked if an interested person could be trained to do the work, and Hammond agreed this could be done.

4. Committee Reports

a. Community Affairs Director Cynthia Jones reported that she and Cathy Hummel are working on the lending library.

b. Gathering Place Director Berg was absent.

c. Grounds and facilities Chair John Custer reminded attendees about the upcoming Fall Clean-up. He was concerned that individuals did not seem to be tying their limbs in bundles. Loose brush will be harder to collect which will cost the FHA more money. The extra storm brush will also increase cost.

Custer congratulated the volunteers who have maintained the flowerbeds at the Gathering Place. They have recently removed the flowers and will spread mulch for the winter. The FHA Board expressed their appreciation to the gardeners and commented on how much they had accomplished with minimal funds. Custer also reported that RB had improved the appearance of the goat fence by painting some of the fence posts.

d. Gathering Place Office -Vice President Gaudet reported that 33 new residents attended the Newcomers Party and there was lots of interaction with attending interest groups.

e. County Liaison - none.

5. Resident input

Resident Chris Farnan spoke about her concerns as a deer spotter on the FHA Deer census sub-committee. She had received an e-mail stating the committee had been disbanded, as the Board was not planning to act on the deer problem. She felt lots of work had been done to evaluate the deer situation and for 2 years the FHA Board had not responded to resident concerns. Last year the referendum on the deer issue had been stopped and now the Board is ignoring the deer count. She has noted increasing numbers of deer fences. She feels there is very little to plant that deer won't eat.

Dik Van Iten, Chair of the Deer Committee responded. He stated the head of the deer count committee had acted without consulting the Committee or the Board. On 10/23/03 the Committee will hold a working meeting to begin to formulate recommendations to the Board. These will be forwarded by the end of November. The committee wants a thorough report on the options for deer management including culling, safety, garden choices, fences and repellents.

Other concepts to be addressed include:(1) Educational policy regarding living in a rural setting. (2) Mechanisms to continue to monitor numbers, disease and accidents. (3) Signage for deer crossings and (4) Culling research strategies and results and need to repeat annually.

President Kern stated that because of the timing of the report the current FHA Board would not be able to make any decisions and this issue would fall to next FHA Board in January. Custer and Bird confirmed that the Board had not received a report and had taken no action and would not be able to come to a decision before the end of the year.

Farnan reiterated her concern for the increasing number of deer fences. Kern stated this was up to the neighborhood covenant committees.

Jim Abrahamson stated he had called off the census as he understood President Kern to say, "this board would never approve a hunt". Thus he felt no more effort should be wasted. A large amount of data has already been collected which shows change in the distribution of deer with certain areas with a greater problem. He feels numbers are increasing and will continue to until some action is taken. Wants to act in preemptive way before the problem is out of hand.

VP Gaudet and President Kern repeated that the FHA Board has make no decision regarding the deer problem, as the committee has not reported back.

Carol-Ann Greenslade asked who set up the committee and President Kern stated this FHA Board. Greenslade stated she felt the Board had not set a standard for the deer committee such as a certain number of deer.

Van Iten responded that the census is only a part of the committee's charge. They are also looking at biologic and social impact of deer. The committee will also need to compare data from year to year to get enough information to be complete.

Lisa Stewart reported she had read an article in US News and World Report that the best census was by aerial search. Van Iten said others believe that the deer can be counted at ground level, which is cheaper. He noted the difficulty in comparing from year to year as weather conditions affect the population and their feeding areas.

Custer commented that last year one group researched the problem and made a recommendation. This new committee represents a larger and more diverse group and is looking at all sides.

CA Greenslade commented that if we study year after year nothing would ever be done.

Treasurer Frank Chut commented on the issue of insurance and culling the deer. There had been a problem with our insurance last year after residents had spoken to our local insurance agent about whether the proposed bow hunt would be covered by insurance. Insurance was reinstated after we assured the agent we would consult them before proceeding with hunt. It would probably require the purchase of special event insurance.

Tom Hauck stated he was one of the residents who contacted the insurance company and asked about event insurance. Chut said it was best for questions to the insurance company to come from the FHA Board as they had purchased the insurance.

Van Iten summarized the position of the FHA Deer Committee stating that no decision had been made regarding their report to the FHA Board and they would be available to help the Board make a decision. There will be a presentation at the Town Meeting.

Tom Hauck presented the Neighborhood Challenge, which has been accepted by the FHA Board. Area neighborhoods have been presented with a challenge to see who can make the largest per capita food donation to the Food Bank of North Carolina. Barrels for food donation will be available at the Market Cafe, CCB, Fearrington Cares and in the Gathering Place. The dates of collection are 11/24 to 12/12/03. Food collected at these sites will be credited to Fearrington Village. Lowes will also have barrels, but donations there will not be credited to Fearrington. Food is distributed to agencies in Chatham County and other area of the state. Lisa Stewart asked if green points could also be donated? Hauck said he would check.

Jim Granger reported on problems with the recycling bin for paper in the Creekwood kiosk. People have been placing garbage in the bin, so it has been enclosed with only a mail slot for people to place paper only.

He also suggested that the FHA consider combining the individual covenant committees into an architectural review board to apply uniform standards to the Village.

6. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting will be November 4, 2003 at 7 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Hammond, Secretary