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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fearrington
Homeowners Association
DECEMBER
2003 MINUTES
DATE: DECEMBER 2, 2003
PRESENT: Richard Bird, Frank Chut, Jerry Gaudet, Mary Hammond,
Cynthia Jones, Nancy Kern, Al Lebeau, Jay Olson
ABSENT: John Custer, Joyce Berg
GUESTS: Evy Barrow, Steve Bodner, Jim Granger, Don George, Tom Hauck,
Bill Kern, Elizabeth Lovelace, Bob and Nancy Oram, Craig and Mary Smith, Dik
Van Iten
APPROVED: January 6, 2004
President Kern called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. There being no
scheduled resident input, attention was turned to approval of the November
minutes which were approved unanimously.
Treasurer Chut reported that two months of grounds and facilities
bills have not been received. When these are process we will have between
seven and nine thousand dollars to transfer to reserves. This is less than
budgeted but an improvement over last year. The treasurer's report was
approved.
There were no Issues requiring immediate attention, no old or new business,
so the committee reports were presented.
1. Community Affairs Director Jones reported that growth of the
Smokehouse Library is progressing. A carpenter repaired the tin roof and
added bookshelves. Don George reported that two additional shelves would be
added as the library expands. He asked donations be placed in the old
smokehouse and not the kiosk. No old phonebooks please.
2. Gathering Place - no report
3. Grounds and facilities - Nancy Kern forwarded John Custer's thanks
for all the help he has received from residents these last four year. She
stated that John has done an excellent job, responding quickly to all
problems with good humor and efficiency. She welcomed Steve Bodner who is
the new director.
4. Evy Barrow asked about the progress on grading and repair of the
Smokehouse parking lot. President Kern stated that was delayed because a
temporary repair was done in the summer. Steve Bodner stated he would
follow-up on the parking lot project, which has been budgeted.
5. Covenant Concerns Director Olsen stated that the Bush Creek
covenant committee had requested two alternates so that they could guarantee
a 3-person panel to discuss issues. Olsen proposed extending this option to
all committees. The motion was seconded. After discussion the following
motion was approved:
Motion-I move that the FHA Board appoint two alternative members to
each Neighborhood Covenant Committee which so requests.
6. Gathering Place Office- VP Gaudet reported the copy machine was
down this weekend. Jim Granger reported that the volunteers have been
nursing this machine for some time. Is it time to request a new machine from
the vendor and because of increase copies perhaps change our contract? The
Board also discussed raising changes per copy.
7. County Liaison Chair Al Lebeau discussed recent land use issues in
the county. After meeting with county residents, Chatham Downs developer Lat
Purser revised the 28 acres site on which he hopes to build a Harris Tweeter
and 184,000 square foot retail center at the intersection of 15/501 and
Lystra Roads. Meanwhile more than 1,025 individuals have signed a petition
objecting to the project. The planning board discussed the project at their
11/4 meeting but took no action. The issue is expected to surface at the
12/2 Commissioners meeting.
Last spring Duke University announced its intension to sell land it has
owned since 1966 along the Haw River in Chatham County. The original purpose
for the purchase of the land was for research, which never developed because
the property was too far away from its Durham Campus. The land straddles
both sides of the Haw River, between US routes 15/501 and 64, from Bynum to
about four miles down river toward Jordan Lake. The land is undeveloped
except for the foundations of a few small houses and an old textile mill.
The University recently signed an option with the NC Division of Parks and
Recreation for them to buy the forested land for $2.5 million. The money is
to come from NCDOT as compensation for damage done to the state's streams
and wetlands resulting from highway construction projects. The NC Division
of Parks and Recreation intends to make the land available to the public for
canoeing, hiking and fishing but would not contain picnic or campground
areas. Chatham County has expressed interest in 25 acres of the property,
which the commissioners believe holds economic development potential in the
future.
At a recent Commission meeting several opponents to the proposed 577 acre
475 gated residential unit subdivision to be known as The Homestead
complained that Jordan Lake's water was already polluted and the subdivision
would only increase the pollution level of Jordan Lake. The proposed
Homestead site would be south of The Preserve on Big Woods Road and resemble
The Reserve. The proposal was forwarded to the Planning Board for their
recommendation to the Commissioners, which expects to begin review of the
project in January.
Chatham County residents recently attended a NCDOT workshop, which presented
10 corridors being considered for a 15/501 bypass of Pittsboro. Currently
the bypass corridor is only in the planning stage and NCDOT is seeking
resident input to aid in its decision-making.
8. Financial officer Richard Bird stated that the annual dues
statements will be mailed next week. He asks residents to please sign up to
pay by debit.
Resident input - Jim Granger reported that locks in the Creekwood
kiosk have been damaged and some of the boxes may have to be replaced.
Evy Barrow asked for follow-up on the visit of the postmaster last month.
She wondered what had been decided about a request to delete Fearrington
Village and Fearrington from the zip code database to simplify mailing.
President Kern reported that ballots are in the December newsletter to
determine resident opinion. The Board asks that individuals complete their
form and submit it to the FHA office by 12/15/03. The votes will be tallied
and the result reported at the January FHA meeting. The Board will follow
the simple majority opinion.
Jim Granger asked about the status of the water study. Lebeau stated he has
a committee working on a report on water quality.
President Kern thanked the departing Board members and adjourned the meeting
at 7:30 pm. The next meeting is January 6, 2004.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Hammond, Secretary
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