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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fearrington Homeowners Association

OCTOBER 2004  MINUTES

DATE: October 5, 2004

PRESENT: Richard Bird, Stephen Bodner, Frank Chut, Jerry Gaudet, Cynthia Jones, Tom Hauck, Al Lebeau, Janet Lorant

ABSENT: Ann Bigelow

GUESTS: Frances Sherwin, Evy Barrow, Maggie Gaudet, Nancy Kern, Chris Farnan, Peg Perlman, Merv Shumate

APPROVED: November 4, 2004

President Jerry Gaudet called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Resident Input

Merv Shumate announced that R.B. Fitch recently informed Fearrington Cares that his company needed the office space presently occupied by Fearrington Cares to house a spa for the Inn. Mr. Fitch has offered to build Fearrington Cares a new building and suggested a site located on FHA property behind the Gathering Place. An agreement between FHA and Fearrington Cares is required to lease the land in order to proceed. The building will not eliminate existing parking spaces, and no steps will be needed to access the offices. Construction is expected to begin this fall. Nancy Kern voiced a concern that there has not been time for residents to be made aware of the plans and react to it. Jerry Gaudet responded that the boards of both organizations were asked by Mr. Fitch to keep the discussions confidential prior to a decision and felt the agreement is so beneficial to the community that they needed to proceed. An announcement will be released on the bulletin boards upon signing the agreement.

Approval of Minutes

The September board minutes were approved as posted.

Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A)

Frank Chut reported monies have been flowing for rental of the Gathering Place with the initiation of group meetings this fall. All other business is as expected. The report was approved as reported. Evy Barrow asked what happen with regard to the increase in Gathering Place Fees as discussed at the last meeting; Frank said the increases will be postponed until next year following discussion with the various Fearrington groups that utilize the meeting area.

Announcements

Tom Hauck will replace Steve Ruziecki as vice-president for the remainder of 2004.
Fearrington property owners that abut the proposed Briar Chapel development met on the issue of construction of a barrier fence between their properties; there seemed to be consensus that a barrier fence of greenery would meet with approval. A public hearing with the commissioners is October 7th and a number of people will speak at that time.

A Newcomers Get Acquainted Party will be held on November 4, 2004 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Gathering Place.

The second Town Hall Meeting this year will be held on October 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gathering Place.

Election of Officers for 2005

The ballot is posted in the kiosks and has been published in the October newsletter. The annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday November 14th at 3 p.m. at the barn. The election of officers and directors of FHA will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Residents are urged to attend.

Old Business

Evy Barrow read a statement from the Long-Range Planning Committee.

In May, the Long-Range Planning Committee, which is advisory to the FHA Board, submitted a report to the community, detailing the possibility of involuntary annexation and the alternative of incorporation. An Ad Hoc Committee was appointed to organize this information so the Board could present the pros and cons of the issue to the community. To date, as far as we know, the Ad Hoc Committee has made little or no progress. We are deeply concerned because once annexation has been initiated, incorporation is no longer an option and control of perimeter development will be out of our hands. Incorporation is a lengthy political process and time is not on our side. As Long-Range Planning members, we wish to know the status of the Ad Hoc Committee’s work.

Evy stated that she was also asked by the CCEC (Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities) to read a statement on the issue of incorporation.

As CCEC (Chatham Citizens for Effective Communities) has become more and more involved with the rapid rate of growth/density in Chatham County – particularly in this northeastern part of the county – we believe the open discussion of Incorporation is an issue whose time has come. Incorporation has been on the table for several years, and in the not too distant past some 12-14 years ago. It has been in several special committees studying many long term issues, as well as some committed to just Incorporation and the exploration of its pros and cons. It is a two-sided sword. We are becoming more concerned about the issues of annexation, which leads directly to the discussion of protection for Fearrington. It is conceivable that had the residents here chosen Incorporation years ago, we would have been protected by about a mile buffer around us and would not be as concerned about the growth right outside our doors, If the Fearrington community should decide to go in that direction in the future, it is our opinion that the open discussions with the community have to begin now. It would take many years to explore the necessary steps to the goal and the process itself would take a long time. Briar Chapel (if it is approved) will come to buildout in 8-10 years and with a population of some 7,000 people, could eventually become a municipality. (They would be as large, if not larger, than all of Pittsboro and Siler City combined.) Why would they not want to add us to the mix? We urge the FHA to bring the issue of Incorporation before the entire community in a careful, well planned, open, democratic manner. It is the voices of the community that can best make the decision for themselves. If they choose to go forward, so be it. If they choose not, at least they have had their say. If CCEC can be of support to the Board, we will extend our best efforts. Sincerely, Bob Eby (19 E. Madison), Loyse Hurley (16 Matchwood), Rita Spina (12 Matchwood)

Jerry responded that the Ad Hoc Committee has had two meetings; progress was delayed due to the resignation of Steve Ruziecki. Tom Hauck will begin meeting with the group now and a meeting is scheduled this Thursday to arrive at goals and objectives. Evy stated that this work has already been done by the Long Range Planning committee. Tom stated that he will act to move the group forward. Steve Bodner announced that group is suppose to do a presentation at the Oct. 21st Town Hall Meeting. Evy requested that the two statements read be included in the minutes.

New Business

Richard Bird moved that the Fearrington Homeowners Association lease a plot of land approximately 70 by 35 feet on the western most edge of the property owned by the Association and on which the structure known as the Gathering Place is located to Fearrington Cares for a period of ten years for $1. This lease would be for the sole purpose of Fearrington Cares to construct a structure to provide their services to the members of the Fearrington Homeowners Association on a not-for-profit basis. Fearrington Cares will have the option to renew at the end of ten years or to purchase the property on which the building is constructed prior to that time. The motion was seconded by Cynthia Jones and unanimously approved.

Committee Reports (Attachment B)

County Liaison, Al Lebeau, reported that the State Election Board recently granted the county permission to hold another vote on the proposed northwest water district bond issue which will appear on the ballot on November 2nd. The Chatham County Board of Education recently employed the Integrated Planning for School and County (ISPAC) to analyze the county’s need for schools. The report determined the county will need three new schools: a new high school to support the Jordan-Matthews and Northwood districts, a new elementary school in the Jordan-Matthews district, and an elementary school in the Northwood district. The optimum high school site would be 2.5 miles from land already owned by the county on Jack Bennet Road. The Board of Education is in the process of searching for a new superintendent; the anticipated salary is estimated at $120,000. The Booth Mountain public hearing on September 20th had such a large turnout that the commissioners recessed the meeting and agreed to continue the public hearing on October 7th at 6 p.m. A water task force was recently created to monitor the county’s water issues and development within the county. They will consider water quality and the impact of growth on the county’s watershed. Their first public forum will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 21st at the Community College in Pittsboro. (For full report click here.)

Gathering Place Director, Tom Hauck, announced seventy-two reservations in the Gathering Place for the month of October. He thanked Don George who has helped to maintain the building. He also announced that another emergency community response team training is being planned. Twenty-six people indicated a desire for the training; teachers are needed to conduct the classes. Red plastic holders with a life saver’s card were distributed to all Fearrington residents; the cards should be completed and placed on household refrigerators. In an emergency, first responders will look for this information. If anyone needs a holder, contact the FHA office.

Jerry Gaudet announced that Edith Lange will replace Tom Hauck as Gathering Place Director. Tom is moving to the vice president position.

Grounds and Facilities Director, Steve Bodner, stated that the Department of Transportation is in the process of completing contracts to resurface certain Fearrington Village roads. Steve has been in contact with them regarding destruction of FHA grounds during preparations for the procedures, but it appears that FHA will have to pay for the repairs. With respect to the silting of the Beechmast pond, the Department of Transportation has agreed that they or their contractor were responsible for the silt and will pay for the dredging of the pond. Hugh Knapp in our Village has volunteered for the responsibility of arranging for the contract for the dredging. In other activities, fall pick up of brush is being scheduled for the last week of October, and Steve is planning to repair a drainage problem in the parking lot of the Gathering Place.

Adjournment

The Meeting was adjourned at 7:40.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Lorant, Secretary