Washington’s Headquarters Homeowners Association
Annual Meeting, August 9, 2005 at 8:00 p.m.
Dobbs Ferry Public Library
Attending: Eli Cohn, Elly Cohn, Herbert Donovan, Mary Donovan, Ray Fattorini, Anne Tannenbaum, Steve Giblin, Dale Greenwald, Cheryl Leban, Catherine Louca, Ellen Meyer, Sabin Meyer, Lauralynn O’Halloran, Martha Parke, Rob Parke, David Schoen, Toni Schoen, Anne Winston, Stan Winston, Donna Zimmerman
Proxy Statements: Sally & Paul Davis, James & Lori Lotter-Corless
Board President Lauralynn O’Halloran presided
Minutes: The minutes for the 2004 Annual Meeting were approved as circulated.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Eli Cohn presented the financial report and the budget that had already been circulated to the homeowners. He noted that the Association had been faced with non-budgeted events this year: the roadway cost $15,000 more than the assessment covered and a leaking drainpipe necessitated a major repair of the swimming pool drain. He also noted that the association faces about $10,000 worth of extra-budgetary expenses immediately: the cost of sealing the driveway, repairing the iron doors on the swimming pool, raising the height of the fireplugs as mandated by the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department, and repairing the keystone on unit 21. For these reasons, the Board set an assessment of $35,000 (prorated among the members of the Association) and raised the monthly maintenance fees. This will enable the Association to maintain a budgetary reserve of at least $30,000 for unexpected expenses.
President Lauralynn O’Halloran noted that the financial statement from the past year does reflect major improvements in areas where maintenance had been deferred: the roadway and parking signs have vastly improved the overall appearance of the property, fixing the swimming pool drain and electrical system has enabled the pool to be kept at a constant temperature, thus reducing fuel costs, the drainage system around the poolhouse has been improved and the conduits laid under the paving have allowed electrical and telephone repairs without digging up the roadway. She also noted that hiring Bay Property Management has meant that homeowners have a definite person to contact about areas of concern and the Association has an agent to supervise vendors working on the premises.
In the ensuing discussion, several homeowners urged the Board to formulate an organized plan for future capitol expenditure for maintaining and improving the property. Some homeowners cited the need for cleaning and minor repairs in the swimming pool and dressing rooms. Others requested a more aggressive program of hedge clipping and tree removal. Someone suggested that the Association require a routine maintenance fee from residents who use the pool or the common space for private parties. In regard to the assessment, there was general agreement that such an assessment is necessary but several people urged that any notice of such an assessment should also include an explanation of why the assessment was necessary. President O’Halloran pointed out that the reasons for the current assessment were recorded in the minutes of the July Board meeting and urged homeowners to read the minutes that are distributed. She also reminded homeowners that they should call Bay Management whenever they have concerns or complaints about maintenance issues.
The final question discussed was “Has the outdoor lighting problem been repaired?â€Â President O’Halloran detailed the attempts to fix the outdoor lights. Some have been successful—the lights at the front entrance are now working. Several different attempts have been made to repair the light in front of the swimming pool but thus far they have not been successful. The basic problem seems to be that the wires leading to these appliances lie in the ground without protective coating and there is no map of the location of these wires. The attempt to solve this problem is continuing.
Toni Schoen reported that the claim that was submitted some time ago to reduce the property tax assessment has been successful, netting a $156,000 rebate in previous taxes. Homeowners will receive their shares of this rebate within the next few months and their future tax rates should reflect the negotiated reduction.
Elections: Elections were held to fill the seats of three board members whose terms had expired (Ray Fattorini, Sabin Meyer, and Toni Schoen) and to fill the two-year unexpired term of Mary Donovan who resigned. The following people were elected members of the Board:
Three-year terms: Ray Fattorini
Cheryl Leban
Sabin Meyer
Two-year term: Rob Parke
Respectfully submitted,
Mary S. Donovan