ARPOA BOARD MEETING
Member
Present:
Walter Bigelow,
Non-Members:
President’s
Report:
The President provided an agenda that focused much
of the discussion on the current status of the Green Willow and Ogleton Woods
projects. He presented the Board a
review on the work of the Land Use Committee with respect to the discussions
with the owner/developer of the Green Willow property. The President recognized and praised the
incredible technical suppose that the Land Use Committee is receiving from the
Bay Ridge Trust and the other expert/consultant volunteers. During this discussion the issue of Board
liability was raised. The President noted that based on the opinion of ARPOA’s
legal counsel, the Board is not liable if it is acting within its authority as
specified in its by-laws and charter and if it is relying on the opinions of
the technical and legal experts being used.
The President provided an update on the pending lawsuit involving the
Green Willow Road ROW. As noted in
previous meetings, the County made a decision that granted the developer access
to his property through Green Willow.
Green Willow has been previously proven to be ARPOA’s property. Because of the County’s decision ARPOA had to
file suit to defend its property rights.
Director Walsh moved to “authorize the President to continue the lawsuit
in defense of ARPOA’s property rights to the Green Willow road, at a cost not
to exceed $50,000, subject to the overall budget limitation available.” Motion seconded by Director Nicholson. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s
Report:
Non-available
PWD
Report:
Non-available
New
Business:
None
Vice-President’s
Report:
The VP informed that Board that at recent visit to
the County office of Planning it came to his attention that a public
notification of a pre-meeting had been posted for the Ogleton Woods
property. The owner/developer of that
project presented his submission for 28 homes on the 33 acres. Many of the county offices involved in the
permit process had supplied their comments on this proposal. No one on the Board was aware of any public
notice and it’s apparent that the County failed to provide appropriate notice.
The VP also informed the Board that he was in the
middle of getting a permit issued for the installation of the fencing along
Land
Use Committee:
As
noted, the current difficulties for the Board is how to resolved the inherent
conflict of providing proper governance within the parameters of ARPOA’s
by-laws and community charter, while at the same time addressing the desires of
the homeowners who have made it clear that they are not in favor of any
development on the two properties. The
difficulties of representing the community vs. the requirement of keeping the
community properly informed, while at the same time not divulging sensitive financial
and negotiation strategies to the developers has been an issue not yet fully
resolved by the Board. The Board is also
faced with the additional problem of developing sufficient data and information
that can be presented to the community to keep them informed from which the
community can make an informed decision.
Various potential strategies have been developed by the Land Use
Committee, with the advice of the Bay Ridge Trust and others. The Board, while undecided on the “right” strategy
is supportive of the efforts of the Committee.
Next
Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 7th.
A
motion was made, seconded and approved to close the meeting.
D.Walsh