ARPOA BOARD MEETING

September 7, 2004

 

Member Present: Walter Bigelow, Mary Gibb, Anastasia Hopkinson, Chris Humphreys, Geri Nicholson, Bonnie Persinger, Dan Santin, Steve Stroetzel, & Judy Vaughn.  

Secretary Walsh was absent.

 

Non-Members:  Sandy Sweeny of the Bay Ridge Trust & Dave Buemi of the Marketing/Communications Committee.

 

Presentation by Communications and Capital Campaign Committee: Director Nicholson, Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee introduced Dave Buemi, who, with Amy Buemi, is chairing the Communications Committee.  Mr. Buemi distributed a Marketing and Communications Plan, including an organizational chart and a budget, and went over the points on the plan.  He emphasized the need to get full and correct information out to the community to counteract misinformation that has been floating around.  Doris Glover, treasurer of the Garden Club, is a great resource, as are Lani Hummel, Barb Holland and Jim Gibb, all members of the committee. 

 

Mr. Buemi emphasized the importance of getting item #3 of the plan, Talking Points, correct from the beginning.  He spoke of this as a one time opportunity to get the necessary information out to members of the community, in a clear and concise form.  Information should be out to the community by the end of September.  The date for the kickoff community meeting was set for Thursday, Oct. 14 with mailings out three weeks in advance.  Use of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation facility to host this meeting, without charge, is a possibility.  Periodic community meetings, as a follow up to the kickoff will be held, with the second Thursday in November as a tentative first date. 

 

Once the talking points are established and following the kick-off meeting, block captains should begin scheduling regular neighborhood gatherings. Other ways of disseminating this information were discussed and use of email will be important.  It was noted that there will be a huge need for volunteers and other creative talents in the community to fill the needs of this program.

 

The issue of raising funds was discussed and efforts should begin immediately.  Major donors should be approached as soon as possible.  Fund raising outside the immediate community was also suggested and it was noted that Bay Ridge stuffed appeals in 3000 mailboxes on the Peninsular and got a good response – almost half their donors came from outside Bay Ridge.  Pledge forms will be designed and distributed at the kick-off meeting if available.  Director Hopkinson asked about a separate bank account.  It was determined that checks will be made to the Bay Ridge Trust and designated for Annapolis Roads.

  

President’s Report:  The president updated the Board on the status of the Green Willow property.  The Board discussed and reiterated the resolve of the community to defend ARPOA’s property rights, specifically ARPOA’s ownership of the two access roads, (Green Willow & Harbor Dr.) to the proposed residential development at Green Willow.  The Board previously authorized funding for attorney and other legal fees to pursue this position through the administrative process or the courts.  The President noted that the current owner of “Green Willow Woods”, Barrow Builders, is now the only named party in ARPOA’s lawsuit.  Mr. Lerner, owner of the Ogleton Woods property, has been dropped from this same lawsuit.  It was confirmed that Green Willow and the Ogleton Woods property would not be part of ARPOA per se, but might be part of the special tax district.  Director Santin asked what rights they would have in the community, i.e. could they have access to the overlook and beach properties, etc.  It was also determined that since these separate subdivisions are not part of ARPOA they would have no rights to community assets. 

 

Public Works:  Director Stroetzel was asked if he would be interested in the job of Public Works Director.  He will talk with John Coche about just what the job entails and make a decision soon.  Candy Bigelow also expressed an interested in the position, but only if Director Stroetzel declines.  Director Stroetzel offered to step down from the Board, but a discussion determined that that would not be necessary.  He could just recluse himself from any vote that may have a conflict of interest.  In the interim he agrees to serve as acting PWD.

 

There was some mention of buying a tent for community events, but when it was learned that Don Riddle is willing to lend us the Homestead Garden tent, it was agreed not to own when a loaner is available.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurers report provided to the Board.  The treasurer asked that she be warned in advance of invoices that would be coming in, especially toward the end of the fiscal year.

 

Security: our present security company has had some management problems resulting in staff turnover with good people leaving the company.  This had created a confidence gap for ARPOA.  The current contract expires at the end of September, and we will need to consider hiring a new company.  Treasurer Persinger said that the security patrol has definitely made a big difference in the amount of unwanted activity at the beach this summer.  She notices that the beach is much quieter.  Director Humphreys will do the research for a new security company.

 

Beach Project: needs to start soon.  The president will meet with Mr. Flood.  It is hoped that the final cost will be less than what has been budgeted.

 

Storm Water Management and Soil Erosion: representatives of the County and State have been walking the community looking at storm water management, and will submit a survey or report.  Director Hopkinson suggested interesting the communities around Lake Ogleton in getting the County and/or the State to do a survey on what goes into the lake.  The communities should work together to improve the lake, and to consider the possibility of dredging.

 

Message Board:  we need some sort of message board.  The pole serves a purpose, but is too high, not attractive and difficult to read.

 

New Board Members:  Candy Bigelow was nominated and approved as a new board member.  There is still a vacancy, and it was suggested that a notice be put on the web site.

 

Lyon Drive Property: the 40 ft. waterfront property on Lyon Drive was discussed.  Potential uses for this property need to be determined and a value determined.  The President will ask Mr. Flood for suggestions.  Director Hopkinson suggested trading the property to L’Altura for equivalent property on their other side, some of which we are already using for parking.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct.5 at Mary Gibb’s house.

 

Motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting.

                  

 

                                                         

Mary Gibb

Recorder