On August 11 it was announced that there would be three vacancies on the Board of Directors and that a special meeting will be held on the evening of 27 September 2016 to vote for the new Board members.
The announcement included the following instructions for applying:
“Your application should provide a summary of your qualifications, your goals for the community and the Board, and any other considerations that will encourage people to vote for you. This summary will be provided with the voting materials. Also please provide a summary of your qualifications for the position including past experiences that will contribute to the Board of Directors and to the Hickory Woods community.”
Three people have applied. Below are exact reproductions of their submissions.
Sheri Dalbenzio, 31 Black Forest Circle
I am so glad to be part of the Hickory Woods community. I realize we are still transitioning, getting to know each other, adjusting to condo living, and deciding our chosen level of involvement. I believe in a neighbor helping neighbor community. Sometimes little things can make a big difference. It’s all up to us individually, but fostering this kind of environment is one of my goals.
I spent my career in health care, working with veterans in need, both in-patient and out-patient at the State run hospital for veterans. I started working as a nurse’s aide and went to school to become a licensed practical nurse. All while raising two children as a single mother. I continued my education while working until I became a Registered Nurse. By the time I retired I was a Nurse Manager. In that position I ran outpatient services, which included 10 different specialty clinics. In that position and previous positions, I learned how to work with different personalities to achieve the best outcome.
I look forward to contributing to our community. I know the importance of two-way communication, and the value of good listening skills. I’ve always been someone who gets things accomplished. We don’t need over regulation. We are neighbors looking for the right balance, which will allow us to enjoy our pre-retirement or retirement years. I look forward to serving our community as a vital member of the new Hickory Woods, Home Owner’s Association Board
Brad Perham, 11 Tavern Hill Road
Career and Leadership Experience:
Vision for the Hickory Woods Board of Directors and the Community:
Martin Piekos, 14 Tavern Hill Road
I am asking my fellow Hickory Woods residents to cast one of their votes for me to serve on the Board of Directors. My forty plus years of business experience qualifies me for this position. My work experience ranges from managing an automotive repair garage, to a senior business analyst, production planner, and business operational manager. These career skills will be valuable when assisting with decisions on the board.
I consider myself a liberal conservative. We need to save for a rainy day but not be so frugal that it hinders the overall happiness and enjoyment that a thriving clubhouse environment provides.
Education
Lowell Technical School – 1973 AS
University of Lowell – 1979 BS
New Hampshire College – 1983 MBA Program (non degree)
University of Massachusetts Lowell – 1995 Engineering (non degree)
Work History
Senior Planner – 1983 – Andrew Wilson Company, Lawrence, Ma.
Senior Business Analyst – 1987 – Wang Laboratories, Lowell Ma.
Sales Manager Used Equipment – 1990 Wang Laboratories, Lowell, Ma.
Senior Planner – 1992 – Bostik, Middleton, Ma.
Process Manager – 1997 – Bostik, Middleton, Ma.
I would like to thank the original five members of the board of directors for their dedication and hard work. They have truly blazed a difficult trail that will make for a successful board in the future. I supported the purchase of the AED device and the grill for the club house. These two very different purchases were discussed when the club house opened and were supported by Peggy and me. We continue to be humbled by the generosity and friendship of our Hickory Woods residents. We are a neighborhood of amazing people. If elected, I promise to serve this community to the best of my ability.
I do not doubt the sincerity of the applicant’s intentions but I do have trouble with some of the wording in their statements:
1. “We don’t need over regulation. ” Does this mean ignoring existing rules or not implementing new ones?
2. “We need to save for a rainy day but not be so frugal that it hinders the overall happiness and enjoyment that a thriving clubhouse environment provides.
The reserve account should take care of necessary repair and replacement outlays. Are more purchases contemplated for the clubhouse?
Present and future Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to the community and I am extremely wary of any discretionary spending amount.
Bob, I do not know of any pending expenditures or committees that are presently formed looking into any proposals to spend money.
Hi-
Just a thought. I do not believe that the overall happiness and enjoyment in the clubhouse comes from gadgets. I think the mutual respect and consideration we show for each other is far more important for overall happiness.
Just step back and consider what has gone on in the past two weeks trying to obtain happiness. I think we are missing the boat.
Also, there is certainly no place for bullying in a “Senior Community”
No Bob that’s not what I mean .I will follow all rules and regulations but I also will look at the human side of things you should know what I mean
Thanks Sheri and Marty. I think your statements did need clarification. I wish the three candidates well.
And thank you Margaret for voicing the feelings of many residents. This is a great community and we don’t need bullying or vulgarities from anyone. I hope we’ve seen the end of it.
I agree that there is no room for bullying in this community. It’s a shame that there was a division in the community over acquiring something that was meant to bring all of us together. Furthermore let’s get back to greeting each other as good neighbors should and work together from now on to maintain a great place to live and get along. Let’s try to get past this bump in the road and get back to the great community that Hickory Woods has always been and move forward to restore a happy, fun community.
FROM JOHN KALANTZAKOS:
To All:
It seems like we are starting to lose sight of the big picture of why people came to Hickory Woods. The primary reason for most was to enjoy yourselves, the community & each other in a low stress lifestyle. Many condo communities have gone down dark paths over truly minor issues that I was hoping Hickory Woods could avoid. I wanted to reach out to everyone to let you know that I am volunteering to stay on the board as an independent voice. We will still elect three new board members. I have attended at least 20 board meetings that are three hours each and have seen the process working for the community and the amount of work being done. Many things have been accomplished and residents have been getting good response to their requests since the board was formed. I have been involved in associations for the past 10 years. The best communities elect the board, allow them to make decisions & give the board respect. Some decisions you may not agree with and some you may. I can say from first hand experience, being on the board requires a tremendous amount of work and you get a lot of grief. From what I can gather there is a big division over a clubhouse grill. With all due respect a clubhouse grill or no grill is not going to change anyone’s life. So much importance has been put on this it is leading to lost enjoyment between people. I understand some residents get concerned that money is being spent and other residents are concerned that no money will be spent. These factors have been discussed by the board for each items that comes up. The job of the board should be to take in a request, determine if there are financial resources available & guage if this is wanted by the majority of people or is a necessary addition.
At this point I am requesting that everyone take a step back and start fresh. I know all of you from working with you and we have great people here. The community as a whole won’t be as enjoyable if divisions and clicks occur. From my involvement on the Board and working with all of you, I believe that things are running pretty well so far and that much has been accomplished. I will continue to serve on the board and to be an independent voice with no agenda and will stay until everything is stabilized and new people can get integrated into the board.
If you have specific questions please let me know. We are also going to publish the voting quorum requirement, how many votes are required to get elected & answer some further questions that have been submitted. Thanks.
John Kalantzakos
603-421-0560