PRINT VERSION: 5-20-20 HIWO-BOD Minutes rev2 draft

Hickory Woods Board of Directors Virtual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2020 (Wednesday) 1:30 PM

This meeting was recorded per Bylaws 3.6. Any Unit Owner may access the recording by contacting New Star.
Attendees:
Board members: Philip Lee, Rick Newman, Bob Medeiros, Nancy Shearer, Pat Hoopes.
New Star Attendees: Tim Wedge, Sarah Scribner
Meeting called to order at 1:35 PM by Philip Lee

1. Review of April 15, 2020 minutes:

• a. Motion made and seconded; all present Board members accepted April minutes.

2. Review of April 2020 financials:

• a. April financials: Net operating income variance is favorable to budget at 12K/mo and 46K/year.
• b. There is a net operating loss which was expected due to the timing of the landscape and snow removal contract payments. The financials for March were favorable.
  A motion was made and seconded to accept the April 2020 financials. All board members accepted the April 2020 financials.
• c. The retainer fee for TEAM engineering ($1250) needs to be recategorized to Reserve expenses instead of Operating expenses.
• d. The $350.00 spent on the outdoor lighting around the flagpole and on the ceiling fan in the clubhouse needs to be recategorized to Reserve expenses instead of Operating expenses.
• e. Tim and Sarah will follow up with Sue to make these corrections.
• f. 2 CDs at Fidelity
  • 1. Will be maturing soon. Bob is working on completing authorization so he can manage these.

3. Management Report:

4. Clubhouse Committee Report:

• a. Shell bocce court:
  • 1. Boyden landscaping provided a quote to remove the shells of $750.00. Alliance quoted $1000.00 if work was done at the same time as horseshoe pit removal. Boyden will not be able to start the work until June.
  • 2. The quotes do not include indoor/outdoor carpeting for the Bocce court
  • 3. Board tabled the decision on this until the complete cost information is available.
•  b. Horseshoe pit:
  • 1. Alliance provided a quote to remove the horseshoe pit and put down sod in its place of $1875.00. This is one of the items on our survey relating to clubhouse facilities that was particularly distressful to some unit owners. Last fall the Board of Directors decided to plan on this work in the Spring of 2020.
  • 2. Motion made to spend $1875.00 for the removal of the horseshoe pit, motion was seconded and all Board members approved the expenditure.
• c. Switch for ceiling fan in clubhouse:
  • 1. Tim will follow up to see if there was a switch for the ceiling fan included in the original quote for the installation of the fan.
• d. Workman Compensation insurance:
  • 1. Master insurance policy has been renewed, including a provision for workman’s compensation.
    • a. Spring HVAC work was completed.
    • b. Opening up the use of Clubhouse outside facilities will begin on Friday 5/22. It is expected that the social distancing guidelines provided by the state of New Hampshire will be followed:

• e. Tables and chairs will be placed outside on Friday 5/22 at a minimum of 6 feet between the tables.
• f. Firepit and grill will be reconnected on Friday 5/22.
• g. Cleaning spray and paper towels will be available for Unit Owners to clean after use.
• h. Guests will continue to be excluded from use of these facilities.
• i. Nancy will draft an announcement to be sent to all Unit Owners after the remainder of the Board of Directors approves the wording and content.
• j. The supplies have been moved to a room which does not house any gas connection.

5. Applications for improvement requests:

• a. 27 Quarry Road: Request for garden along right side of home and lilac bushes on left side of home tabled during last board meeting for further information, it was resubmitted and approved by email Board vote on April 21, 2020.
• b. 8 Tavern Hill Road: Request for additional sprinkler heads in LCA between home and clubhouse parking lot. Motion made to approve this request, motion seconded and all Board members approved the request.
• c. 27 & 29 Quarry Road: Request for 2 birch trees in CA between 27 & 29 Quarry Road. The original request was denied and was resubmitted by both Unit Owners after it was discovered that the request spanned both Unit Owner’s LCA. Motion made to approve this request, motion seconded and all Board members approved the request. The stipulation is that the tree care and maintenance is the sole responsibility of 27 Quarry Road, the unit which originally submitted the request.
• d. 27 Quarry Road: The original request for patio to be built in LCA behind home was withdrawn and then resubmitted. Motion made to approve this request, motion seconded and all Board members approved the request.
• e. 8 Quarry Road: Request for white lattice under deck in back of home. The original request was denied because of time limitations and need to revise the HW rules. The Board deferred vote today until after HW rule document was approved. After approval of the HW rule changes, a motion made to approve this request, motion seconded and all Board members approved the request.
• f. 9 Black Forest Circle: Request to extend front mulch bed 1.5-2 feet with additional plantings. Motion made to approve this request, motion seconded and all Board members approved the request.
• g. Dead trees in front of 26, 28 & 30 Black Forest Circle:
  • 1. 30 Black Forest Circle owner is working to save tree
  • 2. 28 Black Forest Circle owner will be submitting an AAI with the specific type of Maple tree they plan to plant
  • 3. 26 Black Forest Circle owner is working on deciding what type of tree they want to plant.

6. Old Business:

• a. Outcome of Financial Review discussion:
  • 1. Bylaws require a yearly financial review
  • 2. The cost of a review is approximately $2000.00
  • 3. As a result of a Unit Owner questioning the necessity for a Financial Review, the Board obtained a copy of a Financial Review that had been performed for another HOA.
  • 4. When we compared the Financial Review to our monthly financial report, we found no significant difference in the amount and quality of the information.
  • 5. In essence, HW finances are reviewed every month and a full report is submitted to the Board and is made available to all Unit Owners.
  • 6. The Board of Directors feel this meets the requirements of our Bylaws.
• b. Outcome of Spring walkabout:
  • 1. Substantial damage was found to curbing and driveways caused by snow removal.
  • 2. As a result, the Board sent a letter to the owner of Alliance and subsequently met with him.
  • 3. While the owner of Alliance blamed some of the damage on the way some of the driveways were constructed, the primary reason was the early snow storm which dumped 24 inches of heavy wet snow for which Alliance was unprepared.
  • 4. The net outcome of the meeting was an assurance that Alliance would strive to meet the same standard of excellence it had achieved in prior years.
• c. Outcome of TEAM engineering evaluation of Tavern Hill Road and Church Lane:
  • 1. TEAM engineering is still gathering information and has not submitted their formal report.
  • 2. Their preliminary opinion is that Tavern Hill Road and Church Land are rapidly degrading and should be milled down and repaved with a new wearing course at the first opportunity.
  • 3. The Bylaws will be reviewed to ascertain if a community vote is required.
  • 4. The Board will wait for the final report with costs before moving forward with any decision.

7. New Business:

• a. Property Management Contract:
  • 1. Contract with New Star was renewed by Board email vote on 5/6/20 for 2 years at 3% increase each year. This will not upset our budget projections; the extra costs are $688 in the 1st year; $708 in the second year.
• b. Correction of the HW Rule document:
  • 1. Minor formatting corrections made
  • 2. 4.1.d Any contractor hired by a unit owner, for work on the exterior of their unit or within their limited common area, should be licensed by the state of New Hampshire and insured.
  • 3. 4.1.e Any requests for architectural changes submitted at a time when there will NOT be a regularly scheduled Board meeting within 30 days will not be accepted per Bylaws 6.8. Early requests will need to be resubmitted.
  • 4. 5.6 b added: Under-deck lattice for the purpose of keeping leaves and other debris from accumulating under the deck, may be allowed if approved by the Board of Directors. It can be no more than 4 feet in height on all sides with no access to the under-deck space. This rule was approved during 8/22/18 Board of Directors meeting.
  • 5. Motion made to accept the HW rule changes, motion seconded and all Board members approved.
  • 6. The rule changes will be distributed by email to all Unit Owners, placed on the New Star Portal and placed on the HW Web site.

• c. Discussion regarding pumping of shared holding tanks
  • 1. In April 2019 the community voted to place the responsibility for maintaining and replacing leach fields on individual Unit Owners.
  • 2. Certain homes, which share leach fields, first pump from their septic tanks to settling tanks before flowing to the leach fields.
  • 3. Due to this change, the HOA promised to pump the settling tanks of the owners who share leach fields that are equipped with settling tanks. This is to help gauge the health of the leach fields.
  • 4. There are 13 homes on Black Forest Circle which are serviced by 4 settling tanks which hold 1000 gallons of fluid each.
  • 5. The initial estimate of $800.00 was planned for in our 2020 budget as a Reserve expense.
  • 6. Tim from New Star recommends and has obtained a quote from Maznek Septic for $760.00 to pump and inspect all settling tanks. A motion was made to accept the proposal to have Maznek Septic provide services to pump the 4 settling tanks. The motion was seconded and all Board members approved the expenditure.

8. Resurfacing and line painting of Clubhouse parking lot:

• a. Alliance to repair spots where fluid leakage softened pavement before resealing is completed. Tim will follow up with Jason from Alliance.
• b. Estimates:
  • 1. New England Sealcoating (2 coats) $3542.00
  • 2. Property Innovation (2 coats) $1867.00. Discount applies if completed prior to July 1.
  • 3. $3000.00 is in our 2020 budget under the Reserve account
  • 4. Motion made to approve Property Innovation to preform the work at $1867.00, motion seconded and all Board members approved the expense.

9. Dead tree on top of berm on Black Forest Circle:

• a. Tim to contact Jason to have it removed
• b. During walkabout last Fall, it was discussed as HOA responsibility to remove. There will not be a replacement secondary to advice of arborist.

10. Other dead trees in common areas identified during walkabout last fall:

• a. Trees were marked during walkabout last fall.
• b. Tim will follow up with Jason to see if they have been removed.

11. Sinking drain in driveway of 24 Pepper Hill Road:

• a. According to Bylaws, it is the responsibility of the Unit Owner to maintain their own driveways.
• b. Tim will notify the Unit Owner.

Adjournment: 2:59 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Shearer (Secretary), Hickory Woods Board of Directors

(Highlights of the meeting were not prepared by the Board. They were prepared by an attendee of the meeting and are presented to keep unit owners up to date until the official meeting minutes become available after they are approved.)

Hickory Woods Board of Directors Meeting Summary
November 20, 2019 (Wednesday); 1:30 PM @ Clubhouse
Present: Phil Lee, Bob Medeiros, Nancy Shearer, Pat Hoopes    Absent: Brian Wells

1. Review of October, 2019 minutes  Approved 4-0
   .
2. Review of October, 2019 financials  (Tim Wege) Active month of October. A number of expenses that made the month unfavorable in our balance (landscaping, tree inspection and removal, common area improvements, clubhouse pressure washing, water, insurance bill). Still favorable for the year so far. Project that we will be off by about $550 for the end of the year. Accepted 4-0
   .
3. Management Report:
   * Process to request early driveway snowplowing – List has been developed; will have a green ribbon on the “early out” homes.
   * Process to request “no salt” on driveway – will be indicated by red ribbons on the garage doors.
   * Fall cleanup will be Thursday, November 21. Snow stakes will be placed.
   * Netting has been removed
   * Town has asked Mesiti to place boundary markers on HW property. Assumption Is that it’s “routine” because of the building taking place. New Star will notify residents of what is learned.
   .
4. Committee Reports:
   * Beautification Committee: Read a letter from Cherryl Gordon (representing the committee) to the Board. The committee has voted to disband as a formal committee because of the lack of funds for the future. They will continue to be a volunteer group that will work to improve our community. The committee was thanked for their work. Voted to formally disband the committee (4-0 vote).
   * Clubhouse Committee: HVAC has been “buttoned up.” Requested a deadbolt lock for the conference room door; key to match existing keys.
   .
5. AAI Request:
   1 Quarry Road: Request for a roofed deck to have temporary plastic or glass panels. Will not involve permanent glass windows. Proposal included a specific timetable for installation and removal of the panels and does not include becoming a permanent interior space. The board has discussed it at length and opened the issue for discussion of residents. Comments from the attendees included:
   * Conditions should apply to anyone putting in glass panels. Dates for removal and installation would be guidelines for all.
   * Questions on the approval process.
   * Question – do we allow storage of materials under the decks? (A number of properties do presently have items stored under decks.)
   * Is this a road to having “condo police”?
   Vote:   Approved 3-0 (one abstention)

6. Old Business:
   * 2020 budget sent out to community (via email, New Star Portal and HW web site) for review on October 30, 2019. Formal vote will be taken at the Annual Meeting.

7. New Business:
   * Annual Unit Owners meeting scheduled for 7PM on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Major items:
   – Ratification of 2020 budget
   – Election of 2 Board of Director positions
   No December Board of Directors meeting
   .
   * Sale of commercial property at the south side of the Route 102 Entrance to Hickory Woods.
   – It was sold on October 30, 2019 for $750,000; no site plan has yet been filed.
   – Background – Transition Committee was concerned about the two commercial properties because of their access to the properties via easements at the Tavern Hill entrance. Philip Lee spoke specifically about the easements that are recorded in the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds.  Some of these easements negatively affect our property rights and some of the easements could be beneficial to our community. Philip developed a summary, “Easements Affecting Hickory Woods” after doing extensive research.  This summary was distributed during the meeting. 
   – Key to our protection is that we were rezoned as residential instead of commercial. This prevents the new owners to appeal the buffer (75 feet).
   – It was stated by a resident that a backhoe has been doing work. The new owner has the right to do what they want, including clear-cutting the property.
   – The BOD will keep a close watch to be certain that Hickory Woods is protected.
   – Obtaining legal opinion concerning easements at the Route 102 Entrance. We have “emergency funds” in next year’s budget.
   – The possibility of gating the 102 entrance may be a discussion for the future.
   .
8. Community Comments:

• Some trees that were marked for removal (BFC and Quarry) were marked but not removed because of their size and issues with removal.
• Gating issue discussion. It would solve the issue of cut-through traffic, but uncertain if this is the best solution. We need to wait and see the new site plan.

9. Adjournment: 2:42 PM (approved 4-0)

HW BOD Meeting – 6/18/19 Call to order at 2:00p

(Highlights of the meeting were not prepared by the Board. They were prepared by an attendee of the meeting and are presented to keep unit owners up to date until the official meeting minutes become available after they are approved.)

The HW Board meeting was held on June 18, 2019 at the Clubhouse.

May meeting minutes approved as written.

The financial statements were presented to the Board by Tim Wege- income was favorab-le. May financial report accepted.

Management Reports were presented:
– Age Affidavit update: 100% of forms returned.
– Alliance 2019 aeration and over-seeding proposal: Have quote from Alliance, waiting on quotes from several other venders. There has been less crabgrass and fewer complaints so far this season There was some discussion on trimming: several instances where trimming near tree lines and other areas has been lacking. A concern was voiced about the ornamental grass at entrance on 102 needing inspection and possible remediation.

Beautification Committee
– Brief summary of status stated that the committee was still working on quotes for Quarry Rd divider work.
– Working to organize a volunteer work group.

Clubhouse Committee
– Bob McGrath reported that the cleaning of the inside of the clubhouse is scheduled; the power washing of outside of clubhouse is scheduled.
– Bob indicated that power wash company would allow for power washing residents’ homes on the same day. See Bob.

AAI Requests
– 8 Quarry Road- Routine item – Approved
– 8 Tavern Hill Road- Routine item – Approved
– 37 Quarry Road- Pine tree removal, it is in danger of falling; quotes being acquired – Approved.

New Business
– ByLaws and Declaration amendments • Have been filed with the county • Hard Copies will be delivered to each dwelling unit; signatures will be requested for verification.
– Town council Meeting 6/17/19 • Town Council Approved request to change Hickory Woods zone from C2 to AR1. • Board will still need to monitor any zoning requests or variance requests by owners of the lots on 102 on both sides of entrance.
– Landscape specifications • Board will be sending a Landscaping Survey out to the residents to gather input. A quick turnaround will be requested.
– Coalition of 55 & older communities • John Goglia (Previously on Londonderry’s Senior Resources Committee) has been talking to the other 55 & older communities in Londonderry about gathering representatives for a discussion of issues relevant to our common benefits. The meeting is still to be scheduled.

Community Comments:
– Resident reported that a sprinkler head damaged by a snowplow has not been replaced. The grass in the area has been.
– Resident asked about maintenance of the shell-based Bocce court and possible issue with damage to the Bocce balls. Tim Wege reported that New Star has provided raking and leveling of the shell court at the beginning of the season. If additional maintenance is required New Star can provide it but only as requested.
– Resident indicated that the letter sent out to provide guidance on age restrictions on people living in units was confusing especially when coving a person over 22 but under 55. A request was made that a more complete coverage of this topic be prepared and sent to unit owners. This should include the relevant sections of the Bylaws and Declaration.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55