Annual Meeting Minutes 2009

North Sandwich Community Association, Inc.


Incorporated 1978

PO Box 1578, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562



2009 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES


The Annual Meeting of the North Sandwich Community Association was held September 12, 2009, at Clark Hall. Thirty-four (29) members attended with twenty-two (20) households represented. Coffee and donuts were served from 8:30 to approximately 9:10 AM.

Presiding: John Kjoller, President

The President called the meeting to order.

The President then called for the Secretary’s report.

Secretary’s Report:

The Secretary, Jon Gray, read the Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting.

The Secretary’s Report was accepted by all present.

Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer, Alan DeCew, reported the balance in the Checking Account was $21,903.75 of which $3,658.11 belong to the Sunshine Fund and $18,245.64 to the Road Fund. The Road Fund total current assets are $45,986.47, of which $18,245.64 is in the checking account and $27,740.83 is invested in short-term Certificates of Deposit. He stated that to-date payment on 108 of the 116 properties assessed have paid their annual Road fees for fiscal year ended September 12, 2009.

The Treasurer stated that we are still on track for the plan first outlined at the last annual meeting. Our association would be able to pay for a new road in approximately 20 years from that last time the road was completed. The Treasurer indicated that CD rates were very low.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted by all present.

Entertainment Committee:

Judi Rubin thanked those who participated in the raffle. $480 was raised to help support the Sunshine Fund, picnic and hall. The committee greatly appreciates those members who submitted donations along with their invoices.

About 50 people attended the lobster picnic, held at the Julian’s house this year.

Please add Judi’s e-mail address to your e-mail address book so that notices get delivered and do not get treated as spam.

Judi mentioned that there were only 6 tables set up for the Street Fair and asked if we wish to continue with the event.

Jeana Pittman indicated that the Bourne Food Bank is a good cause but that it takes away from our sales when it sets up a table on the same day as our fair.

Judi added that the Bourne Food Bank has nothing to do with our association. There is some confusion with members over who is raising money.

The Maloof’s host the sale. The President suggested that if someone who knows the Maloof’s ask them in good faith to move their sale to a different week as to not conflict with our sale.

Linda Sheldon stated that one problem is that most people don’t go all the way down to her end of the road.

Judi clarified that signs were posted to indicate that the sale extended down to the end of the road.

Linda added that crafts may help sales as they had in the past with the Kent’s. We need donations of crafts.

Judi asked for volunteers to donate the use of their driveway during the next Street Fair from 9-noon. Honey Patterson offered her driveway, depending on her rental schedule. Nick DeAngelis offered # 294. Louis Sousa offered # 269.

Lou Julian suggested that we group sales together and offered # 268.

Honey mentioned that parking would be a problem.

Linda suggested that moving items for sale would be too difficult, such as furniture.

Judi: The raffle winners were Phyllis Foote, the Miller’s, Crosby’s, and DeSisto’s. Starbucks donated coffee for the morning, as well as gift prizes for the evening.

General Announcements:

Linda Sheldon provided an updated on the Sunshine Fund. Thank you to those who notify her of important happenings. Linda asked that if someone leaves her a message to please give some details so that Linda has enough information to take action on it.

The association will be honoring Elisabeth Dennett. We are going to put a sign up in a right-of-way. We’re calling it Lib’s Way. Linda is looking for donations to help fund a $450 upgrade from a plain sign to one that is more decorative. Elisabeth is responsible for getting many members to Phillips Road.

Honey will write something for the Sandpiper on Lib’s Way.

President’s Report:

Road Report

One of the five drains is showing signs of collapsing, by house # 250. Key Enterprises will fix the drain for us.

Parking remains an issue for us, especially for those on the Bourne end of our road. The President attended a meeting on Thursday night. Some concerned citizens petitioned their selectmen to prohibit parking on either side of the road.

Scusset beach refers some beachgoers to the Bourne public beach with Scusset gets filled.

Jack Pittman added that there are signs already posted indicating that no parking is allowed on the street.

Mike Norris mentioned that people have taken down the ‘no parking’ signs and that some people may be willing to risk parking even if there may be a parking ticket.

Bud Sherman has posted signs at the turnaround at the end of Phillips Road, and the Army Corp of Engineers has erected signs facing the direction of foot traffic from Scusset beach.

We are working on a project to erect ‘Dead End’ signs at the pillars. Linda is working to order signs from the same company we are purchasing the ‘Lib’s Way’ sign from.

The President stated that since our last meeting, a fire gate has been erected. The committee was concerned about the gate being locked. There are two keys; one key is with the Fire Department on Meetinghouse Lane and the second key is held at Scusset Beach. The President called the Sagamore Beach Fire Department and was informed that our association will not be allowed to get a key.

New News:

Street Lamps

Lou Julian called N Star to get prices for installing street lamps. He had handouts with the pricing. Lou stated that there have been an increasing number of break-ins on the road and that the lights may serve as a deterrent. The street is very dark at night.

Honey asked if this is a concern of ours as a road maintenance committee.

The Treasurer responded that our Bylaws include safety, so the answer is ‘yes.’

Lou added that there are only 32 poles. If we put a light on every 3rd pole, we would only need 10 lights. The cost would be approximately $100 per month for the electricity. N Star will install the lights for free, and collect just our monthly fees. Lou offered to contact the town and inquire if the town would pay the electricity costs.

Paul Dawson added that the Sandwich selectmen are projecting that the town will cut out street lights to save money.

Jim Langenbach mentioned that the town may agree to plow private roads if they are at least 18 feet wide.

Linda Sheldon added that she does not want to install lights. She likes the dark and street lights will not be a deterrent to crime. White Cliffs has lights and gates, but has still had thefts of golf carts.

Mike Romanelli stated that this is a safety issue, not only an issue with crime.

The President asked if the members approve of the suggestion, and asked if it is worth Lou pursuing our options for lighting. By a show of hands, 17 members were in favor of street lamps and 12 were not in favor.

The Treasurer clarified that electricity expense is not budgeted, so dues would go up.

Honey asked if we could have a vote.

Ed Maybury stated that to conduct business of the association, we need a quorum.

Post script: Members who were not able to attend the Annual Meeting provided additional dissenting votes after the meeting.

Member Survey

The President announced that members received a survey form. Please fill out the survey and return to Lou if you have not already.

Website

Jim Langenbach has created a new website for our association. The website includes member names, contact information and all notices. The web address is: www.northsagamore.blogspot.com.

Sandpiper

Phyllis Foote informed the group that we only had 1 ½ pages of information for the Sandpiper, so she held off on sending it.

Sand Removal

The President stated that we entered in to an agreement with Brian Fitzpatrick about removing sand. It’s too cumbersome to remove sand by Bobcat, so he has started to remove sand manually with a broom. Members, please call Brian if there is accumulation in front of your property.

Elections of Officers

Elections were held for three officer positions: President, Vice President and Secretary.

Jim Langenbach volunteered to be President.

Lou Julian agreed to be Vice President.

There were no volunteers for Secretary; however, later that day Terry Patterson agreed to assume the position.

The new officers take over on October 1st.

The Treasurer, Alan Decew, has completed his second year and agreed to continue for the third year.

Neighborhood Representatives

Dick Drew has resigned from area 7. Linda Sheldon already covered area 6 and agreed to also cover area 7 on an interim basis. Her preference is to retain area 7 where her residence is.

Mike Norris agreed to become the Neighborhood Representative for area 6.

Dogs on the beach

Scott Brown stated that there are a lot of dogs coming over from Scusset. He received quotes for signs for leashing dogs, or a ‘clean up after your dog’ message. Owners should perhaps have renters sign guidelines that state the renters should clean up after their pets. The quotes that Scott received were about $40 for the signs.

The President added that our Bylaws state restrictions on fires and dogs.

Linda Sheldon clarified that fires must be permitted by the town, and the property owner. We should go over the rules with renters and notify police of any incidents.

Lou Julian added a reminder that our association is responsible for maintaining the road.

Judi Rubin asked that a copy of the Bylaws be included with the Sandpiper, along with a list of Neighborhood Representatives.

Other News:

Lou Julian thanked the Executive Committee.

The President highlighted a Cape Cod Times newspaper article. The Sagamore Bridge will be restricted to 1 lane in each direction for maintenance.

Ed Maybury motioned for the meeting to be adjourned and the motion was seconded.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonathan R. Gray, Secretary