Seven Lakes West Landowners Association

West Side Park Community Center

General Meeting

August 22, 2006

 

 

Call to Order

            President Jim Meikle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Present: Hugh Beckwith, Mary Anne Fewkes, Michael Finney, Ray MacKay, Jim Meikle, Betty Milligan, Jo Nicholas, Blaine Rowland, Virgil Reid.  Also present:  Tony Robertson, Community Manager. President Meikle asked for recognition of any new residents to the community.

 

President’s Comments

            President Meikle explained that at the last General Meeting he had spoken about the area’s concern regarding having enough water to keep up with the demand.  Over the weekend, we had a problem with our water being tainted.  At least the problem was short-lived and he hoped no one was adversely affected.  Jim explained that the Board did what they could to alert everyone, but it does point out how important it is to check our web site.  The Board will be reviewing the situation towards finding additional methods of communications to the community in future with like situations. 

            Jim explained that the Board had discussions with five candidates who were interested in filling the vacancy of Bill Parker.  After due consideration, the Board appointed Michael Finney to head up the ARC (Architectural Review Committee).  Mr. Meikle thanked all of the other candidates for applying and encouraged them to continue their desire to work with the community.  At that time, President Meikle introduced and welcomed Michael Finney to the Board.  Mr. Finney has an extensive background in electrical engineering and has held managerial positions as director of utilities for cities and towns as well as managing co-ops.  Mike is looking forward to digging in and working with ARC and has his first meeting of the committee scheduled for tomorrow.

            As a public relations information, the Seven Lakes Forum will begin meeting on September 21st with a presentation by Colonel Steve Tableman on the “Progress in Afghanistan”.  Colonel Tableman is well qualified to speak on the subject as he has just returned from a tour of duty in that region.  The forum meets at West Side Park Community Center (WSPCC) at 9:00 a.m.

            President Meikle then explained that he has had many concerns about the trash that always seems to accumulate on our roadsides.  He explained that the Board had been looking to implement an “Adopt a Road” program for several months.  Recently, Jo Kinney stepped up and volunteered to help the community in developing the program.  Many residents are currently picking up trash on their daily or weekly walks.  If we can get enough volunteers to take care of small stretches of the road in front of their house, we can solve this problem.  A map of the community was displayed at the back of the meeting room and Jo will assist you in organizing the routes. 

 

 

 

Community Manager

            Community Manager, Tony Robertson, shared several items of interest for the community.

  1. As of Friday, August 25th, the pool will be open only from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  Weekend hours will remain the same.  On Labor Day, the pool will be open from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and then will be closed for the season. 
  2. Seven Lakes West has a Septic Management program.  Mr. Robertson displayed a visual that shows that 75% of the community has complied with this program.  He encouraged everyone to comply with the program because it is great insurance for people to have their septic systems inspected for prolonging the life of their systems.  Community members who live on the lake on in the water shed should make sure they have their systems inspected because if it malfunctions, it may backup into the lake and cause problems.  He encouraged people to contact Marlins Septics for inspections.
  3. Finally, on a serious note, Mr. Robertson shared that information is floating around the community regarding the unaccounted boat stickers.  People are blaming the office for this neglect, however, it is NOT TRUE!.  There were 13 stickers unaccounted for of which 7 have been found.  769 decals were issued which gives us a 1% error.  Please let’s work together for the community!

 

Treasurer’s Report

            Treasurer Virgil Reid explained the two handouts that were present at the meeting.  The Fund Status Report was shared with overall average of investments for 4.1%.

            Virgil then explained the Profit and Loss Budget report.  He explained that people would notice bills being paid twice in one month.  The four bills that were mentioned (Embarq, Progress Energy, Southern Landscaping and John Blake Professionals) had payments for June in July.  This does not normally occur—therefore they show up as being paid twice in one month.  Last month a community member asked about Bank Fees—Virgil explained that this was coded in error.  Two dues checks were returned and the financial assistant had picked them up as bank fees—this has been corrected.

            Mr. Reid then explained that in the next issue of the newsletter a list of delinquent dues accounts will be published.  The Board decided that since counties display delinquent taxes, then we should pursue these cases.  There is $51,000 owed in dues.  $16,000 is in lots that have been overdue for several years. (He explained that the Association does have liens on these properties)  Also a bulk is also owed by a contractor as well as homes that have outstanding dues.  Hopefully this will encourage these persons to pay their notices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recreation

            Betty Milligan shared several items of interest for the community.

  1. This past Saturday, there was a very successful Back-to-School Ice Cream and Swim Social for the community.  Thanks for all of the volunteers who helped make this event successful.
  2. Shag Lessons will begin at the Center starting on Monday, September 11, 2006 from 6:30 p.m for Level I and 7:30 p.m. for Level II.  The cost is $65 per couple and $35 for single.  For more information call Paul Sowell at 673-8180 or Nanci Donald at 690-9176. Instructors are Bud Hunter and Nanci Donald.  Signs will be displayed in the mailroom.
  3. The Seven Lakes Forum will begin on Thursday, September 21, 2006 on the upper level of the WSPCC.  Refreshments will be available at 9:00 a.m. with formal session beginning at 9:15 a.m.  Colonel Steve Tableman will be the keynote speaker.  For further information, contact Don Welch (673-6701) or Bill Mamel (673-8970).

 

 

Lake and Dam Environment

            Mary Anne Fewkes shared several items of interest for the community concerning the Lake and Dam Environment.

  1. There have been concerns regarding speeding on the Dam.  The community must be aware that the Dam is sensitive to weight and speed.  We must keep the Dam safe.  KEEP THE SPEED LIMIT—25mph.  Also, no three (3) axle trucks are allowed over the dam.
  2. There is a Lake Auman Master Plan that has been completed to a degree which includes recommendations for long term and maintenance of the dam and lake.  Many thanks for Paul Kirst, Bud Sales, Bob Fewkes, Don Snell, and Laud Pitt for compiling this report for the Board and community.  Mary Anne will be sharing information from the report on several occasions for the community’s knowledge.  She shared one section regarding wakes and boat speeds.
  3. Mary Anne then stated that she appreciated the office staff for assisting in decal distributions and hopes to have a better data base for next year.  As her job as Lake Director, she appreciates many people and their assistance.  For example she thanked Paul Kirst and Gerhard Hergenhahn for their involvement with the Lake and Dam; Charlie Flinchum and Bill Carl for Johnson’s Point assistance; Larry McCallum, Gus Danielson, and Charlie Flinchum for helping with buoys as well as the involvement of the Sports Club and Sailing Club.  With everyone helping we have a great community and a wonderful lake.

 

 

President Meikle then took questions/concerns from the audience.  One community members expressed a concern over fireworks being displayed still in the community.  Several were found in his yard after being blasted.  This occurred ten days ago.  He asked the Board to put a position paper together regarding the danger of fireworks and post it.  Jim explained that information is coming in the newsletter regarding fireworks.  Another concern was in regards to any response from NCWRC.  Jim explained that we are still in negotiations and had no information that he could share.  Another audience member asked why the Area Representatives were not called with the emergency water situation this past weekend.  Jim explained that it was in error that they were not called—he and several Board members were working diligently to notify the community and it did not cross his mind to get them involved.  He will in the future call them to assist in emergency situations.

An audience member asked about the recent article in the Seven Lakes Times regarding the Moore County flood ordinance.  Jim asked Hugh Beckwith to explain.  Hugh gave an overview of the process whereby FEMA redrew the flood plain maps.  He stated that no landowner’s property is in the flood plain because of the good work of Tony and Gerhard Hergenhahn.  The Landowners Association owns the lake and the land under it to the high water mark on the basis of covenant and lake deed. Banks and/or surveyors may be confused in this regard because of metes and bounds drawn to plat lots before the lake filled. .  If there is a conflict, the county flood plain administrator has the authority to provide a letter that explains why the metes and bounds do not subject the landowner to mandatory flood insurance.  Gerhard then explained that after October 17, 2006, letters from the flood plain administrator will be sent to banks and surveyors in regards to the flood plain revision.  The individual shared another concern that someone was smoking at the playground and dumped cigarettes on the pine straw.  Could the Board display NO SMOKING signs in that area?  It will be discussed.

Charlie Flinchum shared that vandalism had occurred at Johnson’s Point on boats moored.  He asked that people check their boats and notify Tony Robertson if they had any problems.  Another individual asked that the gates be locked at Johnson’s Point, if possible.  The Board will discuss this concern.

 

Adjournment

There being no more questions or comments from the audience, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Nicholas, Secretary