APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

WALLENPAUPACK LAKE

PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 15, 2023

The following board members were in attendance:  Ed Jordan (President), Alan Cucciniello (Vice President), Greg Pollock (Treasurer), Kathleen Maynes (Secretary), Mike Cioffi, Bruce Phillips, and John Carney (General Manager). Mike McGregor was absent.

Ed Jordan opened the meeting at 8:05AM.

Two corrections were made to the March 11, 2023 minutes:  Building Committee should have listed Greg Pollock as its representative and Neighborhood Watch should have listed Mike McGregor as its representative.

A motion to approve the corrected March 11, 2023 minutes was made by Al and seconded by Bruce.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

This was followed by a discussion about approving a candidate’s run for the BODs despite the fact that his dues were not paid in full by April 1st.  Due to some ambiguous wording and a past precedent, it was not clear whether this candidate should be approved to run.  Four of the BODs voted to allow this individual to run and Al voted against it

The wording will be corrected in the future so this situation will not be able to reoccur.  

Treasurer’s Report/Finance (Greg Pollock):

  • Greg distributed the Wallenpaupack Lake Estates Financial Reporting Package dated March, 2023 (“Unaudited”).
  • Despite increase in dues, there is still a short fall this year.  
  • Property values are up in WLE despite falling in other local communities.

Reports of Departments / Committees/ Ad Hoc Groups:

Maintenance / Housekeeping (Ed Jordan): 

  • Bruce noted that he is extremely frustrated about the indoor pool.  Other vendors have been called, but they are all experiencing the same delays.
  • The Maintenance Department have completed the following tasks:
    • Finished building all mains and fingers for F-Dock
    • Removed all plows and all but 2 cinder spreaders
    • Changed oil and rotated tires on all maintenance vehicles
    • Conducted multiple bulk pick-ups.
  • The Maintenance Department is currently working on the Marina, spring cleanups, mulching, grass cutting and weed whacking.
  • A new roof and seamless gutters were installed on the Adult Lodge and seamless gutters were also installed on Beaver Lodge.
  • Additional trees will be planted at multiple locations.
  • Housekeeping has been getting the beach bathrooms ready for the summer season.
  • Housekeeping supplies have been ordered for the upcoming season as well. 

Sewer and Water (Mike McGregor absent – Report provided by Brian Schan, Director of Water & Sewer):

  • Miscellaneous maintenance was performed at the Treatment Plant.
  • A representative from Entech looked at the existing sludge tank to gather information for a proposed future replacement.
  • Leak detection continues for water loss.
  • The Fawn Hill well chlorine projection project will be moving forward as WLE has now signed an agreement with a contractor.
  • The BODs had some questions about Sewer and Water Monthly Report.

Public Safety (Ed Jordan):

  • Dominic provided the BODs with a Public Safety Report for March 2023 that included citations, incidents, and EMS calls. 
  • A draft of the Boot Policy and Boot Enforcement was discussed.  
  • The BODs also discussed the WLE ID sticker.  It is the property owners’ responsibility to make sure the sticker is visible.

Ed opened the open session at 9:05 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance.

General Manager’s Report (John Carney):

  • WLE is still waiting on the Dectron System.  We did have to replace it due to the fact that we were putting too much money into keeping the old system working.  We did verify our order and contacted two other companies.  They experiencing the same problems that we are experiencing.

Question:  Will we be opening our outdoor pools sooner due to this?

Answer:  Yes, at least one will be available earlier for when weather permits usage, to use in place of not having the indoor pool open.

Question:  What is the estimated time for this/

Answer:  Any time before Memorial Day and as soon as we can.

Question:  How many lifeguards do we have?

Answer:  We are not sure yet.  We think we are doing okay.  Cord is taking over this and we believe scheduling will be more efficient.

  • The Docks have started to be installed.
  • Road sweeping have been completed and repairs will start shortly.
  • A new roof has been put on the Adult Lodge.
  • We now have a contractor for the Fawn Hill Well chlorination reduction project.  The work should start on that after Labor Day Weekend.
  • A Boat Safety Course will be offered at the Main Club House on April 29th.
  • In efforts to get stricter with vehicles IDs, WLE has obtained boots for vehicles that are not in compliance.  The owner of the vehicle must pay to have the boot removed or the car will be towed. 

Question:  How are you going to get the word out to everyone about the use of boots on vehicles?

Answer:  Postings on the website, Facebook, the Newsletter, as well as signs in all parking areas.

Question:  What about damage to the vehicles?

Answer:  A notification will be put on the vehicle stating that there is a boot on it. The boot does not cause damage to the vehicle.

Comment:  Guest passes used to be more available in the office.

Response:  Security will give them out after hours.  These passes will last for one day.  Then a person must go to the office to get a pass.  Also, with advance notice, the office staff will leave passes in the vestibule for property owners to pick up.

Question:  Will the boots be used on private property?

Answer:  No, only at the amenities.

John noted at this point that the WLE sticker on file should match the appropriate car.

Question:  Is it possible for a property owner to get two passes to use at their discretion?

Answer:  We will discuss that.

Question:  Due to the large amount of information on the WLE website, can it have a search tool?

Answer: I will check into that.

A discussion followed about a property owner who is running for the BODs that did not have their dues paid by April 1st.  

Question:  If it’s in the bylaws, do the BODs have the right to overrule it?

Answer:  Past precedent had allowed it.

Question: Can WLE make the resumes due April 10th to avoid this situation?

Answer:  We will discuss that and other alternatives so this does not happen again.

Question:  Do I have to pay the fee prior to advertising to rent my house if I only want to see if there is marketable interest in it?

Answer:  We will discuss that.

Comment:  Renting a house is a business venture and there’s always a gamble. Money is put up front in a business venture.

Question:  Will you be discussing the use of the Adult Lodge and the financing for the Craft Shop.

Answer:  Yes

Question:  Can we replace the dilapidated dart board in the Adult Lodge?

Answer:  Yes.  

Comment:  The chain link fence around the pickle ball court does not look good.

Response:  We will be working on that.

Question:  Who is in charge of the powerlines on private property? 

Answer:  The property owner.  

Question: There is a dead tree on the vacant lot next to me. If the property owner does not address, can the POA cut the tree?

Answer:  See Fran at the office and she will contact the property owner, we do have some leverage to have to have the tree removed. 

Comment:  I love the tree by the office.  I especially like the lights.

Question:  Do you have any updates on the repair of Goosepond Rd?

Answer:  It is slated for next year.  Perhaps you would like to follow up with your legislators.

Comment:  So far there is no interest in the position of Summer Recreation Coordinator.

Response:  We will continue to look.

Question:  Can we improve access to the U Dock area and consider a Pavilion?

Answer:  We are improving access. However, there isn’t any money in the budget for a Pavilion.

Question:  Can we add adjustable basketball hoops to the courts?

Answer:  Yes.  We are also thinking of moving the skateboard park to that location.

Following the Open Board of Directors Meeting the Board of Directors reconvened their regular meeting at the office at 10:30AM. 

Building Committee (Greg Pollock):

  • Since there is no way to implement a lockable cover on an inflatable spa, the BODs are looking for advisement from the Building Committee.
  • Greg has obtained information on propane tanks in the ground and will forward it to Board members.
  • Three terms of three members are up.  Two people have applied to the Committee.

The following motion was made by Al and was seconded by Greg:

Accept the membership of Jonathan Mayer and Roy Van De Voort on the Building Committee.

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

The following motion was made by Al and was seconded by Greg:

Extend the membership of John Young, Tom Huhn, and Frank Bruno on the Building Committee.  

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

  • The permit fees were then discussed.

The following motion was made by Greg and was seconded by Al:

The cost of new construction building permit will equal to the improved lot annual assessment.

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

  • The BODs reviewed the Building Compliance Warnings/Violation Procedure.

The following motion was made by Mike C and seconded by Al:

To adopt the Building Compliance Warnings/Violation Procedure as presented.

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Recreation (Al Cucciniello): 

  • Thursday Breakfasts and Card Bingo continue to be successful Recreation activities.  The children also enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt.
  • The upcoming activities include a WLE Family Scavenger Hunt, Karaoke Night, Paint and Sip, Comedy Night, Music in the Park, the Fishing Derby and the Tricky Tray.
  • Vendors are returning for the Independence Day Party.  
  • The BODs discussed the use of the Adult Lodge.

The following motion was made by Ed and seconded by Bruce:

No WLE sanctioned activity can be scheduled at the Adult Lodge from Friday at 6 PM to Sunday at 6 PM and during holiday weekends.

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

The following motion was made by Ed and seconded by Al:

To increase the Recreation Committee’s budget an additional $2000. to stock the Craft Shop. 

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

(Through a previous email)  The following motion was made by Ed and seconded by Kathleen:

To allocate the 1st quarter dues as a prize for the Tricky Tray Auction.

The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Marina Committee (Kathleen Maynes):

  • F Dock is completed.
  • Numerous mains are already in the water.
  • Maintenance is renting a machine that assist in getting the docks in faster.
  • Kathleen provided the Marina Committee with budget information provided by Greg.
  • Bruce discussed the Marina budget with Tony, chairperson of the Marina Committee.

CDC (Mike Cioffi):

  • The CDC reviewed 3 cases.  All were found in violation, but one was not fined.
  • One person has applied for an alternate position.
  • The CDC would like to request that the BODs allow stickers to be put on a hang tags rather than having them placed directly on the cars’ window or paint.

Neighborhood Watch (Mike McGregor): 

  • They will have their first meeting of the year at the end of April.

Paupack Township (Bruce Phillips):  

  • The Township took comments about short term rentals.

The following motion was made by Ed and seconded by Bruce:

Motion to waive first right of refusal on properties listed in the March 2023 Packet.

It was unanimously approved. 

Correspondence:

The BODs received a letter from a property owner pertaining to a fine in renting a home.

The following motion was made by Mike C. and seconded by Al:

The property owner must pay the fine.

It was unanimously approved.

Unfinished Business:

  • Solar Power will be discussed at the next meeting
  • Work on the Fawn Hill well should begin after Labor Day.

New Business:

  • Cracks at the basketball and picketball courts are scheduled to be repaired.  
  • Two new adjustable basketball hoops will be installed at the Basketball court.
  • A Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy was drafted for the employee handbook.
  • Upon the recommendation of Mike C., John explored the psychological testing of newly hired Public Safety Officers. 

Based on that exploration, the following motion was made by Mike C. and seconded by Kathleen:

Newly hired Public Safety Officers must submit to Psychological testing as a condition for employment.

It was unanimously approved.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Al, seconded by Mike C., and approved unanimously.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:10 PM.

The next BOD meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2023.  

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen R. Maynes