PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

AUGUST 17, 2024

The Board of Directors’ meeting commenced at 8:00 AM.

The following Board Members were in attendance:  Jerry Beskovoyne (President), Mike Cioffi  (Vice-President), Kathleen Maynes (Secretary), Al Cucciniello, Dean Barbier, Bruce Phillips (Treasurer), and John Carney (General Manager). Scott Healey participated via Zoom.

A motion to approve the minutes from the Board of Directors’ Meeting on July 20, 2024 with corrections was made by Al and seconded by Mike.  The minutes were unanimously approved. 

Treasurer’s Report/Finance:

• Lorraine provided a full budget report ending 7/31/2024 via email to each Board Member.
• John provided the Operating Budge Summary ending 7/31//2024.
• There are a number of accounts that are unfavorable.  Some unfavorable accounts are due to the heavy rains causing drainage issues and strains upon the pump stations.
• Bruce will be beginning to work on the Replacement/Reserve Budget shortly.

Open Session:

Jerry opened the open session with the Pledge of Allegiance at 9:10 AM. 

General Manager’s Report (John Carney):

• Section 6 (across from the West Gate) is being surveyed.
• Paupack Twp. negotiated deal with the owners of the house on Lakeshore Drive that was set to be demolished. Dues will be paid to WLE.
• A medical team has been established with volunteer property owners. WLE currently has an insurance policy on these volunteer as first responders.
• Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department is looking to put another bay on their substation and has asked WLE for donations.
• An ambulance is currently stationed at the Lakeville Fire Department main station.  However, if the ambulance is not there, there is an increase in response time.

Question & Answer Session:

Question: What is the purpose of surveying Section 6 and does WLE have any future plans for that area?

Answer: The BODs would like to be aware of the borders of this parcel.  WLE currently does not have plans to use this area.

Question:  Could you explain the situation with Section 6?

Answer:  Jerry explained the history of the section.

Question: Will WLE address issues involving broken locks on the postal boxes?

Answer: The Postmaster was in two weeks ago and we are getting a plan together.  When deliveries do not fit into the postal boxes, people will have to go the post office to pick their items.

Question:  Is Section 6 going on the auction block?

Answer:  Currently WLE has no intention of selling property in Section 6.  If it was ever put up for sale, notices would have to go out to everyone.

Question:  Did WLE have a lot of problem incidences during the summer?  Why don’t adults in their golf carts or walking move over for automobiles?

Answer:  (Chief Manetti) Except for holiday weekends, WLE had less incidents than last year.  There was only one break in and fewer golf cart accidents.  Golf carts drivers should be cognizant of automobiles and walkers and bikers should be using the correct side of the road.

Question:  Has the Short Term Rentals (STRs) rules been effective?

Answer:  The Paupack Twp. ordinance seems to be working.  The office has identified a STR that has tried to bypass the law.  Also, a number of houses that were STRs are currently being sold. 

Comment:  There have been a number of accidents at the corner by Mr. Yocks. Perhaps WLE and its properties owners could lobby Penndot to make this a 4 way stop.

Response:  WLE will send a letter asking Penndot to improve this situation.

Question:  Can we change WLE’s Covenant to restrict STRs?

Answer:  Changing the Covenant is very difficult since it requires a vote of over 67% of the properties owners.

Question:  Can anyone change their existing home to a multi-family home and rent part of it.

Answer:  No, they cannot.

Question:  What do we spend on the Summer Recreation Program?  It should be abolished or be strengthened.

Answer:  The budget includes approximately $1500 in supplies and 26 weekly hours for the coordinator and 4 weekly hours for the assistant for a period of approximately 8 weeks. Please contact Terry Cucciniello to make suggestions for future programs. 

Question:  The Ceramic Program has been very popular.  It includes a number of volunteers.  Where do these volunteer fit in since they are not part of the Recreation Committee?

Answer:  We will review this.

Question:  During the summer there was a big bang by the Campground.  Do you know what this was?

Answer:  (Jerry) It was probably a transformer. I don’t think it was fireworks.  We also do not have any control noise coming from the Lackawanna Sanctuary.

Question:  Who checks on the boats at the Marina Monday through Friday?

Answer:  Public Safety checks on the Marina.

Comment:  We need someone to walk the docks.

Response:  The Maintenance Department spends a lot of time down there and we will discuss this further at the meeting today.

Question:  Can property owners hike on the land behind the mail boxes?

Answer:  Yes.

Question:  Can a clock be put up at the pool by the Adult Lodge?

Answer:  Yes.

Question:  Can the bocce courts be improved?

Answer:  We will discuss that at today’s meeting.

Question:  Can we request that Paupack Twp. paint lines on Goosepond Road?

Answer:  It is a State road and we can request that.

Question:  Can we restructure the parking by Deer Beach?

Answer:  We will look into that.

Question:  Can you drive golf carts on Eskra Road?

Answer:  Yes, you can.

Question:  Thank you for putting up the speed sign on Rainbow Drive.  Does it record the vehicles that are speeding?

Answer:  It is just a warning sign.  Ones that records vehicles are incredibly expensive.

Question:  How are we dealing with property owners who are not cleaning their culverts and causing drainage issues?

Answer:  Brian is taking pictures.  Property owners are notified.  If they do not clean their culverts, we clean them and bill the property owners.

Comment:  Golf carts and automobiles are parking in spaces designated for emergency vehicles by Deer Beach.

Response:  If a vehicle is parked there, WLE will issue a ticket.

Question:  What is going on with the electronic bulletin board?

Answer:  The BODs will be discussing that.  

The open session ended at 10:00AM and the BODs reconvened at 10:20 AM in the Main Office.

Two property owners asked to share their request with the BODs to have something done to memorialize a property owner who has passed away. The BODs heard their comments and will consider their request. 

Reports of Departments / Committees/ Ad Hoc Groups:

Maintenance / Housekeeping (Jerry Beskovoyne): 

• The Maintenance/Housekeeping Departments are to be commended on their preparation and cleanup of the grounds during the busy summer season. 
• The Maintenance Department has spent a good amount of time addressing storm/drainage issues.
• Currently the Maintenance Department is working on the following projects:
  • Checking the Marina for weekly repairs, lowering walkways to the docks, and spreading gravel on the walkways;
  • Mowing, raking, edging, and maintaining the grounds;
  • Installing padding on the gym’s floor;
  • Inspecting and maintaining vehicles;
  • Replacing the sheetrock at the Neighborhood Watch Shed because of a leaky roof;
  • Obtaining water samples from the lakes and pools and maintaining chemical levels at the pools; and 
  • Completing bulk pick-ups.
• New A/C and Heating units are scheduled to be installed in the MCH in the next few weeks. 

Sewer and Water (Scott Healey):

• The treatment plant is running well.  
• Infiltration research is continuing.
• The Fawn Hill well project is finished and is enabling the well to run with the lower chlorine residual.
• Well flows were extremely high during July.
• The BODs approved water restrictions for Memorial Day weekend and the holiday week of 4^th of July.

Building Committee (Scott Healey):

• The Building Regulations need to be clearer for clarification.  The BODs will work on this.
• Percentages of pervious and non-pervious surfaces still need to be addressed.
• The BODs did not support the Property Owner/General Contractor Permit Letter.
• All permit work (Fee and Non-Fee) needs to have an inspection once the work is completed in order to verify that the work was done according to the approved permit and that no additional work beyond the scope of the permit was conducted.
• WLE is currently at 1428 homes.

Public Safety (Mike Cioffi):

• Dominic provided the BODs with a Public Safety Report for July 2024 that included citations, incidents, and EMS calls.
• Mike requested that Public Safety Officers directly support injured property owners.

Legal Administration:  

• A postal worker is currently in litigation with WLE.

Neighborhood Watch (Kathleen Maynes):

• They will be going through the Medical Supply Room and throwing out or making donations of the less serviceable items.
• Neighborhood watch just covered the Independence Day picnic, the Flea Market, the Fishing Derby, and Car Show. Upcoming events include the Triathlon, the Beach Party, and Trunk or Treat.
• The BODs do not approve their use of a dash cam.  
• Neighborhood Watch would like to make it mandatory for children under 6 to use seatbelts in golf carts and UTVs.  The BODs does not support making this mandatory.
• Next meeting is August 24^th at 10 AM – Adult Lodge.

Recreation Committee (Al Cucciniello): 

• The Recreation Committee has scheduled a large number of events for the summer. The list of events is listed on the Recreation website.  For a list of events, go to www.wleonline.org and click on the Recreation link.  
• The Recreation Committee needs to re-evaluate their voting procedures.
• Venmo has been reinstated.  
• The Bocce courts need upgrading.  The Recreation Committee may want to support this.
• A food cart has been proposed to sell items at events.  The BODs will discuss this.
• It was requested that the Craft Shop would like to have a sale during Labor Day Weekend.  The BODs agreed to a 10% sale.  

CDC (Mike Cioffi):

• The CDC heard five cases. All five cases were found in violation.

Marina Committee (Dean Barbier): 

• Mike will come in to work at the Marina on Saturday mornings.  
• Solar lights are being installed on the walkway from A to B Dock.  
• Marina Committee members are allowed to check that the appropriate boats are in the correct dock spaces and that boats are correctly moored to the dock.  Any problems should be reported to the office.
• Outboard motors should be kept in the down position.  This will be communicated to in the annual mailings.
• The BODs supports an annual safety course given by the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

Technology Committee (Kathleen Maynes):

• Upgrading routers will be explored once fiber internet is installed in WLE.
• A secure closet is necessary for equipment.
• Zooming meetings is a priority

Paupack Township (Jerry Beskovoyne)

• An abandoned property in WLE was supposed to be demolished by Paupack Township. This was contested by one of the owners. Both the owners and Paupack Twp. have reached an agreement, which includes demolishing the house and a list of stipulations. WLE will obtain these stipulations.

Mike made a motion to accept first right of refusals, which were done via email due to the fact that they were time sensitive.  The motion was seconded by Jerry. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. 

They included the following:

Section and Lot:	Email Approval Date:
3-032	6/21/2024
4-070	7/2/2024
1-411	6/13/2024
3-056	7/6/2024
1-015	7/16/2024
3-206 & 3-207	7/23/2024
1-160	6/21/2024

Correspondence:

• A request was made to purchase property in Section 6.  The BODs are not interested in selling property at this time.
• A property owner requested that the BODs overturn a ruling on numerous citations.  Upon discussion the situation with Public Safety, the BODs agreed to lower the number of citations.
• A property owner who drives a company truck requested to keep a work vehicle in his driveway after work hours. The truck allows him to go directly to job sites. The Board will allow him to keep the truck on his property for the time being.  

Unfinished Business:

• A LED monument sign was discussed.

Kathleen made the motion to approve a LED monument sign across from the Main Office. The motion was seconded by Dean.  The vote was 5 in favor of the motion with Bruce and Scott dissenting. 

New Business:

• The BODs agreed to explore an upgrade to the kiddie pool at the Beaver pool area to a splash pad.
• Kathleen noted a problem with the “Standards for Utility Vehicles.”  Currently, the rules state that UTVs may be “2 passengers only.”

Kathleen made the motion to change the rules under “Standards for Utility Vehicles” from “2 passengers only” to “in accordance to manufacturer specifications.”  The motion was seconded by Dean and unanimously approved.

• Kathleen noted that a number of adults may choose not to have a state drivers’ license, but should be allowed to drive an UTV.

Kathleen made the motion to change the rules under “Standards for Utility Vehicles” from “Drivers 18 & older must have a valid state drivers’ license for automobiles” to  “Drivers 18 through 21 must have a valid state drivers’ license for automobiles or be 21 years or older and have completed a drivers’ safety course.”  The Motion was seconded by Mike.  The vote was 5 in favor with Bruce and Scott dissenting.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:50 PM was made by Dean, seconded by Jerry, and approved unanimously.

The next BOD meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2024. 

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen R. Maynes, Secretary