Minutes of The HOA Board Meeting Held August 15, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Board President Joe Cerullo , followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. There were 37 residents in attendance.
Social Committee Update
Financial Update
-Irrigation and water intrusion through July exceeded the annual budget of $23K.
-Landscaping: $27K is budgeted for non-weekly maintenance.
To date we have spent $39K. This includes, but is not limited to, removal and replacement of dead or dying bushes along with other landscaping issues. The full budgeted amount has been spent and Eileen Duffy still has a list of resident requests that will have to wait.
Based on the increased level of expense experienced this year, there may be an increase in HOA fees for 2025.
Completed Community Projects
Social Committee Update
- Jodie Prestia presented for the Social Committee.
- A garage sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 29.
- The committee is seeking a 2 to 3 hour afternoon time slot for great room use to hold Bingo. This would not be a weekly event, probably monthly.
- The clubhouse will be decorated for the holidays on Saturday, Nov. 22. Further information will be given at a later date.
- The committee is looking into chartering a bus for a Do-Wop show at the Patchogue Theatre some time in October. Dinner may be included.
- The committee is also considering a group for attending White Christmas at the Gateway Theatre in Bellport. This would take place sometime in December.
Financial Update
- Board treasurer Lou Petix reported that we are doing well over-all; all bills have been paid.
- All assessment accounts have been exhausted.
- $8K remaining in the beautification assessment account was used for trimming and pruning of trees and plants, as well as the purchase of 47 bushes which were planted along the perimeter.
- $28K left in the 2023 assessment along with $3K remaining in the 2024 assessment account was used for refurbishing the putting green. It was stated that the putting green must be maintained because it is in the Prospectus.
- Due to several unbudgeted expenses and the significant increases in repairs and maintenance, water intrusion, landscaping and irrigation, $61K was borrowed from the reserve account. This includes painting of columns, power washing of common areas, benches purchased for the tennis court, landscaping and lighting along the entrance median, and lighting along the fence.
- The unbudgeted items:
-Irrigation and water intrusion through July exceeded the annual budget of $23K.
-Landscaping: $27K is budgeted for non-weekly maintenance.
To date we have spent $39K. This includes, but is not limited to, removal and replacement of dead or dying bushes along with other landscaping issues. The full budgeted amount has been spent and Eileen Duffy still has a list of resident requests that will have to wait.
Based on the increased level of expense experienced this year, there may be an increase in HOA fees for 2025.
Completed Community Projects
- Clubhouse remodeling
- Tennis court renovation
- Putting green renovation
- Entrance fountain—the old system was inoperable
- Entrance median was lit and the landscaping was redesigned
- Entrance gate was lit and landscaping enhanced
- Joe Cerullo clarified HOA fee vs. assessment fee. Monthly HOA fees cover all expenses that are recurring. Non-recurring expenses are covered via assessments.
- Items to be covered in 2025: tree trimming ($25K), road maintenance ($15K) and driveway sealcoating ($13K).
- The Board is also investigating a new EZ Pass system, which would include a new road at the entrance and exit gates to the clubhouse. The estimated cost could be $75K. The STP roof repair is estimated around $40K. There is no allotted dollar amount for these items at this time.
- $63K borrowed from reserve account needs to be repaid.
- At this time the Board cannot give an assessment amount per unit.
- Possible repaving of all driveways; today this would cost about $1800 per unit.
- Road resurfacing will also be considered. The builder never put down a final layer of asphalt so the roads are deteriorating. Best guess based on today’s cost--$300K.
- A financial planning seminar is planned for October, details TBD.
- Students from Murphy and Gelinas Junior High Schools will provide technology assistance as a community service project. Flyers were available for interested residents.
- There was a discussion of the cable contract which is up at the end of this year. Some residents want to get rid of it; others want to keep it. The savings are substantial for residents who would opt for Optimum. The Board will begin negotiation sessions soon, hopefully Optimum will allow customers to opt out if they wish. The $115.00 we pay now is below the individual price of about $200.00.
- For landscaping issues residents should send an e-mail to Eileen Duffy and to HPM.
- All email sent to HPM should be copied to the Board.
- The indoor pool will be closed for cleaning and inspection early to mid-September while the outdoor pool is still open.
- The entire clubhouse will be closed for cleaning at the same time. Residents will be notified.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will be inspected sometime in October. Maintenance of these alarms is the residents’ responsibility. An e-mail regarding inspections will be sent from HPM. Someone MUST be home to grant admittance.
- One Board seat is open for election; Bob Brennan has chosen to run again. For anyone who is interested in running: HPM will be sending letters to all residents informing them of the nomination process and deadlines to receive nominations and deadlines to receive mail-in votes. The votes will be tallied on October 17 at 7p.m. All votes must be received by that time whether mailed in to HPM or dropped off.
- #97 has had a recurring issue with carpenter ants. HPM has been notified but nothing has been done.
- The annual Budget Meeting will be on November 14. Notices will be sent.
- A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Joe and seconded by Lou.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m