Loose dogs have been a source of frequent complaints in Seven Lakes. In particular, a pair of friendly, but annoying Labrador retrievers that enjoy splashing around Sequoia Point come to mind; however, vicious dog complaints are rare.
On Wednesday, October 27, the Seven Lakes Landowners Association [SLLA] Board of Directors heard an explicit report of a vicious dog from a resident of Sunset Way in Seven Lakes North. Last week, while out walking, Edith Swigart said, her dog was attacked and mauled in the street by two pit bull terriers.
“It was horrifying. I have nightmares about it,” she said. “The owner came down and got the dogs and said that he always keeps his dogs under control. I told him, not tonight you didn’t!”
Swigart’s dog underwent emergency surgery and is home recovering. Besides nightmares, she also has a $900 vet bill to contend with.
“We may be safe behind the gates, but we’re not on our streets,” she charged.
Since the incident occurred during weekend hours, the attack was initially reported to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Swigart said she was informed by the officer that they do not enforce community rules.
Security Director Chuck Mims agreed that it is the standard policy of the Sheriff's office not to enforce the rules of private communities, but he added that the Sheriff’s department does enforce state law — on either side of the gates.
SLLA has rules restricting vicious dogs; so does Moore County.
According to the county's Animal Control Ordinance 4.4, it is unlawful to keep a vicious, fierce or dangerous domestic animal in Moore County unless the animal is confined in a secure building or enclosure, or is restrained by means of a leash or other like device and firmly under control at all times. A dog is determined to be vicious at the discretion of the Health Director or his designee.
However, how to deal with a known vicious dog is where county law and community rules diverge.
Vicious dogs are prohibited in Seven Lakes; but, in Moore County, a dog determined to be vicious can be kept if secured in a six foot high enclosure with an enclosed top and concrete bottom and a secure, lockable gate. Warning signs must be posted on all four sides of the property. In addition, Animal Control must be notified immediately if the vicious animal gets loose or attacks another person or animal.
Swigart said that Animal Control did file a report and informed her they have another attack by the same dogs already on record.
The owner of the dog attacked in the earlier incident, who is a resident on Sunset Way and the father of a newborn infant, also spoke during the meeting.
“I paid good money to live here and I have to deal with these two dogs. If an owner can’t control the dog, then it needs to go,” he exclaimed. “We shouldn’t wait until a kid gets hurt to do something.”
SLLA President Randy Zielsdorf said he empathized with their concerns, but encouraged residents with critical issues, especially those involving legal ramifications, to bring those discussions before the Board during Work Sessions rather than an Open Meeting.
“We hear you; but this is just not the forum to resolve this type of issue,” Zieldsdorf said.
After some discussion, Director Melinda Scott suggested that Community Manager Alina Cochran should meet with Animal Control to discuss appropriate action.
Old driving range
Later this week, Zielsdorf will meet with Seven Lakes Country Club [SLCC] President Steve Ritter, for the primary purpose of discussing point three in the driving range agreement between SLCC and SLLA, which states: The Seven Lakes Country Club will provide sufficient land for a minimum of five parking spaces to the east of the current South Side Mail House with similar deed restrictions that currently exists [sic] for the South Side Mail House.
Zielsdorf said the Club is still waiting for their attorney to review the golf course covenants and ten-foot easements documents forwarded by SLLA Attorney Hunter Stovall.
“This is frustrating for me also because things never move along quickly enough,” said Zielsdorf.
Nominating Committee
Melinda Scott was appointed to chair the SLLA Board of Directors Nominating Committee by a vote of acclamation; the Board also approved committee members Don Fentzlaff, John Closhessy, Kate Peterson, and Sharon Fogelman.
“As a community, we need to do as much as possible to attract viable candidates," Scott said. "Serving on the Board is a positive and challenging experience that brings out the best in most people. We are looking for people that want to serve the community — people that can look out for the good of the community as a whole.”
Director Bud Shaver agreed, “We need people who are committed to doing what is right. We need good people — and we need young people. This is important!”
Scott encouraged anyone with an interest in running or questions to contact her.
Rules amendments
Two proposed amendments to Community Standards regulations received unanimous support.
Removing language he described as vague and arbitrary, Director Kent Droppers recommended an amendment to Rule 5.1.4 stating that above-ground propane tanks must be screened per Rule 5.1.9.
Rule 5.1.9 was also amended to become Rule 5.2, which will now read: "All clotheslines, equipment, propane or oil tanks, garbage container, service yards, or storage piles shall be kept screened by adequate evergreen planting or fencing not to exceed six feet in height, or as approved by the Building Committee, so as to conceal them from view of neighbors, the golf course, lakes and streets. Garbage containers may not be placed roadside before 6 pm and must be removed by 6 pm following."
Any screening methods that do not fall into this set criteria must be approved by ARB, noted Scott.
Architectural Review Board
The Architectural Review Board approved a fence, house painting, three roofs, one driveway, and one window replacement project, in addition to two new construction homes, Scott reported.
Since September, seven ARB-approved projects have been completed and thirteen are in progress.
Director Bruce Keyser, Jr. inquired about what appears to be a free-standing garage under construction at a home adjacent to the Northside gate. Scott said the home and garage will be connected with a breezeway structure and that the project was approved in August.
“There was no way to physically attach the garage and the house because of the lot size and configuration,” said Scott, noting that the driveway has also been relocated away from the busy entrance intersection.
Infrastructure
Shaver said the section of Sequoia Dam reported at the September 29 meeting by Donna Fentzlaff as the location of a possible sinkhole had been inspected and was not a problem.
The Reserve Study is still in progress, reported Manager Cochran. The contractor continues to collect information, including dam reports completed by the engineering firm S&ME.
Community Standards
Serving as a member of the Community Standards Committee is very often a thankless job.
“I need to thank my committee. We are lucky to have them and for everything they do,” said Droppers.
He reported they are continuing to work through a massive backlog of violations and that several ongoing, unresolved issues were sent to Judicial Committee.
Recreation
Volunteers are needed to help decorate and serve tasty treats to little spooks and specters this weekend.
A Children’s Halloween Party will be held at the North Clubhouse on Sunday, October 31, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with crafts, games and refreshments. Safety glo-sticks and goodie bags provided by Seven Lakes EMS and Martha Gentry’s ReMax Prime Properties will be distributed. Volunteers may help decorate on Friday morning at 9:00 am sharp, or drop by to lend a hand at the party.
The State Fair bus trip was a sold-out affair, reported Keyser. Rumors are spreading that several Seven Lakers enjoyed fried Twinkies and other notable fair fare.
Security
Twice, recently the Yard Debris Site has been locked during regular hours, reported Mims.
“Several members decided to punish us by throwing trash and debris on the side of the road,” he fumed. “We have corrected the situation and the site will be unlocked, as it should be, but if I find out who dumped their debris I will call the Sheriff and file a report for littering.”
The Yard Debris Site is now on a Winter schedule and is locked each evening at 6:00 pm.
Mims also reported an uptick in petty vandalism in the community and urged homeowners to file an official report with the Sheriff.
“We need to all cooperate. Make your house look lived in, if you have to go out of town. Watch what is going on around you. We may not have enough eyes and ears to stop it, but we sure can try.”
Finance
Treasurer Denny Galford addressed several questions raised by members:
First, interest gained on reserve funds goes back into the reserve account and is not used toward operating expenses.
Second, payroll looks good and is broken down in the budget by department. “The year-to-date total shows that we are very close to budget, and we are comfortable with those figures.”
Third, he reported that professional fees also looks good. He noted only a deposit has been paid toward the Reserve Study, and he anticipated the budget would be correct by the end of the year.
Fourth, Galford said he has closely reviewed prepaid items and will be making minor adjustments. He said the Finance Committee finds the Talis presentation satisfactory.
In addition, he reported the committee is reconsidering the registration form used from year to year and said they are looking at how to make a lockbox dues collection system functional and to allow for a greater spread of workload over several months.
“We are looking at how we could make the process smoother and provide a better service to residents,” said Galford.
He thanked his committee and in particular George Temple for his work with the five-year dam expenses report distributed at a recent meeting between several members of the Board and the representatives of the former Lakes & Dams Committee.
Other Business
In other business, the SLLA Board:
• Heard from Cochran that residents will be alerted before work begins on Firetree Lane at Echo Dam.
• Heard from Cochran that renovations are nearly complete at the North and South Mail Houses, with new paint and carpet being installed.
• Heard from Cochran the SLLA Office will be closed Thursday, November 11, for Veteran’s Day.
There is no Work Session in November, the next Open Meeting will be held Wednesday, November 17.
