In an effort to improve communications within the community, Secretary Jane Sessler has initiated weekly “E-Blasts,” email messages from the Association about Board work sessions or other matters of importance to the community. In order to receive the “E-Blasts,” members must be registered at the Seven Lake’s West website.
Sessler announced the new communications tool during the Tuesday, April 26 evening work session of the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Board of Directors.
Sessler said she is still trying to work out some glitches with the “E-Blasts” — such as more than one email going to one home. As of April 25, anyone who is not receiving weekly “E-Blasts” is not registered on the website and is encouraged to register.
Another way to improve communication is for members to post comments or concerns in the Member Comments-Message Board section of the website. “We are listening” and really trying to make this a “two way street,” Sessler said.
During the member comment period, Joel Martin said he is encouraged by the website changes, but would like even more information to be provided, such as a CAS report, the minutes from sub-committees, and financial statements. Martin also asked that a generic compliance letter be published on the website, so that residents would have some idea of what they look like.
Betsy Mikula, who established the Association’s original website and maintained it for many years, spoke during the member comment, congratulating Sessler on her work and encouraging members to register on the website and check it out daily. “The word has to go out that we have a wonderful vehicle of communication,” Mikula said.
Sessler also reported that the printed monthly SLWLA newsletter will be available on the Association’s website.
Sessler, whose responsibility includes the Area Reps, reported that members of that group have been asked compile a list of any neighbor who can’t get out of their home in case of an emergency. A newcomer’s reception is being planned by Area Reps for members who arrived in the community within the last year.
Trial Speed Humps?
In an effort to “quell” speeders, the Safety and Security Committee is investigating the placement of “trial” speed humps in the community, Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy reported. McCarthy said he expected fifty percent of residents will be for installing speed humps with another twenty five percent against it.
McCarthy is also working with the Sheriff’s Office to try and tackle the speeding problem in the community. Noting evidence that some drive as fast as 50 mph in the community. McCarthy asked, “What’s next? Driving 70 mph in the community? We can’t have that.”
Seven Lakes West resident John Oravetz spoke during public comment period saying speed bumps placed in the community in the past have been “horrendous.” McCarthy assured Oravetz that only speed humps are being considered and a couple of “trial” speed humps will be placed in the community before any are permanently installed. At this point, neither the Safety and Security Committee nor the Board has voted to move forward with the trial.
More on Security
In an effort to stop tailgating at the back gate, a speed bump has been moved from the inside of the back gate to the outside, McCarthy said. A second gate sensor, which was causing some delay to the bar coming down at the back gate, has been turned off, which may also help in tailgating as well.
McCarthy reported that the Safety and Security Committee is looking at the cost and feasibility of installing a second back gate at one of three possible locations: Finch Gate Drive, Paula Court, or Banbridge Drive.
The Board is considering a proposal to implement a four way stop at Longleaf Drive and Otter Drive at the entrance to West Side Park. Hills and blind spots along the two streets pose a safety concern, McCarthy told The Times.
McCarthy said he has meet with Bob Darr, President of the Seven Lake Landowners Association [SLLA], to explore the issuance of new stickers that would allow residents from both sides of town to pass through the North, South, and West gates. A meeting is scheduled for mid-May to further explore the idea.
No Jug Fishing in Lake Auman
The Lake and Dam Committee has retrieved about twenty two-liter plastic bottles with a hook and twine tied around them from Lake Auman, reported Lake and Dam Director Adam Wimberly, who encouraged homeowners along the Lake to look under docks and pontoon boats for more of the bottles. Wimberly feared that the bottles could cause “a real disaster” for skiers or boats.
The bottles were evidently placed in the water to catch catfish; but “jug fishing” is against the Association’s rules, Wimberly said.
New peizometers — which measure the water level inside Lake Auman dam — have been installed at a cost of $47,000, reported Wimberly. In February, Mick Herdrich, former Lake and Dam Director, reported that dam engineer Dr. Dan Marks advised that the sixteen current piezometers be removed and replaced with fourteen new ones that will be “better positioned” for more accurate reading.
Lawn Clippings in the Lake?
Mike Phillips, owner of Evergreen Lawn Maintenance Inc., attended the April 26 meeting to defend against accusations that grass clippings and debris have been spread into Lake Auman by his company. Evergreen currently contracts landscaping services to fifteen homes along the Auman waterfront.
If any material was blown into the lake, Phillips told the Board, it was “not on purpose.” In a letter to the Association, Phillips said that his company takes “every precaution to keep this type of problem under control.”
Phillips agreed to a request from SLWLA President Mick Herdrich that he remind his employees not to throw any grass clippings or debris into the lake. ARC Director John Hoffman will accompany Phillips on a few yard maintenance jobs to lend a “second set of eyes” to the work being done by Evergreen.
Hoffman said that part of the responsibility for the problem lies with lakefront homeowners and suggested increasing the distance between grass and bulkheads. Current SLWLA rules prohibit grass from being planted within six feet of any bulkhead on new construction.
Manager’s Report
Community Manager Joan Frost told the Board that a police report has been filled pertaining to the owner of a red pickup truck using the closed top bank behind Lake Auman as a shortcut. A fence that was put up to prevent traffic on the top bank has been opened by the individual(s) as well. So far, President Herdrich said, the damages to replace the soil and the fence may amount to as much as $3,000.
Coupon books for dues were mailed, and payments are due on May 1; however, no late fees will be charged for payments made during that month. Boat registration forms will be mailed on April 28 and can be accepted in the office beginning on May 2.
Frost reported that a number of repairs are in the works, including: the entrance sign to The Pinnacle and work on boat slips and bulkheads. Once the registration period is done, the Board will explore the possibility of adding eight more boat slips at Johnson Point. Infrastructure Director John Goodman is working with Atchison & Cagle on repairing a partly washed out culvert on Longleaf Drive near Vanore.
The West Side Pool will be brought up to new state standards before the swim season begins, Frost said. Moore County is expected to inspect the pool on May 17, and pool passes will be distributed on May 15. There is some erosion by the pool, Frost said, adding that she is obtaining quotes for the repairs.
Frost reported that entrance codes to the new security system at the Community Center have been issued to the Board and CAS staff. Additional codes have been given to members outside of these two groups as directed by the Board. The pool security system is totally separate from the West Side Park Community Center. Should lightning strike the pool area it will not affect the Community Center.
Frost also reported that:
• Thirty compliance letters have been sent out in the last two weeks
• Barcodes can be enabled from the office for both the front and back gate.
• All financial accounts have been transferred to the signatures of the new officers.
• Irrigation has been turned on at all locations: Lakeway Mall, The Pinnacle, and Johnson Point.
• Power washing of the West Side Park Community Center is getting underway.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Don Freiert said the Association’s fiscal year will come to a close at the end of April with financial statements and quarterly reports to be presented at the SLWLA work session on May 10.
The Finance Committee is continuing to work on a variety of policies affecting Expenditure Approval, Asset Capitalization, Depreciation, and Accounting and Funding for Reserves, which will be presented to the Board in May for review and approval.
Mail Delivery presentation planned
The Long Range Planning Committee [LRPC] will present an update of the Mail Delivery proposal that was tabled last year at the SLWLA work session on May 10, Freiert said. The main entrance gate has to be moved by 2015 as part of a legal settlement, so a mail house or mail houses will need to be built before that deadline, Freiert told The Times.
The LRPC will utilize findings from the recent membership survey to make recommendations to the Board.
‘Wondeful’ turnout for recent events
Events Director Jim Ferguson reported a “wonderful” turn out, with seventy people attending the Wine Tasting and Easter Egg Hunt. Ferguson encouraged anyone with an idea for an event to contact the events committee.
Next on the calendar is a May 6 Johnson Point concert featuring the April Fools Old Time String Band, scheduled for 7 to 9 pm.
The Events Committee is exploring sponsoring water aerobics classes; however, the $800 cost of liability insurance for the instructors may be an impediment.
Other Business
Other business at the Tuesday April 26 SLWLA meeting included:
• In a 7-0 vote, the Board approved the rosters of members for various Association Committees. [Directors Jack Stevens and John Goodman were absent from the meeting.]
• Secretary Sessler reported that the minutes from the SLWLA work sessions will be approved via email among the Board members and then posted on the association’s website within 24 hours.
• ARC Director Hoffman reported that four new homes and one garage addition are under construction. Thirty minor projects are being reviewed by the ARC Committee.
• A pontoon boat that was donated for patrolling Lake Auman is being inspected to ensure all safety requirements are met, reported Lake & Dam Director Adam Wimberly.
