The United States Postal Service [USPS] will deliver mail to no more than two mailhouses in Seven Lakes West, President Mick Herdrich announced during the Tuesday, August 9 meeting of the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Board of Directors.
With two carriers delivering mail in the community, and two entrances into Seven Lakes West, Herdrich said the USPS felt that two mailhouses -- one at the front gate and one at the back gate -- supplied “sufficient access to residents.” In the past the USPS had said they would agree to service three mailhouses on the West Side.
Community Manager Joan Frost told The Times that locating a mailhouse at the back gate would also involve purchasing land on which to build the structure, which would add to the cost of that option.
The Long Range Planning Committee [LRP] is scheduled to present a report detailing mailhouse options and associated costs within two weeks, after which a Town Hall meeting will be scheduled for community input on the matter.
Changing Box Numbers to Physical Addresses
Herdrich also asked the Postal Service about the possibility of changing the current system of mailhouse box numbers linked to lot numbers to a system that would allow mail to be addressed to street addresses -- an option that has been mentioned but not endorsed by the LRP or Board. But the USPS has yet reply to Herdrich's inquiry.
“No decision has been made,” regarding physical addresses being used at the mailhouse, Herdrich said, adding, “[I] just want to see if it is an option we could consider.”
Frost, who has been working with West End Postmaster Harold Jones on the issue, forwarded information to the USPS regional office in Greensboro for further review.
Not everyone favors the idea of using physical addresses instead of lot numbers at the mailhouse, including ARC Director John Hoffman, who said of the change of address notifications required: “the nightmare would be incredible . . . [it is] imperative that they [Westsiders] understand the consequence of this decision.”
Lake and Dam Director Adam Wimberly said the idea of using physical addresses seems like it would be a good idea at first, until a person looks at the ramifications -- then they rethink the idea. There is also the possible expense of businesses charging for an address change, Frost pointed out.
Herdrich said the Board would like feedback from the community on the physical address option. “[I] would like to give people the chance to give their opinion on it,” he said.
The Board is awaiting a decision from the Greensboro post office before moving forward on the matter. If the USPS does agree to the change, the Board is expect to deem the decision a matter of significant interest and conduct a town hall meeting for community input.
Dock Extension Change to be Added to Rules and Regulations
The final reading of rules changes that would extend the maximum length of docks on Lake Auman to 23 feet was unanimously approved by the Board during Tuesday's work session. ARC Director Hoffmann said he will work with Community Manager Frost to make sure the change is reflected in the rules and regulations.
Events Director Jim Ferguson asked how the new rule would affect the boat slips at Johnson Point, suggesting that certain docks should be extended for longer pontoon boats -- preferably the docks on the outside of the slips, to allow for easier navigation in and out of the area.
Ferguson also suggested installing motion-activated security cameras at the docks -- something that Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy said he would look into.
Hoffmann suggested that the Long Range Planning Committee explore adding more slips to the Johnson Point marina. Lake and Dam Director Wimberly said there are currently about sixty people on the waiting list for dock slips, but it is “not nearly as bad as it looks." He explained that some folks place their names on the list, but, when their turn for a slip comes, explain that they aren't quite ready to rent one yet. So the sixty names on the waiting list do not, necessarily, represent sixty real prospects.
Dock Repairs at Johnson Point
Dock repairs at Johnson Point will have to wait until after the current boating season, Lake and Dam Director Wimberly reported, adding that the plan is to use treated wood to fix the docks instead of a wood composite. Wimberly explained that the deck framing, made of treated wood, is expected to last another ten years or so. Composite decking, which is twice as expensive, has an expected life of 20 years -- longer than the framing. So it makes more sense to use less expensive treated wood for the decking, lest the decking outlast the framing that supports it.
Wimberly said the idea of staging the repairs -- first replacing the more heavily damaged Pier B, and then replacing Pier A at a later time -- had been discussed. However, the Association collects enough in rental fees annually to pay for both docks to be repaired at once. The docks are “a revenue stream,” for the community and “very little” has been put into them in the last ten years, said Wimberly.
When the docks are repaired, there is a possibility of extending them and adding four more dock slips to each side, for a total of eight more docks slips. Wimberly said this will help reduce the size of the waiting list.It would be possible at that time to increase the length of the outside docks to 23 feet, as suggested by Events Director Ferguson. The Lake and Finance Committee will work together on the dock repair project.
Some damage is being done to the boat slips by the improper mooring of boats, Wimberly said, asking the Board to consider making the boat owner responsible for any problems that arise from damage to docks due to misuse or improper mooring.
“Boats do damage to docks,” said Wimberly, adding that it is when boats are not being tied off properly that they are bumping up against other boats and the docks causing damage. Especially with the docks being repaired, he said, it will be “an opportunity for a base line” after which boat owners can be held accountable for any damages that may occur.
Other Lake and Dam Committee business at Tuesday’s Work Session included:
• Wimberly reminded people “not to put stuff in the lake,” noting that he recently pulled out a black line attached to a brick on one end and a sharp stick on the other end at pine island.
• The swim platform will not be put in this year, but is scheduled to be available for the beginning of the season next year, Manager Frost reported. Jamie Cagle is developing an estimate of the cost of building one for next year to meet the association’s specifications.
• President Herdrich asked for a reminder to be sent to the lake patrol to take pictures of stickers -- or lack thereof -- on boats.
• Frost continues to work on having gates installed at Johnson Point.
• The water pump on the patrol boat was recently repaired.
New Fire Hydrants
Another twelve fire hydrants are scheduled to be installed in Seven Lakes West, and Infrastructure Director John Goodman said Patti Cleary and Ray McKay are to thank for this “fantastic job.” Goodman said Cleary has been the motivating force behind the installation of “dozens and dozens” of hydrants through out the community.
The culvert repairs scheduled for this Summer have been completed, Goodman reported, noting that that one culvert on Longleaf was not replaced. Road repaving work is on the agenda, but will will have to wait until the temperatures fall a little bit. Three areas with erosion, on Morgan Wood, Callis, and Beacon Ridge, are all slated to be repaired.
Treasurer’s Report
The Board unanimously approved a request by the Finance Committee to move $200,000 from a Merrill Lynch money market account into Merrill Lynch step-up certificates of deposit. [Step-up CDs start out at one interest rate and then "step up" to a higher rate at a predetermined time.]
Treasurer Don Freiert distributed a schedule of SLWLA investments to the Board, reminding them that any investment can be sold at any time without incurring a fee. However, if an investment is held until it is matured, then the full value will be realized, not the current market value.
Just under $250,000 in Association CDs will mature in October, helping to meet cas flow needs; but, from the year 2012 to 2015, the Association will not have any maturing CDs. Freiert said that will not create a cash flow shortfall, because Association revenues over that period are expected to be $500,000 or more in excess of expenses during those years.
The Association has $580,000 in checking and money market accounts, Freiert reported. There is $990,000 in CDs and US Treasuries, for a grand total of $1.5 million. Freiert said there are “no real significant changes” in the Association's long term investments adding that the Association’s investments are “fairly insulated” from recent stock market upheavals.
Reporting on July expenditures, Freiert explained that a substantial portion of the $213,000 in cash disbursements for the month of July went for culvert repairs and replacement projects, including $103,000 to Atkinson and $23,000 to Cagle Landscaping for road work on Longleaf.
Other expenditures for the month included painting, staining and cleaning the outside of the West Side Park Community Center at a cost of $8,800, plus engineering fees of $10,000 paid to Marks Enterprise for the work Dr. Dan Marks completed at Lake Auman Dam. Freiert said the remaining expenditures “fall into normal operating range.” That range is approximately $70,000 per month, the Treasurer said.
Community Manager’s Report
Community Manager Frost said she is still trying to collect $29,000 in delinquent dues and is “working on this constantly.” So far $354,000 has been collected in prepaid dues.
Over the past two weeks fifty-five letters have been sent out to individuals not in compliance with SLWLA rules and regulations. According to Frost, “a lot of people feel like they shouldn’t have been sent a letter,” and she is getting a “good bit” of argument, in part because some of the compliance letters have a fine attached.
The annual cleaning of the West Side Park Community Center [WSPCC], including tile and carpet cleaning, is complete.
A new net has been installed at the West Side Park tennis court, Frost reported, and all the lighting has been inspected by Progress Energy. Every light should be working, she said, asking that anyone who notices a light not working let her know.
Frost is interviewing gatekeepers to man the community pool during September and October.
Communications
Secretary Jane Sessler asked for SLWLA Board members to stay online “a little bit more” to help answer questions or concerns that are brought up by community members, noting that “quite a few” member comments have been posted. Sessler said right now it is a “small community” using the website to discuss certain issues.
However, she added that there are multiple ways for individuals to be heard: through the website forum, by emailing board members, or by emailing the website. She distributed some emails that were sent to the website to the Board.
At this point everyone who is signed up as a member on the website is receiving e-blasts, Sessler said.
Events Committee
Events Director Ferguson reported that The Tony Barns Duo -- a guitarist and a harmonica player -- will be performing at the next Johnson Point Concert on September 2.
The annual Margaritaville event is scheduled for September 17 and is going to be held at the Westside Pool. If there is inclement weather, Ferguson said, the WSPCC will be used instead. Glenn Davis will DJ the event.
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Donna Christiansen to the Events Committee.
Legal Committee
Legal Director Jack Stevens read an email from Bud Sales pertaining to progress on the upgrade of the railroad crossing near the Seven Lakes West front gate. Sales wrote that he had heard from NC Department of Transportation Rail Division Engineer Nancy Horne that she expects the crossing work to be completed by the end of 2012.
Member Comments
Westsider Jim Brannon spoke during member comments to thank Sessler for her work on the website, saying “[I] appreciate the opportunity to receive and give information on the website . . . it's been a great asset.”
Brannon said he was concerned about standing water on the dam road. President Herdrich said the Association may ultimately repave the top of the dam to correct the drainage issues and provide for easier foot and bicycle travel. Lake and Dam Director Wimberly and President Herdrich said the Board is continuing to study the possibility of routing a road around the dam, but nothing on the matter has been decided yet.
New Projects underway
In other business during the Tuesday, August 9 SLWLA Board Work Session ARC Director Hoffmann said two big projects are currently underway in the community: a new house in Morgan Wood and the increase of the roof height of an existing home. In addition, there are 25 smaller projects taking place in the community.
