Montgomery West Homeowners Association

Annual Meeting

November 14, 2005

MWHOA’s annual meeting was held on November 14, 2005 at Strawberry Knoll Elementary.

The meeting was called to order by Heather Patton at 7:40 pm.

Board members present: Heather Patton, Michele Heffner, Thelena Williams, and John Clay. Christopher Hitchens of Thomas Schild Law Group, LLP was present as legal representative. Karen Kumm, representative from MNCPPC was present.

OLD BUSINESS:

Highlighted minutes from 2004 were read by Secretary, Michele Heffner:

• The signs along Centerway Road were painted, and after five rounds of minor vandalism they remain predominately the color painted.
• The Board handled the paperwork for eight home closings, including inspection of the properties by members of the AERC. Closing included notifying of any liens on the property and providing status of other MWHOA financial obligations. Any late dues were recovered at closing.
• Covenants were finalized in the County Records and mailed to all homes prior to the Annual Meeting.
• The large and sparsely planted median on Mourning Dove was landscaped with two red maples, four crepe myrtles, and six holly bushes. Five trees were destroyed during storms in the last few years.

Members made a motion to accept minutes, motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote of the homeowners in attendance to accept Highlights as read.

Treasurer’s Report: by Thelena Williams

§ Thelena highlighted a couple of points of interest.

§ Projected 2005 budget including expenses, income and proposal for next year include: $2,200 for the accountant, a new computer and website, increase in the refuse collection (tacked on fuel charge), $1,020 landscaping, $963 painting of signs and notification signs and some legal fees for a homeowner dispute. Revenues $22,000, $32,960 expenses, 15 delinquent dues, 6 are severe, notices sent to them. Proposed $10/quarter increase in dues. The HOA has been advised by the Commission on Common owned Property to have a fund in case of a legal dispute, avoids a special assessment.

Question about snow removal for what the county does not clear. Homeowners are not responsible for sidewalks behind houses. The bus stops are cleared by neighborhood teens who are paid by the HOA.

A question was asked on how to collect the overdue dues. The attorney explained the process of collection. The Association can first send a letter to try to collect; the next step would be for the attorney to send by certified mail a 30 day notice to pay or by sending someone to post a letter. The final step would be to put a lien on the property. Between 80 and 90% of delinquent homeowners will respond after first letter. Covenants are binding contract. The Association has to have a policy of when they will send the collection to the lawyer. It is important not to let it get too high. The covenants now allow for collection of legal fees that are incurred.

Motion was made, second and carried to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Budget approved for 2006.

Architectural and Environment Review Committee:

Introduction of the Committee members made by John Clay with John Patton, in attendance;

The goal of the AERC is to maintain continuity and property value. Every home was photographed front and back, and stored in a database. Architectural issues were documented and presented to the Board at the last meeting. Guidelines and major problems are outlined in the handout. Questions: Metal shed was grandfathered; when he goes to sell it will it need to be replaced. Going to paint trim (same color), a bidder suggested capping it in vinyl, suggested submitting it for approval to be on the safe side.

Question – are you going to notify homeowners of the violations? Yes a letter will go out. Also, when did the split rail fence become the norm fence? It has been there for many years.

Guest Speaker Karen Kumm: Presentation regarding development of Webb Tract

Nancy Stergin is in charge of the plan for this area. The County is undergoing a study of the Snouffer School Road tract of land. The study includes the option of widening the road from Centerway to route 124. Additional information regarding the widening the road is available from Aruna Miller 240-777-7194 the county POC. The expansion includes a 4 lane highway with a bike lane. This effort is separate from the land swapping of the Webb tract and Shady Grove.

Webb Tract is mostly vacant with a stream running down the middle. Many HOAs have gone to park and planning to provide feedback on the land swap. There is an plan that has preliminary approval for the development of 1.2 million square feet. The property has I4 zoning,for industrial type uses. Condition of approval 4 lanes need to be expanded from Centerway to Goshen.

Council has approved a mixed use facility at the Shady Grove property. Currently there are 6 facilities: Radio shop, Park and Planning facility, emoc – Ride On (needs to be near metro), a school bus depot maintenance facility (recommend dividing into 2 smaller clusters), County liquor facility and MCPS food service (both could go anywhere). The plan is to get approval to relocate the MC Service Park. Goal is to have more housing near Metro. There is a missed opportunity if the plan is not approved. The process includes first talking to homeowners who have land in the area, and doing a mandatory referral process. The next step is evaluating the impact on the roads, traffic compatibility, and the design. The next step looks at details of the project, and site review. The Webb tract is being considered for radio shop, 400 school bus and maintenance, food service, park and planning. There is 525,000 square feet would be the total about developed. These have not been officially submitted. The County is currently looking at other county facilities as well. There may be other potential properties identified. No other access other than Snouffer School. Gude Industrial park this is ripe for redevelopment, the property is another potential. Issues with reclamation at Guide, settling grounds.

Ms. Kumm was asked about the link between widening the road and transferring the service park. The Plan has a staged development approach to widening the road and then transferring the park.

There is a Straw vote today by the planning board, formal resolution in January. In 6 – 18 months will have mandatory referrals to find different parcels. The Gude road tract is also under consideration; however it is another 10-15 years away due to settling of land. School buses seem to be the major concern. Have 354 buses today at Shady Grove. Need to expand from what they have today. The County will need 2 locations because of the service areas. The exact number will be determined through the process. The buses make about 550 and 1015 trips coming and going into Webb tract.

Concern for homeowners seems to be more on traffic on Centerway Road rather than Snouffer School. Depending on what Centerway Road is classified, can have traffic calming possibilities. Miller and Smith have done impact statements. Transportation Department has not modeled the traffic pattern yet. The Council was told they need to continue bidding process for finding other locations.

NEW BUSINESS:

2005 Election of Board of Directors:

Election of new board members, John Clay and Mary Beth Daucher (18904 marsh hawk), vote by acclimation.

Motion was made, second and carried by a unanimous vote of the homeowners to accept the slated members to the Board.

OTHER BUSINESS/QUESTIONS/ CONCERNS:

There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

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Heather Patton, President Date

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Michele Heffner, Secretary