Montgomery West Homeowners Association

Annual Meeting

December 5, 2006

The MWHOA annual meeting was held on December 5, 2006 at Strawberry Knoll Elementary. The meeting was called to order by Michele Heffner at 7:40 P.M.

Board members present: Michele Heffner, Thelena Williams, John Patton, and Marybeth Daucher. Christopher Hitchens of Thomas Schild Law Group, LLP was present as legal representation.

OLD BUSINESS

Review of the 2006 minutes highlights

• The MWHOA website (www.montgomerywesthoa.org) has been updated and now contains important information for homeowners
• Storm water facility management - The HOA is still in the process of transferring the maintenance of storm water facilities to Montgomery County, the paperwork is in the hands of the County.
• Covenant Enforcement - In 2006, covenant enforcement was a higher priority for the MWHOA. Delinquency letters have been sent to homeowners, with non-compliant violators referred to the MWHOA attorney for remittance of payments. The most common violations are commercial vehicles and construction items on properties, unapproved driveways, 2 sheds on one property, vehicles and RV parked in backyard of one property, a childcare sign located in common area, and patio cover and screen room construction. Finally, trashcans left at curbside days after trash pickup continue to be a common problem.

• Landscaping - many old trees have been removed and new trees will be planted in common areas in the spring.
• Parking Lots – we will be adding a line item to the 2007 budget to set aside money for re-stripping and re-paving parking lot areas.
• Community Block Party(s) - the MWHOA would like to plan at least one, if not 2, block parties in 2007. We need volunteers for a committee to plan these events.
• Traffic calming - several neighbors have experienced dangerous situations crossing Centerway because of the excessive speed of most motorists on this road.

The Board is working with the Montgomery County transportation authority regarding types of traffic calming for our neighborhood.

• Webb Tract – The County has abandoned plans to build a bus depot on the Webb tract (Centerway/Snouffer School Rd area). We continue to monitor developments related to this land.

Treasurer’s Report – Thelena highlighted the following from the 2006 budget: a majority of the 2006 budget expenses went to lawn service (51%), followed by trash collection (20.8%), legal fees (13%), and other smaller items (4-5% each). In addition, 6 homeowners are 2-3 months delinquent in payment. There are 5 new homeowners and 5 townhouses/single family residences that are being rented. The Board will be requesting 3 bids for lawn service toward the end of the Greenlink contract (Fall, 2007). The HOA will be sealing and repairing parking spaces early in 2007 (weather permitting). A motion was made, seconded, and carried to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. Budget for 2007 was unanimously approved.

Report on Committees – AERC surveys all properties within the association and documents covenant violations which are reviewed by the Board. AERC forms are available on the MWHOA website.

Nominating Committee – Heather Patton will be resigning as President. There is 1 year left on her term. Election of new 2007 board members Diane Horn Kruder and John Patton, vote by acclimation.

NEW BUSINESS

Traffic Calming – the County conducted a study on traffic flow on Centerway. Their initial findings did not constitute installing pedestrian refuge islands in the turn lanes between Blue Heron and Marsh Hawk. The Board will continue working with the County on this issue.

We need volunteers to form a block party planning committee.

New Action items for the Board - (1) call the County regarding pooling water and mud on the sidewalk between Marsh Hawk Ln and Strawberry Knoll Rd.and (2) call County public works about street lamps, (3) the suggestion was made to place a notice in the next newsletter or on the website for youth volunteers to remove snow and/or leaves on sidewalks, bus stops and possibly individual residences, (4) Greenlink is cutting through residential properties to get to common areas near Waxwing. We need to notify a Greenlink supervisor of this matter. The fragility of large trees in the common area was addressed. The lawn service and AERC regularly check large trees. A request was made to contact the county about replacing Bradford pears on Centerway with pin oaks.

Attorney’s Report –Some of the year’s meeting minutes were incorrectly stated. The County has not signed off yet on the storm water facility transfer. The MWHOA may not have fining authority to put a lien on house that has an unresolved covenant violation. In addition, it should be clear that a homeowner has the opportunity to have a hearing with the Board prior to legal action. The HOA should not be paying any property taxes and the attorney’s fee for letters sent homeowners are $175 plus the additional charges generated by the process.

OTHER BUSINESS/CONCERNS/QUESTIONS

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM

Approved:

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Heather Patton, President Date

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Marybeth Daucher, Secretary