Rock Creek Hills Citizens Association

Minutes of October 14, 1998 Meeting

 

Meeting called to order by Keith Emery, Association President at 7:40 PM

Old Business

1. Minutes. Approve minutes of the May 13, 1998 meeting.

   Motion to approve the minutes

   All approved the minutes

2. Transportation. Tom Sisti gave an update on the issue of placing a stop sign at Wake Drive and East Bexhill Drive. RCH wrote a letter of support to the County. The County rejected the idea. The County is considering a redesign of the intersection to slow traffic. The Town of Kensington will work with RCH on this and other common traffic issues.
   • Jaqui Stevens raised a question about how Wake and Hillridge got a stop sign overnight, but the one requested was denied. Discussion was on the moratorium on 3- and 4-way stop signs, but not single stop signs.
3. Covenants. Tom Sisti reported the covenant issues pending are printed in the September 1998 RCH Newsletter. Nine of the issues were resolved.
   • Board approved construction on various properties that were consistent with covenants. The shed at 9624 Old Spring was resolved by the placing of significant screening around the shed (Leland Cypress). This screening will cover the shed from ground to roof. The exception was allowed given that the shed can not be replaced by this or new owners without the Board’s approval.
   • The side yard fence at 3712 Calvend Lane is being resolved through a license arrangement with owner for fence to accommodate exigent medical situation.
   • Placement of large plastic children’s toys. Question was raised about the placement of these and other children’s toys in front yards. This is not under the covenants. Please approach your neighbors to discuss this issue.
   • Back to screenings of shed issue. A question was raised about how close to the property line the trees could be placed. The County regulates ordnance. The County approved the permit for the shed construction, so must be in compliance. The neighbors do support the screening. Keith spoke up that the Board and Covenant’s committee lean heavily on neighbors’ opinions. If they are supportive, then tend to approve if within the covenants. Tom Sisti reiterated that fences are for rear yards not front yards.
   • The "color" of fences. Keith said that there is not a covenant governing the color of fences. If the color is objected by neighbors then may disallow.

 

• How do issues come before the Covenant Committee? Tom Sisti suggests that there are two primary means, either complaint by neighbors or through the submission of a request by the residence.
• What happens when someone puts up a four-foot wall and screening that was not asked for? Submit complaint to Covenant’s Committee.

  Motion to Approve the covenant issues that the board approved and the pending side fence covenant issues.

  All approved.

   

1. Treasurer’s Report. Howard Morin reported on the balance sheet for the RCH. The financial statement is as follows:

   Opening balance $7,327.71

   Checks executed $2,743.82

   Deposit of dues $75.00

   Ending Balance $4,658.89

   Some discussion on expenses.

   • McNeely triangle. There was a car wreck and RCH is working with insurance agency for full or partial reimbursement for the repair of structure and replacement of plants.
   • Dues notice is sent out with the December Newsletter as reported by Sam Hoxie.

     Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report

     All approved.

2. At the last meeting a motion was made to increase dues from $15 to $25 per household. The by-laws have to be amended.
   • Harry Hammond asked how many households pay dues?
   • Keith stated that there are about 600 households and about 1/3 pays dues in any given year. This would give RCH $9,000 in new funds.
   • Question was raised about the purpose of the sound study. It was conducted to get a noise level reading in our neighborhood when the leaves were off the trees. There is consideration to expand the beltway and remove the "S" curves, which would remove trees in Rock Creek Park, which serve as our sound barrier as opposed to a sound wall. A summary of sound study will be in the next newsletter.
     
   • The reality is that RCH needs to be prepared to address reality and have funds to pay for such studies.
     
   • A question was raised about how long have the dues been $15 – it has been at least 20 years. Also that the people on the Board are serving us well and are here to support.
     
   • A comment was made about building the reserve funds vs. special assessments, in that the people on the Board will have to work even harder by having to raise the special assessments. Can’t we trust these people?

     All in favor of calling the question to raise the dues from $15 to $25 per household?

     In favor --24

     Opposed – 3

     Motion Carries.

   • Question raised about having a report published in the newsletter regarding what the dues are to be used for.
     
   • Can we have an annual report by the Treasurer published in the newsletter? The report is available at the January meeting and the December newsletter will post the information about the annual report’s availability at the January meeting.
3. In the last meetings minutes, mention was made to beautification of the triangle at Haverhill and Littledale (Luce made the request). Keith is waiting for a proposal from them.

New Business

1. Sam announced that fliers were available for the Halloween Parade. It will be from 12 to 3 on Saturday, October 31. The parade will be down East Bexhill from Kent and will disrupt traffic flow from about 12 to 12:30pm. Also, Saul Road will be closed between Old Spring and East Bexhill from 12 to 3. Please come to the parade and bring a side dish or dessert.
   • Tom Sisti praised Sam Hoxie’s efforts on the Halloween parade and cookout and also the newsletter. There was a round of applause.
2. A request was made to remind residents of the leash law and poop law. This will be restated in the newsletter, as it has been.
   
3. A concern was raised about the growing trash problem in the neighborhood and at the park with the soccer fields. The soccer games are putting a load on the trash cans in the park. See too much trash. John Broadley will spearhead an effort to get the county to put more trash cans in the park.
   • Tom Sisti raised the issue that there are too many cars on the streets near the park on the weekends and wondered if there was something we could do about this. The lower lot at the park is not being used.
   • Marilyn stated that the trash is only being picked up once a week instead of twice a week. She has tried to contact the soccer leagues through the county permit office to use the lower lot.

 

• Question was raised about restricting the parking on the streets. These are public streets and must then go through the county to get signs posted to restrict.
• A question was raised about going to leagues directly?
• John Broadley says the cars turn over too much for putting notices on cars. He was concerned that the county does not empty trash enough and suggested they send someone around to pick up the trash.
• A comment was made to ask for more trash cans be placed in the park.

Motion was made to give John Broadly the charter to go to the Department of Parks to address the two issues of trash and parking.

All approved.

 

1. Nominating Committee. Keith asked if anyone wanted to serve on a nominating committee. Mike Baker stepped forward.
   • Marilyn said that two people had thrown their names into ring and that they hoped Howard Morin would remain as Treasurer.
   • Question was raised about what happens to RCH if no one comes forward for new board. Don’t know.
     
   • Jaqui Stevens said that there were years when no one served and it did not revert back to county.
     
   • Tom Sisti stated that the consequences of this were a lack of record on what homes had done with respect to covenants. The lines get blurry and we need to keep up with the covenants.
2. Welcoming Committee. The last newsletter discussed the idea. Ruth Silverstein has expressed interest in chairing the committee. She is happy to get input from neighbors. Like to provide new neighbors with covenants, dues notice, directory, plants, and perhaps discount coupons and plants. Could be a cost involved.
   • Tom moved to give Ruth the power to spend funds on the Welcoming Committee with the discretion of the Board and will give the Board a plan for expenditures.

     Move to approve.

     All approved.

      

3. Landscaping services for beautification. The Kensington’s Women’s Club is willing to redo the gardens at the bottom of Saul Road and also looking into corner at Beach and Kensington Pkwy.
   • Marilyn stated that keeping up the McNeely triangle is difficult because we can not get people out there on a regular basis. Could expend funds for landscaping, but would need to put together a budget.
4. Keith needs a volunteer for the Holiday decoration committee. Jaqui Stevens agrees to spearhead committee. To be considered for the award, decorations must be up by 6:00pm on Christmas Eve and they can not come down until New Year’s Day.
   
5. RCH Web Site. Question was raised about putting up a RCH web site.

   Motion was made to explore the creation of a web site for RCH. Calling the question of creating a web site was approved.

6. Basketball net in street. A basketball net is in the street and there is a safety concern. Move to have Jaqui Stevens draft a letter to the Board for approval to send off to the county.

   All approved.

7. Tree for McNeely triangle. McNeely triangle needs a tree. Keith said that this expense was approved. Jim Branscome has agreed to buy and plant the tree. He will submit a receipt after purchasing the tree.

Motion was made to adjourn.

All approved.

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