In Attendance

Marty Bone/Michael Rosenberg, Dmitri Cavander/Megan Gelstein, Rachel Dretzin, Susan Krim, Wendy Lidell, Debbie Meier, Victor & Annie Navasky, David Mizner/Miri Navasky/Bruno Navasky, Judy Reibel, Alfred Souza/Fabiana Viso, Eva Thaddeus

Absent

Jane Rose

Financial Report

Susan Krim reported that approximately $10,000 remains in the checking account, and $12,000 in the savings account.

Road Repairs

Susan reported that the plan is part finished. Tree removal is complete, but ditches still need to be re-established, and Carmen still needs to make improvements to the road. Tom has found somebody who will blow leaves out of the ditches within the next 2-3 weeks.  After that, the next part will be to have the ditches and 2 culverts re-dug, and rocks put in strategic locations.  Susan will push for getting it all done before winter. She cannot be sure of the time frame right now. She coordinates with Tom who puts time pressure on Carmen. Final cost of all the road improvements will be about $12,500.

At one point the town was willing to take over ownership and maintenance of our road.  Victor wonders if the town would still be interested. They would pay. However, we would lose control, and the town could choose to tar, widen, extend the road, or link it with others without community approval.

Barn Repairs

Annie has gotten two verbal estimates on stabilization:

• $100K – Phil (worked on Dmitri and Megan’s house)
• $75K – barn guy recommended by Herrington

These estimates are for structural stabilization only.  Not renovation or improvement.

There are various possibilities that range from letting it fall down, to repairing and renovating it, to demolishing and rebuilding it.  Suggestion is that we work on getting a menu of estimates for the different possibilities so we know how much they would all cost.

The consensus is that we would like to renovate it and make it more functional.

Michael and Wendy voiced a need to limit the expenditures. Rachel voiced an interest in a renovation that might include a studio rental space that she and/or Miri could rent as a workspace.

A motion passed unanimously to investigate further to learn the cost of the different possibilities.  Meanwhile Judy and Annie will investigate the possibility of the community getting a line of credit to finance work on the barn.  Wendy will look into the possibility of a Kickstarter campaign to fund the restoration.

Annie put us on notice that a barn cleaner will be throwing away junk in August.  Everything we want to preserve must be removed from the barn by early August and stored elsewhere temporarily.

Tennis Court

Carmen gave us two quotes for a new fence.

• 4”x4” green turkey wire,  pressure treated wood: $9150 plus tax
• vinyl coated chain link: $13,000 plus tax

There will need to be an assessment of approximately $1K for each family to fund this. A motion passed in favor of authorizing the Board to get the tennis court fence built as soon as possible and to determine which option (a or b) will be funded.  All were in favor except Bruno who voted no.

Orchard Progress

Eva reported that Will has mowed a walking path around the orchard and the meadow, and will keep these places mowed so we can visit and enjoy them.

The trees are doing well with the exception of some leaf rust that has made an appearance.  Trees are growing fast. Blueberries and black currants have had berries this year. Probably year after next for the fruit trees.  We have quince, pears, plums, a peach, an apricot and several kinds of apple trees. The deer fencing is working. Weeding the shrubs is an ongoing need.

Pond Algae

Bruno reported that Antony Archer-Wills, the “pond guru,” came and said good things about our pond.  Overall it is healthy and fit for swimming. Algae might be caused by extra nutrients contributed by grass clippings.  Will will be starting to move grass clippings away from the pond.

Recycling

David reported that we got the $80 bin instead of the $100 bin and it is too small for us.  This one filled up in 2 weeks so it would be nice to get the bigger one.  It is mixed recycling – plastic, glass, aluminum. The supermarket also has recycling in case our bin is full.

Election of Officers

A motion was passed unanimously that the existing Board will continue with the addition of Megan. This means the Board consists of Annie, Susan, Joanna, Judy, Michael, Alfred, Eva, Megan.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 in time to watch the World Cup final.

The meeting was held on the morning of July 15, 2018, at the home of Anne Navasky. Minutes submitted by Eva Thaddeus.