Present
Alfredo, Michael, Susan, Judy, Eva, Annie
Previous Minutes
Minutes from annual meeting were reviewed and approved unanimously.
Tennis Court/Orchard
Eric Schnackenberg declined to bid on the tennis court, but gave us a bid on the orchard fence that was over $3000, which is too much for us at this point.
Eva inspected the tennis court and found that the surface as well as fence would need to be redone. Eva will look into Random Harvest’s type of fencing as a lower-cost possibility for the orchard.
Judy noted that the tennis court is an asset to the community and should not be let go. There is the possibility that somebody at Herrington’s will know who does tennis courts and can give a price. Judy will look into this.
Forestry Program Tax Savings
Ted Truman, our neighbor, is enrolled in the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Program 480A, which requires participant landowners to manage at least 50 acres of their property as an undeveloped, sustainably managed woodlot. As compensation the property assessment is reduced by 80%. Eva has been in communication with the consultant who wrote the Truman application and will continue to look into it as a possibility for us. The Board expressed interest in possibly enrolling a year from this December (applications are due in December)
Possible Mortgage from Key Bank
Question: as a homeowners association, are we eligible to receive a Home equity loan/Home equity line of credit? Annie will continue to research this question.
Jane Rose Site
The Board considered options for relocating Jane Rose’s site at a potential buyer’s request and voted unanimously to do nothing at present.
Road Repairs
Tom Shepherd asked a tree guy to give an estimate and proposal for what he thinks is needed for road. The tree guy says, “Within 2 years it will get washed out if we do nothing.” We are losing ditches and drainage, as well as ability to push snow away. He recommended a 3-4 foot cutback on both sides of the road. Also trees ready to fall will be cut back. He can make the decision about whether a big old tree can stay or go.
The tree guy will charge us $7500 provided that 1) we pay cash, and 2) we don’t interfere with his decisions. Carmen can do culvert replacement for $2500. He charges by the hour for ditches — it could possibly cost about $7500. Susan estimates $14,000 total to secure road from being washed out.
Financial Report
We have the funds to do the road (cutback, ditches and culverts) immediately without an assessment. The board voted unanimously to fund and begin roadwork immediately (cutback, ditches and culverts)
Barn Restoration
Rich Herrington came to look at it. He estimates it was built around 1865, and says it is worth saving. He gave recommended Wes Coon, a local farmer who specializes in repairing barns, is doing a barn in Rhinebeck, and is doing the cement work at the Random Harvest. He says the back beam is split, and needs new sills, so process would be as follows:
- Remove floors
- jack it up
- Put in new sills
- Pull the beams back into shape
He estimates $50,000 to stabilize the structure and he can start work in the fall.
The board agrees that in principle, depending on cost, we want to stabilize and save the barn. Annie and Susan will pull together a proposal within next couple of weeks that will include mortgage, bylaws, quote for barn repair that includes painting the barn. [n.b. from Bruno: there may be tax credits available to offset some of the cost]
* Depending on cost, ways to finance the barn repair will be discussed at our next meeting.
Farmhouse Repairs
A second dehumidifier was installed in the basement, and a leak fixed in the oil tank. Debbie will be keeping the dehumidifier on from May till September. The basement shouldn’t be used for storage any more.
A rotting window needs to be replaced.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting held at the home of Anne Navasky; minutes submitted by Eva Thaddeus.