Annual Homeowners Meeting

May 30, 2009

Approximately 30 homeowners attended the annual meeting on Saturday, the 30th. It was a great discussion on a large number of topics. The Board began the meeting by saying there really wasn't anything that was on the agenda, that the folks at the meeting could bring up issues that mattered to them. And so for two hours, folks talked water, roads, upcoming elections, snow removal, recreational vehicles, and speeding.

Each of the Board members had an area to cover.

Jon Long talked about water issues, asking the audience if they know what they’re drinking. Long commented that we have the “best in the area.” The Board installed a new fire hydrant, essentially for Division 4. It was put in a wide area so trucks can turn around easily. This past year our manager Jim White worked on valves and did maintenance on the water system.

This past year Jon and Jim conducted a two week survey of our wells; there is concern for one well, #3; either we should replace it or go with it as is. Long commented that we may need to dig another well, that we have four active wells and one dead well, but basically we have one well that does most of the work. Our two best wells are by the generator shed; it will cost app. $20,000 for just the engineering on a community well, perhaps another 20K to drill. If we dig a new well, it will likely be down by the road, near the quaking aspens.

The Board purchased a new generator for the water system, at $2500, since the old one was not working. We have money in the bank for another well. Installed a fire hydrant for Division Four folks.

Brent Adamson talked about money issues. We have $130,006 in the bank, about $55,000 dedicated to water, the rest for roads and other. We will continue to separate water money collected from road money collected, but it's not cut and dried. Even those in Division Four who have their own well must pay something for maintenance for one of the 10,000 gallon tanks for fire prevention. We will put the budget on the website.

Kim Heintzman discussed those who have not paid their subdivision road and water dues. Our money outstanding is approximately $21,000. Last year the number was 22K, so even in a tough economy, the number has not gone up. Heintzman says the Board has used a collection agency; quarterly bill notices, which has helped. We now charge 18% late fee if someone is more than a year overdue. We put liens on property/houses, but these are only good for 6 months and a fee is attached.

There are two things we might consider doing: we could shut water off and could put late payers on our website. The vast majority of folks at the meeting thought both were a good idea. In fact, one homeowner mentioned that in other subdivisions, the names of those who don't pay on-time are put on the gate. We probably won't do that, but it's likely the names of those who haven't paid for more than a year will be put on the Duquette Pines website.

Heintzman reminded us that two positions are coming open... Jon Long and Jared Harrington (who left the area because of employment; Bruce Reichert is filling in for now). If you'd like to run for the Board, now is the time to let the Board know. An election ballot will go out in a few weeks. Winners will be seated at the August meeting.

Roy Doan talked about roads; it's our biggest expense; Doan estimates that it costs about $1,000 each time we plow, and so we need to be smart about when we plow. What do the majority of homeowners want, Doan asked. Do we want our snow plowed so that two-wheel drive vehicles can make it to their homes, or do we continue to plow for four-wheel drive vehicles? Several homeowners mentioned the trouble last Christmas day, when 16 inches of snow fell.

We just applied magnesium chloride on the roads for dust abatement. The Board did this because of the positive response from last year's application.

One thing we’ll need to decide soon is if we wish to put gravel on our roads, which are primarily decomposed granite and dirt. Roads don't last forever, without some maintenance.

Improperly installed culverts are the responsibility of the homeowner. Plant em deep enough that the road plow doesn't take them out.

There was much discussion about the gate. We'll be making the gate more substantial. Folks would like to do more – paint balls, video camera, etc. The Board has considered all these options; apparently, there are some problems with insurance.

Bruce Reichert mentioned that there will soon be a Facebook page for Duquette Pines. It will allow more interactivity than a website, so that some of the discussions can continue on-line.

Speeding was a major topic of discussion. The vast majority of those present wanted the speed bumps installed; Jim White will do that soon, now that the mag chloride has been laid down. Others suggested more speed limit signs and perhaps a sign that says "Privately Financed Roads."

Use common sense when building fires in your backyard. Big fires can cause big problems.

Should we change the by-laws to allow those with multiple lots to have multiple votes... or not pay full road fees for second/third lot? There was much discussion about this issue, with folks arguing both sides of this one.

Some folks from Division Four complained that Division Four is looking like a recreational vehicle park.

If woodpeckers are causing problems for you and your house, one homeowner brought the ultimate weapon, a "birds-away attack spider." It's battery operated and moves up and down on a string. See www.birds-away.com ; apparently, it really, really works!

The meeting started at 10 a.m. and ended at noon.