Meeting with County Officials

88 Ironoak Court                                                                                                                               12/21/05

 

Attendees:         

 Jason Lydon                                        Delegate David Rudolph                    NE Major Bob McKnight                                                  

 Agnes Hopewood                              Commissioner Mark Guns                  NE- Melissa Cook-McKenzie                          

 Kristin Christian                                  DPW-Eric Sennstrom

 Stewart Rasmussen

 Denise Lane

 

Ponds:                                                                                                                                                                 

 Mike Heil was instructed by Commissioner Guns to re-inspect the ponds. His inspection found them to be in good shape. ome weeding/tree removal needs to occur. – will provide the inspection to us ASAP.

Pond As-built:

Documentation for SMF #2 was acquired by HOA, dated Dec 2004. In addition to our efforts, Mr. Guns will help us get a copy generated for SMF #’s 1 and 3.  (Public Records indicate document filed Mar 2005)

 

Escrow Accounts:                                                                                                                                          

Despite contradiction by Lambdin Development, Commissioner Guns provided us with an opportunity to examine the bank account tracing which showed that an escrow account did exist and the $50 per lot was indeed included in the original $32 K from Lambdin at the time he transferred his interest to HOA.  It amounted to approx: $8,500 of the $32 K.

 

Road Turnover:                                                                                                                                                              

Commissioner Mark Guns is looking into actual turnover dates.

 

Lambdin Development:

It was found that Lambdin Development complied with the Cecil County Codes and Regulation requirements as they were  ‘at that time’. As we all concluded - Lambdin did the bare minimum here, but nonetheless was legal. 

The county offices have made note of our concerns and turnover issues to generated new “language” for code and regulation requirements for future development within the county.

 

Common Grounds:                                                                                                                                       

Commissioner Mark Guns has made two proposals in regard to the large common area on Forge Ct.

In early spring (i.e., March?) it may be possible that he have a private contractor come in and remove the dredge, etc., from the common area, level it and reseed.  The contractor will either take the soil himself or haul it to the landfill for cover.

The second option was deeding the ground over to the county - who will then maintain it with CC employees, etc.  But then it becomes “public use” property.

Pine Trees: will check into what must stay and what has to go around common open space? Pond? 

NE Public Water:                                                                                                                                                       

Tension was evident between the CC offices and NE offices in regards to Stewart Associates and agreements or disagreements of water source.  Commissioner Mark Guns will sensitively and quietly pursue getting us included in any draw down testing, etc., permit requests made by Stewart Assoc.’s.  HOA has followed up as well with a letter to MDE. 

NE Reps. suggested that we consider using the grassy area between curb and sidewalk as a means of reducing infrastructure costs, should grant money be unavailable to us.

 

HOA Conclusion Statement:

Since the developer turnover in 2003 the community was left with little or no direction in the maintenance or preservation of the development.

In all, the impression from the meeting was good, some answers and some charitable proposals.

However, as statements from the officers were noted to favor compliance of the codes, ordinances and regulation pertaining to developing guidelines no concrete documentation was provided.

The HOA will now request documentation supporting the alleged compliances of the regulations, and/or take action to rectify the issues that have plagued the progression of Whitaker Woods.