Pinehurst Village Committee Minutes

March 3, 2004-FINAL

Regular Monthly Committee Meeting

 

Call to Order

 

            Tom Pellegrino called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.  Those in attendance were:  Guy Reese, Kath Wagner, Paul R. Pierce, Mike Smith, Glenn Weigle, Pamela Horan, Sasha Raab, Dottie Ward, Tom Pellegrino and Mary Patil.  Quorum was confirmed and the meeting proceeded.  Helen Evans arrived later in the course of the meeting.

 

Approval of February 23, 2003 Mid-Month Committee Meeting Minutes

 

            The meeting minutes of the December 3, 2003 meeting were distributed in advance to all attendees via email prior to this meeting.  Sasha Raab raised the point that meeting minutes are not read aloud at board meetings.  Sasha then made a motion for meeting minutes NOT to be read at future meetings, rather meeting minutes will continue to be distributed in advance to all attendees and changes will be submitted prior to the next meeting or at the beginning of the next meeting before minutes are given final approval.  Motion was seconded by Mike Smith and all others present agreed.   There were no changes noted by attending committee members nor were any changes provided in advance for the Feb 23rd meeting.  Tom Pellegrino motioned to accept the minutes as is.  Guy Reese seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously by the attendees. 

 

Review of each Action Item Status

 

The email address project will be completed by the next regular meeting in April by Tom Pellegrino; it will remain open for now. 

Tom Pellegrino promised to obtain a complete plot map of Pinehurst from the city by the next regular meeting in April.  Glenn Weigle will assist in plotting the map; this action item is in progress.

 

Permission from the LLA Board to do Holiday Decorations in Pinehurst next year is still a work in progress.  Helen Evans was not present to confirm her interest in completing this Action Item, but friend and fellow resident Kath Wagner said she would assist her with this.  Mary Patil will contact Helen and Kath to confirm they will handle this action item.  Mike Smith stated that he believes permission was granted in the past and should still be valid.  Mike also noted that there used to be a contest for the best decorations and that permission was granted based on this former activity.  Once Helen and Kath confirm the permission is still valid, they can organize a committee and determine who will judge the decorations and how the contest will be organized. 

 

Issues for the committee to focus on with the community was discussed.  Tom Pellegrino provided an update for all in attendance what our primary objective is (get the community passionate and activated) as well as our concerns in respect to focusing on projects that we can do something about and effect change.  Tom stated that anyone is free to lead an effort at any time that they are passionate about, but what is crucial is the support and strategy needed to get a project rolling and recruit volunteers to help play a role.   One potential issue to focus on is the Pinehurst Pool.  Tom Pellegrino pointed out that there seems to be poor project management and the general resident opinion is that the pool will never be built (especially based on the overall plan) and that the approach for funding is flawed.   Guy Reese stated that he had sent an email to Stephen Hembree to confirm there is a pool committee in place and that no response was received yet.   Guy agreed to take on an Action Item to continue trying to get a response from Mr. Hembree as well as gain confirmation on various issues such as:  1)  Is a majority vote approval required or not to assess each Lake Linganore resident for the money for the new pool (as mentioned in our Pinehurst 101 session)?  2)  What is the track/plan to complete this project?  3)  Has $10,000 been allotted from the 04 budget for this project or not?

 

Kath Wagner asked for clarification of the pool location; which is the area at the entrance to Pinehurst East and the mailboxes often referred to as ‘the spoon’.  Kath noted that she shares our concerns for attention to the logistics of the pool, the aesthetics (she lives such that she will be overlooking the pool) and the funding etc.  The committee encouraged Kath to therefore play an active role in the pool committee and the effort to either complete the project or determine its feasibility.

 

Glenn Weigle mentioned the issues that were highlighted by vote in the brainstorming session as issues to begin focusing on.  Tom Pellegrino agreed with him, but stated some issues just aren’t that important to enough people to get them passionate and activated.  Mary Patil pointed out that we learned from the Pinehurst 101 session that there are some issues we just cannot play an active role in for solutions as a committee.  Glenn pointed out that the work to be done on the lake edge in Pinehurst does effect many residents and that they might be more involved if they are informed.  A short discussion on the siltation problem and the possibility of residents arranging for dredging on their own as a group ensued.  Tom Pellegrino informed Glenn that Mr. Jim Reed (in charge of the siltation project) took Glenn’s idea of doing the dredging on our own and ran with it.  However, Tom suggested that Glenn write up his recommendation in detail and present it to the committee next month so that we can try to act on it.   Sasha Raab disagreed stating that she felt he should just run with it and not waste time.  Sasha suggested that he collect the information, pricing and write the proposal up and present back to the committee all his findings.  Mike Smith mentioned the EPA issues that arose with the siltation project as a whole (see report for further details).  Glenn Weigle clarified that he believes this is not an issue if the dredging occurs on individual properties.  Glenn currently has 15 homes in a row in his area that are interested in pursuing and paying for the dredging project.  Tom Pellegrino suggested we keep the due date of the April meeting for Glenn to report back to the committee all his findings and then we can get a consensus on the proposal, gain support and ensure we have a clear and concise goal to state the project.  Sasha Raab and Dottie Ward suggested keeping the issue a part of the committee just to ensure that we can get Glenn preferential speaking time in future LLA board meetings.  All agreed.  Glenn Weigle, Mike Smith and Paul Pierce will work on this Action Item together since they all share the desire to see this project come to fruition.

 

Tom Pellegrino asked that Glenn send his information to his City of Frederick email address to ensure he receives it in a timely manner.  Tom also suggested that Glenn, Mike and Paul keep the conduit of communication open with the other people and groups working on the siltation project to ensure that efforts are not duplicated. 

 

Tom Pellegrino asked the group for any other issues that they wanted to discuss.  Glenn Weigle asked about the easements.  Tom clarified that preliminary information will be presented to those in attendance following the formal meeting by Charlotte from the LLCS. 

 

New Business

           

            Brief discussion was held on the opportunity presented by Joy Gurley to hold a fundraiser (selling coffee and baked goods) at the LLA Annual member meeting on May 15th.  Unfortunately no one was available that day to be present on behalf of Pinehurst due to vacations, pregnancy and other obligations.  The committee agreed that we would have to pass on the opportunity this year, but would certainly consider it next year.   Sasha Raab commented that it certainly would be an excellent opportunity to give the committee exposure, but she is not available on that date either. 

 

            An email was received by Mary Patil from J. Burke on the trash problem in Pinehurst.  Tom Pellegrino suggested that we get the resident involved from the beginning and start communicating with them on how we might resolve the problem.  Sasha Raab disagreed stating that she felt this was a resident raising an issue/concern to the committee and that the committee should raise the issue at the next LLA board meeting on behalf of the resident or move forward with Dottie Ward’s prior suggestion to have a ‘Clean Up Day in Pinehurst’ rather than ask the resident to take on the solution themselves.  Tom Pellegrino agreed with her somewhat, but reminded the committee that we are seeking more people to be involved in the committee’s efforts; especially those people that are already passionate about something, such as these residents seem to be.  Tom felt this was more productive than simply going to the LLA board every time there is a complaint and expecting them to find the solution.  Guy Reese suggested an Action Item to keep this issue simple.  Guy offered to email the resident and see what they are willing to do and how they suggest we address the issue.  Guy will report back to the committee at the next meeting.

 

           

            A brief discussion was held on submitting a report for the Lake Talk on the activities and actions of the committee.  Mike Smith suggested that we stick flyers in the doors of all the residents.  Tom Pellegrino cautioned against flyers as they become potential trash too easily.  Dottie Ward agreed to handle an Action Item for this by picking 3 issues from the meeting, making a flyer for the two new Bulletin Boards and submitting an article to Joy Gurley for the April edition of Lake Talk. 

Mary Patil mentioned that we could also begin to communicate with the residents via email.  The Pinehurst email list was never acquired from Joy.  Mary Patil agreed to an Action Item to obtain this list from Joy Gurley.  Once obtained, it will be used by the committee to communicate issues and events, such as the upcoming Spring EGGStravaganza. 

 

Sasha Raab and Dottie Ward presented everyone with a typed summary of issues from the last LLA Board Meeting.  Sasha reminded the group that we need a volunteer to attend April’s meeting.  Mary Patil suggested that we make it a permanent part of our monthly agenda to get a volunteer for the next meeting.  Sasha Raab and Dottie Ward clarified that the representative does not have to be a board member, but they must be there on behalf of the committee and knowingly representing the committee.   Sasha Raab offered to cover April’s meeting.  Guy Reese suggested we set up a sign up sheet for the next few months.  Tom Pellegrino agreed.  Mary Patil agreed except that she was concerned that if we have members volunteer too far ahead of time, we will just end up having to find replacements as conflicts come up.  Mary suggested that we work only 2 months ahead at a time and discuss or confirm the person scheduled at each meeting.  Ultimately it is the responsibility of the person scheduled to find a replacement.  All agreed that this would work.  Guy Reese tentatively offered to cover the May meeting and promised to confirm this at the April meeting after checking his schedule.  Dottie Ward commented that ANYONE can and should attend these meetings and not just the representative as they are not well attended and this is not good for the community at large.  Overall, Dottie felt that all should be encouraged to attend whenever possible.

 

Guy Reese gave a brief update on his effort to communicate with the TrailBlazers on the repair of some trails in Pinehurst.  He sent an email recently to Bill Strang, who is NOT the person in charge, but he has not received a response yet.  He is aware that Kathy Reed and Katrinka Westendorf are the co-chairs.  He hopes to have more to report at next months meeting. 

 

Sasha Raab and Dottie Ward reviewed the notes from the most recent LLA Board meeting, especially issues that are important to Pinehurst.   Issues addressed and updates were as follows:

  • Lights at the mailboxes: installation will begin soon.
  • Boat Rack at Lake Anita Louise:  being replaced in the near future due to deterioration
  • Road Repairs:  Edgewood will be repaired with gravel only at this point and work will begin soon
  • The LLA Board was notified of the upcoming Pinehurst Spring EGGStravaganza event
  • Parking area in front of the bowl will be replenished with additional gravel soon
  • East County High School:  Residents that want to see this school built are encouraged to email state and county officials to lobby for the State Planning approval.  The Linganore website can be referred to for all the relevant email addresses
  • Eaglehead Drive Petition:  More signature are needed to prevent Eaglehead from being made into a 4 lane road.  If residents/committee members are willing to help get signatures, please do so and Sasha Raab will either pick up the petition/signatures or they can be dropped off at the LLA office.  
  • Tot Lots in Pinehurst:  Lisa Rogers was helpful in providing information on obtaining a grant similar to what West Winds obtained to improve their tot lots.  Since there is not money in the budget to fund this project, she suggested we try to obtain a grant ourselves.  She will assist us with obtaining a copy of the grant application West Winds submitted. 

 

Tom Pellegrino suggested that Dottie Ward send the proposed highlights for the Lake Talk to at least 3 committee members for their approval/feedback before submission.  Sasha Raab suggested that all members of the committee review and approve.  Dottie Ward agreed with Sasha and therefore made a motion for this to be the policy each time.  Pam Horan seconded the motion and everyone present agreed.

 

Adjournment

 

            Tom Pellegrino made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Guy Reese.  The attendees unanimously agreed.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm.