St. Martin's by the Bay

Announcements

• Thanks to Brandon Ridout for agreeing to manage the well.
• The board is still looking for someone to manage and monitor the septic systems.
• Thanks to everyone who helped open the pool on Thursday, May 26. Neighbors carried and scrubbed furniture, set up umbrellas, and power washed the decking. Special thanks to Chris Ramey, and to Robin Custead for snacks.
• Special thanks to Jeff Stopford, a certified horticulturist, who has led the work on the parking lot gardens and has been painting the utility boxes throughout the community.
• Volunteers are always needed. The board has six members. They manage the finances and coordinate service providers, and they also do a lot of the hands-on work. Please consider joining a committee. Specific calls for help will be posted.
• With summer underway, a reminder about curb appeal. Orderly lawns and fronts support the look of the community and its property values.

Treasurer’s report

Keith Miller. Dues are up to date.

Items for discussion

Board vacancies

Open seats are filled by appointment until the February election.

Lisa Smith was nominated as a board director, to serve on Architectural Review and the County Water Project.

Thank you for the opportunity to be a member of the Board of Directors as well as the specified committees. I have been coming to the community to visit friends for over 25 years and became a homeowner in the townhomes 5 years ago. I have been a Realtor in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania for over 13 years, specializing in residential sales and investment rentals. Through the real estate profession, I have gained a great deal of knowledge in the residential property market. I am happy to assist in any way I can to benefit our community.

Motion passed to approve the nomination of Lisa Smith to the Board of Directors.

Spending policy

Anything already in the approved budget does not need further board action. Spending that is not in the annual budget must be reported to the board, and a vote is required when appropriate. For emergency repairs of essential utilities, the board will be told about the expense in a timely way.

Unanimously approved.

Resale package funds

Money from property resales is separate from HOA dues and may be used at the board’s discretion. The amount depends on home sales, so it can change from year to year. Discretionary uses include, among other things, the social committee, gardens, and upgrades to facilities.

Unanimously approved.

Resident directory

Should the HOA publish a resident directory, with a choice to opt out? The board discussed it and made no decision. The question will be asked in the next community newsletter.

Committee reports

Executive

Lynne Partridge, Keith Miller, Janie Stopford

• Welcome to Lisa Smith, director until the 2023 election.
• One vacancy remains. The board would like a full-time single-family homeowner, if possible, so the board’s makeup stays balanced.

County water project

Bill Custead

• April 22, 2022: meeting with Bob Mitchell. The document will be posted with the minutes.
• May 17, 2022: public hearing on the application for county water. Bill and Jolene Killinger, Pat Morrison, Keith Mitchell, and Lynne Partridge attended. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the application.

Architectural review

Lynne Partridge

Townhouse signage. The old sign outside Lot A was confusing and has been removed. Addresses still need to be identified for each unit, and new signs posted for emergency vehicles. Lynne and Craig are working on it.

Fence in Parking Lot A. The old fence was removed because more parking was needed. It will be reinstalled at the pool entrance so parking can be regulated. Andrew Davis and Bill Custead will install it.

Pool entrance. Craig Costantino has acquired pavers to reduce flooding at the pool entrance. Volunteers are needed for both projects.

Painting of townhouses.

• Color: original Sherwin Williams Doric White, with brown trim. Motion approved to select a brown trim color that matches the new fascia boards.
• The approved townhouse colors will be posted on the website.
• Letters will go to townhomes that are in critical need of paint. For now, only those homes will receive a letter.
• Still unresolved: a painting reserve fund, a timeline for the painting, and painting the pump house or warehouse a coastal color.

Phragmites. Past herbicide use did not remove the plants for good. The board discussed removal at length: view versus controlling an invasive species, the cost, and whether individual owners or the whole HOA should pay. Several owners already remove their own phragmites, which improves their view and protects the wetlands. For now, owners will keep doing that. Questions can go to Craig Costantino, Bill Custead, or Jeff Stopford.

Lisa Smith suggested a capital contribution from new owners to fund special projects. Keith will look into it.

Wetlands. The waterfronts are protected wetlands, regulated by state and federal law. Waterfront owners and the HOA must keep brush, mulch, and plants out of those zones. HOA wetlands and buffer zones may not be used for gardens, fences, plantings, or mulch. Only the invasive phragmites may be removed. Other trees, shrubs, and growth are legally protected and may need a permit or written permission before they are trimmed, cut, or changed. Fines are steep. Ask a board member if you have a question about these areas.

Boat dock and boatyard

Craig Costantino

Dock spaces are fully rented. Some minor repairs are needed.

Communication

• Community updates will go out as needed, including guidelines on the care and use of the wetlands.
• A welcome letter has been sent to new residents.
• See the website for updates, committee meeting notices, and links.

Lawn care and landscape

• Lawns will be cut weekly, or as needed. The change has saved money, and the lawns are in good shape.
• Townhouse parking lot gardens: weeds and unsightly bushes have been removed. The new perennial plantings are meant to be low maintenance.

Burn pile

No report.

Septic fields

• The board is still looking for someone to manage the fields.
• A full septic tank caused the toilets to malfunction over Memorial Day weekend. That tank will be emptied on a regular schedule.

Motion passed to approve payment to Atlantic Pumping to empty the tank.

Pool

• The opening went well, with volunteers and new umbrellas.
• Entrance plans: pavers to reduce flooding, and the fence from Parking Lot A reused to make an entrance, allow bike parking, and redirect cars.
• To budget for next year: painting the warehouse, power washing and painting the bathrooms, and new chaise lounges.

Tennis court

No report.

Driveway and dumpsters

Bill Custead, chair

• Trash left outside the dumpsters added $232 in costs.
• Please break down large boxes and recycle when you can. Trash service is a benefit that comes with a responsibility.
• Bill has scheduled a load of stone for the driveway and will manage placement.

Water

Thanks to Brandon Ridout for agreeing to manage the well.

Sunshine and social

Robin Custead. More volunteers are welcome.

• Thanks to Robin Custead for refreshments at the pool opening.
• Call Robin with other social ideas.

Security cameras

Cameras will be set up at Lynne’s house. Keith will monitor them.

New business

None.