Please note: This is not the official minutes of the board meeting; just an informal recap
We begin with some very good news…
Board president Heidi Burton announced a tentative agreement with the owners of Unit 27 aimed at closing the books on the community’s long-running ordeal. The entire board recently held a Zoom session with owners John Webster and Mike Moore and we found some common ground. We’ll release details when the agreement is formalized– but we seem to be done with lawyers and want to make a fresh start with John and Mike.
Trash collection
Remember how padlocking the two dumpsters was going to help us save money by limiting unauthorized dumping? Well, in fact, our Waste Management bills have actually gone UP. Community manager Janet Krautstrunk explained that a WM audit discovered Incline Pines gets special handling by a smaller truck because regular garbage trucks can’t handle our narrow road– and the special service had gone unnoticed by the billing department. Until now, unfortunately.
Board treasurer Renee Meldrum has been taking a close look at our trash collection costs and suggested we could save substantial money by having our bear boxes serviced every other week instead of weekly (except during the holiday season). The board agreed to try it out for at least the next few months to see how well it works. It may require non full-time owners sharing their bins with their full-time neighbors. Please give us feedback if this becomes an issue.
While we’re talking trash, let’s talk about the heavy snow that covered one of the dumpsters after the “bomb cyclone” storm.
It looks like someone tried to open the lid but couldn’t muscle it up because of the snow– so they set the trash on the ground next to the dumpster.
The bear that enjoyed a mid-day picnic and scattered garbage everywhere thanks you!
We’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone that some of the bear boxes need a gentle nudge to secure the bottom latch on the locking door. Check out the claw marks on this trash enclosure from a bear who’s figured out it’s always worth checking.
Lighting
The board encourages the community to weigh in on outdoor lighting. Nobody seems to like the plastic lamp post fixtures delightfully described by IP resident Anita Kempler (Unit 2) as “Mary Poppins” lights.
We’re exploring different styles to complement the original wood and metal fixtures that have gradually decayed.
Ted and Susan (Unit 28) are in touch with nearby fabricators who’ll submit proposals for replacement fixtures to complement the originals.
We’re also looking as some off-the-shelf fixtures that would look good and perhaps be more economical. Stay tuned.
If you’ve got photos or sketches of fixtures you think would be appropriate, please upload them here. We’d be happy to share them.
For more, please visit our outdoor lighting page.
Safety bollards
We’re exploring square metal safety bollards to replace the rotted posts found in much of the community.
They’d probably be 3-4 feet tall with cables slung between them to prevent vehicles from going over the edge of their parking spaces.
We would want them in a color, likely brown, that would appear more natural.
Private security patrol
The board voted to discontinue the contract with the security company that “patrols” Incline Pines. If you’ve never seen them before, you’re in good company. We’ll save $1,800 per year that we can potentially put into wireless security cameras to keep an eye on wrong-way drivers and dumpster pirates.
Incline Pines HOA committees: Help wanted
The board is looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees: Architectural, Grounds and Maintenance plus Social (Welcome Wagon for new owners). Here are the details. Please let us know if you’d like to serve.
Insurance questions?
The recent Caldor fire understandably put a lot of us on edge. What’s our coverage? Where are the gaps? Our HOA insurance agent, Ron Wright, will join us for a Zoom conversation on Tuesday Nov. 2 at 5 pm. Watch your email for the Zoom invite.
Architectural approval
The board has developed a form for architectural approval aimed at making the process more transparent. Projects involving an owner’s use of common area will require a public hearing. Simple projects like door and window replacement will not.
Next board meeting
We’re tiptoeing around the holidays and settled on Thursday Dec. 9 at 5 pm. This will be a Zoom-only meeting. Hope to see you online!