Mar 2017
Meeting Location: 195 Main St, South Kingstown, RI 02879 – See Map
3/7/17 Annual Meeting
6:30 pm at The Salt Water Tavern (SWT)
Present: Board Members: Karen DeBoer, Richard Kasper, Bill Boardman, Tracy Telford, Phil Telford, Sarah Kirwin, Chris Parente. Many homeowners were present.
Treasure’s Report
The proposed budget was accepted as written. Dues will remain the same.
New Business
Richard Kasper was re-elected to the Board of Directors for a 3-year term.
HOA governing and membership was explained to new homeowners who were present. The Board stated that new members are needed, as many positions are vacant.
The Tefft Hill Facebook page is used for the social outreach of the neighborhood.
A homeowner asked if pesticides ware used in common areas. The current landscaper will provide an answer after annual meeting adjourns.
A homeowner questioned the health of the chestnut trees near the north entrance. The town will be notified of the condition of the trees, as they are responsible for maintenance. P. Telford will contact the town tree warden. R. Kasper will investigate planting new chestnut trees by contacting the American Chestnut Society.
The annual meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm.
3/7/17 Board Meeting
7:05 pm at the Salt Water Tavern
Present: Karen DeBoer, Richard Kasper, Bill Boardman, Tracy Telford, Phil Telford, Sarah Kirwin, Chris Parente, Nick Donadio from Park Place Landscape, various homeowners.
Minutes from 1/17/17 were reviewed and accepted as written.
Architectural Review Board Business
There was a recommendation to bring solar panel installation to the ARB to shield homeowners from complaints. The Board takes action on written complaints. It was noted it is arduous to change the bylaws (must have 51% vote). The ARB guidelines will be reviewed. W. Boardman requested a volunteer group to research solar panels, such as investigating other HOA’s and the building codes of SK. T. Rich, K. Burke, and R. Dinoto volunteered for the solar panel research group.
New neighborhood bulletin boards were proposed for the top of Ridge Crest Rd on Chestnut Hill Rd (south entrance) and at the intersection of High Meadow Lane on Chestnut Hill Rd (north entrance). They will replace previously broken signs.
Landscaping Business
Nick from Park Place explained that no chemical fertilizers are used in open spaces. Trees with poison ivy are treated by the “bloody glove technique,” so as to not spread the ivy killer. Composted dirt is spread on open space areas, but it was noted there are poor soil quality areas from the original neighborhood development. P. Telford will address these areas with his spring planting initiative. He hopes to add areas of color and interest with plantings throughout the neighborhood. Nick stated he could help P. Telford with getting plants at cost, but would not plant them.
Park Place maintains sidewalks to have an 8-foot height clearance within the open space areas only. Homeowners were told to contact the landscape committee if there are any landscaping concerns.
Nick from Park Place also extended a discount of 15% on blown-in mulch to Tefft Hill homeowners with a 10-yard minimum purchase. Park place will also extend a 10% discount for residential landscaping to the homeowners of Tefft Hill.
Park Place Landscaping will provide a list of services to include in a neighborhood newsletter.
Covenants
No complaints were submitted recently. If a car is blocking a sidewalk, it is a town issue. Homeowners were told to inform the town of blocked sidewalk concerns.
New Business
Volunteerism in the neighborhood was discussed. Attendees were requesting job descriptions for vacant positions. C. Parente volunteered to run the “welcome wagon” committee. Which was described as a door-to-door initiative to connect with neighbors and increase community involvement. Other volunteers for this group include P. Telford, J. Rich and C. Swan.
The current Tefft Hill website is antiquated. The budget included cost for a new administrator. The current administrator has ownership and the site went dormant. The board wants ownership so that the website is more active and the board is in control of the site. The new site may have to change to Teffthill.org.
Once the website is up and running, the board will disseminate community information and write job descriptions for vacancies.
P. Telford has many community-based activities he would like to promote. He will promote them on the Tefft Hill Facebook page until the new website is completed.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 7pm at The Saltwater Tavern.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25pm.