Accomplishments during the past month.

• Insurance and property taxes for the year are paid in full.  DHEC fees for the pool are paid in full.
• All subdivision street light problems were called into Duke Energy and subsequently fixed.  3 burned light bulbs were replaced, and 8 glass sides repaired.
• Renovations and repairs to the clubhouse were made.  Costs to the subdivision were for materials only; all labor was voluntary by Rocco.

o   Changed the 20 bulbs in the main room stairs to energy-efficient fluorescent lights.  In addition to saving energy, this change also reduces current draw and heat build-up in the switch.

o   Replaced an outside floodlight.

o   Replaced a missing smoke detector.

o   Replaced a 9 volt battery in the heater room smoke detector.

o   Replaced AA batteries in all thermostats.

o   Installed blinds in the downstairs office.

o   Repaired handle on the downstairs office door.

o   Repaired a stair railing.

o   Replaced a toilet paper roller.

o   Replaced 3 fire extinguishers that were found discharged with 3 rechargeable fire extinguishers.  The original discharged extinguisher handles were plastic and, as a result, not rechargeable.

Treasure Rocco Cioffoletti distributed an updated budget.  Main items of discussion were the following.

• 134 of the 157 lots have paid the 2008 subdivision fees to date.  Rocco presented a letter, dated 3/6/08, to be sent to the remaining 23 lot owners.  As stipulated in the covenants, Article V, Section 5.08, “If any assessment is not paid on the date when due, such assessments shall then become delinquent, and interest at the rate of eighteen (18%) per annum shall be added to such assessment.”  For an annual fee of $528, the monthly interest penalty is $7.92. Failure to pay by 4/30/08 will result in a lien being placed on the property.
• As mentioned above, all insurance, property taxes, and DHEC pool fees have been paid in full.
• Irrigation backflow testing is yet to be done, and billed.

Discussion of Old Business

• Progress has not yet been made on the annual update of the subdivision nonprofit status.
• Before buying new pool locks, a search will be conducted for the ones previously used.
• Bill showed the four Private Property No Trespassing signs.  The plan is to place one at each of the tennis court entrance-ways, and one at each of the two entrance gates to the pool.
• Tennis court maintenance is still being investigated.
• Duke Energy has not yet replaced the street light near the first Clubhouse parking lot entrance.  The light was knocked down a few years ago.  Duke will be replacing at no cost to the subdivision.  Ed will investigate the lack of progress.
• Replacement of the privacy fence along 123 will proceed as planned.  All concerns of the homeowners living along Highway 123 have been addressed.  (Notification was given to all homeowners in the fee assessment, and is also posted on the website.)  The cost is $30,190 for 950 feet of 10 foot “treated” wood fence.  The posts will be 6 by 6 by 14 feet.  There is a 2-year warranty for the installation and a 20-year warranty for the wood against rot. Replacement will begin soon, with segments of the old fence removed as the new fence is constructed.  The task will be completed this spring.
• Discussions arose relative to paving the walking trail.  Two homeowners presented a petition to the Board, signed by owners of 43 different lots, to have those portions of the trail that are not currently covered in asphalt to remain in their natural state.  This petition is in response to the Board’s deliberations to have the entire trail covered in asphalt.  Lengthy discussions ensued that addressed such topics as vehicular traffic on the walking trail, drainage, costs, aesthetics, preferences, liabilities, and maintenance.  Ed presented a breakdown (see below) that showed the installation and continuing maintenance costs of asphalt to be far less over a 20 year period than that of gravel refresh and maintenance over the same period.  The Board is deliberating the options, and has made no decision. The delay is to allow Board members to further contemplate newly-presented information.

Discussion of New Business

• Discussion took place relative to the placement of security lights in the Clubhouse parking areas and the old Knoll House parking lot.  These areas are very dark at night and make it difficult for people attending evening functions at the club to move from the parking lots to the Clubhouse.  Additionally, such security lights will make it easier to monitor activities in these areas and possibly deter the vandalism that has been experienced at the Clubhouse. Installation and operating costs are $25 per month per light.  While street lights are funded by the city, Clemson does not pay for parking lot lights.  The Board voted unanimously (4 to 0 for those members present) to have these lights installed by Duke Energy.  Installed lights will match current neighborhood street lights.  From the date of the signed contract, there will be 2.5 weeks until completion.
• Responding to a homeowner’s request to provide easy access to Board members, there will be a gmail address set up and placed at the bottom of the subdivision home page.
• The annual homeowners’ meeting is tentatively scheduled for 4/24/08 at 7:30 pm in the Clubhouse.  The Board secretary will prepare a meeting notice, nomination form, and absentee ballot to present at the next Board meeting for approval.

Committee Chair Inputs

Social

Subdivision directories will be published after the annual HOA meeting.  This timing will allow for changes in Board members and Committee Chairs.  Janet Klodowski is the primary contact for this committee.

Landscaping

The Board is considering 3/29 for a possible work date.

Received one bid for mulch.  Two other bids are outstanding.  Installation is anticipated for April.  The mulch will cover the entire subdivision, including areas missed last year, and the vacant area between the Clubhouse and nearest house.

Pool

No response.

ACC

Nothing to report.

Rules and Regulations Committee

Nothing to report.

Clubhouse Committee

Club was rented six times in January and February.  See above for repairs.

Web Page Committee

Nothing to report.

The next Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 pm on April 1, 2008 at the Clubhouse.

The meeting concluded at 9:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Warren P. Adams

Secretary, Country Walk Board

Walking Trail – Comparison of Gravel vs Paving