By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:36 AM.  Four board members were present.  Bob Leon, Bill Baehr and Steve Kavanagh were absent.  General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager, Nicole Clemens was also present. After the pledge of allegiance, Buz Whelan, President wished all Season’s greetings.  He wished a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Joyous Kwanzaa.  Whelan also noted the holiday hours for staff and asked that the membership be mindful of the hours and adjust your schedule for visiting the Administration building or the trash compactor. The Administration building will close at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 23^rd and will be closed all day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  It will reopen on Tuesday, December 27^th.  The compactor will be closed on December 24^th and 25^th and will reopen on Tuesday, December 27^th.  The Community Center will be closed on December 24^th and 25^th and will reopen on Monday. December 26^th.  Whelan stated that our staff works hard and are very dedicated and have earned the right to be off.  Whelan also reminded members that if they require a plow person, now is the time to contact them before it starts snowing.  If you do your own plowing it is a good idea to check out your equipment and have the necessary fuel available.  Whelan also stated that if an offhand comment is made at the open board meeting it doesn’t mean that a new policy is in place.  That only happens when the board votes on an issue.  Office staff seems to be inundated with phone calls when such comments are made.  He further stated that staff does not set the policy, the board does, and so all contact should go to the board.  The board has public comments at the end of the monthly open meeting and is also available by email. 

A motion to accept the November minutes was made by Connie Simpson and seconded by Dave Borsos.  It passed unanimously.

          Dave Borsos was not able to give a Treasurer’s report for November since the financials are not out yet. 

Under Old Business:

• Upcoming events at the Lodge are scheduled for:

• Santa letter deadline is December 14th
• A pajama Polar Express movie night is scheduled for December 16^th. Doors open at 5:00 PM where the show will begin at 6:30 PM.
• Santa Event to include a pajama pancake breakfast will be held on December 17^th, at 10:00 AM. 
• Ugly Christmas sweater night at the Lodge will be held on December 23^rd.
• A Masquerade New Year Eve Party will be held on December 31^st.   A DJ will be playing music and a special menu is being planned.
• January 4^th is the Craft Circle between the hours of 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. 
• January 6^th will be family game night.
• January 12^th is Paint and Sip at the Lodge.  The cost is $40.00 and due by January 5^th.  All canvas and paints is supplied and 2 drinks are included in the fee.
• January 13^th will be family movie night.
• January 14^th will be karaoke.
• January 18^th is the Craft Circle between the hours of 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
• January 20^th is the restart of Trivia night.
• March 18^th is a St. Patrick’s Day party.
• A winter luau is being planned for February.  Break out your Hawaiian shirts.

The first Friday of the month will host family game night, the second Friday will host family movie night and the third Friday night will host Trivia Night.  Karaoke will be planned on the second Saturday of the month. 

• Rules and Regulation has been started up again with Connie Simpson as the liaison.  The committee will be meeting once a week on Wednesday for one to one and a half hours.  The committee is first focusing on rules and regulations for yard sales.  Our chief enforcement officer cannot enforce township laws but can enforce rules and regulations policies.  Tobyhanna Township currently only allows two permitted yard sales a year.  Complaints have been received on individuals running yard sales whenever the sun is out.  It appears that these homeowners are running businesses and they are not allowed in the community. 
• The road work for the season is complete since it was difficult to get supplies.  The Association has spent $600K this season which is $80K under what was planned. Three speed tables were installed and next year 2 or 3 more will be added.  The cost $3,800 each.  Lines in the community have been repainted.  All dirt roads should be paved next year.

Under New Business

• None
•  

Sixteen (16) new members were welcomed to the Community.

Committee Reports    

Appeals committee did not meet. 

Rules and Regulation meet on Wednesdays and is reported on above under Old Business.

Finance and Planning did not meet this month since the board meeting was moved up earlier and the financials were not completed.   

Mike Camino reported on the Real Estate committee. This committee meets every other month. They discussed ways on how to improve operations at the trash compactor and are developing best practices which will be forwarded to the administrative office and the board members.  This committee is made up of landlords and residents and they want to focus on problem landlords and new landlords coming into the community.  They want to help them get into compliance.  They also plan on having workshops two times a year.  At their last workshop they discussed the new ordinance that was passed in Tobyhanna Township.  They are also trying to bring landlords into the community for social events such as a beer and pretzel social event.  Discussions were also held on creating a community garden.  The next meeting is scheduled for January 21^st.

Dave Borsos asked for a list of committee members.  Whelan asked what experience they had with enforcement of ordinances in Tobyhanna Township.  Camino stated that Tunkhannock has 100% enforcement and sends staff out to validate the landlord compliance.  Tobyhanna does not have the same percentage verification.  They are at 0%.  Camino stated that the committee also looks out for the general welfare of the community and thanked the board and administration for getting things done.   

Director’s Comments

          Dave Borsos wished everyone happy holidays

Public Comments

                    Connie Simpson asked as a public comment about the planned pickle ball courts.  Gamble stated that they are planned for next spring season.  The tennis courts at the Community Center will have two pickle ball courts.  The nets and equipment will be portable so that they can be put away and stored and/or moved to another location at the outdoor pool.  A fence will be erected at the current planned location to separate the tennis/pickle ball courts from the basketball courts. 

          A gentleman from the audience thanked the board and administration for installing the speed table at Glade and Clearview.  It has made a great difference.

          A motion was made by Dave Borsos to adjourn.  It was seconded by Connie Simpson.  Meeting adjourned at 10:25 AM.

Reporters Note: I write these reports based on notes taken during the meeting.  I get no special consideration or cooperation from the board.  I try my best to report accurately, but occasionally mistakes will be made.  I invite correction and have no desire to intentionally mischaracterize any comments or actions.