By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:34 AM.  Five board members were present.  Absent were Chris Claude and Bill Baehr.  Assistant General Manager, Nicole Clemens was also present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble was absent.  After the pledge of allegiance, Buz Whelan, President started his Opening Statement by stating that a resolution will be bought to the board which will fine and remove amenity access to any member that allows a member that is not in good standing in to an amenity by their guest pass.  June 21^st is the Summer Solstice so summer is right around the corner.  Whelan further stated that our General Manager, Daryl Gamble has undergone a medical procedure and is doing well.  In his absence, Clemens is Acting General Manager and will handle all issues that come up while Gamble is recovering.  

Dave Borsos gave the Treasurer’s report for April, which is the end of our fiscal year.   Borsos stated we are operating in the black.  Under dues income, Public Safety income, bank revenue and Rental Revenue were $192K in the black.  We are also operating in the black under access cards income by $56, 235 and Bar/Grill income by $19,575.  We have a small negative variance for private events of $3,710.  The total income is over the budgeted amount for $274K.  Our collection rate is at 75.81%, which is the highest this rate has ever been.  On the cost side we are over budget on Administration by $65K and Maintenance by $86K.  We are under budget on Public Safety by $33K.  In addition, as of April 30^th we have $824,273 in reserves and $129,138 in our investment account.  A motion was made by Bob Leon to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Mike Camino and passed unanimously.

Bob Leon requested the April minutes include the last names of the board members.  A motion to approve April’s open board meeting minutes with the corrections was made Mike Camino and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed unanimously.  

Under Old Business

• Whelan spoke about three projects under recreation.  The first being the dog park that was approved by the board in June of 2022.  The Pine Tree Beach area will be available for dogs at first light until 10:00 AM.  There will be regulations that will be posted at this site.  Some of the regulations include picking up your dog’s poop, keeping dogs under control and any aggressive dog will be banned from using the park.  A double gate will be installed; dispensers for the dog poop will be available.  Connie Simpson recommended buying a chip reader since more pets are being chipped these days.  The second item discussed was the procurement of a lake toy for Main Beach.  A raft will be anchored off the beach.  The criteria for the raft will include safety, durability and flexibility.  The third item was watercraft rentals.  Currently, the Hideout and Arrowhead Lake have boat rentals.  Their fee is $20 for a two hour period.  Numerous requests have come into the office about boat rentals.  This rental will allow all members in good standing to go out on the water in a boat.
• Trash rules pertaining to the number of bags was discussed. Any number of bags over the limit can drop off additional bags for a fee.  $4.00 per bag was discussed since Panther Waste on Sullivan Trail charges that fee.  The passes will be by way of token or pass that must be procured before you get to the compactor.

Under New Business:

• Resolution for Guest Pass Abuse, resolution #05272023-01.  The Board of Directors approves the addition of the following in the Rules and Regulation document.  Under Section 5, sub section B, add the Following “b) any member in good standing who uses their guest pass in order that a member NOT in good standing may use an amenity shall be subject to a fine and suspension of amenity privileges.”  Discussions ensued from the audience.  They wanted to know how the rule would be enforced.  Linda Shuey stated that it was strong reaction for something that happened only once.  The board voted as follows: Connie Simpson – No, Bob Leon – No, Dave Borsos – yes, Mike Camino – Yes.  Since there was a tie, President Whelan voted yes to break the tie.  The final vote was 3 to 2 and the resolution passed.
• Resolution for Catch and Release program, resolution #052723-03.  Resolution to amend Rules and Regulation section, “Hunting/Fishing” #6 to read as follows: “6. The Catch and Release program is enforced for all lakes and all fish.  Be advised that a fine will be issued to anyone not adhering to this rule.”  Discussions included that the program was being enforced to promote a healthy lake and that we need it for the ecology of the lake.  Eric Bergstrom added that Pennsylvania Fish and Game allow an individual to keep up to 50 fish a day.  If we allowed it, it would deplete our fish population.  In addition, Bergstrom will be patrolling our lakes for compliance and will be reporting infractions to our safety officers.   All persons fishing must have a license and a permit issued by the Association.  In addition, all watercraft must be registered and stickered.  The fishing rodeo has been scheduled for Saturday, June 17^th.  The lakes will be stocked and if shocked, fish will be netted off to the inlet at Pine Tree Beach so that the kids have a good opportunity to catch fish. The board voted as follows: Connie Simpson – Yes, Bob Leon – Yes, Dave Borsos – yes, Mike Camino – Yes.  Resolution passed by a 4 to 0 vote.
• ELA Anniversary – Whelan announced that January 14, 1974 is the birthday of ELA.  It is when ELA Inc became into being with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Our 50^th Anniversary is next year and he would like to have a special celebration next year during the summer months.  It could be a party on the beach followed by a program at the Lodge.  A committee will be formed over the next month to start planning the event.  In addition, work will begin soon on an updated history brochure.

 Committee Reports       

Debra Wolf stated that Rules and Regulations meet every second Wednesday of the month.

Bob Leon reported that the Real Estate committee endorses the idea for allowing additional trash bags to be thrown away at the compactor for an additional cost.  They would also like to see an automated system for the entrance at the compactor.  They are currently planning a “Meet and Greet” and would like to give out well and septic maintenance information.

Kathy Whelan spoke on behalf of Finance and Planning (F&P).   F&P had their meeting on May 23rd. Ms. Whelan stated revenue for seven events that occurred in April/May was:

1. April 21st , Trivia Night, income $829.90
2. April 29th, Wing Night, income $932.75
3. May 5th, Game Night/Cinco de Mayo, income $1,604
4. May 12^th, Movie Night, income $1,210
5. May 13th, Karaoke Night,  income $1,020
6. May 19^th, Trivia Night, income $1,208
7. May 21^st, Pizza and Paint, no income identified

There was an error in the scanning process so attendance records are not available.

The Operating Fund/Expense Report showed that $79K was the total dues and fees collected for the month of April and $1,857,783 for the end of our fiscal year.  This figure includes dues income prior year’s dues, dues interest and collection fees and represents more a dues collection rate of 75.81%; Collection reported is $1,212,143 for the fiscal year.  94% was collected in-house.  Sunrise has collected $73,644 for the fiscal year; Public Safety staff is currently at 1 full time and 5 part time members;   Rental income for the fiscal year was $687K.; Code Enforcement fees were $186K YTD with a negative variance of $1.2K;  Bar and Grill income for the month of April were $6,295. Income for the fiscal year was $59K; Resale certificates is $1,610 for the month of April which represents 10 homes being sold; Total income has a positive variance of $274K YTD with total income at $2.9M YTD; Refuse collection was $231K for the fiscal year; total expenses are $2.8M for the fiscal year; $824K is in reserves; interest on investments is $227.95.  The next scheduled meeting of F&P will be held on Friday, June 16th at the Administration building.

Director’s Comments

                    Bob Leon stated that there are 39 homes for sale in Emerald Lakes.  Seven listed were just posted this week.  They are:

1.          $375,000 listed for 1 day at 106 Island Drive
2.          $450,000 for 2 days at 400 Cedar
3.          $675,000 for 4 days at 163 Beaver Dam Rd
4.          $380,000 for 4 days at 171 Bull Run
5.          $309,000 for 4 days at 312 Clearview
6.          $219,900 listed for 5 days at 1079 Clover
7.          $425,000 listed for 7 days 1422 Glade
8.          $440,000 for 17 days listed at 207 Beaver Dam
9.          $299,000 listed for 17 days at 134 Ivy Way
10. $465,000 listed for 18 days at 1655 Glade
11. $319,000 listed for 18 days at 248 Cedar
12. $459,000 listed for 19 days at 558 Clearview
13. $465.000 listed for 21 days at 1258 Clover
14. $412,000 listed for 21 days at 1432 Clover
15.  $269,000 listed for 23 days at 1147 Horizon
16. $850,000 listed for 29 days at 265 Cedar
17. $280,000 listed for  29 days at 1047 Cricket
18. $269,900 listed for 30 days at 143 Sycamore     
19. $500,000 listed for 31 day  at 104 Tumbleweed 
20. $189,999 listed for 34 days 607 Sullivan Trail
21. $325,000 listed for 36 days  at 1642 Clover
22. $264,900 listed for 39 days at 143 Granite
23. $226,000 listed for 45 days at 1245 Glade
24. $314,900 listed for 51 days at 174 Sage
25. $449,000 listed for 51 days at 332 Cedar
26. $425,000 listed for 51 days at 128 White Tail
27. $599,900 listed for 56 days at 1410 Glade
28. $419,000 listed for 58 days at 1205 Bowstring
29. $399,000 listed for 63 days at 1117 Sioux Court
30. $949,000 listed for 64 days at 161 Beaver Dam
31. $399,999 listed for 73 days at 1674 Glade
32. $405,000 listed for 83 days at 2441 Grey Birch
33. $535,000 listed for 101 days at 2133 Wild Laurel
34. $389,500 listed for 101 days at 2232 Grey Birch
35. $389,500 listed for 113 days at 1272 Glade
36. $399,800 listed for 140 days at 795 Clearview
37. $300,000 listed for 255 days at 116 Yellow Birch
38. $589,000 listed for 273 days at 222 Arbor
39. $325,000 listed for 315 days at 227 Hornbeam

Dave Borsos requested patience with the membership and allow the board time to address issues.  He stated that as we go through the years something new always comes up.

Mike Camino stated summer is here and Short Term Rentals are popping up.  If the membership has issues they should call public safety first or for serious issues Pocono Regional Police at 570-992-9911.  He further stated that people should be nice to your neighbors and get to know who lives next to you.

Buz Whelan commented on the bar and grill opening on Thursday night.  He complemented Taylor, the new bartender who was pouring drinks during happy hour.  He makes a terrific martini and has an awesome list of mixed drinks available.  The Taco Salad bowl and Rodeo burger cooked by Cassie was fabulous.  Whelan further stated that when he got home from the Lodge that night, a member knocked on his door to complain about a ticket that his son received from public safety.  He stated that all complaints should go to the Administration staff and not board director houses. 

Public Comments

          Crista complained that public safety flew by her house and went through a stop sign.

          Debra Wolf asked who was responsible for cutting the grass at the end of her property.  She was told that we do not have the equipment to do it.  In the past when we did cut the grass, the equipment would break down constantly, so the board asked the membership to please take care of that area on their properties.  She also requested seminars for seniors on scam prevention by the police/fire department.

          Amanda from Granite asked how to get involved.  She was told to visit the Administration building to sign up for a committee.

          Eric Bergstrom stated that currently there are boats on the lake without tags or IDs.  He will be patrolling the lakes and he requested that signs be posted at the boat launch so the boater can see the requirements before they launch their boats.  In addition, he is requesting additional boulders to be placed at the Butterfly Garden to prevent ATV from driving into the gardens.  He also requested mile markers be put around the lake so that if an issue occurs, the area can be easily identified.

Linda Shuey stating that closing in the dog park doesn’t necessarily control dogs.  They can swim. She advised that for the recreational items above that the Association check with our insurance carrier.

Jason Bradley stated that in NY people don’t own the streets; however, they are required to shovel their sidewalks.

          Serena complained that her next door neighbor never mows.  The house is vacant.  She also inquired about the board hearing her second request for an appeal.  The Appeals Committee heard her case and reduced her fine; however, she wants to board to now hear her case.

Six (6) new members were welcomed to the Community.

          A motion was made by Connie Simpson to adjourn.  It was seconded by Mike Camino.  Meeting adjourned at 11:58 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.