By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:32 AM.  All board members were present.  Assistant General Manager, Nicole Clemens was also present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble was absent.  After the pledge of allegiance, Buz Whelan, President, called for a motion to approve May’s open board meeting minutes.  It was made by Mike Camino and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed unanimously.  Whelan started his Opening Statement by stating that today is the last day to sign up for running for the board.  Currently we have 5 candidates running for three open positions.  Two positions are for a three year term and one position is for a one year term.  The one year term will finish out the position held by a board member that moved to Texas.  The mailing is currently prepared and will be mailed out shortly.  Whelan further recommended to the membership that if you can afford a camera system, it is a good idea to have it installed since one member had equipment that was outside stolen from her home.  The police cannot be everywhere.  This will help them with identifying the thief.  Whelan announced that the next newsletter will be published in the next two weeks and will be a pre annual meeting edition which will contain the biographies of the candidates running for the board.  Another edition of the newsletter will be released at the Annual Meeting.  Whelan also said that the kids are now out of school for the summer and he asked the members to please obey the traffic rules.  In addition, please be mindful of our water safety rules.  All individuals under 14 must be wearing a safety vest and adults, if not wearing the equipment, must have the equipment in the boat while they are on the water.  Whelan finally reminded the members that the Lodge is now open on Thursday nights.  There is a special menu for that night and the food has been delicious.

Dave Borsos gave the Treasurer’s report for May, which is the first month of our fiscal year.   Borsos stated we are operating in the black.  Under dues income we are at $351K;  Rental Income $222K and is $90K over anticipated collections; Community Center and Recreation revenue which includes access cards, boat registration and fishing permits, bar and grill income, private event rental, vending income and event income was $19K; Total income for the month was $604,074.On the expense side the following items are included: Administration, General and Professional, Public Safety, Maintenance, Community Center/Recreation, Insurance, Utilities.  Total expenses for the month were $233,076.  Our insurance expenses were over by $12K; however, since the money is broken down by 12 months that figure will be within budget at the end of the year.   In addition, as of May 31^th we have $1,100,000 in our operating budget, $924K in reserves and $129,138 in our investment account.  A motion was made by Chris Claude to accept the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Bob Leon and passed unanimously.

Under Old Business

• The dog park located at Pine Tree beach has the safety fence installed and are in the process of adding a building security shack.  Signage should be installed within the next two weeks.  The hours of operation are dawn till 10:00 AM.  Chris Claude wants to be on the record that the wants addition gating done on the back side by the lagoons.
• Research is being done on the watercraft for the boat rental that will be located at Pine Tree Beach.  All boats will be chained and locked.  Access to the watercraft will be by the attendant assigned to the beach.  A storage facility will also be built to house the boats in the winter.  Claude’s research showed that it is better to spend a little more and get a better boat.  He is recommending sit on kayaks and stand up paddle board to start with.
• The board is requesting that the members be good neighbors and cut the curbside grass that is at their property.  They are appealing to the membership to help them out. 

Under New Business:

• The Annual Meeting will be held on August 26^th in the Lodge.  Members were advised to check to see that administration had their correct address on file.  Registration will begin at 9:30 AM and will run to 11:00 AM.  If you are in line by 11:00 AM you will be allowed to register and vote if you are in good standing.  In order to vote, you must be a member in good standing by August 11^th.  If you plan on taking advantage of proxy voting, your votes must be received in the addressed envelope at our Accountants office 48 hours prior to our meeting.  No votes will be accepted at the Administration building.  You also must stamp your letter before you put it in the mail.  Finally, since the agenda is mailed out in the call to meeting, no items can be added to the agenda at the meeting.  It is not fair to the membership that may have shown up if a particular item was on the agenda.
• UTVs, And ATV are allowed to be driven in the community but must be registered, insured and have a license plate.  Registration is through the Game Commission and Emerald Lakes. These vehicles can only be used for utilitarian reasons.
• Public Nuisance resolution submitted by Chris Claude # 06242023-01.  The Board adopted the following resolution to the Rules and Regulation document.  The resolution includes the following: 1) Any vehicle not equipped with a muffler or a vehicle with an exhaust modified louder than factory volume is not permitted. 2) Vehicles with a backfiring or afterburner type exhaust system that produces popping or gunfire like sounds are strictly prohibited. 3) Any condition that creates persistent loud noise(s) between the hours of 8 AM and 10 PM is a public nuisance.  There are exceptions for permitted construction work and lawn care maintenance.  4) Loud noises between the hours of 10 PM and 8 AM will be considered Disturbing the Peace and the associated fines will be doubled. 5) Public Nudity is not permitted on Emerald Lakes Association property.  Motion passed with a 6 to 0 vote.

Committee Reports        

Debra Wolf stated that Rules and Regulations meet every second Wednesday of the month.  Several items that they are discussing include 1) Sending fines by registered mail. 2) Page 19, Section 1-4 – Unsightly property.  3) Political Signs and flags. 4) UTV and ATVs.

Bill Baehr spoke for the Appeals committee.  Three cases were heard this month.  One appeal was for a public safety issue and two appeals were for Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) issues.  The committee will not be meeting in July due to the holiday.  The next meeting is scheduled for August.

Bob Leon spoke on behalf of the Real Estate committee.  There was no meeting held this month.  The next meeting will be held next month via Zoom.  Discussion will include the Meet and Greet event that is being planned.  In addition, the committee put together information on the septic systems that will be available to tenants that rent homes in Emerald Lakes.

Kathy Whelan spoke on behalf of Finance and Planning (F&P).   F&P had their meeting on June 16th.  She announced that Earl Frank, a long time member of the committee resigned.  He had many years of dedicated service and valuable contributions to the committee.  He will be missed.  Ms. Whelan stated revenue and head count for seven events that occurred in May/June was:

1. May 25th , Thirsty Thursday, income $367.25, attendance 5
2. May 27th, Wing Night, income $979.25, attendance 72
3. June 1st, Thirsty Thursday, income $146.50. attendance 1
4. June 2nd, Game Night, income $434.25, attendance 5
5. June 9^th, Movie Night, income $729.50, attendance 60
6. June 10th, Karaoke Night, income $1678.50, attendance 32
7. June 15th, Thirsty Thursday, income $354.75, attendance 23

The Operating Fund/Expense Report showed that $292K was the total dues and fees collected for the month of May.  This figure includes dues income prior year’s dues, dues interest and collection fees and represents a dues collection rate of 66.78%, last year’s rate was 63.68%;  Collection reported is $160,567 for the month.  90% was collected in-house.  Sunrise has collected $1,442 while our attorney collected $13K which represents a case won in court for nonpayment of dues;  Rental income for the fiscal year was $222K which shows a positive variance of $91K; Bar and Grill income for the month of May were $6,863.  Expenses were $6,573.  Revenue exceeded cost by $290.06; Resale certificates is $1,666 for the month which represents 11 homes being sold; Refuse collection was $19,296K for the month; interest on investments is $49.25.  A recommendation from Diane DuCharme on the committee was to add Wing Night to Thirsty Thursday to attract more people.  The next scheduled meeting of F&P will be held on Friday, July 21st at the Administration building.

Director’s Comments

          Connie Simpson stated that the indoor pool needs better maintenance.  There is mold along the edge.

                    Bob Leon stated that there are 41 homes for sale in Emerald Lakes ranging from $189K to $949K.    They are:

1.      $349,900, listed for 2 days at 401 Clearview
2.      $225,000 listed for 3 days at 1249 Hunter
3.      $385,000 listed for 4 days at 578 Minsi Trail
4.      $209,000 listed for 5 days at 2712 Long Pond Rd
5.      $309,995 listed for 7 days at 259 Clearview
6.      $399,900 listed for 14 days at 229 Sage
7.      $399,000 listed for 15 days at Hornbeam
8.      $189,999 listed for 15 days at 607 Sullivan Trail
9.      $429,900 listed for 15 days at 152 Granite
10.     $419,899 listed for 16 days at 449 Clearview
11.     $249,900 listed for 17 days at 140 Cinnamon
12.     $259,000 listed for 17 days at 134 Ivy Way
13.     $399,000 listed for 18 days at 1311 Hilltop
14.         $280,000 listed for 22 days at 780 Minsi Trail     
15.         $359,000 listed for 28 day at 106 Island Drive
16.          $429,900 for 30 days at 400 Cedar
17.          $675,000 for 32 days at 163 Beaver Dam Rd
18.          $380,000 for 32 days at 171 Bull Run
19.          $219,900 listed for 33 days at 1079 Clover
20.          $440,000 for 45 days listed at 207 Beaver Dam
21.          $465,000 listed for 46 days at 1655 Glade
22.          $449,000 listed for 47 days at 558 Clearview
23.          $399,000 listed for 49 days at 1432 Clover
24.  $269,000 listed for 51 days at 1147 Horizon
25.  $850,000 listed for 57 days at 265 Cedar
26.  $255,000 listed for  57 days at 1047 Cricket
27.  $500,000 listed for 59 day  at 104 Tumbleweed 
28.  $325,000 listed for 64 days  at 1642 Clover
29.  $266,000 listed for 67 days at 143 Granite
30.  $314,900 listed for 79 days at 174 Sage
31.  $449,000 listed for 79 days at 332 Cedar
32.  $425,000 listed for 79 days at 128 White Tail
33.  $399,000 listed for 91 days at 1117 Sioux Court
34.  $949,000 listed for 92 days at 161 Beaver Dam
35.  $535,000 listed for 129 days at 2133 Wild Laurel
36.  $389,500 listed for 129 days at 2232 Grey Birch
37.  $379,000 listed for 141 days at 1272 Glade
38.  $399,800 listed for 168 days at 795 Clearview
39.  $300,000 listed for 283 days at 116 Yellow Birch
40.  $589,000 listed for 301 days at 222 Arbor
41.  $325,000 listed for 343 days at 227 Hornbeam

Dave Borsos commended the Fishing Club for the wonderful Fishing Rodeo that they hosted.  Every child received a prize.  Hot dogs, drinks and ice cream were supplied to the kids. A special shout out went to Pat and Eric Bergstrom for coordinating the event. Borsos also commended Don Atkiss for the great job that he has done on the Butterfly Garden.  Whelan also added a thank you to Dave and Cathy Borsos for the contribution of the toys for the children at the Fishing Rodeo.

Bill Baehr asked people that are out walking at night to be careful since there are no street lamps in the community.  People are hard to see and he doesn’t want to see anyone get hurt.  Baehr is also pleased that more people are coming out for Trivia Night.  Everyone seems to be having a good time.  Baehr also had kudos to our bartender Taylor.  He makes a delicious drink and has a great personality.

Mike Camino stated would like to see more use of the television in the game room.  He would like to see kids bringing in their games to play on the set.  Nicole Clemens stated that the video room will be opened once Verizon installs a station on Bus Rd.  They will be supplying fiber optic services to us at no charge for the room.  Claude would like the room opened now where kids can play sport games.   Camino added that he is running for the board this year and he hopes to get a second term.

Buz Whelan commented that he is disappointed that the shuffle board and skeet ball machines in the game room were trashed.  If the individual who was responsible for the damage is identified, they will be turned over to Regional police.

Chris Claude announced the following events: July 7^th, Game Night, July 14^th Movie Night which will be showing Guardians of the Galaxy, July 13^th, Karaoke and July 21^st, Trivia Night.  Claude is also planning Corn Hole games to be played from July through September.  Winner gets bragging rights.  In addition, Claude recommended Bob Bulin check out the strip of road on Long Pond Rd.  We will need more barriers to prevent people from parking by the lake.

Public Comments

          Hilary Decker thanked the staff for the newly installed pickle ball court.  She also recommended that people sign out equipment for the Game Room at the Lodge so that we can identify anyone damaging the equipment. 

          Louise Leon stated that she was totally impressed by the board.  She thanked the board and staff for a good job.

          Selena Thomas asked how long would it take for her to be notified about her second appeal with the board.  She also thanked Bob Bulin for getting the heat working on the indoor pool. Debbie Wolf and Hilary Decker seconded that thanks to Bob.

          Kathy Whelan also thanked Cathy with a C, Borsos for the wonderful job that she did on the painting of the rain barrel at the Butterfly Garden.

Seven (7) new members were welcomed to the Community.

          A motion was made by Dave Borsos to adjourn.  It was seconded by Connie Simpson.  Meeting adjourned at 11:37 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.